After weeks of discu sion between the Cubs and Yankees, . Before that was finalized, the Mariners and Astros were among the teams that had been loosely tied to the former MVP in trade rumors. Jon Heyman of the New York Post just after the Bellinger trade that the Blue Jays had also been involved in talks with Chicago. It looks as if Toronto ended as the runner-up. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters this afternoon that the Cubs had narrowed it down to two teams and decided they would pull the trigger on an offer by Tuesday ( by Bryan Hoch of MLB.com). If we didnt pull him down, he wouldve been off the board, Cashman added. While the GM declined to identify the other team, reading between the lines makes it seem that the Jays finished in second. Toronto has had longstanding interest in Bellinger. They were involved in his free agent bidding in each of the last two winters. In both cases, they watched him sign with Chicago instead. This time Jay Bruce Jersey around, hes headed to a divisional competitor. The Yankees sent depth starter to the Cubs in a one-for-one swap. Toronto could certainly have made a more compelling offer in terms of prospect talent, but it seems they didnt want to match the Yankees financially. New York agreed to a sume $47.5MM of the $52.5MM remaining on Bellingers contract. There havent been any details about how much Toronto wouldve been willing to commit. The Cubs biggest goal was shedding as much of the deal as po sible. Bellinger looked like the odd man out in Chicago even before they acquired . That blockbuster trade made a Bellinger move inevitable. The Jays have taken on big money in one trade this offseason. They absorbed the remaining five years and $96.5MM on the contract in their Winter Meetings deal with the Guardians. While Toronto has been tied to almost every free agent of note, their only MLB signing thus far is a two-year deal to reunite with middle reliever . Outfield remains a clear weakne s. is coming off a .220/.303/.371 showing in his age-34 season. is expected to begin the season on the injured list after undergoing a rotator cuff repair in his right shoulder. Hell be the everyday center fielder upon his return. Varsho is one of the games best defenders, but hes been a roughly league average hitter when healthy. Any lingering effects from the shoulder i sue could push him toward the bottom third of the lineup. Their in-house options to play left field (e.g. , , , ) have limited MLB experience. The Jays need at least one everyday outfielder. Theres an argument that they need to acquire regulars in both corners to push Springer into a limited role. and are the biggest remaining bats in the free agent outfield cla s. Both players declined qualifying offers. , who did not receive the QO, is coming off a fantastic season. , and are among potential rebound candidates. Phil Bickford Jersey