Should Blue Jays Target Tommy Field?

It’s no secret that the Toronto Blue Jays are in desperate need of a second baseman. This offseason, General Manager Alex Anthopoulos has already traded away, once prized prospect, Anthony Gose to acquire second baseman Devon Travis. Should acquiring a Double-A second baseman be enough for a team that appears to be serious about contending in 2015?

I think not.

The mark for second baseman isn’t overly inspiring, even more so now that Hanley Ramirez has signed with the Boston Red Sox. There are options out there if the Blue Jays don’t feel comfortable handing Asdrubal Cabrera or Jed Lowrie multi-year deals.

What about minor league free agents?

There are minor league free-agents out there which possess the ability to be bona fide major league contributors. It could be that they are blocked or just need that second or third opportunity to prove themselves. I’m not suggesting that they will become all-stars or superstars, rather, they could instantly be someone that can provide something close to league average.

Tommy Field is one of those minor free agents that the Blue Jays should target Tommy is a 7 year minor league vet, who first got a taste of the Major Leagues in 2011 as a member of the Rockies. Tommy would bat .271/.314/.271 and drive in 3 RBI in 16 appearances with the Rockies that year, but it wasn’t good enough to stick.

Tommy could provide the Blue Jays with a good glove (Best Glove in Colorado system in 2010), a decent approach at the plate (8.2BB% and 18.4K%), defensive versatility, and some extra base power (19 doubles in 2014), while not costing them much.

Field spent most of 2014 with the L.A. Angels Triple-A Salt Lake Bees before being claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Field was able to hit LHP to a tune of .376/.413/.600 in 93AB, but struggled to hit RHP .256/.339/.370 in 294AB. Since the Blue Jays struggled against LHP pitchers in 2014, Field would be a welcome addition or could provide the Blue Jays with another platoon option. He’s a pull hitter, with the majority of his BABIP going to the LF, CF or third base. He was able to produce an above average wOBA (.350) and average ISO (.154) for a middle infielder.

In the field, Tommy committed 10 errors in 48 games (. 946 Fielding%) at short, while not committing any errors in 22 games at second. Field also spent 18 games at third base; however, he commit 8 errors….so let’s not talk about putting him at the hot corner.

Tommy Field might not be able to play at the major league level or maybe he can. Maybe he turns into be a bench player or maybe he’s simply career minor leaguer. For what it would cost the Blue Jays, don’t you think its worth it at the cost of a minor league contract and an invite to Spring Training?