Blue Jays: How can they replace Teoscar Hernandez?

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TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 28: Teoscar Hernandez #37 of the Toronto Blue Jays rounds third base as he hits a solo home run during first inning of their MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays Rogers Centre on September 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Teoscar Hernandez is down with an injury so where do they go from here?

News just came out that Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Teoscar Hernandez is heading for an MRI as he suffered a possible rib injury as he was swinging a bat in the 9-8 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

While MRI results have yet to be disclosed, the team is saying that it’s serious and that he’ll be out for an extended period of time. It is inevitable that Hernandez will be placed on the 10 day IL.

This is unfortunate news as Hernandez has been a key contributor to the Blue Jays offence so far this season. In 39 games, he was slashing .308/.358/.637 with an OPS of .995 while trailing only Mike Trout for the lead in home runs in the American League with 14. He also had an identical 27 runs and RBIs while swiping five bags and also getting six assists from the outfield.

The regular season comes to a conclusion on September 27th and if the injury is as bad as the team is saying it is, there wouldn’t be much time for Hernandez to return before the season ends. This would be a serious blow to the Jays playoff hopes who are currently just holding onto the 8th and final playoff spot in the AL.

Charlie Montoyo has a few options on his hands that he can use in order to replace the playing time of Hernandez. While his production will be hard to replicate from any player, the Jays do have some options in regards to playing time.

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.

TORONTO, ON – AUGUST 16: Derek Fisher #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a home run in the second inning during a MLB game against the Seattle Mariners at Rogers Centre on August 16, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Option 2- Fisher becomes primary RF

Instead of having to move players around, the Jays can simply put Derek Fisher in rightfield which is his natural position. That is what Montoyo is doing for today’s game against the Red Sox where Fisher is batting 9th.

Fisher has dealt with injuries himself this year and was just reinstated from the injured list recently but he is currently healthy.

Heading into today’s game, in 12 contests this year which has consisted of just 20 at-bats, he’s slashing .200/.346/.400 with just four hits. While his hitting has left much to be desired, he’s done well defensively as he has a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage playing both right and left field this season.

While he’s done well defensively, this is in a small sample size as he has a career fielding percentage of .951 playing right field. One thing that I remember of Fisher playing right field is his blunder that occurred at Camden Yards last year where a routine fly ball hit him in the face and had to be taken out of the game.

If the Jays were to go with this option, it would give them a decent defensive right fielder with experience but wouldn’t benefit offensively.

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 25: Cavan Biggio #8 of the Toronto Blue Jays in action in the fourth inning during the spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Spectrum Field on February 25, 2020 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Option 3- Move Biggio to CF, Grichuk to RF, and Espinal or Panik to 2B

A good thing that comes with Cavan Biggio is his versatility as he can play second, first, and centerfield. He’s been the Blue Jays primary second baseman but has played at the other positions mentioned.

In his career, he’s made two starts at center which consisted of 14 innings of errorless fielding. Biggio moving out to center would push Grichuk to right which as mentioned in option one, he has the arm and experience to play at the nine.

This would leave an opening at second which can be covered by Panik or Espinal. Panik has played all over the infield this season except for first base and has yet to make an error. Despite the Jays bringing out the versatility in him, he’s a primary second baseman who won a Gold Glove at that position in 2016. While he hasn’t shown it this year, Panik is a fantastic contact hitter who rarely strikes out.

The other option to take Biggio’s old spot on the field is Espinal. While he can play four positions on the diamond (2B, 3B, SS, and LF) he’s only played short and third this season with the majority of his appearances coming up the middle. He could make his first appearance at the keystone at the big league level which would be no adjustment or difficulty for him. He’s played some solid defence too as well as he’s only made one error in 15 games.

While unlikely, another thing they could do is move Villar over to second base, a position that he has lots of experience playing and have Espinal play short.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 01: Jonathan Villar #30 of the Toronto Blue Jays in action against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on September 01, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Which option is the best?

To recap, there are three different options that Charlie Montoyo has to replace the playing time of Hernandez now that he’s down with an injury.

With Bichette currently on the injured list as well, the smart decision is probably to have Villar at shortstop. While Espinal has experience playing short, it would be better for the team to have a veteran at that position especially with the Jays just holding onto a playoff spot. Also, shortstop is the games’ arguably most important position making it more important to have an experienced player occupying the right side of second.

With Bichette not healthy, the best choice I think would be option three. Biggio has the experience captaining the outfield and we’d have Grichuk in right who has a strong arm to get runners out from afar.

Montoyo would then have a choice to make at second, either a contact hitter and a quality defensive player in Panik or a younger, versatile, and a guy who can run a bit in Espinal.

Once Bichette returns though, option one is the one Montoyo has to go with. Bichette makes the team much better and having Villar in the starting lineup will make the team stronger while giving the Blue Jays a better chance to win. The top of the lineup with Villar and Bichette would be a nice sight to behold too.

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What option do you think the Jays should go with?

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Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Teoscar Hernandez is down with an injury so where do they go from here?

Option 1- Move Grichuk to RF and Villar to CF

Option 2- Fisher becomes primary RF

Option 3- Move Biggio to CF, Grichuk to RF, and Espinal or Panik to 2B

Which option is the best?

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