3 offseason moves the Toronto Blue Jays must make after early playoff exit

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - AUGUST 12: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after striking out during the second inning of an MLB game against the Miami Marlins at Sahlen Field on August 12, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. The Blue Jays are the home team and are playing their home games in Buffalo due to the Canadian government’s policy on COVID-19. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /

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2. Make Vlad Guerrero Jr. a first baseman exclusively and don’t look back

Guerrero became a first baseman this year (34 games), with some DH time as well (23 games). He had a fairly disappointing season with the bat (.262/.329/.462, 9 home runs, 33 RBI in 243 plate appearances), but his immense offensive ceiling remains at 21 years old.

Guerrero will probably never be an elite defensive player (-9 Defensive Runs Saved and 17 errors at third base in 2019, -4 Defensive Runs Saved at first base this year). The key is probably getting him reps at one spot, but Atkins hasn’t shut the door on Guerrero still playing third base.

“We definitely don’t want to close the door on him having some versatility, potentially playing third for a short period of time, or even an extended period of time,” he said. “He worked there this year. I would have felt comfortable towards the end of the year with him playing third base. I think Charlie [Montoyo] would have too. But we asked a lot of him, so this year we didn’t want to take him off his first base work in-game. We’re not closing the door on the potential of him playing third base.”

Versatility is fine, but it only matters if someone can play multiple positions capably. Guerrero has been subpar at two spots already, although not as bad at first base, and it’s worth wondering if that has had any carry-over offensively.

Defense is always pushed as a reason to delay calling a top prospect up in the interest of service time manipulation, and Guerrero was no different. But he’s in the big leagues now. So it’s about finding a comfortable spot for him and allowing him to get to his ceiling as an offensive player. Despite the Blue Jays liking versatility in their players, to the point of obsession as opined by Gregor Chisholm of The Toronto Star, it’s fine if the spot for Guerrero is already only first base with occasional time as a DH.

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