Former MLB GM explains why Toronto Blue Jays haven't been aggressive in pursuit of Cody Bellinger
Photo credit: Yannick Peterhans - Imagn Images
In an appearance on the Foul Territory podcast, Jim Bowden explained why the Toronto Blue Jays have not aggressively pursued Cody Bellinger.
The former MLB executive and former General Manager of the Year explained that Toronto's hesitation stands in sharp contrast to the aggressiveness it showed during discussions involving Kyle Tucker.
According to Bowden, the difference comes down to risk.
Bowden consistently pointed to concerns about Cody Bellinger's long-term outlook, particularly how his swing may hold up over time.
«It's the risk with how he's going to age with that swing,» Bowden said, referencing past struggles that can't be ignored.
Why aren't the Blue Jays in on Cody Bellinger in the same way they were for Kyle Tucker? "I think it's the risk with how he's gonna age with the swing," says @JimBowdenGM.
Bowden highlighted Bellinger's uneven recent history as a warning sign
«We've already seen him fail in Chicago,» Bowden noted. «Just a year ago, the Cubs had to absorb part of his contract to move him to the Yankees. Before that, he struggled with the Dodgers, and they ultimately let him go.»
From Bowden's point of view, this is precisely how front offices are trained to evaluate major financial commitments.
When long-term deals are on the table, decision-makers look backward as much as forward.
«They're asking, what's the risk?» Bowden explained. «If we commit to him long term, what could go wrong?»
That risk-based thinking, rather than recent performance or theoretical upside, helps explain why the Blue Jays have been far more measured in the Bellinger market than other teams.
Bowden made it clear why Toronto viewed Tucker differently than Bellinger
«I would have been completely comfortable giving Kyle Tucker 10 years and $350 million, like the Blue Jays offered,» he said. «Bellinger just isn't that player for me.»
The distinction is rooted in consistency. Tucker's steady production and reliability separate him from Bellinger, whose career has been marked by peaks and valleys.
That volatility makes a seven-to-nine-year commitment far more difficult to justify for the Blue Jays.
Bowden emphasized that Toronto's caution shouldn't be mistaken for passivity or cost-cutting.
Instead, it reflects a desire to avoid a long-term contract that could quickly become problematic if Bellinger's swing mechanics and inconsistency resurface.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 19|105 ANSWERS Former MLB GM explains why Toronto Blue Jays haven't been aggressive in pursuit of Cody Bellinger Do you agree with former Jim Bowden's take on Cody Bellinger's market with the Blue Jays? | ||
| Yes | 83 | 79 % |
| No | 22 | 21 % |
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