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It feels like the Toronto Blue Jays are going for flexibility in the lineup this offseason. And with just one day to go for the Grapefruit League exhibition games, the team is not yet done. The more options, the better. Their outfield is getting crowded, and after signing Jesús Sánchez, there is one more aspect that the general manager wants to consider.

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Sánchez slots in well against right-handed pitching, while being a good defender, an above-average runner, and stealing bases. Ross Atkins thinks of him as “one of more rare packages in the game.”

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In 2025, the one player who could swing the bat harder than Sánchez in the Jays’ lineup was Vladimir Guerrero Jr (76.7 mph compared to Sánchez’s 75.9 mph). While he is yet to reach his 20-homer season, his platoon advantage is undeniable. But per Shi Davidi, the organization will “continue to poke around the market looking for other ways to improve.”

Nick Gosse of the Jays Digest looked at the way the team is currently lined up: “Jesús Sánchez is due for most of the time in left field. Nathan Lukes, of course, is also going to be playing some if he doesn’t get traded. But Davis Schneider is kind of the odd man out. In a perfect world, he bats against left-handed pitching, but he hasn’t shown the ability, especially last year, to mash lefties. He was barely above-league average against lefties, but dominated right-handed pitching.”

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Schneider recorded a 111 wRC+ against LHP, but against RHP, it was 153 wRC+. Plus, he was inconsistent throughout the season, while having defensive struggles, too.

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Last season, he was demoted to Triple-A after the first few weeks of struggle. And even after returning, he was used as a bench bat. In his 3-years of MLB experience, the 27YO’s launch angle sweet spot has deteriorated 10%. His fielding run value stands at -2, per Baseball Savant.

Given all that struggle, it won’t be a surprise if we see Schneider leave the camp, now that the Jays have the power of Sánchez. After likely losing Anthony Santander for 5-6 months due to shoulder surgery, Sánchez looks like the logical fit, the one known for his left-handed power against RHP.

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But that doesn’t mean the Blue Jays are done, as Ross Atkins gave a major hint of some potential moves.

“We’re open to thinking about different ways of structuring the 40-man, the 26-man, and beyond. But feel very good about the starting point right now and excited about the add [Sánchez] today.”

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The 34-year-old Kansas City Royals outfielder emerges as a potential fit for the Blue Jays

Per Nick Gosse, “They [Blue Jays] need someone to mash lefties.”

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Randal Grichuk.

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Grichuk is one-year removed from a 139 wRC+, and he can crush lefties. Looking at the chart from Baseball Savant, his profile is red all the way through, meaning great!

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His bat speed, average exit velocity, hard hit percentage, and arm strength – all can work in the team’s favor. He can play all three outfield positions and brings defensive flexibility. While his performance dipped a bit in 2025, the 34-year-old excelled with a .319 average and .913 OPS against lefties in 2024.

Grichuk is a reputed platoon hitter against LHP. He is considered a strong short-side platoon bat with a career .268/.318/.500 line against southpaws. That’s why reports look at him as a necessity for the Jays.

“Even if it’s only a platoon partner for Nathan Lukes, another bat now feels like a necessity.”

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While lefty (Lukes) and righty can together balance things out, it is not the only advantage for Grichuk.

He had spent 4 seasons (2018-21) with the Toronto Blue Jays. So, his familiarity with the ballpark and his abilities, unlike Davis Schneider, “make sense” for the franchise.

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Ahana Chatterjee

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Ahana Chatterjee, an MLB Editor at EssentiallySports, approaches her work with a strong commitment to journalistic ethics, a principle that comes from her postgraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. Her unique perspective is built on a diverse and extensive career in digital media and content management spanning over nine years. Before joining ES, Ahana's journey included roles as an assistant web editor, a freelance reporter, and even as an assistant director and voice-over commentary artist. This wide-ranging creative background gives her a keen understanding of storytelling from multiple angles, allowing her to curate news with precision and flair that sets her apart. Her expertise is further highlighted by her notable achievement of curating a highly praised banner for NAB Vegas. Outside of work, Ahana is an avid follower of baseball, football, and tennis, and she finds creative fulfilment as a movie buff, history enthusiast, traveler, and badminton player.

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