Blue Jays bench players providing some consistency in 2015

Jul 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marco Estrada (25) celebrates with Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (55) after striking out the third batter during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Toronto Blue Jays won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays have the league’s most productive offense, and the lion’s share of the credit has gone to the big three of Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. Along with the likes of Jose Reyes and Russell Martin, the emergence of Kevin Pillar and Devon Travis has produced a lineup that can strike from one to nine.

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One of my annual frustrations with the Blue Jays has been a top-heavy lineup, one that leans heavily on the one-to-five gauntlet but otherwise provides pitchers with a resting spot. Last season saw a laundry list of 29 batters step to the plate, and from Munenori Kawasaki with 274 to Josh Thole with 150 and Chris Getz with 28, there were plate appearances where there frankly shouldn’t have been.

That has improved in 2015, and the Blue Jays can give thanks to a steady group of bench players that has performed relatively well within their roles. Along with filling specialties, such as Danny Valencia against left-handed pitching, several have gone above expectations and allowed the Blue Jays to roll with a more consistent group of 13 positional players over the past two months.

Ahead, we take a look at Toronto’s five most prominent “bench” players, a list that doesn’t include Chris Colabello, who has gone from “dumpster dive” to the third-highest OPS on the Jays. The group isn’t elite, but it may represent an (all too rare) example of the Jays directly addressing a need with some level of success.

Next: #5: Carrera has stuck longer than we'd thought

Jun 22, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Ryan Goins (17) at Tropicana Field. Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

#4  –  SS Ryan Goins

Goins has been a polarizing player in Blue Jays circles over the past several years. Is he a defensive specialist whose bat is worth waiting on, or another career Minor League player with one fatal flaw? In 2015, he’s done enough to cement himself as a bench contributor, and that’s good enough for Toronto.

The bizarre cries for him to overtake Jose Reyes at shortstop have thankfully quieted, but Goins has held his own over 211 plate appearances. His triple-slash of .226 / .273 / .321 won’t knock anyone over, but who expected eight doubles, two home runs and 24 RBI from the glove guru in mid-July? At the very least, it’s an improvement over a 2014 season that had many writing Goins off entirely.

His swing has improved, and defensively, Goins remains a great asset. I’m a believer that all bench players must do one things particularly well, whether it be speed on the bases, their defense or hitting for power. Goins has defense as his calling card, and will continue to be a late-inning upgrade in the middle infield if needed. John Gibbons has dabbled with him in the corner outfield, as well, and the club could further explore making him a super utility player this coming offseason.

Next: #3: No Navarro trade? That's just fine

Jul 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Roberto Osuna (54) celebrates the win with Toronto Blue Jays catcher Dioner Navarro (30) at the end of a game a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Toronto Blue Jays won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

#3  –  C Dioner Navarro

Navarro is another example of a Jays bench player who has been quite unspectacular, but valuable for his stability. His offensive dip and lack of playing time have hurt any desire he has to be moved into a starting role elsewhere, but Toronto can see value of their own in a switch-hitting catcher whose presence keeps Josh Thole off the 25-man roster.

Navarro is more talented than he’s shown thus far. Not greatly so, but there’s reasonable room to improve. His start on Sunday could help to spark the veteran as he went 1-for-4, throwing out a runner attempting to steal second base and picking off Tampa Bay’s Tim Beckham at third. Marco Estrada and he are developing a great chemistry and we know that Mark Buehrle is comfortable with him, so despite a below-average defensive performance in 2015, he’s not a total black hole behind the plate.

His trade value is flirting with zero unless an AL team is hit with the injury bug, but he possesses something of great value in Toronto: the trust of manager John Gibbons. Navarro isn’t my first choice for a pinch-hitter, but if the Jays need a veteran at-bat to move a runner over late in the game or produce a sac fly, I’ll happily take Navarro over Carrera or Goins.

Next: #2: Danny V? He's not just a lefty-masher

Jul 2, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Danny Valencia (23) celebrates with second baseman Devon Travis (29) after hitting a home run during the ninth inning in a game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre. The Boston Red Sox won 12-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

#2  –  3B Danny Valencia

The Danny Valencia trade is quietly looking like one of Alex Anthopoulos’ better moves over the past year, and in 2015 he’s proven to be more than just a lefty specialist. Gibbons has freely used him at third base, first base and in the outfield, and Valencia continues to earn every at-bat.

Against LHP:  .304 / .351 / .464     2 HR, 12 RBI

Against RHP:  ..294 / .310 / .588     4 HR, 15 RBI

A player like Valencia allows for the Jays to remain fairly stable on their bench because of his ability to play multiple positions with enough offense to cover his defensive shortcomings. Having him on the bench as a pinch-hit option will also be critical down the stretch when opposing managers work to find a lefty-on-lefty matchup.

The 30-year old is under team control through the 2018 season, and that’s good news if you’re a Blue Jays fan. This is the type of player you want hitting in the bottom three when someone like Josh Donaldson needs a day of rest, and that wasn’t always the case in 2014.

Next: #1: The Smoak Monster lives!

Jul 1, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak (14) rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

#1  –  Justin Smoak

Are we still allowed to consider Smoak a bench player? I’m of the opinion that he should be given at-bats whenever possible, but I can’t pass up an opportunity to praise the powerful switch-hitter. Perhaps it’s my soft spot for the failed prospect, but I’ve been extremely impressed with Smoak both offensively and in the field.

Now boasting a slash line of .246 / .329 / .507, Smoak has produced 9 home runs and 28 RBI in just 155 plate appearances. He’s on pace to move well beyond several career highs and averages, and will prove to be extremely value should Chris Colabello hit a wall in the second half like many expect.

When the Blue Jays had Juan Francisco explode out of the gates last season, they were stuck with his disinterested and ineffective play long after his decline due to a lack of other options. With Encarnacion, Colabello and Smoak, however, John Gibbons has three quality options to fill the 1B and DH roles every night. In turn, this often leaves him with one power bat on the bench that he is able to turn to later in the game.

Smoak was a nice buy-low signing by Anthopoulos, and really, he couldn’t have bought much lower. For $1 million, Smoak is also easy on the wallet and arbitration eligible next season, both of which appeal to management. He’s done everything to earn more trips to the dish in the second half, and if he does, the Summer of Smoak could officially begin.

Next: Is trade brewing with Sanchez's move to bullpen?

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