Toronto Blue Jays: Comparing Past to Present Postseason Rosters

2020 Lineup and Bench

Biggio – 3B

Bichette – SS

Gurriel – LF

Guerrero – DH

Grichuk – CF

Hernandez – RF

Shaw – 1B

Panik – 2B

Jansen – C

Kirk, McGuire, Espinal, Tellez, Villar, Davis

The lineup was improved the same, complete way, the pitching staff was. Crucial and impact players were traded for, signed, and developed. The Blue Jays had a solid lineup in 2020, with notable seasons coming from the likes of Gurriel and Hernandez. However, the holes are very evident. Having Travis Shaw and Joe Panik starting would not fly in 2022, and having Randal Grichuk in the middle of the lineup is alarming to a degree. Since then, the Blue Jays have made significant additions, to go alongside encouraging development from their players.

Chris Henderson’s Projected Lineup

George Springer (CF)

Bo Bichette (SS)

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B)

Alejandro Kirk (DH)

Teoscar Hernandez (RF)

Matt Chapman (3B)

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (LF)

Danny Jansen (C)

Whit Merrifield (2B)

Bench:  Cavan Biggio, Raimel Tapia, Jackie Bradley Jr., Bradley Zimmer, Otto Lopez

Truly masterful. There’s nothing better than having competitive and dangerous at-bats, one through nine. Everyone is capable of contributing, proven by a team 118 wRC+ from the main contributors. Springer, despite a few health concerns, has been worth every dollar given his performance in 2022. The development into stardom from Guerrero, Bo, Kirk, Gurriel, and Teoscar has fuelled this core. Contributions from hitters in the bottom of the lineup have been massive as well. Danny Jansen, though not qualified, leads the team in wRC+ at 144, which is mind-blowing.

Possibly even more mind blowing, Whit Merrifield has been a massive piece of this roster over the last two weeks. With Espinal on the IL and Biggio fading, Merrifield has stepped up and played his brand of baseball. A .351/.375/.676 slash line over his last fourteen games has been a big boost for the club, and it’s happening at the best time.

The improvements can’t be overstated, this team is ready. A Wild Card series, preferably at home, is set to host a very talented Blue Jays team. A credit to both the front office and players themselves, they’ve worked extremely hard to improve in order to make a mark in October.