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Ranking the 10 best offensive seasons in Blue Jays history

ByZachary Rotman|
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 8: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays is presented with the 2015 A.L. MVP Award by former player and only Blue Jays player to ever win an MVP George Bell before the start of MLB game action against the Boston Red Sox on April 8, 2016 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 8: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays is presented with the 2015 A.L. MVP Award by former player and only Blue Jays player to ever win an MVP George Bell before the start of MLB game action against the Boston Red Sox on April 8, 2016 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
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TORONTO – JULY 12: Center fielder Vernon Wells #10 of the Toronto Blue Jays swings at a pitch during the American League game against the New York Yankees at SkyDome on July 12, 2003 in Toronto, Ontario. The Blue Jays won the game 10-3. (Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

As the MLB’s fifth-youngest team, it’d make sense if the Blue Jays didn’t have much offensive firepower. Their overall record is under .500 and they have missed the playoffs in 37 of their 45 years in existence. However, the Jays have had a ton of star power come and play North of the border.

Not all of the best players to wear a Blue Jays uniform were on the greatest of teams, but they had outstanding individual seasons. The Jays have rostered two MVP winners and 30 Silver Slugger winners. For baseball’s fifth-youngest franchise, that’s pretty darn impressive.

I am making this list before the 2022 season, which could very well bring another season or two to this list. The Jays current roster is littered with young proven talent that might again finish in the top three in runs per game.

While we wait for the lockout to end, here’re the 10 greatest offensive seasons in Blue Jays history.

10. Vernon Wells – 2003

I believe Vernon Wells is a very underrated player when looking at the history of this franchise. He was a fixture in the middle of the Jays lineup from 2002-2010 but wasn’t on the best teams. The Jays finished over .500 five times in those nine seasons but did not make the playoffs a single time. I guess that’s what happens when you play in the American League East.

Wells was nothing short of spectacular in his second season as a full-time starter at the big league level. He posted a .317/.359/.500 slash line with 33 home runs and 117 RBI. In a lineup with pretty much Carlos Delgado and average to below-average talent around, Wells wound up being a star and helped keep the Jays relevant. He made his first All-Star team and won the only Silver Slugger Award that season as well.

In addition to his 33 long balls, Wells hit a league-leading 49 doubles. That ranks third in Blue Jays history for a single season. He had a league-leading 373 total bases, which ranks second in Blue Jays history for a single season. He also led the league with 215 hits and 735 plate appearances. Both of those feats set single-season Blue Jays records that have not been broken.

He might not have had the power output that others have had for the Jays, but 87 extra-base hits is no small amount. It’s tied for third in franchise history.

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