Blue Jays: Last offseason interests and how they are doing so far this year

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 23: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers drives in a run with a double in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on May 23, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 23: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers drives in a run with a double in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on May 23, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – MAY 23: Jonathan Villar #24 of the Chicago Cubs flips the ball to a teammate after making a play at second base and ending the inning during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 23, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Chicago defeated Cincinnati 7-4. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Jonathan Villar

Signed a one-year deal worth $6 million with a mutual option for a second season with the Chicago Cubs

It is safe to say that if you say the name Jonathan Villar around any Blue Jays fans, you might not receive the warmest of reactions.

Acquired by the Blue Jays as a late-season addition to the Blue Jays 2020 playoff push, the infielder struggled with his new club, routinely running into baserunning errors and struggling at the plate to a .481 OPS through 69 at-bats. It also looked like he quit on the team when he was pulled against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second game of the Wild Card, which rubbed a lot of fans the wrong way.

Related Story. What to make of the Jonathan Villar contract news. light

A year removed from his time with the Jays, Villar was back on the free-agent market this past offseason and the front office was apparently interested in a reunion. The club reportedly offered him a one-year, $6.5 million dollar deal that he ultimately did not accept and instead joined the Chicago Cubs on a one-year deal with a mutual option for a second season.

Villar is a versatile player who can play multiple positions and so far with the Cubs, he has done just that, splitting time between third base and shortstop with a few spot starts at second mixed in. His bat is still a work in progress, as he currently owns a .239 batting average on the season with two home runs and 12 RBI through 113 at-bats.