Determining the keys to success for the 2023 Toronto Blue Jays

Defense Over Offence Mentality

One of the major focuses in the Blue Jays offseason involved the shipping out of offensive-minded players and the acquisition of more defensively-minded players to help shore up the team’s main weakness in the past few years.  By trading away Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Teoscar Hernández, and Gabriel Moreno, and acquiring Varsho and signing Kiermaier, the Jays have definitely changed the overall makeup of their outfield. 

Both Gurriel and Hernández have been consistently productive in driving in runs, as well as batting for a decent average for the Jays during their tenure here, but have shown some defensive lapses from time to time.  By adding Varsho and Kiermaier, they have evolved into a more stronger defending team, but sacrificing quite a bit on offence.

Both Varsho and Kiermaier hit for a lower average (lower than .250 career-wise) with limited run production thus far, although Varsho has shown some promise to potentially break out soon.  Hence, will the sacrifice in offence be made up by the saving of runs defensively?  We will know if the Jays suddenly find themselves struggling to produce runs, or if they find themselves on the winning side of many tight games due to runs saved.