The emblem of success for any of the three Blue Jays teams that have either won the World Series or come within one centimeter of winning it has always been incredible depth. It is no secret, especially in what has become a grinding playoff system in MLB, one that now extends well into November, that depth is a requirement for any championship team. When one starter goes down, there are options on the bench to the extent that absences and IL stints are not felt nearly as much as fans or media might expect.
Spring training, though, represents an entirely different beast. It is a time when an abundance of talent suggests that a cohesive roster can be built and lineup cards penciled in by manager John Schneider. At the same time, it creates an environment where hard conversations have to be had with established big league players. These are players who have earned their keep and absolutely deserve to be everyday players in MLB.
Complicated Times
Gone are the days when the hot topic in the clubhouse might have been moving a tenured star player and impact hitter out of the field and into the DH role. Remember when approaching All Stars like George Bell or Cecil Fielder, or across MLB, Will Clark and Jose Canseco, with the prospect of becoming a DH must have felt like a manager asking to borrow the family car for the first time. Or taking a dare to approach a haunted house. Nerve wracking, and quite often a clash of egos where conversations could snowball into shouting matches or worse in a matter of seconds.
The DH argument has become much more tame over the years, with many players even seeing it as a compliment to have the occasional day off in the field to focus only on hitting. For the 2026 Blue Jays, the fact that the DH is now a viable option for virtually every player on the roster is serving as a reprieve from the surplus of really good players, especially in the outfield.
Here is a look at what will most likely be the Blue Jays Opening Day lineup:
George Springer DH Addison Barger RF Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B Anthony Santander LF Alejandro Kirk C Ernie Clement 2B Kazuma Okamoto 3B Daulton Varsho CF Andrés Giménez SS
Obviously, this lineup is not set in stone. The Blue Jays have invested $60 million over the next four years in Okamoto, but the Japanese national will have to prove in camp that he is ready to start on a championship level MLB club. The team’s infielders are versatile and can shift positions on a moment’s notice.
Blue Jays In The Outfield
In the outfield, there will always be a need for a fourth and maybe a fifth competent player. The problem is that what remains on the bench is a group of outfielders who are far beyond competent. In almost every case, they will push the starters to perform or risk losing their spot.
Oct 16, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Nathan Lukes (38), center fielder Daulton Varsho (5) and center fielder Myles Straw (3) celebrate after winning game four of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Depth is fantastic, but the following names raise the question of just how much defense the Blue Jays are willing to sacrifice for a few more home runs. For example, Myles Straw has built his career on being a dependable defensive replacement in the outfield. There might be a case, though, to have him play much more often than the Jays typically would. His plus fifteen Defensive Runs Saved are far better than Santander’s minus one, and that difference alone puts added pressure on Santander to produce right away.
Straw also has the support of his teammates to be out there more regularly. Returning starter Shane Bieber has long supported Straw manning the outfield. Back in their Cleveland days, Bieber was vocal about it.
“His defense is superb. He kind of sets the standard, and he holds guys to that standard.” — starting pitcher Shane Bieber
Do the power bats take precedence over skills in almost every other area, including the ability to wear down pitchers, make contact, and lengthen at bats? Nathan Lukes, like Ernie Clement, ranked above the 90th percentile in strikeout rate over the course of the 2025 season, striking out just 60 times in 438 plate appearances.
Here is the group of outfielders who, as of now, are on the outside looking in, with at least a couple likely beginning the season in AAA Buffalo:
Nathan Lukes Davis Schneider Joey Loperfido Jonatan Clase Myles Straw
This might be the toughest conundrum that manager John Schneider will have to face this spring and into the early months of the season. Each of the outfielders not currently projected as starters has earned a chance to play for this club. They offer speed on the basepaths that, quite frankly, the penciled in starting lineup lacks.
The starting spots might be secure for now, but the leash is short and the stakes are high in Dunedin.
End of Blue Jays Rant
Again, depth is imperative if a ballclub is to take the leap from mediocrity into serious contention. The Blue Jays have that across the board heading into spring training. Some competition for starting positions is healthy, but when there is gridlock among players who have all earned their time, the manager is left with the inevitable task of delivering tough news. Sending one or two of these talented outfielders back to the minor leagues to begin the season might be the only option. Hard conversations indeed.