Toronto Blue Jays: Players who will be on a short leash in 2021

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 28: Manager Charlie Montoyo #25 of the Toronto Blue Jays during pre-game lineup introductions on Opening Day before the start of MLB game action against the Detroit Tigers at Rogers Centre on March 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 28: Manager Charlie Montoyo #25 of the Toronto Blue Jays during pre-game lineup introductions on Opening Day before the start of MLB game action against the Detroit Tigers at Rogers Centre on March 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ONTARIO – AUGUST 12: Danny Jansen #9 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on from the dugout against the Texas Rangers in the fourth inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on August 12, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO – AUGUST 12: Danny Jansen #9 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on from the dugout against the Texas Rangers in the fourth inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on August 12, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /

Danny Jansen

This season is a make or break season for Danny Jansen as the backstop has struggled offensively of late. Jansen has rookie Alejandro Kirk breathing down his neck poised to snatch the starting job if Jansen falters with the stick.

In 2020, the defender hit below the Mendoza Line with an uninspiring .183/.313/.358 with six home runs in 43 games. The 25-year old now sports a career .208/.297/.370 stat line with 22 homers and a 2.2 WAR in 181 games.

Kirk came out of nowhere as nobody anticipated that the rookie would make his debut in 2020 after never playing above High-A ball. The 22-year old appeared in just nine games last season so the sample size is small but he did hit .375 with three extra base hits including a homer.

There has been trade rumours surrounding the Blue Jays catchers all offseason as they also have Reese McGuire and Gabriel Moreno on the 40-man roster along with Jansen and Kirk. Moreno comes with a ton of upside and has put up impressive offensive numbers in three years of pro ball.

The time is now for Jansen, if he fails to hit his weight again this season, he will be relegated to a part time role moving forward.