{"id":43318,"date":"2021-01-29T12:33:39","date_gmt":"2021-01-29T17:33:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=43318"},"modified":"2021-01-29T12:33:39","modified_gmt":"2021-01-29T17:33:39","slug":"blue-jays-third-baseman-options","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2021\/01\/29\/blue-jays-third-baseman-options\/","title":{"rendered":"Toronto Blue Jays Third Baseman Options Comes With Multiple Possibilities"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A priority for the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/category\/bluejays\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Toronto Blue Jays<\/a> is to add a third baseman. The defense was not a strength for the Blue Jays in 2020. The front office addressed their outfield defense after signing <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/springe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">George Springer<\/a><\/strong><strong>.<\/strong> Now, the attention of the front office turned to the infield defense. They managed that item on their offseason to-do-list and signed <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/semiema01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marcus Semien<\/a><\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Infielder Marcus Semien is in agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays on a one-year, $18 million contract, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JeffPassan\/status\/1354204942534381572?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 26, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At the moment, Toronto&#8217;s infield consists of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Catcher:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/j\/janseda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Danny Jansen<\/strong><\/a><strong>\/<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kirkal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Alejandro Kirk<\/strong><\/a><strong>\/<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcguire01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Reese McGuire<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">First base:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tellero01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Rowdy Tellez<\/strong><\/a><strong>\/<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/guerrvl02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Vladimir Guerrero Jr.<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Second base:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Marcus <strong>Semien\/<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/biggica01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Cavan Biggio<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Shortstop:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bichebo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bo Bichette<\/a>\/Biggio\/Semien<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Third base:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Guerrero\/Biggio\/Semien<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Utility:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/e\/espinsa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Santiago Espinal<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Blue Jays front office has now given the roster plenty of infield versatility. With Semien, <strong>Cavan Biggio<\/strong><strong>,<\/strong> and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., all three players can provide the ability to play multiple positions. Here are some possibilities which the Blue Jays could deploy over in the hot corner.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Vladimir Guerrero Jr.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looks like a long-shot to win back the full-time third base job. However, Guererro has been working hard this offseason. He wants to play the Blue Jays third baseman, and he&#8217;s sure to be given that opportunity during spring training. The Blue Jays decision to move Guerrero Jr. to first base was to protect him from a knee injury that saw him struggles at third base in 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Guerrero Jr. has all the motivation to turn himself into a viable option at third with the injury behind him. The timing might be an even more significant factor than Guerrero&#8217;s progress at third base. A possible scenario would see the 21-year old get reps at third, playing time at first base, and the occasional DH slot.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kris Bryant<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Blue Jays could head down trade avenue to see what&#8217;s out there on the market. Adding a third baseman like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bryankr01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Kris Bryant<\/strong><\/a> would benefit the Blue Jays, who&#8217;s entering the final year of his contract. The former NL MVP slashed a dismal .206\/.293\/.351 with four home runs and 11 RBI in 34 games in 2020. The 29-year old is due $19.5 million in 2021 after avoiding arbitration with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/category\/cubs\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Chicago Cubs<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bleacher Nation reported that the Blue Jays were in talks with the Cubs. Toronto was rumored to have discussed a trade that would have brought Bryant and teammate <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hendrky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Hendricks<\/a><\/strong> up north. Perhaps a move out of Chicago to a team like Toronto would be a new start for Bryant. Luckily, the Blue Jays have enough prospects to part within a trade.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">It\u2019s super unlikely that the Cubs would trade both Kyle Hendricks and Kris Bryant in the same deal. But apparently it\u2019s been discussed. https:\/\/t.co\/thQMP7PDve<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BleacherNation\/status\/1353701076059480064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 25, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Marcus Semien<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Signing Semien from the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/category\/athletics\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Oakland Athletics<\/a> to a one-year, $18 million deal adds more depth to the lineup. It&#8217;s a considerable upgrade for the Blue Jays as Semien has the versatility to play second base, shortstop, and third base.\u00a0 During his time with the A&#8217;s, he was willing to put in the work to develop defensively. The skills are there for Semien to play three of those positions. The question remains where Semien will play.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Blue Jays have an everyday shortstop in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bichebo01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Bo Bichette<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong> Semien was a shortstop for the past six seasons, and before that, he spent time at second and third base. The thing is, he only has 29 games of experience at second, where the Blue Jays reportedly plan to use him. If that happens, it would be conducive for the Blue Jays. They have enough versatile infielders, and shifting players around won&#8217;t be an issue.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cavan Biggio<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Should none of those players be signed, then it falls on to Plan B. Even with the addition of Semien, Biggio could get everyday at-bats by playing various positions, including third. The Blue Jays might be comfortable with putting\u00a0 Biggio at third for the majority of the season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Biggio played 10 of his final 13 games over at third, including the playoffs. There&#8217;s a good chance the 25-year old can get reps in the outfield too. Manager <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/montoch01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Charlie Montoyo<\/strong><\/a> should be open to Guerrero Jr. playing third, but most likely, it&#8217;s Biggio spot.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Last Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">There are options that the Blue Jays have, and it seems like third base will be up for grabs as the season goes along. But the reality, some of baseball&#8217;s best teams are known to move guys around. The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/category\/dodgers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> do it along with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/category\/rays\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Tampa Bay Rays<\/a>. The Blue Jays are starting to do it, and that will only continue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">By some point, in 2022 or 2023, the Blue Jays could have top prospects <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=grosha000jor&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jordan Groshans<\/a><\/strong> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=martin004aus,martin005aus,martin006aus&amp;search=Austin+Martin&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Austin Martin<\/strong><\/a><strong>,<\/strong> at third base. Either one will complete the team&#8217;s young talented infield with Bichette, Biggio, and Guerrero Jr. For now, adding a veteran presence or a rotating through players on the roster makes sense.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Main Image<br \/>\n<a id=\"bHWqZLwVT95h1kpp3S4-CQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1160877828\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'bHWqZLwVT95h1kpp3S4-CQ',sig:'X8nBvaU3ajC-4xH2AhuP5ULcD0P8MytOFCgfd3dAluE=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1160877828',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A priority for the Toronto Blue Jays is to add a third baseman. The defense was not a strength for the Blue Jays in 2020. The front office addressed their outfield defense after signing George Springer. Now, the attention of the front office turned to the infield defense. They managed that item on their offseason [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3686,"featured_media":43436,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[2640,105,2720,69,640],"class_list":["post-43318","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bluejays","tag-cavan-biggio","tag-kris-bryant","tag-marcus-semien","tag-mlb","tag-vladimir-guerrero-jr"],"modified_by":"Jared Cantatore","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43318","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3686"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43318"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43318\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43318"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43318"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}