3 Blue Jays reunions that need to be explored this offseason in free agency

Danny Jansen

Danny Jansen was drafted by the Blue Jays in 2013, and after steadily making his way through the minor leagues, made his major league debut late in the 2018 season. The 29-year-old has displayed a strong power swing and sound defensive mechanics throughout his career. 

The tandem he formed with Alejandro Kirk has been a productive one with each receiving ample playing time and being able to serve as an option as a designated hitter occasionally too. Kirk struggled at the onset of this past season while Jansen was on the IL, hitting just .200 with a .513 OPS in his first 15 games last season while playing the lion’s share of the games behind the plate. It was a different story during the final two months as Kirk hit .269 with three homers, 26 RBI, and a .739 OPS following the Jansen trade.

That’s the kind of production expected from the 25-year-old as he has become the unquestioned leader of that position group. Jansen was such a model of consistency during his lengthy  Blue Jays career that it has been hard seeing him in another team’s jersey. It is even harder to imagine that the brain trust is comfortable replacing him with veteran journeyman Tyler Heineman. 

Jansen played nearly 500 games in his Jays’ career and hit .222 with 71 home runs, 214 RBI, and a .733 OPS. His best offensive season was in 2022 when the former 16th-round pick hit .260 with 15 homers, 44 RBI, and a .855 OPS (142 OPS+). Jansen has worked hard on his defense throughout his career, but his catch-stealing rate has decreased to 13.5 % over the last two seasons with the base size increase. It’s nearly impossible to envision Heinenman giving the Blue Jays the kind of production that Jansen has been able to provide, especially when it comes to power and leadership. The Jansen-Kirk combo has worked well, running it back would be a great idea.