Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2026)

[jaysblue]

On 8/26/2026 at 10:35 PM, Brownie19 said:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BiqHydKVP/

Anyone agree with Sid?

We obviously don’t know what it’s actually like inside that clubhouse, but given all the frustration and struggles this season from a team that was literally inches away from winning the World Series, you do get the sense that the mood probably isn’t perfect and that some of the players are frustrated. The fans certainly are every once in a while too haha.

Lukes is a stand-up guy and apologized for his mistake, so I give him a lot of credit for owning it. Meanwhile, I haven’t really seen Vladdy take much public criticism or accountability for some of his awful plays and ABs this season.

With Vladdy, you almost get the sense that his mind or heart just isn’t fully in it right now. I obviously have no idea why that would be, but he needs something to light a fire under him again like we saw during the postseason and WBC.

I also think it’s fair to ask whether Vladdy can handle the pressure of being the unquestioned face of this team. There could be a psychological aspect to this as well. Is the massive contract weighing on him? Is the pressure of having to be “the guy” affecting him? Would he benefit from having another elite/star-level bat alongside him in the lineup?

This is also Vladdy’s first season without Bo, and the difference is pretty striking. I know the traditional idea of lineup protection has largely been debunked, but maybe there’s something to simply having another elite hitter around him and taking some of that pressure off. Obviously Bo was terrible and injured for most of 2024, but even then Vladdy went on that massive second-half tear once the Jays were basically out of contention and the games didn’t carry the same pressure.

I don’t know what the answer is. Maybe there’s an underlying health issue this season, fatigue from playing in October and the WBC, maybe it’s the mechanical/swing issue a lot of us have been talking about, and I’d imagine there could be some psychological component to his struggles as well. It could very easily be a combination of all three.

 

[Brownie19]

11 minutes ago, bluejaysinternNo5 said:

Is this true? When I wrote that I assumed the average 4th outfielder gets 250-350 PA, with a strong side platoon or semi regular guy getting slightly more at 400-500 PA (basically how we have used Lukes). 

All of that is to say I wouldn't hate Lukes getting another 400 PA next year, if we get some offensive improvement on the infield. But that's harder than signing a corner outfielder who can hit.

Idk these are my pre-coffee Monday morning thoughts.

I believe what you're missing is the probability that at least 1 of the starting OFers gets injured each year, forcing the 4th OFer into starting duties.

There may be years when the starting OFers stay relatively healthy and the 4th OFer just plays when they need a day off, or maybe as a semi-platoon player.  4th OFer could also slide in if one of the starting OFers DH's for a day, etc.

But there will also be years when 2 starting OFers suffer major injuries and the 4th OFer is going to start everyday for an extended period.

I believe this is why they say that on average, the 4th OFer gets 450-500 PAs a year.  He's essentially a "starter".  I believe it's similar for your utility infielder.

That said, if teams are using a lot of platoons and such, that may all change a bit - but it does highlight the importance of the 4th OFer and utility IFer.

[jaysblue]

22 hours ago, Jays24 said:

Not gonna be a popular comment but the Jays will need to upgrade at least one/two of Clement/Lukes/Gimenez/Bateman in the lineup offensively depending on who that player(s) is/are for next season. 

My guess is that it'll be Clement and/or Lukes depending on whos available and they take the role of the ultimate sub/injury insurance.

Yeah, as much as I love Ernie, I had concerns before the season about some of the AAAA-type guys who had huge breakout years for us in 2025 like Clement, Lukes, Heineman, etc. Given their ages and overall skill sets, it was always going to be difficult to expect all of them to repeat that kind of production.

The bigger issue is that you can’t really have both Gimenez and Clement getting everyday ABs when the rest of the lineup already lacks power and thump. A lineup gets exposed pretty quickly when you have too many low-power bats in it, especially once injuries hit or some of your supposed middle-of-the-order guys aren’t producing.

Personally, I still prefer Clement in more of a super-utility role. He could easily work his way into 400 or so ABs by rotating between 2B, 3B and SS, and the lighter workload might even help keep him fresher and sharper defensively while potentially helping him offensively as well.

That’s not really a knock on Ernie either. I think he’s a very useful player. I just think the roster is better constructed when he’s your versatile 400-AB guy rather than someone you’re relying on for everyday production.

[jaysblue]

20 minutes ago, bluejaysinternNo5 said:

Is this true? When I wrote that I assumed the average 4th outfielder gets 250-350 PA, with a strong side platoon or semi regular guy getting slightly more at 400-500 PA (basically how we have used Lukes). 

All of that is to say I wouldn't hate Lukes getting another 400 PA next year, if we get some offensive improvement on the infield. But that's harder than signing a corner outfielder who can hit.

Idk these are my pre-coffee Monday morning thoughts.

Yeah, if you bring in a right-handed bat to platoon with Lukes, I think you can make it work. We saw that for years with Reed Johnson and Frank Catalanotto, and that was a pretty effective LF platoon. The Jays never really added the proper RHB to complement Lukes. Instead, they brought in Sanchez, who is more of a similar platoon-type bat, and that obviously didn’t work. Straw also shouldn't be relied on in a platoon. 

I’m fine with having one platoon spot in the lineup. You can maximize matchups and still get solid production out of it. But once you start having two or three spots that need platooning, I don’t think that’s really viable roster construction. It limits your bench, makes the lineup too matchup-dependent, and leaves you vulnerable when injuries hit.

[bluejaysinternNo5]

35 minutes ago, Brownie19 said:

I believe what you're missing is the probability that at least 1 of the starting OFers gets injured each year, forcing the 4th OFer into starting duties.

There may be years when the starting OFers stay relatively healthy and the 4th OFer just plays when they need a day off, or maybe as a semi-platoon player.  4th OFer could also slide in if one of the starting OFers DH's for a day, etc.

But there will also be years when 2 starting OFers suffer major injuries and the 4th OFer is going to start everyday for an extended period.

I believe this is why they say that on average, the 4th OFer gets 450-500 PAs a year.  He's essentially a "starter".  I believe it's similar for your utility infielder.

That said, if teams are using a lot of platoons and such, that may all change a bit - but it does highlight the importance of the 4th OFer and utility IFer.

Injuries will happen but I think the claim that they average 450-500 PA overstating it just a little bit.

From a Baseball Prospectus article:

Quote

For example, from 2003-2012, the 10th-most-used hitter on a team (by plate appearances) had an average (weighted) OBP of .312 (he averaged 284 PA in a season).

From an old write up on Tyrone Taylor from Baseball Reference:

Quote

Taylor finally got a significant number of at-bats in 2021, when he appeared in 93 games and had 271 plate appearances for Milwaukee. He hit .247 with 12 homers and 43 RBIs for an OPS+ of 108 and got starts at all three outfield positions as he was the prototypical fourth outfielder.

 

In addition, a hitter needs 502 PA in 162 games to be a qualified regular. It seems implausible that the average 4th outfielder is a qualified regular.

However I do agree that there is a significant chance that one or more of your starting 3 OF gets injured, but not all of those PA will go to the opening day 4th OF - they will be spread around him, the injury call up, prospects, etc. 

 

 

 

[Jays24]

3 hours ago, Brownie19 said:

With Barger returning to play RF, it certainly feels like LF is the most obvious place to "upgrade", which would push Lukes back to a bench role.  Randy or Seiya are obvious fits, but they are both kinda old and will come with risk on a 4+ year deal.

Ya, I think it'll have to be a trade we dont see coming.  Thats why I think 2B and/or LF will be the 2 spots we can upgrade. 

Bo (as a buy low option), Marte (clubhouse issues), and im sure there are others.  Clement/Lukes would still get plenty of ABs even if they might not be "starting" but all that can change with performance dictating playing time. 

[Laika]

2 hours ago, glory said:

Lukes and Clement are both perfect in utility/bench roles. With JS managing they’d still get a ton of PA’s but upgrading 2B/LF and having bench players who could provide league average-ish offense and versatile defense would be great. Not sure the Jays do that, though. Clement in particular has started the last two seasons, and JS loves him. Hard to see him in a bench role as long as he’s on the team, but who knows. 

Seems like the move to 2B ruined Clement. His defense does not play the same there, for whatever reason. Too much time to think? 

3B - Okamoto
SS - Gimenez
2B - Clement
1B - Vlad
C - Kirk
LF - Santander
CF - Bateman
RF - Barger
DH - Keys

BN - Valenzuela, Smith, Lukes, Straw (bring him back)

They can option Smith 

The top 2B free agents look to be Lowe, Jazz, Gleyber, Arraez 

OF = Happ, Grisham, Suzuki, Arozarena, Ward, Varsho 

 

Is Jazz Chisholm just a perfect fit? He can play 2B or the OF, and he hits homers, and he is only 29 next year. They could just start him at 2B and bench Clement, or move him and other guys around. Can go to CF if Bateman flops. Can go to LF is Clement is hot and Santander is hurt or can no longer play the field. 

[Brownie19]

I hate Jazz so much that I may denounce my allegiance to the Blue Jays if they sign him.  

[Laika]

40 minutes ago, Brownie19 said:

I hate Jazz so much that I may denounce my allegiance to the Blue Jays if they sign him.  

His market will probably be irrationally depressed because people "don't like his antics" or whatever

Also batting average 

I am all over him. Perfect solution. Good baseball player. 

[Jays24]

Seems like the Jays passed on him...The dream is over :(

[jaysblue]

2 hours ago, bluejaysinternNo5 said:

Injuries will happen but I think the claim that they average 450-500 PA overstating it just a little bit.

From a Baseball Prospectus article:

From an old write up on Tyrone Taylor from Baseball Reference:

 

In addition, a hitter needs 502 PA in 162 games to be a qualified regular. It seems implausible that the average 4th outfielder is a qualified regular.

However I do agree that there is a significant chance that one or more of your starting 3 OF gets injured, but not all of those PA will go to the opening day 4th OF - they will be spread around him, the injury call up, prospects, etc. 

 

 

 

Yeah, I think there’s obviously going to be some variation from season to season depending on injuries, how many starts the player gets, how often he enters as a defensive replacement and then picks up an AB or two, etc.

For a super-utility type, I could see the range being anywhere from roughly 300 to even 500 ABs depending on the health and performance of the regular starters.

If you’re talking about a true platoon, though, the split is usually a little more predictable. The LHB could still end up around 450–500 ABs, while the RHB probably lands closer to 250–300, depending on how strict the platoon is and how often he gets used elsewhere.

So technically, that RHB platoon bat would also be your fourth outfielder, and ideally you’d want someone capable of playing all three outfield positions. Straw, meanwhile, is really more of a fifth outfielder/late-inning defensive replacement. In a perfect world, you probably don’t want him getting more than 150–200 ABs over the course of the season.

If you bring in a reliable RHB who can platoon with Lukes, provides some offensive thump and is above-average defensively across the outfield, then I’m not sure you really need Straw on the roster, especially if your starting CF is already an above-average defender. It becomes difficult to justify carrying a fifth outfielder strictly for defense when that roster spot could be used elsewhere.

 

[jaysblue]

1 hour ago, Laika said:

Seems like the move to 2B ruined Clement. His defense does not play the same there, for whatever reason. Too much time to think? 

3B - Okamoto
SS - Gimenez
2B - Clement
1B - Vlad
C - Kirk
LF - Santander
CF - Bateman
RF - Barger
DH - Keys

BN - Valenzuela, Smith, Lukes, Straw (bring him back)

They can option Smith 

The top 2B free agents look to be Lowe, Jazz, Gleyber, Arraez 

OF = Happ, Grisham, Suzuki, Arozarena, Ward, Varsho 

 

Is Jazz Chisholm just a perfect fit? He can play 2B or the OF, and he hits homers, and he is only 29 next year. They could just start him at 2B and bench Clement, or move him and other guys around. Can go to CF if Bateman flops. Can go to LF is Clement is hot and Santander is hurt or can no longer play the field. 

The more I think of it, I actually prefer going after one of the second-base free agents over most of the outfielders available. Jazz could be a really solid fit for a few reasons. Like you mentioned, he can play all over the outfield if needed, but ideally he’d be your everyday 2B. On days you move him to the outfield, it’s easy enough to slide Clement over to second.

Offensively, he still gives you the kind of power this lineup badly needs. He’s capable of hitting 25–30 HRs while also stealing 30–40 bases, which would add a completely different element to this offense. And despite the offensive struggles this season along with some of the boneheaded defensive miscues that end up on highlight reels, he’s still put up around a 3-WAR season, and his defense at 2B has actually been decent overall.

If you believe you can get Jazz back to being a 4+ WAR player, which really doesn’t seem that far-fetched, he might be the best positional-player upgrade available for this roster. And like you said, given some of the antics and the down season offensively, his market could be depressed enough that he ends up taking a one-year prove-it deal at a high AAV. If that’s the case, I’d definitely be interested.

[jaysblue]

1 hour ago, Brownie19 said:

I hate Jazz so much that I may denounce my allegiance to the Blue Jays if they sign him.  

I own him in two fantasy leagues and he's been so frustrating this season. 

[Governator]

30 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

I own him in two fantasy leagues and he's been so frustrating this season. 

Same, in one. It's been a hole in my line up.

[jaysblue]

5 minutes ago, Governator said:

Same, in one. It's been a hole in my line up.

Yeah the 40 SB's and 18 HR's have been nice, but damn that batting average and OPS have been a killer. 

He's supposed to provide Top 25-50 value and he's been more like a 150ish-200 ranked guy. 

[Governator]

16 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

Yeah the 40 SB's and 18 HR's have been nice, but damn that batting average and OPS have been a killer. 

He's supposed to provide Top 25-50 value and he's been more like a 150ish-200 ranked guy. 

Yea I have him in a keeper league, I've kept him a couple seasons I don't know what to do now lol

[glory]

No chance the Jays sign Chisholm. Brandon Lowe is probably more realistic, but he K's a ton, and the Jays don't like that. Maybe the D-backs will be fed up with Marte and trade him. 

[Brownie19]

1 hour ago, Laika said:

His market will probably be irrationally depressed because people "don't like his antics" or whatever

Also batting average 

I am all over him. Perfect solution. Good baseball player. 

He'll be entering his age 29 season, coming off a 4.1, 4.3 and probably a 3.5 WAR season over the past 3 years.  Isn't he going to get a 5 or 6 year deal worth $30M+ AAV?

I just can't see that being a good investment.  I do agree he's a good fit, but he's just too douchy for me - and I don't love the idea of another LH hitter, who can't hit lefties at all.