Blue Jays: Where does the club use Cavan Biggio next season?

The 2021 campaign is one that Blue Jays Cavan Biggio would probably like to put behind him. After getting the nod to be the club’s starting third baseman with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sliding over to first base permanently, Biggio struggled both on the field and at the plate, making a few awkward plays and having a few throws go astray on the University of Notre Dame alum. Through 52 games at the hot corner this season, the lefty-batter would commit nine errors and finish with a .935 fielding percentage.

At the plate, Biggio struggled to find a rhythm, hitting below the Mendoza line for almost the entire month of April before finally gaining some steam in June, raising his average up to the .220 mark, and his OPS start to peak above .700 after his return from the injured list. Fast forward to the end of July/early August and Biggio would hit the injured list again, missing most of the rest of the season except for two games against Baltimore in October at the end of the campaign.

He would finish with a .224/.322/.356 slash line with seven home runs, 27 RBI, and 37 walks on his way to a .678 OPS. He did appear to take a more aggressive approach at the plate which is unusual for Biggio, given he is one to usually ride out at-bats and will take the walk no questions asked.

While this season was not one of his finest, Biggio did take on a new role and it was evident that he was putting in the work during Spring Training and throughout the season. He did also play 15 games in right field, seven games at both second and first base, and one game in left field, being used in multiple areas when other players on the roster needed a day off. He was able to hold his own across the diamond, committing no other errors other than the ones at third base.

After a rough 2021 campaign and with free agency starting up shortly, where does Blue Jays Cavan Biggio fit onto the roster for next season?

With the Blue Jays heading towards the offseason and with the emergence of Santiago Espinal last year at third base, who was the better of the two players at the position, where does Biggio fit in moving forward?

Second Base

Marcus Semien, the Blue Jays’ second baseman for last season, is heading to free agency this winter and while fans are hoping the club retains him, everybody appears to be on the same boat that he wants to head back to the West coast. The front office did start discussing an extension with Semien but the two sides have been unable to close a deal as of right now, and if the right-hander does leave, there will be a hole on the right side of the infield that the club will need to fill.

Considering he played second base for the Blue Jays during his first two seasons in the Majors, Biggio could slot back into the position unless the front office brings in a veteran player to either play second or play shortstop and moves Bo Bichette to second base. They could also give Otto Lopez or Kevin Smith a shot at the position out of Spring Training but one would think Biggio has an advantage over the two prospects unless the club has other plans for him.

Utility Role

A move that seems to be gaining some traction, evident by how the Jays have used him in six different positions since his 2019 debut, Biggio possesses the athleticism and ability one looks for in trying to develop a Ben Zobrist type of utility player. While he did have nine errors at third base this year, Biggio generally holds his own at whatever position he is thrown into, fielding no worse than -2 bDRS at any position he has suited up in over the course of a season since 2019.

Revisiting this role makes sense if the Blue Jays do bring back Semien or an impactful free agent, as it keeps Biggio’s left-handed bat in the lineup and doesn’t have him occupying the designated hitter spot. It also allows manager Charlie Montoyo to keep a steady player like Biggio in the lineup and gives the regulars days off where their bat can be used in the DH spot without leaving in a defensive liability.

Trade

As per Spotrac, Cavan Biggio is heading into arbitration for the first time in his career but won’t be eligible for free agency until after the 2025 season. With so much contract control, there is a chance the Blue Jays could use Biggio as trade bait if they are trying to go after an impact player like Jose Ramirez or Matt Chapman this offseason.

While there is no indication this would happen and would be a bit of a surprising move given his lefty-bat and ability to play multiple positions, stranger things have happened during the offseason and there is always a possibility that the right deal comes along and sees Biggio heading out of town.