Top 5 shortstops in Blue Jays franchise history by WAR

#4 Marco Scutaro (7.3 fWAR)

During the 2007-2008 offseason, Marco Scutaro was acquired by the Jays from the Oakland Athletics in a lopsided trade that saw minor league prospects Kristian Bell and Graham Godfrey go the other way. When it came to bonafide shortstops that have previously played for the Jays, Scutaro probably isn’t the first one that comes to mind. But it just so happens that he had two of his best years of his career both at the plate and in the field with the team in 2008 and 2009. 

In 2008, Scutaro amassed a solid stats line of .267/.341/.356/.697, along with 76 runs scored, 7 home runs and 60 RBI while effectively playing all over the infield as a utilityman. He would follow that up with a huge year in 2009 where he had a more defined role in becoming the team’s primary shortstop for the entire season. Scutaro went on to set career highs in runs scored (100), home runs (12j, stolen bases (14) and walks (90).

More importantly, he transformed into a defensive wizard during his brief stint with the Jays. After averaging mainly in the negatives for DRS throughout his career, Scutaro compiled a massive 33 DRS in total along with maintaining a strong fielding percentage above .984 in his two seasons in Toronto.

The Jays were interested in re-signing him following the 2009 season, but Scutaro landed a two-year deal worth $11M with the Boston Red Sox. His time with the Jays may have been short, but with standout plays like this, he will always be remembered in the hearts of many loyal Jays‘ fans.

If that wasn’t enough convincing evidence of his excellence, then his official fourth place ranking on the all-time list now certainly proves it.