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.

Kyle Seager
The lifetime Seattle Mariner, Kyle Seager has become a free agent after the club declined to pick up his $20 million option for 2022.  The 34-year old is coming off his second 30+ home run season and first 100+ RBI season but also had his highest strikeout season (161) and lowest batting average after posting a slash line of .212/.285/.438.

MLB Trade Rumors is predicting a contract in the range of two years at $24M.  I would be ok with a deal in this range, however, if he is looking for any deal more than three years may be better to stay away from Seager.

Kris Bryant
Maybe it is time for Kris Bryant to come full circle and join the team that originally drafted him in the 18th round of the 2010 MLB Draft.  Bryant declined to sign with the Blue Jays and decided to go the college route, which would later lead him to be drafted second overall in 2013.

Bryant is coming off a season that was split between the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants.  He was selected to his fourth All-Star Game and finished the season with 32 doubles and 25 home runs.  MLB Trade Rumors predicted that Bryant would land a deal in the range of six years, $160M which likely prices him out of the Toronto market with how much money they are looking to spend and the recent Berrios extension, but would be nice to think about him in a Blue Jays uniform.

My choice would be to go big on the trade front and try to bring in Jose Ramirez, how about you?  What is your best solution for third base in 2022?