Toronto Blue Jays: Injury to Troy Tulowitzki opens up opportunities for 2018
With the Toronto Blue Jays looking to regroup for 2018, the latest injury to Troy Tulowitzki should provide the team to evaluate their options going into next season.
The Toronto Blue Jays have an opportunity to see what direction they need to go to if they expect to get back to competing in 2018. The latest injury to shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will help them with that as it opens up a spot for someone to get an early tryout for next season. One of those players getting the chance now is Rob Refsnyder who was acquired from the New York Yankees for Ryan McBroom.
The 26-year old is the type of player the Blue Jays need to take a step forward given the older core they currently employ. Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith notes that Refsnyder will not have options next season so he will need to make use of the opportunity he has not. Right now the coaching staff has been working on improving his play at second base. With the injury problems that Devon Travis has been dealing with, there could be an opening for someone to earn reps at second base.
Ryan Goins’ has lacked the consistency at the plate to get considerations to be an every day starter and if Darwin Barney returns it will be in the same role. Where a player like Refsnyder has the upper hand is his ability to play the corner outfield positions.
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While the Blue Jays have not talked about playing him in the outfield having the option to do so is a bonus. If they do decide to move him around, the team can also consider having Steve Pearce spend some time at second base which he has done in the past.
Other players that the team could look at for auditions is Jason Leblebijian, Anthony Alford, and Dwight Smith Jr. but it also depends on what the team does at the trade deadline. Jim Scott from Jays Journal also brought up the idea of looking at rule 5 draft players like Jake Cave and Billy McKinney. At this point any chance the team can add some youth to this lineup, it could benefit in the long run.
Next: Predicting the rotation for 2018
At this point the team has probably established a core including Aaron Sanchez, Marcus Stroman, Roberto Osuna, Devon Travis, Justin Smoak, Russell Martin, Troy Tulowitzki and possibly Josh Donaldson depending on his contract status. However, as the team has found out so far this season, there is much more work that needs to be done if they plan on matching up with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox and making the necessary additions will prove to be tough in free agency.