6 players the Blue Jays are holding back this year

OF Myles Straw

Straw ended up in Toronto this winter when the Blue Jays acquired his contract from Cleveland along with $2 million in international pool money to help their chances of signing Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki. And while they didn't end up with Sasaki, Straw's been a key piece for them this year.

Straw had a strong spring training showing where he hit .400 with one home run and six RBIs in 19 games, which helped him earn a spot on the Blue Jays' roster on Opening Day.

While Straw likely would have earned a spot on the roster thanks to that showing alone, he also benefitted from Daulton Varsho starting the season on the injured list.

Straw's never been an offensive powerhouse in his career (he entered the year with an OPS+ of 76 in 566 career at-bats), but he's off to a great start this year.

That start could be even better if the Blue Jays gave him more playing time.

Straw's hit .269 in 27 games this year, but only 15 of those have been starts. It doesn’t make sense that the Blue Jays have given more playing time to struggling players like Alan Roden (.178 average, .522 OPS) and Addison Barger (.139 average, .427 OPS). 

Straw may not be your ideal power hitter, but he has a profile that allows for him to have success at the plate and on the base paths.

His best season came in 2021 when he scored 86 runs, had 48 RBI and stole 30 bases while hitting a solid .271 split between the Houston and Cleveland. And that's not even including the fact that he's a former Gold Glove winner.

He deserves more playing time, and the Blue Jays should give it to him.