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Matt Chapman Discusses Blue Jays' Late Entry into Free Agency Consideration
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    Matt Chapman Discusses Blue Jays’ Late Entry into Free Agency Consideration

    As the Toronto Blue Jays arrive in San Francisco for a three-game series with the Giants, they will have a chance to catch up with an old friend.

    After spending two years in Toronto, Matt Chapman left this past off-season, signing on the West Coast on a three-year, $54 million contract with player options for the 2025 and 2026 seasons and a mutual option for 2027.

    However, after a slow-build winter that saw some notable names take their free-agency into spring training, Chapman’s deal was first reported on March 3.

    Speaking to reporters ahead of the series Tuesday, Chapman discussed whether a reunion with the Blue Jays was ever in the cards.

    “It was a really strange off-season. I didn’t get as many calls or as many offers as I thought I would. Just kind of a weird market. Weird year,” he said, per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi. “I didn’t talk to the Blue Jays a whole lot. They kind of had contact with us. I think they had me in mind.”

    With Toronto’s pursuit of Shohei Ohtani taking up the first couple months of the off-season, Chapman said there weren’t serious talks until he was too far down the road on a deal with the Giants.

    “I wasn’t sure how serious they were. I think they had other things that were on their mind before, like Ohtani and some of those things,” he said. “So, it was slow progressing for me. And then by the time the Giants came and we had something going, the Blue Jays find of came in there at the end, but it was kind of a little bit too late, unfortunately.”

    Now, with San Francisco, Chapman is slashing .244/.327/.423 with 12 home runs and 42 RBIs. He has also continued to perform as one of the top defensive third basemen in baseball, posting six defensive runs saved through 88 games.


    After a slow start, the 31-year-old has found his offensive groove of late, recording a .800 OPS since May 1.

    In two years with the Blue Jays, Chapman hit 44 home runs with a .756 OPS and claimed the American League Gold Glove at the hot corner in 2023.

    Ahead of Tuesday’s game, Toronto manager John Schneider presented Chapman with his Gold Glove.

    “I really enjoyed both of my years with the Blue Jays. I appreciate them giving me the opportunity,” Chapman said about his time in Toronto.

    You can watch the Blue Jays take on the Giants on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 9:45 p.m. ET / 6:45 p.m. PT.

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    Matt Chapman, the star third baseman for the Oakland Athletics, has recently discussed the Toronto Blue Jays’ late entry into free agency consideration. Chapman, who is set to become a free agent after the 2023 season, has been the subject of trade rumors for quite some time now. However, it seems that the Blue Jays have only recently begun to show interest in acquiring the talented infielder.

    In a recent interview, Chapman expressed his surprise at the Blue Jays’ sudden interest in him. He stated that while he is flattered by the attention, he is focused on his current team and helping them succeed. Chapman has been a key player for the Athletics, known for his exceptional defensive skills and power at the plate.

    The Blue Jays, who are looking to bolster their roster for the upcoming season, could certainly benefit from adding a player of Chapman’s caliber. With their young core of talented players, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, adding Chapman to the mix could make them a formidable force in the American League East.

    It remains to be seen whether the Blue Jays will make a serious push to acquire Chapman before the start of the season. However, if they do decide to pursue him, they will likely face stiff competition from other teams vying for his services.

    Overall, Matt Chapman’s discussion of the Blue Jays’ late entry into free agency consideration highlights the unpredictable nature of the offseason. As teams continue to evaluate their rosters and make moves to improve, it will be interesting to see where Chapman ultimately ends up and how he will impact his new team.