The Toronto Blue Jays have been on the wrong side of some very public near misses in recent seasons. They failed to sign Shohei Ohtani before he went on to become a baseball superstar with the Los Angeles Angels. They also reportedly came very close to acquiring superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor before he was traded to the New York Mets.
Former Mets interim general manager Zack Scott revealed recently that the Blue Jays were very close to trading for Lindor before he ended up in Queens. In a recent social media post, Scott said that the Cleveland Guardians asked the Mets and the Blue Jays if they would do a certain trade package. Both teams said yes, but the Guardians ultimately chose to trade Lindor to the Mets.
"I worked for the Mets, not the Guardians, so my perspective may not be fully informed. Cleveland asked us and the Jays if we would do a certain package. We both said yes. Cleveland slept on it and then told us they would do our deal. The Jays did nothing wrong... we squeaked it out," Scott said.
It’s hard to say what would have happened if Lindor had gone to Toronto. Would Bo Bichette still be there, or would he have been traded? Would the Blue Jays have won a playoff game since 2016? It’s an interesting thought experiment.
What is clear is that the Blue Jays were very close to landing a true superstar in Lindor. It’s also clear that the Mets are very happy to have him. Lindor has been a key player for the Mets since he arrived in 2021 and he's helped them reach the playoffs in 2024. The Blue Jays, on the other hand, are still looking for that missing piece. They will have to wait and see if they can land another big name free agent in the future.
Lindor's Impact On The Mets
Lindor has been a dominant force for the Mets since he was traded from the Cleveland Guardians in 2021. Despite struggling in his first season in New York, Lindor has returned to form in recent seasons, hitting for power and playing excellent defense. Lindor has been an invaluable member of the Mets, a team that has struggled to find consistency in recent years. His arrival has helped to solidify the Mets as a contender in the National League.
Lindor's Numbers
Lindor's numbers have been impressive since he joined the Mets. From 2022 to 2024, Lindor has scored 313 runs, hit 97 doubles, 90 home runs, and 296 RBIs, all while batting close to .266. Lindor has also been a two-time Gold Glove winner, showing that he can get things done on both sides of the field.
The Blue Jays' Missed Opportunity
The Blue Jays’ failure to land Lindor is a reminder that even the most talented teams can make mistakes. In 2021, the Blue Jays were a young and up-and-coming team that looked poised to make a run at the World Series. They had a young core of stars in Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio. However, the team missed the playoffs that year and has been unable to get back to the World Series since then.
The Blue Jays' decision to pass on Lindor may not have been a bad one. It’s impossible to know how he would have performed in Toronto. Still, there’s no doubt that Lindor would have been a significant addition to the team. Lindor’s presence in the infield could have given the Blue Jays a boost to their lineup.
The Blue Jays' Future
The Blue Jays are still searching for their identity in the 2020s. They have a lot of talented players, but they are still trying to find the right mix. If they can find a way to put it all together, they could be a serious contender in the American League. However, they are going to need to make some moves to get there. The Blue Jays could find themselves in a position to land another big-time player in the next few years. The key for the Blue Jays is to make the right decisions and put themselves in a position to succeed.
The Future of the Blue Jays and the Mets
The Mets and the Blue Jays will continue to be rivals in the future. These two teams are both looking to be dominant forces in their respective leagues. The Mets are hoping that Lindor will lead them to a World Series title. The Blue Jays are hoping to find a way to get back to the top of the AL East. The Blue Jays, in particular, will need to learn from their past mistakes. The Blue Jays will need to make sure that they don’t miss out on another superstar. They will need to be more aggressive in their pursuit of talent, and they will need to find a way to put together a team that can compete for a championship. The future of both teams is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Blue Jays and the Mets will continue to be two of the most exciting teams in the MLB.
