Article: Thinking the Unthinkable: Blue Jays Platoons

[Jim Scott]

Daulton Varsho might well be the best defensive outfielder in baseball. Over the three years from 2022-24, his 44 Outs Above Average (OAA) led all outfielders in MLB. Similarly, Andrés Giménez is one of the best defensive infielders in the game. His 52 OAA over the last three years ranks second among all fielders, trailing only Dansby Swanson, while his 39 OAA over the last two years is the highest in baseball at any position.

Varsho, who is currently on the IL for the second time this season, struggled mightily against left-handed pitching when he was healthy this year (-60 wRC+ in 19 PA), while Giménez has only been marginally better against same-handed pitchers, with a +22 wRC+ in 66 PA. The usual small sample size caveats definitely apply, but Varsho and Giménez both have below-average career wRC+ figures against lefties. Yet, their defence is so elite that it makes no sense to platoon them against left-handed pitching – what the Jays would gain with the lumber would be more than offset by what they'd lose with the leather.

Or would it?

Let's start with Varsho. There are very few centre fielders who are even close to Varsho's level, defensively. But it is possible that Myles Straw is one of them.

So far in 2025, Straw has 6 OAA. That extrapolates to roughly 20 OAA/400 (OAA/400 is a player's OAA extrapolated to 400 attempts, which approximates a full season). For reference, in 2024, the top outfielder in OAA in all of baseball was Jacob Young with an OAA of … +20.

Straw is hardly an elite hitter. So far in 2025, he has a wRC+ of 67. But that wRC+ is composed of a 53 mark against right-handed pitching and an 84 mark against lefties. In addition, his overall expected stat line of .260/.295/.385 is substantially better than his actual year-to-date line of .248/.284/.214, and his expected stat line against left-handed pitching is even better: .296/.333/.446. His .338 xwOBA against left-handed pitching is significantly higher than the league average. So, having Straw platoon with Varsho (once he's healthy) against left-handed pitching would only be a modest downgrade defensively but potentially a substantial upgrade offensively, at least until Varsho figures out how to do more damage against southpaws.

Now consider Giménez. Again, he is an absolute defensive stud. And again, his defensive wizardry would ordinarily more than compensate for his struggles against left-handers, making him unplatoonable (hey, if Shakespeare can invent new words …). Yet, Ernie Clement is no ordinary backup. He was a Gold Glove finalist at third base in 2024, and in 2025, his 4 OAA at second base is sixth best in MLB. What's more, he has earned that OAA in only 69 attempts; if he played the position more regularly, he could easily be top three. So, replacing Giménez with Clement at second base is not as much of a defensive downgrade as you might expect. And Clement is absolutely raking against left-handed pitching this year, with a 207 wRC+ in 98 PA. Admittedly, the small sample size caveat applies once again, but even if Clement’s wRC+ dropped 80 points, he would still be a significant upgrade at the plate against lefties.

Imagine a game where Straw and Clement start against an opposing left-handed pitcher. Not only would that enhance the Jays’ offense to start the game, but it would mean that Toronto had Varsho and his 144 wRC+ and .653 slugging percentage (against righties) on the bench for when the opposition brings in a right-handed reliever. (Straw has a 53 wRC+ and a .296 SLG against RHP.) As for Clement, his 68 wRC+ and .291 slugging percentage against righties becomes a lot less problematic when the Jays have a Giménez (career 103 wRC+ and .396 slugging against RHP) on the bench.

The Bottom Line
It is still relatively early in the season, particularly for Varsho and Giménez, who have both struggled with injuries. It seems clear that Varsho will not be this bad against left-handed pitching long-term … and that Clement will not continue to be this good. But until the felix felicis wears off, the Jays would be well advised to take full advantage.

Statistics updated prior to games on July 3.

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[Terry Mesmer]

If a platoon helps Varsho stay healthy, that could work.

[Terry Mesmer]

The 2B platoon only works with Clement there. Davis Schneider? No.

[mphenhef]

Clement is already playing every day against lefties anyway so if you put him at 2B then Barger or Wagner have to play against a lefty.  I would bet this is one of the reasons they are looking for a right handed bat though.