Why this sound defender deserves to open the season as the Blue Jays' center fielder

With Daulton Varsho starting the season on the injured list, the Blue Jays will need to break camp with a backup option manning center field.

That player should be Myles Straw.

While his bat leaves a lot to be desired, he won a Gold Glove in 2022, and could be a veteran leader in the clubhouse. While top prospect Alan Roden is deserving of a spot in the lineup, Straw should get the upper hand.

Along with having good glove work and above-average range in center field, Straw's also had a strong spring at the plate. He's gone 12-for-29 (.414) with a home run and six RBI, and at the very least could be a productive at-bat at the bottom of the Blue Jays' order.

Why this player deserves to be the Blue Jays temporary center fielder

Straw's defense makes him a worthy option to have on the Opening Day roster. While Varsho is likely to return sometime in April, Straw could still have a spot on the Blue Jays' roster after that as a fourth outfielder and defensive replacment.

The Blue Jays acquired Straw in the offseason in a trade with the Guardians where he came to Toronto along with $2 million in international pool money.

He's played in 562 MLB games with the Cleveland Guardians and Houston Astros.

The biggest hurdle Straw has in making the roster is his lack of a 40-man roster spot, which means that Toronto would have to cut or trade someone to make room for him at the big league level.

Toronto has already said that Davis Schneider and Tyler Heinemann have made the Opening Day roster, so that's two backup roster spots that are taken.

Varsho seems set for a big season after a productive spring, so making sure that he's is in prime health at the start of the season is important. The Blue Jays wouldn't have much of a need to rush Varsho back if Straw is manning center.

Straw also seems excited to be in Toronto after spending most of last season in Triple-A.

“I was shocked, and pretty excited about it,” Straw told Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith earlier this spring. “New beginnings are always nice, especially with this team. I think it’s a fantastic team to be playing for, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”

Straw can be an assest to the Blue Jays whether it be in the starting lineup or on the bench.

The Blue Jays are clearly a team that values defense (which is why they've won the Team Gold Glove the past two seasons), and Straw fits into that mentality perfectly.

He's not a perfect player, but he would be a solid option in center to start the season.