Former top prospect could be Blue Jays' dark horse candidate to back up first base

The Toronto Blue Jays took a chance on a former top prospect when they signed Eloy Jiménez to a minor league deal. Jiménez spent some time in the Blue Jays' organization this past season, batting .167 in 21 plate appearances with Buffalo.

While it was a solid gamble to get a full season with him to try to reinvigorate the player, the outfield has tons of depth, and it was hard to see where he would fit if he made the roster out of Spring Training. However, a recent development in workouts shows that the vision might not have been for Jiménez to be in the outfield at all.

Keegan Matheson reported that Jiménez was doing some work at first base early in camp. With the first Spring Training game starting on Saturday (Feb. 21), Jiménez was again at first base with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., taking some reps with the Blue Jays' starter.

Is Eloy Jimenez's lack of flexibility worth the risk for Blue Jays?

With Kazuma Okamoto looking like the starting and everyday third basemen, there is no clear backup for Vladdy, who the Blue Jays might like to get more off days from the field after a short offseason. Jiménez could steal a bench spot if he has a good spring. While the bat is an asset, he'll have to prove that he is capable of being an MLB-level defender, which was a bit of a concern at first in LIDOM this winter.

The addition of Jesús Sánchez will put a wrench into the plans. Toronto's front office added him with the hopes of making him a full-time outfielder, which could put Myles Straw's future in question. If Jiménez is going to take anyone's spot on the bench, it'll likely be his. It'll then leave Nathan Lukes as the utility outfielder, Davis Schneider as the all-around utility guy, Tyler Heineman as Alejandro Kirk's backup, and Jiménez as Vladdy's platoon.

Jiménez's injury history leaves the Blue Jays few options. He developed as an outfielder, but putting him out there for any extended period is a risk Toronto might not be willing to take. If he is going to make the roster, it will have to be as a designated hitter/first baseman. With Guerrero Jr. and George Springer occupying those spots nearly every day, Jiménez could become expendable.

The good news is that the Jays are getting a motivated Jiménez in camp. He was almost ready to retire from baseball after last season, before getting a chance with Toros del Este in the Dominican Winter League. “A few months ago, I didn’t want to play baseball anymore," said Jiménez. "I was seriously considering retiring, I talked to my family about it, because I couldn’t stand so many injuries and I felt like I wasn’t getting the opportunities I wanted.”

Jiménez hit five home runs during a shortened regular season and was the league's round robin MVP with a record 10 doubles and 16 RBIs. If the Blue Jays get that version of Jiménez in Spring Training with at least average defending, manager John Schneider could find a way to get him onto the Opening Day roster.