The Toronto Blue Jays’ 2024 season looks sharp, with Kevin Kiermaier, and now picking up Isiah Kiner-Falefa off the free agency market. The Blue Jays also have a 2023 DRS Leader and Heart and Hustle winner, Daulton Varsho. Isiah Kiner-Falefa is also a three-time Heart and Hustle award winner and has a Gold Glove award. Although the Blue Jays 2023 season is not what many thought it would be, 2024 is a new and fresh start. While the Blue Jays’ focus for 2024 is offense, adding a solid defenseman is always beneficial, especially as Matt Chapman will likely not return as the Blue Jays’ third baseman.
The Blue Jays, without question, have solid defensive gems on the roster. What is a defensive gem? It is a player that showcases that they will do whatever it takes to help keep their teams in games. They go beyond expectations, aren’t afraid to take risks, and will propel with the utmost powerful defense in unique and memorable ways.
So the good news is, the Jays don't really need to worry about adding another catcher to the 40-man, and can play Kirk and Jansen at the same time.
Between IKF and Daulton Varsho, they have over 1,000 innings caught in the big leagues!
— Brennan qualifying offer Delaney (@Brennan_L_D) December 27, 2023
Blue Jays Defensive Gems in 2024
Kevin Kiermaier
Kevin Kiermaier in 2023 —
— 408 PA
— 98 H
— 8 HR
— 36 RBI
— 14 SB
— .265/.322/.419 (.741 OPS)
— 104 wRC+
— 18 DRS/ 13 OAA
— 2.2 fWARHE'S BACK!! pic.twitter.com/2kCCWsgFQP
— BlueJays Muse (@BlueJays_Muse) December 26, 2023
Superman and Kevin Kiermaier are pumped to be back with the Blue Jays. With Kevin, you get what you get: an aggressive and defensive gem. The most beautiful man in baseball is ready for 2024, and we know we will see those masterful catches and dives in the outfield and against the wall. He also has excellent speed, and his reputation as a player is limitless when he can get those clutch hits for the Blue Jays.
He, like Varsho, plays with a lot of urgency, and you can tell how much he loves the game. After the Jays resigned him, many social media platforms shared a video of him commenting on how he is so grateful and honored to be with the Blue Jays for another season. He is a team player, and we witnessed how he got along well with teammate Ernie Clement in 2023. You don’t only get a defensive gem with Kevin, but he is also a great role model for the youngsters on the team.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
IKF ➡️ YYZ
OFFICIAL: We’ve signed UTIL Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a two-year contract.
IKF won a Gold Glove in 2020 and is a 3x team Heart and Hustle Award recipient.
Welcome to the #BlueJays, Izzy! pic.twitter.com/QNmjZmeKc0
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) December 29, 2023
The Blue Jays have done it again and have earned another solid player from their rivals, the New York Yankees. This defensive gem makes catches in the outfield look easy. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (IKF) signed a two-year, 15-million-dollar contract with the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays acquired Chad Green from the Yankees in 2023. Toronto is glad they no longer have to face him.
The Blue Jays signed Chad Green to a $8.5-million, two-year deal on January 31st, 2023. With IKF, the Blue Jays will get a player who doesn’t strike out much at the plate. He struggled as a shortstop with the Yankees. But he trained himself to work harder in the outfield and played a solid as a center fielder. He also has speed, with 36 stolen bases in two seasons with the Yankees. He is also a good bench player who can fill. You have several roles and, best of all, can play third at a high level. Congratulations to the Blue Jays on acquiring a solid defensive gem with IKF. He will be a player that will be exciting to watch with his hard-working demeanor.
Daulton Varsho
Varsho Lovers stand up https://t.co/f2WUI4JPSu pic.twitter.com/YkUiUunhtW
— Jonah (@DaultonVarsho) December 28, 2023
While Varsho was robbed of a Gold Glove in 2023 and was more than deserving of one as the DR’s Leader in MLB in 2023, his earnestness, urgency, passion, and dedication will consistently be recognized. He is expected to have a huge 2024 season, along with many other Blue Jays players. Varsho is a versatile and defensive gem and a player who was also a back-catcher. So, if the Blue Jays ever needed to use him to fill that role, he is more than capable.
He has a strong arm and is excellent at throwing out base runners. While many still stand on the notion that the Blue Jays lost the trade by acquiring Varsho and trading Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., it shouldn’t be looked at this way. Sure, the Arizona Diamondbacks made it to the World Series, and the Blue Jays didn’t, but it doesn’t mean they would have been in the World Series if the Blue Jays kept both players. Varsho was a solid pickup, bringing a strong defensive and offensive presence.
Farewell 2023 Hello, 2024
2024 will be an exciting season for the Blue Jays as they look to bounce back from a bittersweet 2023. The Blue Jays 2023 season had a lot of exciting moments. But it was cut short when the Minnesota Twins swept them in the playoffs. There are still many free agents on the Blue Jays roster. Fans anxiously await to see if the Blue Jays are resigning more players or if they will find a new home.
The Blue Jays need to beef up their offense and focus on improving RISP and avoiding silly base running mistakes that were present in 2023. Congratulations to the Blue Jays for acquiring a new player with great talent and skill who is an elite defensive gem. Also, congrats to Kevin Kiermaier, who is very excited and honored to be a Blue Jay for another season. Lastly, congratulations to Daulton Varsho on an incredible 2023 season that will be carried forward into 2024.
Main Photo Credits: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
