I always chuckle when Toronto ends up being reported as an option for a big name free agent. Nothing against Toronto as a city or even anything against franchise as a whole or the fans—-but outside of just the money and differences in taxes from the USA—-what is the motivation for a star player to want to be there?
Youre in a division with the Yankees and Red Sox—who are always going to spend more to be more competitive than Toronto will be able to. Add to that now the Orioles and their system loaded with tons of young top prospects and the Rays top talent development.
You’re playing in the Rogers Centre, while nice, is a 36 year old ballpark.
They don’t have especially well regarded management or coaching/training staffs—compared to say Detroit, who has a World Series Winning Manager* and arguably the top pitching coach in the league.
The odds that you’d sign there, be a part of a half-assed rebuild and then get traded somewhere else when they realize the window has closed again is very high….
Both of their other young stars will be free agents after this year—and it’s highly unlikely both re-sign…..especially if Toronto is out of it by the trade deadline this year (which they will be regardless of Sasaki)
Not saying I want to see him go to SD or LA, but…..bro, give some other organizations a better look.