Ross Atkins on the #BlueJays adding a catcher (via our @MLBastian): “Not a priority for us. If we were, in an ideal world, it would be a left-handed hitting, polished receiver. Those guys are either locked up or valuable to other teams. We feel good about the options we have.”
News and Notes: The Blue Jays are open to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. playing third base next season
Photo credit: © Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Nov 6, 2024, 08:30 ESTUpdated: Nov 6, 2024, 06:50 EST
Could the Toronto Blue Jays be open to moving Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to third base next season?
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, they are. In the wee hours of the morning on Wednesday, he released an article with this quote:
“The Blue Jays are open to moving Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from first base to third, which could potentially open up a spot for Pete Alonso”.
It’s unclear if this is just speculation or if the Blue Jays believe this is a possibility, but it deserves the time of day as a rumour. This isn’t the first time the idea of Guerrero Jr. playing third base next season was brought up either, as an article by MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson in mid-September discussed the possibility. That included this interesting quote from Guerrero Jr. himself:
“I signed as a third baseman, so it is my favorite position,… but I’m the kind of person and player who thinks that if you can play both corners, first and third the right way, that will give your manager and your team more options. Regardless of if third is my favourite position, I’ll be prepared. First or third, wherever the team needs me.”
Guerrero Jr. was called up to the big leagues as a third baseman in 2019 and was not good at all, posting -3 Defensive Runs Saved and -20 Outs Above Average in 824.1 innings at the hot corner. He played a couple of innings there in 2021 and 2022, but returned in a more meaningful capacity after the trade deadline in 2024, posting better results (1 OAA, 0 DRS in 100 innings).
It’s certainly an idea, as it fixes a long-term issue the Blue Jays have had at the hot corner. Whether or not they sign Pete Alonso, which is probably just speculation, is anyone’s guess.
The ideal catcher for the Blue Jays in free agency
It’s the general manager meetings, which means Ross Atkins has been speaking to media lately. On Tuesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com asked the Blue Jays general manager about signing a catcher, with Atkins saying:
“Not a priority for us. If we were, in an ideal world, it would be a left-handed hitting, polished receiver. Those guys are either locked up or valuable to other teams. We feel good about the options we have.”
This one makes sense, as Alejandro Kirk is one of the best defensive catchers in the league, even if Rawlings doesn’t give him the Gold Gloves he deserves. What’s more is that his bat turned around after a slump to start the season, really coming on after Danny Jansen was traded. Over the final two months of the season, Kirk slashed .288/.349/.418 with three home runs in 189 plate appearances for a 121 wRC+.
As for a left-handed batting catcher who frames well, an option that could fit that role is former Blue Jay Reese McGuire. Last season, he had 2 Catcher Framing Runs (tied for 14th in the league), but has always been an above-average framer. The bat is light, so it’s unlikely he’ll get anything more than a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training from the Jays.
Daulton Varsho’s timetable
Ross Atkins was also asked about Daulton Varsho, who missed the final few weeks of the season as he had surgery to repair his shoulder. Asked by MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian about Varsho’s timetable and if he’ll be ready for Opening Day, Atkins had this to say:
Ross Atkins on Daulton Varsho’s recovery from shoulder surgery and whether he’ll be ready for Opening Day (via @MLBastian): “I think the expectation is he could be a little bit behind that...” Atkins points to internal depth options, but says the #BlueJays will consider adding.
“I think the expectation is he could be a little behind [schedule to make opening day].”
Obviously, that is not good for the Blue Jays. Varsho’s bat was solid for the Blue Jays, as he slashed .214/.293/.407 with 18 home runs in 513 plate appearances for a 99 wRC+. While not great, it was a step up from the 85 wRC+ he had in 2023.
Moreover, Varsho is undoubtedly the best defensive outfielder in the league right now and has been for the past two seasons. Last season, he had 28 Defensive Runs Saved and 16 Outs Above Average in 1085.1 innings in the outfield, winning the first Gold Glove of his career. The year before, he had 29 DRS and 11 OAA in 1280 innings.
With Kevin Kiermaier’s departure at the trade deadline, Varsho took over the starting centre fielder role until his injury. The Blue Jays will look for a power bat to play a corner outfield position, meaning centre field belongs to Varsho for the foreseeable future, so hopefully he’s ready sooner rather than later.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.