Blue Jays: 3 tiers of potential outfield targets

Blue Jays: So you’re saying there’s a chance?

After being a mainstay in Clearwater for almost a decade, Kevin Kiermaier struggled with injuries last season and is a free agent for the first time. 

If the Blue Jays really value run prevention, there’s no better defensive outfielder on the market than Kiermaier. He’s a three-time Gold Glove winner and has a career dWAR of 17.7. Kiermaier doesn’t have great power, usually good for 10-15 homers a season, but his speed, ability to cover a ton of ground, and leadership add to his overall value. 

Would he sign with a division rival after spending his entire MLB career in Tampa? It’s fair to wonder and some Jays' supporters would have a tough time welcoming him, especially after the stolen data card controversy of 2021. If the two sides can get over all of that, this could be a mutually beneficial partnership.

As the 2022 season unfolded, the Arizona Diamondbacks showed a great deal of improvement, thanks in large part to one of the most intriguing and versatile players around, Daulton Varsho. 

He broke out in a big way with 27 home runs, 16 stolen bases, a 4.9 bWAR, and several highlight-reel plays in the field. After playing 41 games behind the plate in 2021, Varsho was mostly an outfielder last season, with 71 games in right and 54 in center field. He was still an occasional catcher with 31 games as part of the battery. 

Now, Varsho is under team control until 2027, but the D-Backs are in a position to trade one of their outfielders in order to improve another position group. His versatility and athleticism could make him one of the few players the Blue Jays would be comfortable including Gabriel Moreno in a trade for. 

Considering all Varsho has accomplished in his young career, Moreno would be a starting point, with other players or prospects involved, but his power, defensive prowess, and sneaky speed would be a welcome addition to any team.