Toronto Blue Jays: What’s on their 2022 post-lockout to-do list
It is mind-blowing to think that we live in a day where finishing 91-71 in Major League Baseball lands you a fourth-place spot in your division. This is exactly where the Toronto Blue Jays found themselves this past season.
Boasting one of the most powerful lineups in all of baseball, the Blue Jays will have George Springer, Bo Bichette, Vlad Guerrero Jr., Teoscar Hernandez, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. returning in 2022 and they look to be in position to contend once again.
On the pitching side of things, the Jays struck early this offseason, signing Kevin Gausman to a five-year contract, extending Jose Berrios for seven years, and signing reliever Yimi Garcia to a two-year contract.
Despite the fact that their roster has its fair share of heavy-hitters and studs on the mound, this is a club that still features some room for improvements, especially after losing two of their top players (Robbie Ray and Marcus Semien) in free agency.
Let’s take a look at what should be on the Toronto Blue Jays’ to-do list once the Major League Baseball lockout ends.
The Toronto Blue Jays should upgrade at third base by signing Kris Bryant
The loss of Marcus Semien at second base moves Cavan Biggio over to the keystone barring any sort of additional acquisitions. That leaves third base wide open, with light-hitting Santiago Espinal currently first in line for reps at the position. While Espinal had a nice year in 2021 with the Jays, he profiles as more of a utility infielder and backup outfielder.
Enter Kris Bryant.
Bryant, 29, is a former MVP, four-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year, and World Series champ. Splitting time in 2021 between the Cubs and Giants, Bryant put up 3.3 WAR, hit 25 home runs, and even stole 10+ bases for the second time in his career.
Capable of playing at or slightly above-average at the infield corners and all three outfield spots, the versatile Bryant would fit perfectly in a Blue Jays lineup that very much values themselves some flexibility.
Bryant is the kind of player that every team would love on their team. He has pop in his bat while also being a good gap hitter and overall contact hitter, he has the ability to play all over the diamond, and he has decent speed as well.
Should the slugger land in another city, the Jays could always aim for the second- or third -best available options in Jonathan Villar or Kyle Seager via free agency to come on and play third for them.
The Toronto Blue Jays should trade Randal Grichuk
By all accounts, 2021 was one of Randal Grichuk‘s worst years and was hands down his worst as a Blue Jay. The 30-year-old outfielder appeared in 149 games for the Jays, splitting his time defensively between center field and right field.
Still owed a total of $18.7 million on his current five-year contract, Grichuk will be paid $9.3 million in 2022 and that contract may present the biggest obstacle if the Blue Jays tried to deal him.
Randal Grichuk is a lock to put up 25 to 30 home runs every year and play great defense, so why should the Blue Jays look to deal him?
For starters, Grichuk has declined further and further every season as a Blue Jay. In 2021, his OPS, wRC+, and slugging percentage were all at career lows for him. After a hot start in April and May, Grichuk saw a dramatic downswing in production and ultimately ended the season poorly with less than 1 WAR.
Fortunately for Grichuk, he does have at least one above-average quality to his name and that is his defense. While serving as more of a corner outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals from 2014-2017 (aside from 2016 where he was the club’s primary center field option), Grichuk has seen considerably more time in center with the Blue Jays and has seemingly gotten more and more uncomfortable with reps.
Grichuk is now in his 30s and with a below average bat and plus-defense, he is starting to seem more like a fourth outfielder or bench bat. His current contract is too high for a player that is coming off of the bench, the Blue Jays should try and find a taker, perhaps in the form of a bad-contract swap?
According to Ken Rosenthal, the #Brewers had other trade offers on the table for JBJ, including one that would've sent him north of the border...https://t.co/3BsurruFJE
— Reviewing the Brew (@ReviewngTheBrew) December 3, 2021
The Toronto Blue Jays should trade one of the catchers on the 40-man roster
Echoing the sentiment of Call to the Pen’s David Hill, the Toronto Blue Jays should look to move some of their catching depth.
The team is currently carrying all of Danny Jansen, Alejandro Kirk, Reese McGuire, and Gabriel Moreno on their 40-man roster. Each of Jansen, Kirk, and McGuire played in 70+ contests for the Blue Jays in 2021, a number that should not repeat in 2022.
Moreno has to be viewed as one of the Blue Jays’ truly untouchable pieces. Still just 21 years old, Moreno has done nothing but rake since his professional career began in 2017. Moreno has consistently kept his batting average above .300, his on base percentage at around .360 and his slugging percentage at around .500, all numbers that are above-average.
McGuire and Jansen have not hit enough at the Major League level to warrant much of a return in trades, and Moreno is most definitely untouchable. All of that leaves Kirk as the catcher likeliest to be dealt.
Next. Kirk's hidden value to the Blue Jays. dark
Kirk, 23, lit the world on fire at the end of the 2020 season, hitting .375 over nine games and attracting the attention of all followers of Major League Baseball. Last season, however, saw his production dip a little bit, but he is still a serviceable option behind the dish. He has age on his side and appears to have potential that is yet to be fully tapped into, as evidenced by his standout numbers in the minor leagues.