5 options the Blue Jays could consider at third base

After spending years to find his footing in MLB, Ernie Clement had his breakout season with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2024, where he set career-highs in games played (139), hits (114), runs (48), doubles (21), triples (3), home runs (12), RBI (51), stolen bases (12) and total bases (177). He also proved his worth with the leather, registering 9 DRS in 96 games at third base.

With that impressive performance, it appears as though third base is Clement’s to lose entering this season.

But even with that, betting on Clement to repeat that performance could be a little dicey given his spotty track record in seasons prior. With that in mind, here's a look at five options at third base that Toronto should consider just in case Clement regresses.

5 creative options for the Blue Jays at third base that could work in 2025

Promote an internal option

The Blue Jays have a boatload of infield prospects that could provide an impact at the major league level. Two of those options are Addison Barger and Leo Jiménez, both of whom managed to hold their own during their stints with the big league club last year.

Barger provided glimpses of offensive potential, whereas Jiménez flashed his glove in his defensive masterpiece. They could both be in the mix to be the backup third baseman.

However, there’s one candidate that stands out among the rest: Orelvis Martinez. Martinez made his MLB debut last June and appeared in one game before he was hit with an 80-game PED suspension that took away the second half of his season.

Martinez has the ability to be a perennial 30-homer, 90-RBI hitter, but he's still a work in progress defensively. Nevertheless, if the Jays were to look for a huge boost to their offensive potential from an internal source, there’s no better candidate than Martinez.

Move Andrés Giménez to third

This would be a daring move, but could be a good way to make use of their trade for Giménez. Giménez came up as a shortstop but has turned into a three-time Gold Glove winner at second base, which shows he can move around the diamond.

He also has a lightning arm. According to Baseball Savant, the league average for arm strength from the third base position in 2024 was 85.7 mph — Clement came in a shade under that at 82.4 mph whereas Giménez posted a formidable 86.6 mph mark.

Moving Giménez to third would also open up playing time at second base for prospects like Will Wagner or Davis Schneider.

Move Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to third

Despite performing at a Gold Glove level at first base, Guerrero ended up playing 12 games at third base last season. In 12 total games, where he posted a respectable 0 DRS and registered a .941 fielding percentage. That mark resembles his dismal .936 fielding percentage at the position during his rookie season in 2019.

Nevertheless, Guerrero indicated to Jays’ management that he was willing to move to third to allow the Jays to make a huge push for Pete Alonso. Or, with Anthony Santander mentioning that he was willing to play anywhere, they could move Guerrero at third and put Santander at third, which would enable the Jays to mix-and-match their lineup.

Target a buy-low candidate

If the Jays don’t believe that they can find their solution via internal moves, then it wouldn't be surprising for them to take a flier on a buy-low candidate like Yoán Moncada.

Moncada once appeared to be on his way to stardom after a breakout 2019 season with the Chicago White Sox (.315/.367/.548, 25 HR, 79 RBI, 83 runs, 10 SB). However, Moncada has failed to come anywhere close to those numbers since and missed the bulk of last season with an abductor strain.

Moncada is still only 29 and will likely be looking for any opportunity available. If the Jays truly believe that he could rediscover his swing in the right environment, he could be an affordable option to man the hot corner.

Go for the big splash

While all the above options work, they might all mean nothing if Toronto wants to go big and sign Alex Bregman, who is somehow still available despite being a two-time All-Star, MVP finalist, Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner.

Bregman has averaged close to 30 home runs and 100 RBI per season in his career, and would provide a significant boost to the Jays’ offense. More importantly, Toronto wouldn’t need to sacrifice anything defensively as well, as the 30-year-old veteran is coming off a Gold Glove season.

Landing Bregman may be a tough task to accomplish, but if the Jays would become a bonafide World Series contender with him on the roster.