Toronto Blue Jays: Domino effect of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s position change

3) Clear air for the kids

There do seem to be some short-term drawbacks to Guerrero Jr.’s move to first. In the long term however, the transition could end up benefiting the overall strength of the Blue Jays’ lineup by clearing some space for even more young prospects to join the roster.

More from Toronto Blue Jays

• Blue Jays avoid disaster as Kevin Gausman injury not serious
• Blue Jays interested in outfielder Andrew Benintendi
• Blue Jays hope fresh start for Sergio Romo boosts bullpen
• Blue Jays need to have a break from Yusei Kikuchi
• Blue Jays: Nate Pearson suffers yet another setback

With Bichette firmly entrenched as Toronto’s shortstop of both the present and the future, shortstop prospects like Jordan Groshans and Austin Martin are somewhat blocked from reaching the big leagues. Or at least impeded from fulfilling their expected potential of being everyday shortstops.

With Guerrero Jr. defecting to the other side of the diamond opens up the opportunity for either Groshans or Martin to make the transition. Third base is currently occupied by players who might not necessarily fit into the Blue Jays’ long-term future.

The move from shortstop to third base is a much more natural switch than third to first, and both Groshans and Martin have the athletic pedigree to do so. In fact, on Martin’s official draft card posted by the Blue Jays on Twitter, he was listed as an “infielder/outfield,” meaning the team believes he can play pretty much anywhere on the diamond.

Meanwhile, Groshans has minor league experience at the hot corner, playing third in both the Gulf Coast League and with the Bluefield Blue Jays in the Appalachian League in 2018.

With no first base prospects in the Blue Jays’ top 30, Guerrero Jr. has every opportunity to becomes Toronto’s starting first baseman of the future. The ball is now in his court to make the most of it.