Article: How Will the Blue Jays Split Up Playing Time in the Outfield Corners?

[Bryan Jaeger]

Jon Schneider recently said, "Varsho is going to play when he's here, and he's going to play center." Everyone expected this, but it doesn't sound like Varsho will sit much to rest between a string of starts. Schneider has also said he wants Anthony Santander to get more time in the outfield. These circumstances mean Schneider has some puzzle pieces to work with when deciding who will handle left and right fields. 

Santander, George Springer, Alan Roden, Myles Straw, Nathan Lukes, and Addison Barger alternated in the outfield while Varsho was injured. For most of the season, the designated hitter role has been rotated between Santander and Springer. However, with Schneider wanting more outfield time for Santander, positioning the outfield is rather complicated.

Defensively, the Blue Jays are loaded with outfield talent. Straw won a Gold Glove Award in 2022 while playing center field for the Cleveland Guardians. Barger was rated in the 99th percentile in his partial debut last season in arm strength. Barger also started 29 games last season at third base. Santander has a .990 fielding percentage over 492 career games in right field with 28 assists. Springer has started 718 games in right field with 43 assists and a .989 fielding percentage. Roden and Lukes have limited experience in left field in the big leagues. They both have started less than 20 games in left but have a .971 and 1.000 fielding percentages, respectively. 

Santander and Springer will likely continue to rotate at DH to give their aging bodies a break, but Varsho and Alejandro Kirk may get time in the role for a rest day here and there. Although those two will rarely fill the role, between Santander and Springer, whoever is DH, the other will likely handle right field. Although Santander could also make starts in left field, which would allow Barger's strong arm to be in right field. 

In left field, Santander will make the occasional start, but you'll mostly see a split between Roden, Straw, Barger, and Lukes. Managers usually like right-handed hitters versus left-handed pitchers and vice versa. So, since Straw is the only right-handed hitter, he will likely handle left field against left-handed pitchers. Against right-handed pitchers, Roden looks to get the nod, with Barger and Lukes filling in occasionally. Roden, Barger, Lukes rarely bat against left-handed pitchers. They have 11, two, and zero plate appearances against lefties this season, respectively.

Neither of these three excels on offense enough to separate themselves from the others and deserves more playing time. No one has a higher than .670 OPS, but Lukes has an on-base advantage, drawing an 11.4 walk percentage. 

I was surprised that one of Roden, Barger, or Lukes wasn't sent down, given Varsho's return to the 26-man roster. Lukes seemed the obvious choice to be demoted because of his struggles at the plate, hitting just .222 and a .659 OPS. Barger has versatility, being able to play third base, and the Blue Jays have said they are sticking with Roden throughout his slow start. Wagner seemed more useful to the club, being able to play first, second, and third base. If Wagner gets hot in the minor leagues or any injury to the infield happens, it'll be interesting who the Blue Jays decide to demote.

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