Blue Jays’ search for outfield power shouldn’t squeeze out Brett Bateman

Brett Bateman was a breakout star for the Toronto Blue Jays down the stretch in 2026. The Blue Jays acquired him (and
Ty Southisene) from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline in exchange for Kevin Gausman. Bateman had big shoes to fill, being the return piece for a fan-favourite pitcher.

Just days after the trade, Bateman was called up to the Blue Jays to make his MLB debut against the Philadelphia Phillies. He made quite the first impression, hitting a double on the first pitch he faced against Zack Wheeler.

Bateman continued to impress during the final two months of the season. Over 41 games, he slashed .329/.402/.424 with 52 hits, 11 RBIs, and two home runs. He became the Blue Jays' everyday leadoff hitter.

Bateman also acted as a replacement for Daulton Varsho in centre field. His fielding was just as reliable as his offence, posting +4 Fielding Run Value (FRV) and Outs Above Average (OAA). Bateman had 1.9 fWAR in his first two months as a big leaguer, more than Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1.1), George Springer (0.9), and Ernie Clement (0.6) in total in 2026.

There was a lot to love about Bateman in 2026, but the Blue Jays will likely be in the market for outfielders during the offseason. Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, and Randy Arozarena have all been discussed as potential free-agent targets for the Blue Jays.

Any of the those three would be a good fit with the Blue Jays. They're all right-handed bats, which the Blue Jays are lacking in the outfield. All of them have also averaged over 20 home runs per season throughout their career. That would be a boost for the Blue Jays who hit the fewest home runs as a team in 2026.

The potential addition of a power-hitting outfielder, as well as the expected return of Addison Barger and Anthony Santander, makes Bateman's place on the 2027 roster less certain. However, he probably should be there.

Could the Blue Jays need for power be a detrement towards Brett Batman's playing time in 2027?

Power is a big need for the Blue Jays in 2027, but it's an area where Bateman is lacking. However, there's a case to be made that the Blue Jays would also benefit from more speed on the basepaths. The Blue Jays were 26th in sprint speed in 2026 and 27th in stolen bases (75).

Bateman is in the 85th percentile in sprint speed and was the third-fastest player on the Blue Jays. Myles Straw was the fastest, but his future with the Blue Jays is also uncertain with the Blue Jays having to decide on his $8 million club option.

Without Springer, the Blue Jays will have a lot more flexibility with their designated hitter spot. Santander will likely fill that role most often. Since joining the Blue Jays in 2025, he's played 54 regular-season games and missed the entire 2026 season due to injuries. Given his injury challenges, having him DH could be a good way to help him manage his health. On top of that, Santander has a -19 FRV over his career making Bateman a much more reliable option defensively.

Bateman provides depth in the Blue Jays' outfield, which will be especially important with Santander and Barger returning from significant injuries. The return of those two, along with the potential addition of another outfielder, could also give Bateman more breathing room while he continues to adjust to MLB. This is something Blue Jays General Manager Ross Atkins discussed during his year-end media availability.

"We need to be cautious of how much pressure we put on players and make sure that we can support them," Atkins told Rob Wong of the Toronto Sun. "Sometimes supporting them means that they are not relied upon for 162 [games]."

Bateman provided a spark for the Blue Jays late in the season that helped keep their playoff hopes alive longer than expected. With Barger and Santander returning, and maybe a free-agent addition, his playing time may look different in 2027. However, Bateman has earned a place with the Blue Jays.

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