Blue Jays: Merrifield the likely second base option for the postseason

Shortly after the Blue Jays acquired veteran Whit Merrifield for two prospects at the trade deadline, it looked as though the acquisition may have not been the right move for the club due to the lack of playing time and his struggles at the plate.

From August 7 to September 18, which spanned a total of 40 games, Merrifield started in just 18 of those contests (plus an additional nine late inning replacements) which had him sporting a combined slash line of .150/.227/.217 as he went just 9 for 60 with two extra-base hits.  The versatile University of South Carolina alumni looked nothing like the player that led the league in hits in back-to-back seasons right before the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign.

However, due to an injury to Santiago Espinal and the recent struggles of Cavan Biggio, Merrifield received a chance for more consistent playing time and has gone on quite the run.

Since getting in as an everyday player, he has started the last 12 games and collected hits in all but one of those contests.  Over that stretch, Merrifield has gone 19 for 41 with eight extra-base hits, along with 11 RBI and has posted a slash line of .463/.477/.854.  Over his last four games, Merrifield has had three separate three-hit games going 9 for 15 with some big moments.

Merrifield has now solidified himself as the starting second baseman going into the 2022 postseason and although his extra-base power has been nice to watch, it was one at bat he had Monday night that gave me the additional confidence in him.

In the top of the fifth inning, the Blue Jays were up 3-1 with Merrifield leading off and he put a bunt single down the third base line.  This was something that both Biggio and Espinal have failed to do throughout the season, whether to bunt for a base hit or sacrifice a runner along, which has cost the team runs throughout the year.

The acquisition of Whit Merrifield at the trade deadline has not just helped the Blue Jays for the upcoming playoffs, but also for the 2023 season.

Later that inning, Merrifield was able to show his superior base running skills as he was able to score on a wild pitch that had the ball only get a few feet away from Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman.  Merrifield has been demonstrating how well he anticipates plays and he has now scored on two separate plays recently that I do not think another player on the team would have been able to.

It is now an obvious choice for the Blue Jays to go with Merrifield as the starting second baseman for the upcoming Wild Card series, however, he is also making the case to be the starting second baseman for the 2023 season.

Neither Biggio nor Espinal have been able to solidify themselves this year at second base and while both have played decent baseball, especially Espinal’s strong first half, it is nowhere near what Merrifield has done lately or over his career.  Add on that Merrifield has another year on his contract at $6.75 million, I believe he has just made the club a lot stronger at second base going forward past 2022.