Toronto Blue Jays: Who is at Third Base for 2022?

Major League Baseball has started the offseason moves and for the Blue Jays, one of their biggest question marks is who will be the main third basemen for the 2022 Season.  The team has options whether it is internal, through free agency, or on the trade front.  Here is a list of players that could potentially find themselves at third base for the bluebirds.

Internal

Cavan Biggio
The Blue Jays entered the 2021 season with Cavan Biggio as the team’s everyday third basemen after spending the majority of his first two seasons at second base and in the outfield.  Through 2019 and 2020, Biggio had played 159 games for the big club but had played just 81 innings at third base.  The decision to put Biggio at third base was because of how versatile of a player he had become and the confidence management had with him being able to learn the position.  In fact over his first two major league seasons the only two defensive positions he did not play were pitcher and catcher.

At the plate, Biggio has the power that could be expected from a third baseman as he collected 33 doubles and 24 home runs over his first 159 games.  However, what is at the forefront of a lot of fans’ memories is a disappointing 2021 season that was filled with injuries that could have been the cause of his offensive production decline and his struggles on the defensive side of the game at third base.  In an ideal situation, Biggio would be used as a super utility player that can move all around the field, or potentially the full-time second basemen if Marcus Semien does not return.

Santiago Espinal
Internally, my top pick for third base would be Santiago Espinal.  The 27-year old finally got a longer look with the club this year and has likely earned a spot on the roster for the 2022 season, the only question is what role will he play.

Could the Blue Jays fill the third base spot with someone internally or will they jump into either the trade market or free agency?

Espinal played every defensive inning this past season at third base and made the highlight reel a few times with his spectacular fielding abilities.  In my opinion, Espinal is the strongest defensive player within the organization to fill the role.  Some may say he does not have the power at the plate to be the third baseman as he collected just two home runs over 246 plate appearances.  However, most teams don’t have the home run ability the Blue Jays have in Bo Bichette at shortstop which makes up for it.  If the team decides to fill the role internally, Espinal would be my choice.