.png)
A significant storyline this off-season will be Guerrero Jr’s attempt to get back to 3rd base next season. It could very well happen if he can get his body physically ready for the challenge and work on his defense. However, that’s not guaranteed to happen, and the Jays need to have options available to them if Vlad finds himself primarily at 1st again next season.
Tommy La Stella could be that perfect option for Toronto.
La Stella, an All-Star in 2019, is a fascinating free agent this off-season. The 2019 season was his 6th in the MLB, and he broke out with 16 home runs and 44 RBI’s in 80 games. He has always been a solid contact hitter, and a .295 batting average in 2019 caught people’s attention around baseball. Last season La Stella split time between the Angels and the Athletics, hitting .281 with five home runs and 25 RBI’s.
A primary second baseman who can also play third would be an added addition for the Blue Jays next season. We know they love the flexibility aspect with their players, and they aren’t against adding players to their already crowded infield, as they showed by acquiring Jonathan Villar. With Villar destined to leave via free agency, La Stella could be the perfect replacement.
La Stella would be a strong middle of the order hitter with excellent ball contact and a career .274 hitter. A reliable bat that can get on base would be a welcomed addition to a young team that still has to work on plate discipline at times. He might not be an ideal leadoff hitter with only five career stolen bases but could fill into that spot if injuries occur throughout the lineup. He also could be valuable as a DH or pinch hitter late in a game.
Although to bring La Stella to Toronto, a one-year deal might be the best for both parties.
La Stella will be 32 when the season starts next year, and we all know how hesitant teams are with free agents over 30. When you factor in the pandemic effects, we have seen in other leagues that committing big money to players that aren’t superstars is a fragile occurrence.
A one year-deal could give La Stella a chance to play games at a hitter-friendly ballpark, given the Jays can play at the Rogers Centre next season. He will also play in a heavy right-handed batter lineup, possibly giving him some favorable matchups when opposing teams call to the bullpen for help. The Jays are also a young, exciting team that just proved they are ready to be competitive, which could excite him to come to Toronto.
On the Blue Jays side of things, committing to another infield for multiple seasons might not make the most amount of sense. Guerrero Jr., Bichette, and Biggio are all primarily infielders still developing in the big leagues. Add in guys like Tellez, and the Jays infield is already a little crowded, but he would likely find good playing time in 2021 with Toronto
After 2021 though, more high-end prospects within the Jays system could be ready for infield spots. Jordon Groshans and Austin Martin are both expected to be big-league players very soon. While Martin could play the outfield (not expected, though), Groshans is another infielder that the Jays can build around. Put both those players into the infield, and there isn’t a spot for La Stella to play consistently.
Martin and Groshans might play with the Jays next season, if not, most likely the season after, which is why La Stella could be a valuable player to add to this lineup, if only for one year.
Commentaires