Jays Journal
FanSided

Blue Jays: Some big questions were answered in 2020

By Chris Henderson

BUFFALO, NY - SEPTEMBER 26: The Toronto Blue Jays celebrate a 5-2 win against the Baltimore Orioles at Sahlen Field on September 26, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. The Blue Jays are the home team due to the Canadian government's policy on COVID-19, which prevents them from playing in their home stadium in Canada. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - SEPTEMBER 26: The Toronto Blue Jays celebrate a 5-2 win against the Baltimore Orioles at Sahlen Field on September 26, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. The Blue Jays are the home team due to the Canadian government's policy on COVID-19, which prevents them from playing in their home stadium in Canada. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – AUGUST 23: Cavan Biggio #8 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws to first base against the Tampa Bay Rays in the third inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on August 23, 2020 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – AUGUST 23: Cavan Biggio #8 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws to first base against the Tampa Bay Rays in the third inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on August 23, 2020 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /

Can Biggio be a utility guy?

For a few years now the Blue Jays have preached about defensive flexibility, and we saw the value of that concept in full force during the 2020 campaign. At the forefront of the idea was Cavan Biggio, who made appearances six different positions this season, and played well wherever the manager pencilled him in.

It’s hard to say if the Blue Jays want to use Biggio this way on a regular basis, but I feel like he emphatically answered the question of whether or not he’s capable. Regardless of which glove he wore on defence, he looked confident and capable, and it was a huge factor in helping the Blue Jays keep their best available lineup on the diamond. He helped them navigate injuries to various players at multiple positions, and for that reason and more I’d even argue Biggio as the team MVP for 2020.

He also gives the front office flexibility going forward as well. Not long ago I wrote about how the Blue Jays may be one or maybe two players away from a “finished” rebuild with their lineup, with adding another infielder for 2021 being the only “hole” I could see after Hernandez and Tellez’s emergence this season. With Tellez and Vlad Jr. covering first base/DH and Bichette at shortstop, Biggio is capable at either second or third base. If the market gives Atkins better options at the hot corner, Biggio can return to second base. If it’s the other way around, he’s shown that he’s willing and able to make the adjustments.

I suspect that they’ll do their best to give him a defined position next season, but it’s a great thing to have in your back pocket knowing that Biggio can make the switch. He’s always going to be a full-time player, but it looks like the Blue Jays have finally found their ‘super-utility’ man.