Toronto Blue Jays: Potential Centerfield Options for 2021

There has been a lot of speculation about what the Blue Jays are going to do to address a need in centerfield this offseason.  The question is, do they need to go out there and get a player on the open market, or do they fill the need within.

The two main free agents that have had links to potentially landing in Toronto have been George Springer and Jackie Bradley Jr.  However, the latest rumors on Springer is that he is likely to land with the Mets in New York.  If the Blue Jays were able to get back in the running for the former World Series MVP and three-time All-Star he would be the ideal fit.  Springer would be a player that immediately takes the Blue Jays to the next level as he would fit in the middle of the order with 30+ home run power and a .270 career batting average.  Springer’s defense, while not amazing is still an upgrade on either Randal Grichuk or Teoscar Hernandez who has held the spot the last two years.

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Bradley Jr is a name that continuously is being brought up as the likely player to fill the role for the Blue Jays in 2021.  MLB Trade Rumors has him signing a two-year deal worth $16 million and while the term is something I am not opposed to, paying $8 million a year for somebody slightly better than Kevin Pillar is not something I am in favor of.  Some will argue the two players are not in the same breath, however, I don’t see Bradley Jr being that much of an upgrade on Pillar and they could get him for much less.  Bradley Jr would be a bottom of the order hitter that would bring solid defense. He did win the Gold Glove in 2018, but that was two years ago and he is now on the wrong side of 30.  Bradley Jr is a pass for me unless you get him closer to $5 million per year.

An option to fill within would be Cavan Biggio.  Biggio has shown he can play any position on the field and play it well.  Biggio played 23 innings in centerfield last season and 129 innings in the outfield total.  Biggio would easily handle the position above average and would allow the Blue Jays to make a huge splash in the infield.

So what is my top choice?  Jonathan Davis.  Davis was drafted way back in 2013 and has climbed through the ranks.  He has just 70 games of major league experience to his credit so it is hard to hand the centerfield position to him already, however you cannot ignore he is the best defensive outfielder in the organization.

I believe his defensive skillset would be stronger than Bradley Jr and while his offensive side hasn’t been spectacular it would not be that far of a drop off from Bradley Jr.  By going with Davis over Bradley Jr you are also saving roughly $16 million over the next two years that can go to another player.  You could start with Davis, see if his defense can help win games and manage his offence.  Hernandez and Grichuk could split time in the corner outfield and designated hitter position, while on games you need a bit more offence you could sit Davis and go with Grichuk in the middle outfield.

What I would like to see, is the Blue Jays sign Springer, however that looks as though it is off the table.  The Blue Jays should take the risk on Davis and if it does not go well you can either go to Biggio or go back to Grichuk until you find a fix.  I believe the Blue Jays are in a scenario where they can gamble on Davis being the guy you go with.

Would you be all in on Springer?  If not, who would be your choice?