Blue Jays Test Off a Pair of Gloves on their Winter Purchasing Listing

The very best protection is an effective offense. As a lot because the pacifist in me hates to confess it, the outdated platitude is true. Many have tried to flip this fashionable saying in a sports activities context, suggesting as a substitute that one of the best offense is an effective protection, however that’s simply patently false. Irrespective of how terrific a crew’s run prevention talents could also be, they will’t win a ballgame with out scoring a minimum of as soon as. Conversely, it doesn’t matter what number of runs a crew concedes so long as their offense can rating much more. As such, I’d embrace the strategic offensive precept of conflict (or ought to I say WAR) extra readily than I’d settle for its antimetabole.

Nonetheless, Kevin Kiermaier and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are the sorts of gamers who make the patently false appear true. Kiermaier is the best middle fielder of the fashionable statistical period; no different outfielder comes inside 10 factors of him in both DRS or OAA. His protection makes a convincing argument that gamers ought to earn bonus factors for unattainable catches and spectacular throws.

Kiner-Falefa, in the meantime, is the consummate image of defensive versatility. He’s the primary participant for the reason that flip of the twentieth century to play a minimum of 50 profession video games at catcher, shortstop, and within the outfield – to not point out 154 video games at third base, 21 appearances at second, and 4 innings pitched because the cherry on high. In 2018, a then-23-year-old Kiner-Falefa turned the primary participant to start out a number of video games at catcher and shortstop in the identical season since Dave Roberts (not that Dave Roberts) and Derrel Thomas in 1980. Add in the truth that he additionally began a number of video games at second and third base the identical 12 months, and he’s the primary participant to have executed all that since Marty Martinez in 1968.

In reality, the one different lively participant with a minimum of 40 profession video games performed in middle discipline and behind the dish is Kiner-Falefa’s new teammate Daulton Varsho. Funnily sufficient, the Blue Jays might discipline a beginning lineup that includes 4 catchers on any given day subsequent season – all of whom are nonetheless below 30 years outdated. And after profitable the Crew Gold Glove in 2023, the Blue Jays are emphasizing protection as soon as once more. On December 28, Kiermaier formally re-signed with the membership on a one-year, $10.5 million deal. The next day, Kiner-Falefa’s two-year, $15 million pact turned official as nicely. Presumably, Kiermaier will resume his duties as the first middle fielder, whereas Kiner-Falefa will tackle a superutility function, backing up practically each place on the diamond.

Right here’s what I needed to say about Kiermaier earlier this winter as a part of our Prime 50 Free Brokers listing:

After a decade with the Rays, Kiermaier signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the Blue Jays to be one-third of the crew’s all-center-fielder outfield plan. The three-time (now four-time) Gold Glove winner was all the pieces the Jays might have hoped he could be and extra; his protection was nonetheless elite in his age-33 marketing campaign, and he had his finest season on the plate since 2017.

Kiermaier led AL outfielders in OAA and completed second solely to teammate Daulton Varsho in DRS. On high of that, he posted a 104 wRC+ due to barely above-average numbers in all three triple-slash classes. His 21.1% strikeout charge was his lowest in seven years, and he made probably the most of his pace, too, going 14-for-15 when swiping bases, the very best stolen base success charge of his profession. Better of all, the oft-injured outfielder largely managed to keep away from the IL, lacking simply 11 days in August with a deep reduce in his elbow. He performed 129 video games and 981.1 innings within the outfield, his most since 2019 and solely the third time in his profession he has performed a lot in a single season.

Along with his $9 million assure, Kiermaier’s final contract included a $750,000 bonus for an undisclosed variety of days spent on the lively roster, an incentive he most certainly obtained. Thus, accounting for inflation, his new deal is hardly a elevate in any respect, moderately shocking given his glorious 2023 marketing campaign. Nonetheless, he appears thrilled to be again in Toronto, and the Blue Jays appear joyful to have him – particularly at that value.

Steamer and ZiPS agree that Kiermaier is due for some regression on the plate, however regardless, a very powerful factor the veteran proved this previous season is that he can keep on the sector lengthy sufficient to be his crew’s main middle fielder. So long as he retains himself wholesome, his glove might be an asset in Toronto’s outfield. And if he doesn’t? Effectively, a minimum of the Blue Jays simply added one other succesful middle fielder.

In contrast to Kiermaier, Kiner-Falefa had a down 12 months in 2023. After averaging 1.8 WAR per 162 from 2020-22, he was value simply 0.2 WAR in 115 video games this previous season. On the offensive facet, he added a little bit of energy to his profile however struck out extra usually than he has in years. The tip outcome was an 82 wRC+, only a tick above his profession 81 mark. He additionally registered unfavorable baserunning worth for the primary time in three seasons, maybe as a result of his dash pace dropped from the 79th to the 59th percentile.

On the intense facet, Kiner-Falefa flexed his defensive versatility, taking part in outfield for the primary time in his massive league profession. In reality, he ended up spending extra time in each left and middle discipline than at another place. The superior metrics didn’t love his efficiency on the grass – he produced 4 OAA and 4 DRS within the infield in comparison with -2 OAA and -4 DRS within the outfield – however for a participant whose best promoting level is his flexibility, there’s little question that including just a few new positions to his resume helped him earn his surprisingly profitable deal.

Certainly, if Kiermaier’s contract was a discount for Toronto, Kiner-Falefa’s looks like an overpay. The 28-year-old, who didn’t even get a poll in our contract crowdsourcing undertaking, has secured the sixth-highest assure and eighth-highest AAV of any free agent hitter this offseason. The Blue Jays haven’t been crying poor this winter, however that’s nonetheless some huge cash to ensure a participant coming off a 0.2-WAR season.

That stated, with an injury-prone outfield and query marks at second and third base, the Blue Jays might definitely use the depth. Breakout sensation Davis Schneider is slated to start out at second base subsequent season, however given his restricted massive league expertise and unexpected emergence in 2023, supervisor John Schneider will want a backup plan. Equally, the Jays want a fallback in the event that they fail to re-sign Matt Chapman, contemplating the restricted third base choices remaining on the free agent market.

One might argue they already had the required reserves in Cavan Biggio and Santiago Espinal, the 2 of whom mixed ought to earn lower than Kiner-Falefa in 2024, but Biggio doesn’t play shortstop and Espinal doesn’t play the outfield. Kiner-Falefa might not have a lot offensive upside, however his versatility makes him uniquely worthwhile in a bench function – or, a minimum of that’s what the Blue Jays are relying on.

There’s nonetheless room for Schneider, Biggio, and Espinal on the roster proper now, but when the Blue Jays proceed so as to add this winter, as they most certainly will, roster spots will grow to be increasingly valuable. Schneider has the within observe on a beginning job, however he’s additionally prone to fetch the most important return in a commerce. In the meantime, Biggio and Espinal are superfluous with Kiner-Falefa round, and if the Jays add a brand new infielder, one or the opposite appears prone to be dealt.

After a sluggish begin to the offseason, the Blue Jays are lastly on the free agent board. Nonetheless, the crew that fell quick within the AL East, within the playoffs, and in pursuit of a top-flight famous person has but to make an actual improve this winter. Kiermaier fills his personal void, whereas Kiner-Falefa basically replaces Whit Merrifield, providing extra defensive versatility on the expense of offensive upside. For sure, that’s not practically sufficient to make up for the lack of Chapman and Brandon Belt, not to mention to enhance a membership that completed a distant third within the AL East.

Spending upwards of $25 million on Kiermaier and Kiner-Falefa is a nice choice if possession is prepared to open the purse strings and spend previous the posh tax for the second consecutive season. If not, it’s a lot more durable to know both transfer. Each are proficient gamers in their very own particular methods, however they’re redundant on the Blue Jays’ roster; this crew already had an elite defensive middle fielder and no scarcity of utility gamers with questionable bats. Gold Glove protection and singular versatility are worthwhile abilities, the sort that make you would like the official scorer might award further factors for run prevention prowess. Sadly for the Blue Jays, crossing the plate stays the one method to rating. The very best offense is an effective offense, and that’s the place they’ll must focus their efforts in the event that they’re going to keep away from a fourth Wild Card spherical sweep in 2024.