Taylor Ward had a higher xwOBA last year (.334) than he did in 2025 when he popped 36 HR along with a 119 wRC+ (.333). He himself said he changed his approach after the trade to Baltimore to compensate for how deep LF is at Camden. His barrel% dropping from 13.1% in 2025 to a measely 5.7% in 2026 along with his Pullair% dropping from 14.6% to 9.1% would explain the steep power drop off. Despite this he was still slashing .246/.383/.346 with a .353 xwOBA prior to being traded to Seattle where he completely cratered. It's some of the best plate skills in the sport. 14.9% chase (100th percentile), 16.3% walk rate (98th P) while rarely every whiffing (19.5%). Ward raised his walk rate while simultaneously dropping his K rate by ~4% in each category in 2026. This is one of the most obvious bounceback candidates you'll ever come across and a player that would fit the Blue Jays roster like a glove.

I'm gonna keep it real with yall if/when Adrian Morejon signs with a team not named the Blue Jays I will be just as devastated as I was with Ohtani. There isn't a free agent I've wanted more in a long, long time. He's so, so, so, so, sooo elite.