Projected Blue Jays starting lineup post-trade deadline: Can it still be a winner?

As a fallout of the numerous trade deadline moves made by the Toronto Blue Jays the past few days, it has resulted in quite the makeover of their everyday starting lineup. So let’s review who might be playing where for the Blue Jays and how they will likely look for the duration of the 2024 MLB season.

Catcher – Alejandro Kirk

With Danny Jansen gone to the Boston Red Sox, it will be the Alejandro Kirk show behind the plate from here on out for the Jays. Kirk was amidst an underwhelming season where he has hit only .239 with 2 home runs and 26 RBI in 59 games played. Perhaps now with more consistent playing time going forward, it provides the perfect remedy to get the former All-Star and Silver Slugger going again. That is, assuming his left elbow contusion that he suffered on Tuesday night isn’t anything too serious. Otherwise, it would be Brian Serven for now.

First base – Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Is there really any question who will be playing at first? As the Jays’ true offensive leader for the bulk of the 2024 season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has even hit a staggering .464 with a 1.018 OPS with 17 runs scored, 8 home runs and 16 RBI in his past 15 games. He somehow managed to do it even with all the distractions and happenings the past couple of weeks. Superstar at his best, enough said.

Second base – Spencer Horwitz

Spencer Horwitz has broken out this season with the Jays ever since being called up to the big leagues in early June. Proving to be the great contact hitter he was known to be, Horwitz has hit .276 with a .781 OPS, along with 20 runs scored, 4 home runs, 16 RBI, 19 walks and 29 strikeouts in 45 games played. He has also yet to make an error in over 250 innings at second and has easily taken over Davis Schneider on the depth chart.

Third base – Ernie Clement

When Ernie Clement made the Jays’ roster out of training camp, he was fully determined to stick with the club and has not looked back since. For 2024, Clement has posted a solid .266 batting average with 26 runs scored, 6 home runs, 28 RBI and 5 stolen bases in 87 games played. With Isiah Kiner-Falefa now off to Pittsburgh, the hot corner is his to lose.

Shortstop – Leo Jiménez

Ever since being summoned from the minors in early July, Leo Jiménez has made quite the impression with the Jays’ brass. In particular, he has done a fine job as Bo Bichette’s replacement at short while Bichette is out with a calf injury for the time being. He should continue to get many more opportunities to play in the coming weeks, likely up until the return of Bichette, at which time he would likely need to relinquish the position.

Left field – Joey Loperfido

What better way to celebrate the huge trade win with the Houston Astros than to insert one of their key return pieces right away into the everyday lineup in Joey Loperfido. With the potential to be at least a 20+ home run and 80+ RBI man, let’s all see what he can do in the top half of the Jays’ batting order.

Center field – Daulton Varsho

With Kevin Kiermaier leaving town to join the Los Angeles Dodgers, Daulton Varsho slides over to center to become the Jays’ defensive general in the outfield. His defense has been the best in the business once again in 2024, registering 23 DRS and a spectacular .996 fielding percentage. Varsho has also added 51 runs scored, 13 home runs and 46 RBI from an offensive standpoint, making him among the team leaders in those offensive categories as well.

Right field – George Springer

George Springer might get the odd day off or two in right field with the Jays looking to give some playing time to their younger prospects down the stretch. Nevertheless, Springer will still get the majority of the starts there, especially after rediscovering his game in the past month. In his past 30 games, he has batted .324 with 22 runs scored, 8 home runs, 26 RBI and 5 stolen bases.

DH/Utility – Addison Barger

With the ability to play multiple positions in the infield and outfield, Addison Barger will be the perfect utilityman to sub in for any starter that is scheduled to have a day off. For the player having the off day in the field, they would in turn take over the floating DH role in the daily lineup now with Justin Turner gone. More importantly, Barger’s bat has surely woken up in his past four games, with 6 hits, 2 home runs and 7 RBI in 15 at-bats, showing why he was among the Jays’ top prospects in the organization.

With the defensive depth chart in mind, here's how the starting lineup should look on most nights:

1. RF George Springer
2. LF Joey Loperfido
3. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
4. 2B Spencer Horwitz
5. CF Daulton Varsho
6. C Alejandro Kirk
7. DH Addison Barger
8. 3B Ernie Clement
9. SS Leo Jimenez