Nathan Lukes and Myles Straw are forcing the Blue Jays to have a tough George Springer conversation

When you're talking about the history of the Toronto Blue Jays, one name that'll appear as a franchise great is George Springer. Immortalized after his heroic 2025 ALCS Game 7 home run, Springer remains a fan favorite, especially after a bounce-back 2025 season.

Unfortunately, it hasn't been a grand time for Springer in 2026. When you compare the first 86 games of 2025 and 2026, you can see how big a difference it's been for King George at the plate.

July will prove to be another crucial month for the rest of the 2026 season, especially with the trade deadline on the horizon. As the Blue Jays continue to fight for a playoff spot, two players are proving their worth, and it warrants a conversation about Springer's spot in the lineup moving forward.

Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes deserve more playing time in the lineup for the next while

Nathan Lukes

The first of the two is Nathan Lukes, an emerging player who broke out in 2025. Currently, Lukes is slashing .299/.348/.419 with an OPS of .767. In 53 games, he has 50 hits, four of those home runs, and 17 RBIs. Not terrible for somebody with limited playing time.

However, if you narrow those stats down to when he bats leadoff, Springer's usual spot, Lukes is on a tear. His batting average hikes up to .435 with 20 hits and eight home runs. Although it's only 13 games, it's enough of a sample size to consider permanently leaving Lukes in the leadoff spot, even potentially as a designated hitter.

More importantly, in a season where the Blue Jays are struggling to bring in runners in scoring position, Lukes has a batting average of .286 with 11 RBIs and nine strikeouts. Springer, on the other hand, sits with a .161 batting average, also with 11 RBIs and 13 strikeouts.

It's easy for Lukes to find a role in the lineup given Toronto's many options for the outfield where he's always included. However, to secure Lukes' spot and expand your outfield options, giving him the DH role isn't the worst idea.

Myles Straw

Another emerging name from the 2025 season was Myles Straw. After a quiet tenure with the Cleveland Guardians, Straw broke out with the Blue Jays in a utility role in 2025, and in 2026, it seems to be the same.

On Canada Day, Straw showed off his rare power and crushed a three-run home run to add to the rout of the New York Mets. While he doesn't show off too often, when he does, it's in an impactful moment. In 2026, Straw is slashing .239/.300/.351 with an OPS of .651 in 75 games.

Unfortunately, you need to hope that Straw can find his rhythm to prove to be an effective everyday lineup contributor. His speed is ultimately what gives Straw a deserving spot in the lineup, as he sits in the 97th percentile when it comes to sprint speed. Straw's defense also comes into play, with his range at the 84th percentile.

Finding a spot for Straw in the lineup, combined with Lukes' easy insertion into the DH spot, gives the Blue Jays a combo that can't be ignored down the line, even maybe after 2026 as Springer's six-year, $150 million contract expires this season.

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