Could the outfield end up being a strength for the Blue Jays this season?

The Blue Jays outfield picture was seemingly always in flux last season. The Blue Jays ended up having 13 players play a game in the outfield last year, ranging from Daulton Varsho (136 games) to Ernie Clement, Luis De Los Santos and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (one game). 

Those 13 outfielders ended up being bang average last year, as they were worth 5.9 fWAR last season, which was 15th in baseball, which is perhaps the biggest reason Toronto’s front office signed Anthony Santander to a five-year, $92.5 million contract in the offseason.

But even with that signing, most expected Toronto’s outfield to be a position of weakness this year. But, if the first week of spring training is any indication, the position could end up being one of Toronto’s strengths this season. 

With that in mind, here’s a look at the Blue Jays’ outfield picture as we head into March.

The established guys

George Springer, Daulton Varsho and Anthony Santander

Santander hasn’t played in a spring training game yet this year as he works through a visa issue (he seems set to make his debut soon), but he’ll be a mainstay in the regular season as the Blue Jays' right fielder or designated hitter. 

Santander’s presence will also bring about a position change for Springer, who led the team with 123 appearances in right field last year. That didn’t amount to a ton of success for the 35-year-old, as he hit just .220 and finished with an OPS+ of 92 out of the leadoff spot. 

He’s said that he’s willing to play left field and hit lower in the lineup to help the Blue Jays. His single on Wednesday was 104.8 mph, which is a promising sign. 

"My job is to do whatever I can to help us win, whether that’s hitting first, second, fifth, fourth," Springer said earlier this spring. “I don’t care. I’m going to be the same guy. I’m going to be the hitter I know how to be. I will do anything to help us win, so I’m excited about it.”

Neither outfielder is known for their defense (Springer was worth -1 Outs Above Average last year; Santander was worth -2), but they should benefit from having Varsho in center. 

The biggest key with these two will be around how they adjust to new situations. For Springer, it’ll come down to how he adjusts to his new position in the batting order and in the field while Santander's seson will come down to him adjusting to a new team and ballpark (he’s hit .194 in 27 career games at Rogers Center). 

Varsho was worth 5.0 bWAR last year in a Gold Glove season despite only hitting .214. He should get the lion’s share of starts in center field, but could potentially miss the start of the season as he recovers from offseason rotator cuff surgery.

And if Varsho ends up needing to miss any period of time, there are plenty of guys who could step up in his place.