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Toronto Blue Jays hoping for lightning in bottle with Daniel Vogelbach

By David Hill

SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 05: Daniel Vogelbach #20 of the Seattle Mariners walks back to the dugout after fouling out during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park on August 5, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners beat the Angels 7-6. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 05: Daniel Vogelbach #20 of the Seattle Mariners walks back to the dugout after fouling out during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park on August 5, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners beat the Angels 7-6. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Blue Jays acquired Daniel Vogelbach on Sunday, hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with the former All Star.

Sitting at .500 and battling for one of the final playoff spots in the American League, it would make sense that the Toronto Blue Jays would look to bolster their chances. With holes on the bench and in the rotation, it would not be a surprise for the Blue Jays to make a trade or two before the deadline.

The first deal came on Sunday night. The Blue Jays acquired Daniel Vogelbach from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for the ever popular cash considerations.

Vogelbach was an All Star last season, riding a solid first there months to the MidSummer Classic. However, he bombed in the final half of the season, posting a .162/.290/.338 batting line with just ten homers in his 241 plate appearances, striking out 78 times.

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Those struggles continued this season. He had produced a .094/.250/.226 batting line in 64 plate appearances this season, with two homers and a double amongst his five hits before being designated for assignment. Vogelbach did draw 11 walks with just 13 strikeouts, but he was unable to find anything close to even his second half production from 2019.

At this point, the Blue Jays have to be hoping to catch lightning in a bottle. Vogelbach had been a solid power threat over the first three months of the year, posting a .244/.379/.519 batting line with 20 homers in his 317 plate appearances, drawing 56 walks and striking out 71 times. That is what the Blue Jays are hoping that they have brought in.

The problem is that it is difficult to see a path to playing time. Vogelbach is a first baseman/designated hitter, which fits the same profile as Rowdy Tellez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Tellez is also a left handed hitter, just like Vogelbach. However, as Tellez has not exactly set the world afire, Vogelbach could push for playing time if he gets hot.

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The Toronto Blue Jays are hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with Daniel Vogelbach. It is a low cost move that could pay dividends down the line.

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