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Blue Jays: How can they replace Teoscar Hernandez?

By Reuben Gasee

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 30: Teoscar Hernandez #37 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates after hitting a home run in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 30, 2020 in Washington, DC, United States. The Blue Jays played as the home team due to their stadium situation and the Canadian governmentÕs policy on COVID-19. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 30: Teoscar Hernandez #37 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates after hitting a home run in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 30, 2020 in Washington, DC, United States. The Blue Jays played as the home team due to their stadium situation and the Canadian governmentÕs policy on COVID-19. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 14: Randal Grichuk #15 of the Toronto Blue Jays before the start of a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 14, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 14: Randal Grichuk #15 of the Toronto Blue Jays before the start of a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 14, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

Option 1- Move Grichuk to RF and Villar to CF

Jonathan Villar is a natural infielder but he has experience playing in the outfield. While the Jays acquired Villar to play shortstop until Bo Bichette returns from his injury, they could shift him to the outfield to man center.

While Villar has only played 15 career games in the outfield with 10 of those coming in center, he has the speed and range to cover lots of ground. If the Jays were to move Villar to the outfield though, that means that Grichuk would have to shift over to right field.

Before Grichuk became the Jays’ everyday centerfielder, he was the Jays’ primary right fielder which was when they still had Kevin Pillar on the roster. Unlike Villar, Grichuk has strong enough of an arm to play in right and also has the experience playing that position.

This move would give the Jays more speed in their lineup. Villar has 211 career stolen bases and can be the Jays leadoff guy until Bichette comes back. Even when he does, Villar can still be the leadoff guy while Bichette bats a spot or two behind him.

Adding Villar to the lineup would also give the Jays a guy who can bat from the left side of the plate in a primarily right-handed heavy lineup against right-handed pitchers as he is a switch hitter, something that the Jays could benefit from.

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