{"id":112748,"date":"2026-01-23T21:09:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T02:09:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=112748"},"modified":"2026-01-23T21:10:52","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T02:10:52","slug":"looking-at-three-blue-jays-who-will-be-key-for-offensive-production-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/01\/23\/looking-at-three-blue-jays-who-will-be-key-for-offensive-production-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Looking at Three Blue Jays Who Will Be Key For Offensive Production in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Toronto Blue Jays\u2019 roster appears to be set positionally for when they head to Dunedin to begin spring training. Bo Bichette<\/a> is a New York Met; Kyle Tucker<\/a> is a Los Angeles Dodger, and Cody Bellinger<\/a> returned to the Bronx.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Blue Jays will return much of the core from 2025 that helped bring them to their first World Series appearance since 1993, giving fans hope that another strong season awaits. If the Blue Jays are to return as American League champions, they will need production up and down the lineup.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here is a look at three players, Daulton Varsho<\/a>, Alejandro Kirk<\/a>, and Addison Barger<\/a>, who could be key in helping the Blue Jays’ offense and chase that elusive World Series title.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Three Players Who Could Play Key Roles in the Blue Jays Offense<\/b><\/h2>\n

Daulton Varsho<\/b><\/h3>\n

Varsho only appeared in 71 games in 2025, beginning the season on the injured list after offseason shoulder surgery<\/a>. The center fielder was activated on Apr. 29 for his season debut before returning to the IL on June 1 with a left hamstring strain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In those 71 games, the 29-year-old posted a slash line of .238\/.284\/.584, blasting 20 home runs in 248 at-bats. The 20 home runs placed Varsho fourth on the team, while the outfielder\u2019s 55 RBI slotted in at seventh.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Varsho\u2019s numbers ranked amongst Major League Baseball\u2019s best, finishing ninth in slugging, 11th in OPS, 15th in wRC, and 14th in wRC+ for players with at least 240 at-bats, showing the value Varsho brought on the offensive side of the ball when healthy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Varsho\u2019s defensive metrics continued to shine in 2025 after winning his first Gold Glove in 2024. Varsho posted eight outs above replacement. In the center fielder\u2019s Gold Glove season, the OAA was recorded at 14. The 8, OAA ranked 13th amongst all outfielders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With a combination of George Springer<\/a> and Anthony Santander<\/a> in right, the Blue Jays are going to continue to rely on Varsho\u2019s elite center field defense to help keep runs off the board.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Will we ever see a catch like this again? \ud83d\ude33<\/p>\n

Daulton Varsho\u2019s miraculous recovery in center field comes in at No. 9 on our 2025 Plays of the Year countdown.<\/p>\n

MLB Network + @CapitalOne<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/HocehPT5hF<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 1, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n