Toronto Blue Jays: 5 replacements for Marcus Semien
Marcus Semien played a pivotal role for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021. Finishing third in MVP voting with his all-around superstar talent, he is the only second baseman in MLB history to hit 45 home runs in a season as well as being a top-of-the-league defender at the position.
Replacing someone who provided that much value is not an easy task for the Blue Jays now that Semien has signed with the Texas Rangers. Semien leaving is a dilemma the team has been preparing for as they have already been in on free agents such as Chris Taylor and Kris Bryant.
Looking for someone to make up for what Semien brought is no longer just a possibility but a necessity for this team to do in some form or fashion to remain a top-level contender.
Regarding any of the trade options that are listed, below are players that I not only think the Blue Jays would be willing to part with, but also provide good value in return for other teams: Cavan Biggio, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., one of Alejandro Kirk, Reese McGuire, or Danny Jansen, second baseman/shortstop Miguel Hiraldo, infielders Kevin Smith, and Leo Jimenez, utility options Otto Lopez and Samad Taylor, and, finally, pitchers Adam Kloffenstein, CJ Van Eyk, and Joey Murray.
Option 1: The Toronto Blue Jays make a deal for Ketel Marte
Ketel Marte has had two great seasons over the past three years. In 2019, he finished in the top four in NL MVP voting with his all-around play. This past season, he put up 2.9 fWAR in just 90 games. He did struggle defensively in 2021, but was playing center field most of the year.
He would end up playing second base on this Blue Jays team, a position he has been at least average at over his career. He is a heavy contact hitter, but has improved his power swing, hitting 32 home runs in 2019 and was on pace to have around 25 in 2021 with more than 40 doubles.
Marte is on a very team-friendly deal locked in for 2022 at only $8 million, with team options for 2023 and 2024 for only $10 million and $12 million. Marte is only 28 years old, matching the timeline of the young players on Toronto’s roster. His contract is inexpensive for the value he provides, giving the team more freedom financially.
This situation is tricky due to the complicated stage the Diamondbacks seem to be in. They were looking to contend for the playoffs in 2021, but only won 52 games, tying the Orioles for the worst record in baseball. With their downfall this past season, it is possible they will want to retool the team or jump into a full rebuild with Marte being their most valuable piece to move.
Option 2: The Toronto Blue Jays trade for Matt Chapman
The Oakland Athletics look to be going on the purge once again, looking to offload all the players heading towards their later arbitration years. Matt Chapman is one of those players and happens to fit on the Blue Jays well.
I do not think the fit is as seamless at Ketel or some of the others on this list as Chapman’s arrival could block some of the Jays top prospects like Jordan Groshans or Orelvis Martinez, should they not be a part of the trade.
He would help the team right now, which is what the Jays are pushing for … so if he happens to block a few prospects, they would adjust accordingly.
Chapman has been one of the best defenders in MLB since he has come up from the minors, winning two Platinum Gloves, 3 Gold Gloves, and 1 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year award. His defensive play alone carries most of his value but has still been an above-average hitter over his career.
Last season was his worst at the plate but was still average by WRC+ standards with an above-average walk rate.
Toronto would be able to take on someone like Chapman who is only about average at the plate because of their already potent offense, especially since they are getting a lot of defensive value.
Option 3: The Toronto Blue Jays sign Kris Bryant
A player that was tied to the Blue Jays before the lockout, Bryant was not someone I expected to have an interest in coming to Canada but would be a smooth fit for Toronto now and in the future. A big point of focus for this front office is for all their players to be capable of playing multiple positions and Bryant showed that off in 2021.
He would slot in right now at third base regularly, but in the future could move over full time to the outfield. This provides the team freedom to explore trades for the other names on this list or make room for top prospects.
The 2016 National league MVP returned to form at the plate this season after a rough time in 2020. A career of .880 OPS and 134 WRC+ puts him in the upper echelon of talent in MLB, on par almost exactly with what Semien provided the Jays in 2021.
Adding a player of Bryant’s talent to this team would be able to cover up what Semien left at the dish, and give the Blue Jays flexibility for the future.
Option 4: The Toronto Blue Jays could benefit from their prospects
The Jays have a good farm system with players that could come up and fill the hole that Semien left.
Jordan Groshans had a good season in Double-A in 2021. If he can continue that through Triple-A for a few months, there is a possibility of being brought up by June or July to slot in at third base. He is an all-around type of batter at the plate, still growing into his power and should be around average defensively at the hot corner
Otto Lopez is a full utility guy, capable of playing pretty much everywhere and has hit great at almost every level in the minors. He didn’t perform as well in Triple-A but he was moved up partway through the season for the first time in his minor league career, which could have affected his play.
He doesn’t walk or strike out a whole lot. Power is where he has lacked, so this is where Toronto would lose a lot of what Semien brought to the table.
Kevin Smith is an older option at 25, but just completed his first full season at Triple-A in 2021. He played 18 games with the Jays, but was not able to replicate the stellar hitting he had in the minors. In Triple-A, he had a 144 WRC+, hitting 21 home runs in 94 games, with an above-average walk rate that contributed to his .931 OPS.
Smith played most of his time at third and shortstop, with some time in the outfield. He seems like he would fit best at second base long term, but could cover third base until Groshans is ready. The potential is there for Smith to be an everyday player if he can prove himself at the plate in the majors.
Option 5: The Toronto Blue Jays could make a trade for Jose Ramirez
You probably knew this one was coming at some point, but it has the potential to make a lot of sense, although it could just be the optimism that is coming from Blue Jays’ fans. Ramirez is 29 and could be on the books through the 2023 season with a $14 million team option.
Since 2016, Ramirez has had a WRC+ of 137, an average fWAR of 5.45, even with the shortened 2020 season, in addition to being a top-level defender at third base. I would put Ramirez in the same tier as Ketel Marte with their level of play and what it would cost to acquire them.
Marte has an extra year available on his contract and fits a bit better being a second baseman leaving. That door is open for the Jays with a potential Jordan Groshans call-up most likely coming soon.
Ketel hasn’t produced at his top level for as long as Ramirez, but, if he maintains his production, they will end up providing similar value.
Nevertheless, acquiring a player on the level of talent of Ramirez would cover all that Semien left, on the defensive and offensive side of the ball. The Guardians would just have to be game.
They do not have the offensive talent around Ramirez to be a top or even mid-level offensive team. Cleveland does, however, have young players coming up soon in Tyler Freeman, George Valera, and Nolan Jones that could change that.
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With only two years left on Ramirez’s contract though, as discussed here, it could be time to capitalize on his value and match their prospects with others on the same timeline.