Blue Jays: The All-Time Forgotten Players in Franchise History

2 May 1998: Outfielder Jose Canseco of the Toronto Blue Jays in action during a game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Blue Jays defeated the Athletics 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr. /Allsport
2 May 1998: Outfielder Jose Canseco of the Toronto Blue Jays in action during a game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Blue Jays defeated the Athletics 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr. /Allsport
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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 18: Aledmys Diaz #1 of the Toronto Blue Jays takes a swing during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 18, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 18: Aledmys Diaz #1 of the Toronto Blue Jays takes a swing during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 18, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Some Recent Names

Shortstop – Aledmys Diaz (2018)
Best Season: 2018 – 26 doubles, 18 home runs, 55 RBI, .263 AVG and .303 OBA

I’ll concede most fans have likely not forgotten Aledmys Diaz yet as he played on the team just two years ago.  Prior to the 2018, Toronto traded mid-level prospect J.B. Woodman for Diaz as the team need a stopgap before the youth were coming all the way up through the system.

Diaz played just the one season, however, he was very productive.  Diaz made just seven errors in 95 games at shortstop, while putting up good offensive numbers.  He led the team in batting average and was in the middle of the squad in most other offensive categories.  After just the one season in Toronto, Diaz was traded before last year for Trent Thornton.

Left Field – Melky Cabrera (2013-2014)
Best Season: 2014 – 35 doubles, 16 home runs, 73 RBI, .301 AVG and .351 OBA

The Blue Jays made a bit of risky move signing free agent Melky Cabrera to a two year contract worth $16 million prior to the 2013 season.  Cabrera was coming off a 50 game suspension for failing a test for performance-enhancing drugs in August of 2012.  Prior to failing the test Cabrera was in contention for the NL Batting Title as he finished the year with a .346 average.  The perception of bringing in a player who was suspended for PED was something that some folks were skeptical of at the time.

Cabrera shined in his second and final season with Toronto as he led the team in both doubles (35) and batting average (.301) of players that qualified.  He played decently enough in the outfield for what you got on offence.

There was excitement prior to his departure that he may return, as he expressed his interest in staying in Toronto. However, he left for the White Sox on a three year $45 million contract.  Cabrera departed just before the Blue Jays made their return to the post season.

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