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Blue Jays: How does the 25 man roster look if the season started today?

By Chris Henderson

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 20: Justin Smoak #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays is congratulated by teammates at home plate after hitting a game-winning solo home run in the ninth inning during MLB game action against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre on September 20, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 20: Justin Smoak #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays is congratulated by teammates at home plate after hitting a game-winning solo home run in the ninth inning during MLB game action against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre on September 20, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 29: Justin Smoak #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates his first inning solo home run with Kendrys Morales #8 as catcher Austin Wynns #61 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 29, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 29: Justin Smoak #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates his first inning solo home run with Kendrys Morales #8 as catcher Austin Wynns #61 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 29, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Lineup vs LHP

Naturally we’ll move on to the lineup versus southpaws next, and there could be a few differences. The Blue Jays have the benefit of as many as four switch-hitters in the configuration I left you against righties, so this is an area that Montoyo could play with quite a bit.

Nevertheless, I figured I’d take a stab at how things could roll out against lefties in the first week, and feel free to roll your eyes as much as you like.

1- Gurriel Jr. (SS)

2- Smoak (1B)

3- Grichuk (RF)

4- Morales (DH)

5- Hernandez (LF)

6- Pillar (CF)

7- Drury (3B)

8- Travis (2B)

9- Jansen (C)

As a switch-hitter, Galvis could and will get a decent amount of playing time here as well, but I figure the Blue Jays will be looking for some opportunity to get Devon Travis in the lineup, and Gurriel Jr. some starts at shortstop. That said, Galvis hit .291 last season against lefties and .238 against righties, so a direct platoon isn’t going to be the case I’m sure.

This lineup would leave the bench with Galvis, Maile, Pompey, and McKinney, with all but the latter able to swing from the right side. It should get longer and more dangerous once Vladimir Guerrero Jr. arrives, especially against southpaws.

While the Blue Jays’ lineup may pale in comparison to what is going to be rolled out for the Yankees and Red Sox this season, there’s potential for the young Toronto team to produce pretty well. Interestingly enough the Jays have struggled a bit against lefties in recent years, but I expect that trend to change in 2019 and beyond.

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