Blue Jays reportedly looking at Dexter Fowler, Adam Eaton
The Toronto Blue Jays have a couple of targets in mind as they aim to strengthen the top of their order.
According to a report by Jon Morosi of MLB Network on Friday, the Blue Jays are looking at lefty-hitting leadoff men with good on-base percentages, including Chicago Cubs free agent outfielder Dexter Fowler and Chicago White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton.
#BlueJays looking at LH-hitting leadoff men with strong OBP; Dexter Fowler (free agent) and Adam Eaton (trade) among the options. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 18, 2016
It looks like it may take a decent-sized commitment to land the 30-year-old Fowler, who hit .276/.393/.447 last season, in free agency this offseason. Meanwhile, Eaton, 27, is a less-proven commodity but is on a friendly contract that keeps him under team control through 2021. He boasted a slash line of .284/.362/.428 in 2016 while also providing elite defense in the outfield.
Jose Bautista and Michael Saunders, a pair of outfielders who each logged time at the leadoff spot for Toronto last season, are both free agents. As such, it makes sense for the team to plan ahead like this in the event that one or both of them decides not to return.