In Major League Baseball, April can be a perplexing month, and the Toronto Blue Jays have been no exception.
The Blue Jays got off to a strong start, taking first place for about a week, and they received a boost in positive publicity when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed a 14-year extension. However, following a three-game sweep by the Houston Astros, they are now back under.500.
Even though Guerrero’s free agency is no longer a concern, this year remains critical for the Blue Jays’ future. This team finished last in 2024, and their payroll will be in the top ten, if not the top five, for the foreseeable future.
There is still plenty of time for the Blue Jays to prove they are playoff contenders. But one insider has identified a potential Achilles’ heel that could cost them a few key games.
On Friday, Jim Bowden of The Athletic listed reasons to be optimistic and pessimistic for all 30 teams, focusing on the Blue Jays’ defense.
“The Blue Jays were projected to be the top defensive team in MLB by FanGraphs, but for whatever reason, that hasn’t been the case early in the season,” according to Bowden.
“In fact, the Jays are ranked 16th in overall defense, 22nd in runs above average (measuring range), and 24th in outs above average.” I still believe they have the potential to be a strong defense, but things haven’t looked good in April.”
The Blue Jays are a perennial contender for the team Gold Glove Award, and despite missing Daulton Varsho in the outfield, they have added former Platinum Glover Andrés Giménez to play second base.
Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will never be plus defenders, but it’s surprising that the Blue Jays’ defense has ranked in the bottom half of the league thus far.
Granted, this is why the MLB plays 162 games. It’s only the eighth of the year, so it’s too early to make broad statements. But defense was supposed to be part of this Toronto team’s winning formula, so they’d better get it right soon.
