Photo: Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire

Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good? 

To see the full series, click here.

2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank: 1st

Team Strengths

When healthy, Daulton Varsho is the best defensive outfielder in baseball and Defensive Runs Saved doesn’t have it as particularly close over the last three seasons. He’s recovered from shoulder surgery more quickly than expected, and is currently functioning as a designated hitter in spring training. We’ll find out if that injury cuts into how aggressively he goes crashing into fences to make catches and how he throws once he returns to the outfield. 

While the Blue Jays wait for Varsho, Myles Straw, a Gold Glove winner two years ago, or Joey Loperfido (5 Runs Saved in left field) could take his place.

The Blue Jays traded for the best defensive second baseman, Andrés Giménez, who is a wizard when it comes to making plays. He’s still in his prime at age 26 and is the runaway leader in Runs Saved at the position over the last three seasons.

Ernie Clement isn’t Matt Chapman but by Runs Saved he was pretty good. He led all American League third basemen with 9 Runs Saved last season and was also pretty good at shortstop too.

Alejandro Kirk is good at a lot of things that catchers do – pitch framing, pitch blocking and throwing out basestealers. He’s first among catchers in Runs Saved over the last three seasons.

Blue Jays Players Leading MLB in Defensive Runs Saved – Last 3 Seasons

Team Weaknesses

The Blue Jays have a few players who fall into the category of “They were at one time a decent defender but maybe not anymore.”

That encompasses first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., shortstop Bo Bichette, right fielder George Springer, and left fielder Anthony Santander among others. Each of them finished 2024 with a negative Defensive Runs Saved but has much better seasons in their respective histories.

Other Things To Consider

Last year’s midseason trade of Isiah Kiner-Falefa to the Pirates was a notable one because of how few players have the defensive versatility that he has. IKF had good Runs Saved totals at second base, shortstop and third base. Clement is the closest thing the team has to that at the moment.

Are The Blue Jays A Good Defensive Team?

Yes, particularly at three spots up the middle. Are they still best-in-baseball good? They could be, particularly if Varsho came back performing at a similar skill level to the last couple of years.