Toronto Blue Jays Top Five Offseason Priorities

Add More Left-Handed Bats

One item the Toronto Blue Jays reportedly want to cross off their to-do list this offseason is making their lineup more left-handed. The squad’s overreliance on right-handed bats seemed to hamper them at times, especially in the playoffs. Manager John Gibbons said as much in his post-season press conference:

"“Better balance would’ve made a difference. I think it was too easy at times for opposing pitchers, if they’re right-handed let’s say, or they found their groove and never really had to adjust anything. Even a good, solid left-hander that could find that groove with his off-speed stuff and things like that he never really had to change a whole lot either … I think something like that might have made a big difference and help get some things going.”"

The desire for lefties could compel the Jays to guarantee switch-hitting first baseman (and freshly extended) Justin Smoak a role moving forward, despite his continued disappointing production. They also might consider making an effort to keep Michael Saunders in the fold, though his first and second half splits this year paint a rather alarming picture. After slashing .298/.372/.551 with 16 home runs and 42 RBI before the break (and earning an All-Star nod), he cratered to a .178/.282/.357 line, eight homers and 15 RBI in the second half.

Given Saunders’ rather unremarkable career numbers, it’s worth wondering if his first half explosion was something of a fluke. He was one of the few Jays hitters to thrive in this year’s postseason, however, batting .381/.409/.571 in eight games. That gives the club something else to chew on.

If the Blue Jays really want to shoot for the moon, they could revisit their interest in the Reds’ Joey Votto. Toronto reportedly held “serious discussions” with Cincinnati about the first baseman before the trade deadline. Though the cost would surely be considerable, Votto makes a lot of sense for this Jays team. He hits for average, power and is an absolute on-base machine – his career .425 OBP is the highest among active players. He would be a clear upgrade over Smoak at first and would help fill the bases for the Jays’ other boppers.

On the other hand, going the free agent route if Bautista exits could lead the club to consider Josh Reddick or the switch-hitting Dexter Fowler.

Next: Mix It Up