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Predicting the next offseason move for the Toronto Blue Jays

By Tyson Shushkewich

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 25: Robbie Ray #38 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Minnesota Twins on September 25, 2021 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 25: Robbie Ray #38 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Minnesota Twins on September 25, 2021 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 30: Marcus Semien #10 of the Toronto Blue Jays heads into the dugout ahead of their MLB game against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre on September 30, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

Life After Marcus Semien

Probably not the slide many fans were wanting to see but there is an increasing possibility that the Blue Jays will not be able to bring back Marcus Semien given the outstanding season he had last year.

In a one-year $18 million dollar prove it deal with the Jays, Semien moved to second base and proceeded to churn out one of the best seasons of his career, posting a .265/.334/.538 slash line with a .873 OPS through all 162 games, breaking Davey Johnson’s second baseman home run record for a single season with 45 round-trippers. Semien also earned a Gold Glove Award for his defensive work at second and finished third in AL MVP voting behind Shohei Ohtani and teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

While I personally would love to have Semien back on the roster, all signs are pointing to him cashing in this offseason (which makes sense) and heading back to the West Coast. Multiple sources predict him heading to the Seattle Mariners organization and while that would suck to lose him, having him sign outside of the AL East will at least be a benefit compared to him rolling up to the Rogers Centre with either the Red Sox or the Yankees.

Considering the club just inked Berrios to an extension, has been very active in pursuing pitchers early this offseason, and has to consider extensions for the young core, a contract for Semien just might not be in the cards. The club did engage in contract extension talks with him prior to free agency but it’s yet to be known whether he’s considering returning.

If Semien does take his talents elsewhere, the Jays would most likely roll with either Cavan Biggio or Otto Lopez at second base to begin the season.

With the money saved on not signing Semien, the club would most likely turn to improve the bullpen, potentially going after some bigger fish in the pond like Raisel Iglesias (rejected the QO and tied to draft pick compensation) or Kenley Jansen.

Next. Toronto Blue Jays: Chance of a Regression in 2022?. dark

Prediction:

  1. Semien signs a four year deal with the Seattle Mariners and the Blue Jays receive draft pick compensation
  2. The Blue Jays use the money to instead try and sign a starting pitcher or two or add a few pieces to the bullpen
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