Blue Jays: Three second base options for the 2022 season

The Toronto Blue Jays made one of the best signings of the offseason last year in inking Marcus Semien to a one-year $18 million dollar deal. Since it was a one-year deal it came with virtually no risk and Semien reaped the rewards by cashing in this offseason, signing a seven-year $175 million dollar deal with the Texas Rangers.

Semien shattered any reasonable expectations with the season he had. He hit 45 home runs which broke the record for the most round-trippers in a single season by a second baseman and the fifth most a Blue Jay has hit in a single season. He played a fantastic second base after being a career shortstop with the Athletics resulting in his first career Gold Glove. He finished third in the American League MVP balloting. He’s a big reason the Blue Jays won 91 games.

Who should the Blue Jays target to play second base?

That kind of production will be incredibly difficult to replace, if not impossible. The Jays do have some solid infielders on the roster with Bo Bichette manning shortstop and Vladimir Guererro Jr. at first base. The other two spots are up for grabs. Santiago Espinal is coming off a surprisingly good offensive season, but is that sustainable? Cavan Biggio figures to have a spot somewhere at least splitting time with Espinal, and can very easily slide in to play third base as he did in 52 of the 79 games he played last season. If that happens, the Blue Jays would really benefit by acquiring a better second baseman.

The free-agent market is pretty weak in the second base category with guys like Donovan Solano and former Blue Jay Jonathan Villar as the better options who can play second base.

3. Tony Kemp

Tony Kemp is not a player who will be close to as productive as Semien was offensively. He has never even hit more than eight home runs in a single season, so 45 home runs are out of the question. However, Kemp would be a cheap utility man who can get a bulk of the at-bats at second base.

Kemp’s bat had been nothing special in his career, but he broke out in 2021. He slashed .279/.382/.418 with eight home runs and 37 RBI. He posted a 127 WRC+ which was better than Bo Bichette’s 122 WRC+ and just four points shy of Marcus Semien’s 131 WRC+. His career-high prior to that was 110 WRC+ in 2018 but that was done in just 97 games. Is he going to be quite that productive? Probably not. But Kemp has shown the ability to be an above-average hitter when given the chance.

Kemp is a guy who prioritizes making contact and putting the ball in play. He doesn’t hit many home runs but he can get on base at a very high level. This past season he walked (52 walks) more than he struck out (51 strikeouts). He was in the 97th percentile in strikeout rate, 92nd percentile in walk rate, and 93rd percentile in whiff rate according to baseball savant.

Kemp isn’t likely to win a Gold Glove anytime soon, but he won’t cost you games in the field either. This season he ranked in the 74th percentile in OAA while playing primarily at second base.

He would fill a couple of different holes for this Jays’ team. The Tennessee native can be one of the few left-handed bats in what projects to be a stacked righty dominant lineup. He can serve as outfield depth if need be, which could be big because as of now their only outfielder on the 40-man roster who doesn’t project to start is Josh Palacios who has played just 16 games in AAA and just 13 in the MLB.

He’s set to make $2.55 million dollars this season and is under contract for next season as well. With the Athletics likely to sell any player who’s set to make any money this season whenever the lockout ends, Kemp might be on the top of their list as a 30 year old coming off of his best season. A deal makes sense for both sides.

2. Whit Merrifield

A name that seems to be in trade rumors every offseason is Whit Merrifield. It’s pretty shocking that he’s still a Royal to be completely honest. The 32 year old is not coming off of his best season, but that could mean he’s easier to trade for. He has been on one of the best contracts in baseball after singing a four-year $16.25 million dollar deal in 2019. He is set to make just $2.75 million dollars this season with a $6.5 million dollar team option for next season.

Merrifield had a down year from his standards, but he was still awfully productive. He was a 3.6 bWAR player which is impressive for a “down year.” His 7.6 BsR ranked second in the American League. He stole 40 bases which led the American League in 44 opportunities. The Blue Jays top two base stealers in Bichette and Semien combined for 40.

Merrifield made his second career All-Star team, slashing .277/.317/.395 with 10 home runs and 74 RBI. He led the league with 42 doubles and 12 sacrifice flies. His WRC+ was a 91 which is not great, and is a result of him not walking very much or hitting for much power.

Merrifield being a 3.6 bWAR player even with an average year with the bat tells you everything you need to know about the complete player he is. He’s an elite defender. His 14 DRS at second base edged out Marcus Semien who ended up winning the Gold Glove for American League second basemen. Merrifield has also shown to be a capable outfielder if need be.

People say the greatest ability is availability, and Merrifield just doesn’t miss games. He played in all 162 last season, played all 60 in 2020, and all 162 in 2019. The last time he missed a game was in 2018 when he played in 158 out of 162 games. Merrifield can be relied upon to give at least an average bat, elite base running, elite defense, and a lot of versatility.

He won’t be cheap in a trade, but for a Royals team that is still rebuilding, the time to move Merrifield might be now. Adalberto Mondesi and Nicky Lopez are already in the Major Leagues with Bobby Witt Jr., one of baseball’s top prospects, not far behind. Even coming off of a down year, Merrifield’s value might be at it’s peak right now with just the one year remaining of team control.