On Tuesday night former Astros center fielder George Springer agreed to a 6-year $150 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays according to MLB Networks, Jon Heyman.
Springer and Jays agree at $150M for 6 years
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 20, 2021
But the Blue Jays still appear to be looking to add to their roster in free agency. Their next target, former Astros left fielder Michael Brantley. Rumors have been swirling about George Springer's desire for Michael Brantley to join him on his next team. Springer and Brantley are close friends and also share an agent. And apparently the Blue Jays have serious interest in Brantley, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
Blue Jays still trying for free-agent outfielder Michael Brantley, sources tell @TheAthletic. Brantley is close friends with George Springer and represented by same agency, Excel Sports Management. Wrote Sunday about possibility of NBA-style package deal. https://t.co/er4Jj5HtF6
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 20, 2021
This would be a crushing blow for the Astros to lose both Brantley and Springer to Toronto. Former Astros right fielder Josh Reddick is also a free agent that won't be returning to Houston, which puts the Astros in a position where they only have one starter locked-in to play the outfield in 2021, that being Kyle Tucker. Just last year the Astros lost one of the best pitchers in baseball, when Gerrit Cole broke the bank signing a 9-year $324 million contract with the Yankees. Add that to Springer leaving for Toronto and possibly Brantley as well, and you have an Astros team losing three of their best players in short order. Hopefully, the Astros can find a way to bring back Brantley who is clearly one of the best hitters in the heart of Houston's lineup. In Brantley's two seasons with Houston he hit over .300 with 27 bombs and 112 RBI.
