Veteran first baseman considered retirement after the 2022 season due to persistent knee problems, and in October after the Blue Jays were eliminated from the playoffs that hed have to discu s with his family whether or not to keep playing. As Spring Training approaches, however, Belt told that he is definitely playing this year , and that he could be close to signing a new contract. 2023 wasnt a completely healthy season for Belt, Bill Freehan Jersey as he mi sed about three weeks spread over two injured list stints due to back spasms and a sore hamstring. Belt also played almost exclusively against right-handed pitching, as the Jays used him mostly in a platoon capacity. Still, Belts 103 games played and 404 plate appearances were his highest totals since 2019, and he showed theres plenty left in the tank by hitting .254/.369/.490 with 19 home runs. That translated to a 138 wRC+, ranking 15th among all players with at least 400 PA. Even with his injury-marred 2022 season dragging down the numbers, Belt has a 140 wRC+ in 1262 PA since the start of the 2020 season. Though Belt turns 36 in April, it would seem like he is still a very good option for a team in need of some production from the designated hitter/part-time first base role, as long as Belt can remain healthy. Belt earned $9.3MM in his one-year deal with the Jays and should merit a raise, even if a multi-year contract is unlikely. The Rangers are the only team to Belt this offseason, and the World Series champs have a natural connection to Belt given the presence of his old Giants manager Bruce Bochy. A return to the Blue Jays might be le s clear now that Toronto has signed , though since Turner is a right-handed hitter who can play third base, there might be some room for the Jays to carry both Belt and Turner even with locking down regular first base duty. The Brewers (with ) and Twins ( ) have both recently addre sed their first base/DH needs, plus other available free agents like , , , and are competing with Belt in the marketplace. Theres also the biggest name in , whose role as a first baseman or outfielder might vary depending on where he eventually lands. One team that doesnt appear to be in the running is San Francisco. Baggarly writes that the Giants to sed around the idea of a Belt reunion, but a right-handed hitter seems to be the clubs preference given the lefty-leaning tilt of the lineup. is one of those lefty-swingers and is already penciled into everyday first base duty, and another lefty bat in figures to take up a big chunk of the DH at-bats. Jason Foley Jersey