Top 5 Blue Jay greats that never made the playoffs

Aug 18, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays hat and glove in the dugout against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Vernon Wells – OF
Blue Jays years 1999 – 2010

Vernon Wells was drafted by the Blue Jays first round 5th pick overall in 1997.  Wells would make his MLB debut in the 1999 season but became an every day player in 2002.  In his rise to the face of the franchise he would have his ups and downs but wow did he start on a high note.  For the 2002 season he batted a solid .275 with 23 homers and 100 RBIs.  For his on-chore in the 2003 season he even managed to step it up a notch.  In 2003 he was an All-star that would bat .317 with 33 home runs and 117 RBI which would lead him to a Silver Slugger award.  The performance would also land him in the 8 spot for the MVP voting that season.  Wells would regress some the next couple years.  There were reports that he had been playing with some injuries but Wells would be the first to tell you that is not an excuse.  He still hit around .270 and hit at least 20 homers each year.  In 2006 he captured it all again as he made his second All-Star appearance and have a stand out year.  Batting .303 with 32 homers and 106 RBIs and managed to even steal a career high 17 bases.

Over the remaining years as the face of the Angry Bird Blue Jays logo era Wells would continue to have mixed offensive seasons.  For what would become his final season with the Jays Wells put on a spectacular showing on last time.  In 2010 he batted .273 with 31 homers and 88 RBIs.  This appeared to be the opportune moment for the Jays front office to move Wells and they took advantage of it.  On January 21st, 2010 Vernon Wells and his huge contract were traded to the Angels for Mike Napoli (who eventually was traded to the Rangers for Juan Fransico) and Juan Rivera.

Vernon Wells is currently the #2 leader in many of the offensive categories for the Blue Jays Franchise.  He is #2 on the lists for Runs Scored (789), hits (1529), Doubles (339), and RBIs (813).  He is also #3 on the list of franchise home run leaders with 223.

Jays Career WAR – 28

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