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The Toronto Blue Jays could target another bat following the awful injury new the club got regarding Anthony Santander.
The Toronto Blue Jays got some awful injury news regarding outfielder Anthony Santander. The hope was that Santander’s bat could provide some much-needed pop this upcoming season.
However, that won’t be the case, at least not for a while. With Santander likely out until after the All-Star break, the Jays could have an open outfield spot ripe for a power bat.
At the moment, Fangraphs shows Addison Barger and Jesus Sanchez taking up the corner outfield spots for the Blue Jays. Barger is a good option. He’s a known commodity. Meanwhile, Sanchez is a bit of a question mark. He hit 14 home runs and drove in 61 runs with the Marlins last season.
Sanchez is a .237 hitter who offers some speed. He’s also a left-handed bat. The same goes for Barger. So, it wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world to target a right-handed bat to balance the lineup.
That’s what Santander was meant to be. But now, there’s a clear need for one. The Blue Jays could just suck up the loss and hope that Barger and Sanchez will be enough to keep the club afloat.
But it’s becoming apparent that another big outfield bat will be a major target for the Blue Jays as the season wears on.
Jays Might Have an In-House Option
Last season, the emergence of Nathan Lukes and Myles Straw was a welcome situation. The duo provided solid defensive play while contributing some offense. Straw became a late pinch-running option, with Lukes chipping in some much-needed at-bats.
So, rolling with five outfielders in Daulton Varsho, Sanchez, Barger, Lukes, and Straw wouldn’t be all that bad. But what point does the club pivot to a more powerful outfield bat? As long as the offense produces, it wouldn’t be a big deal.
But if the offense struggles to put up runs on the board, the need may become increasingly bigger. So, Blue Jays fans should be surprised to hear talk of the club targeting another outfield bat much sooner than anticipated.
Santander Could Be Blue Jays Trade Deadline Bat
There’s always the chance the Jays could go with their outfield as it stands. While the club may be looking for another option out there, they may be looking to Santander as the equivalent of a trade deadline addition.
Assuming he comes back full healthy, he could be just that. A healthy Santander could provide the Blue Jays with a power, right-handed bat without having to scour the trade market.
That possibility would work out just fine under one condition. The Jays would have to know if Santander will be ready this season and how well he could step into the lineup. Barring setbacks in his recovery, Santander could be the boost the Blue Jays will be looking for in the second half of the season.
In the meantime, there are numerous ifs surrounding this entire discussion. But it may be too soon to hit the panic button. Much of what happens in the first month of the season will determine the path forward for the remainder of the year.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
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