An Unconventional Second Base Option for the Blue Jays in 2027

[Jim Scott]

The 2026 Blue Jays struggled in many areas. Their 94 team wRC+ was 24th in the majors. But it gets worse. Their 648 runs scored were dead last – 30th out of 30 teams – as were their .298 team xwOBA, .134 team ISO, and 152 home runs.

Some of that disappointing performance was due to injuries (Toronto lost $77 million of payroll to injuries – 5th highest in MLB) and some to underperformance (Springer + Guerrero Jr + Kirk + Clement had an aggregate 17 fWAR in 2025. In 2026, those four players aggregated 5.4 fWAR). So there is some reason for optimism that Toronto could rebound offensively to some extent in 2027. But it clearly behooves Blue Jays management to seek offensive upgrades in the offseason.

There are several options potentially available. On the free agent front, Seiya Suzuki is coming off a 4.6 fWAR, 134 wRC+, .204 ISO season with the Cubs. Randy Arozarena was even better, statistically, with a 5.5 fWAR and 151 wRC+. On the international signing front, Teruaki Sato of the Hanshin Tigers is expected to be posted and is coming off a year of 306/.383/.609, 39 HR, and 106 RBI in Japan. And players like Cleveland’s Steven Kwan and Boston’s Jarren Duran are rumoured to be available in trade.

The complication with most of these players is that their best position (other than ones Toronto has already filled) is corner outfield. On first glance, this does not appear to be an issue. In 2026, the Jays earned 0.9 fWAR from the left field position (24th in MLB). Their 1.9 fWAR from right field was better – 16th in MLB – but that was primarily due to Nathan Lukes’ 2.2 fWAR in 450 PA. And Lukes would make an ideal fourth outfielder – he can play all three outfield positions (with a Statcast fielding run value in the 86th percentile, which is excellent), so he would make a strong late-inning defensive replacement. His 2026 wRC+ of 102 is low for a full-time right fielder but more than adequate for a bench outfielder, and his career splits (110 wRC+ against right-handed pitching, 75 against left-handed) even make him a late-game pinch-hit option. So finding a role for him if the Jays were to sign (say) Suzuki and Sato would not be an issue.

Which brings us to Addison Barger.

Barger was injured for most of 2026, but in 2025 he had a torrid first half, with a .261/.317/.506 batting line, a .245 ISO and a 124 wRC+. He slowed down in the second half, but still managed a .172 ISO. So – potentially – exactly the kind of bat the Jays need in their lineup. And Barger will not reach arbitration until 2028, and will not be a free agent until 2031.

The problem with Barger is that he is not really suited to be a bench player. He has a negative Outs Above Average at both of his primary positions – third base and right field – and his sprint speed is only average. And at his early stage of development (he has 755 career MLB plate appearances), limiting him to a bench role might never unlock his potential.

So what could the Jays do with him?  Right field will be (in my example) Suzuki or Sato. Third base, if 2026 is any indication, will belong to Kazuma Okamoto for the foreseeable future. Fourth outfielder is Lukes.

As noted, the Jays’ production from left field was 24th in the majors in 2026. Right field was 16th. Most other positions were better, or are expected to be better in 2027 (think Bateman and Guerrero Jr.)  But second base was a definite problem. Toronto’s 1.2 fWAR was 21st in the majors, and it would have been even lower except for the 0.8 fWAR put up by Josh Smith and Charles McAdoo in limited time at the end of the season. So second base is an issue, and finding a spot for Barger is an issue. Too bad that Barger can not play second base.

Or can’t he?

When Barger was playing in A-level ball, he was used extensively at second base. It was felt that his speed and athleticism were not sufficient for him to play shortstop at the major league level, and that second base was a viable option. He played 375 innings there over his minor league career. As Barger progressed through the Jays system, he was positioned increasingly at third base and right field (to take full advantage of his holy-cow-Batman 60+ grade arm). But his 2026 injury showed the danger of placing too much reliance on that arm. Playing second base – at a minimum in 2027 – would decrease his dependence on that arm, which might be especially prudent in a year in which he is returning from injury.

A further benefit of playing Barger at second base is that it would free up Ernie Clement for the utility role that he played so well in the past. Ernie on the bench makes it possible to pinch-hit for Andrés Giménez in late innings, or to insert his career +28 DRS at third base (+14 FRV) for Okamoto in defensive situations.

The Bottom Line

“Wasting” Barger’s arm at second base may be counterintuitive. But wasting him and his potential as a bench bat, or failing to pursue a Suzuki or Sato to hold right field open for Barger, could be the greater risk – and the greater waste.

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