Report: Jays struggling to sign some players due to home-field uncertainty

The Toronto Blue Jays are working hard to sign players, but some are hesitant due to the uncertainty about where the club will play in 2021, reports MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

Toronto is scheduled to begin spring training on Feb. 27 in Dunedin, Florida. The Blue Jays' first home game is slated for April 9, but the Rogers Centre is off-limits to the club because of the continued Canada-United States border shutdown.

In December the organization expressed optimism about playing home games in Toronto during the upcoming campaign, but team president Mark Shapiro doesn't plan to demand a firm answer from government officials before spring training.

The squad played most of its home games in Buffalo last season because of the border shutdown, which remains in place until at least Jan. 21, 2021, according to the Canada Border Services Agency.

On the free agency front, Toronto continues to focus its efforts on outfielder George Springer, 2020 saves leader Brad Hand, and former San Diego Padres closer Kirby Yates, Heyman adds.

The Blue Jays have reportedly made a five-year, $115-million offer to Springer that's under his $150-million asking price. The New York Mets, who are located closer to Springer's home state of Connecticut, covet the 31-year-old as well.

Toronto also offered DJ LeMahieu a four-year, $78-million contract before he chose to re-sign with the New York Yankees. To date, the Blue Jays' only significant offseason signing has been left-hander Robbie Ray, who inked a one-year, $8-million deal in November.