Report: Blue Jays ‘keeping an eye’ on free agent OF Carlos Gonzalez

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons joins the Jeff Blair Show to discuss the team’s biggest offseason needs, and his 2018 expectations for a couple of youngsters that had cups of coffee at the end of the season.

The Toronto Blue Jays are among teams believed to be “keeping an eye” on free agent outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, reports Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.

Gonzalez, 32, is seen as an under-the-radar option because he’s coming off a sub-par season in which he hit .262/.339/.423 with 14 home runs while producing -0.2 wins above replacement. However, from 2010 to 2016, the left-handed hitter batted .296/.353/.535 while averaging 28 doubles, 26 home runs and 86 RBI.

While he’s among the slower players in baseball — ranking at No. 312 out of 451 position players per Statcast Sprint Speed — Gonzalez profiles as a serviceable defender who could be an option in left or right field, as well as designated hitter.

Earlier this off-season MLB Trade Rumors projected Gonzalez to net a one-year, $12-million deal.

Speaking of outfield options, the Blue Jays have also been linked to free agent Jay Bruce since the season ended, and that interest has apparently not faded. Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reported on Monday night that Toronto was one of the few teams keeping tabs on the 30-year-old slugger.

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