Blue Jays: Questions that need to be answered yet this season

A few other questions in the lineup

In addition to figuring out where Biggio fits next year, I’d argue that the front office has a few other questions to answer before next season begins.

The first is one that may answer itself before the end of the regular season schedule, and that’s what to do with the catching position. Between Danny Jansen, Reese McGuire, and Alejandro Kirk, there hasn’t been much to celebrate, and both Jansen and Kirk have spent significant time on the Injured List.

My guess is that the front office will stick with the status quo for 2022, at least to begin the year. I say that because I think Gabriel Moreno is the receiver that they truly view as the backstop of the future in Toronto, and I’m not sure he’ll be ready to take over when next season begins. He’s tearing it up in Double-A this season, but I imagine they’ll want him to spend a bit of time in Triple-A as well. That said, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see Moreno debut at some point in 2022, and from there I would guess it’ll be his job to lose.

As far as the other three, the bigger question might be what to do with them. If the plan is to eventually hand the reigns to Moreno, would it not make sense to shop all three of them this offseason? Jansen and McGuire’s value might be limited on the trade market, but Kirk has been considered as a top 100 prospect, and has clearly proven he can hit at the big league level. Or perhaps the Blue Jays will want to give Kirk more of an audition as the starter in 2022. To that end, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a lot of the 22 year old before this season is done. One way or another it feels like a placeholder situation to me, and the front office always has the option to operate that way.

The second area of the lineup that I still question is the outfield, and mostly the fit of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. on defence. While Teoscar Hernandez has made steady improvements and turned himself into a serviceable defender, I’m not sure you can say the same about Gurriel Jr. I’d be very interested in seeing him working out at third base over the winter, but after moving from the infield to his current spot in left a couple seasons ago, I can understand the argument for a little more patience. One way or another the Blue Jays need better glove work in left field, even if he has one of the best outfield arms in baseball.

I feel like in order to make Gurriel Jr’s presence work, and with the questionable health of George Springer this year, Randal Grichuk is very much needed going forward in order to make this whole thing work. Even if he frustrates a portion of the fan base, he’s been very important in covering for Springer’s absence, and could fill a similar role as an outfielder that can move around. The Blue Jays’ best current defensive configuration would have Springer in centre with Grichuk and Hernandez in the corners, and the depth is harder to sacrifice than you think. They may consider trying to trade Grichuk to get out from under the $10.33 million he’s owed over each of the next two seasons, but they’re going to need better health from Springer, and better defence from Gurriel Jr.

Having said all of that, I can see a scenario where the Blue Jays leave the outfield and catching position alone this winter. Ideally they’ll be able to gain some confidence in both positions over the last 43 games, because otherwise they’ll be topics of discussion throughout the offseason.