Belt is 25 years old and coming off a season in which he hit .254/.369/.490 with 19 homers and 43 RBI in 404 plate appearances for the Blue Jays. When he was healthy, he looked good as one of just six players to post a barrel rate of at least 15 percent and a chase rate below 23 percent. Belt would be a good fit in Texas to replace Mitch Garver at designated hitter and he played for Texas manager Bruce Bochy in San Francisco, so familiarity is working in his favor. Time will tell if the interest will turn into an offer or agreement.

The 35-year-old impending free agent said he’ll take some time and talk to his family before coming up with a plan. Belt was productive when he was on the field for the Jays in 2023 — hitting .254/.369/.490 with 19 homers and 43 RBI in 404 plate appearances. It’ll probably come down to whether or not he wants to put his oft-injured body though the grind of another big league season.

It was his third homer in the last four games, which is great to see after the veteran slugger recently returned from an IL stint due to lumbar spine muscle spasms. The 35-year-old closes the regular season with a strong .254/.369/490 batting line to go along with 19 home runs and 43 RBI over 103 games. If healthy, he has a chance to be a real weapon during the postseason.

Belt has homered in each of his last two ballgames, but he’ll get a breather in this one. George Springer will function as the team’s designated hitter in his place while Cavan Biggio will draw a start in right field and bat second against Shawn Armstrong and the Rays.