Spring Training: New role for Springer. Updates on Bichette, Wagner, Gimenez and Barger.
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The Toronto Blue Jays give an update on role change for George Springer Updates on Bo Bichette, Will Wagner, Andres Gimenez and Addison Barger as well.
George Springer, who was signed to a six-year deal just a few years ago, could end up playing right field and left field for the Blue Jays.
MLB.com's Keegan Matheson spoke to Manager John Schneider today about George Springer's possible new role with the Blue Jays in 2025.
"John Schneider says that George Springer will see some time in left field this season. He and Santander could go back and forth between LF-RF depending on matchups. He mentions Springer alongside Bichette, Wagner and Gimenez as leadoff options."
George Springer says that he's «excited» to play some left field and is open to hitting anywhere John Schneider wants him in the lineup.
«I'm going to do whatever he asks me to do. I'm going to do whatever I can do to help us win.»
Springer, 35, hasn't played left field since the 2019 season with the Houston Astros, but evidently it would help give the Blue Jays some additional lineup flexibility.
A four-time All-Star and a two-time Silver Slugger, he's a career .262 hitter.
He's coming off a down year in which he hit .220 with 19 homers.
Meanwhile Bo Bichette was getting some live batting practice in and looking good, hitting absolute bombs of Jose Berrios.
Bichette will be a big lift for this club in 2025 if he can remain healthy. Playing in a contract year and possibly his last season in a Blue Jays uniform (or any uniform for that matter) with best friend Vladimir Guerrero Jr will definitely be a motivating factor.
Bichette along with Will Wagner and Andres Gimenez are the leading candidates for the leadoff position this year. My money is on Willy Wags though.
While being a small sample size Wagner showed out during his limited time in the Blue Jays' lineup, batting .305 with two home runs, six doubles, 11 RBI, a .788 OPS and a 0.7 WAR. The 26-year-old, who saw most of his time at second base, had three hits in his MLB debut and seven hits across his first three appearances.
And now with Donny Baseball teaching Wagner how to play first base this spring he's even more versatile in the infield being able to cover both corners and second base if needed.
But more importantly it gives John Schneider the opportunity to get him into the lineup as much as possible.
Speaking of opportunity, Addison Barger showed up to camp this year in the best shape of his young life and sporting a new haircut to boot.
Barger will be competing for third base and a corner outfield position this spring both crowded positions this season.
Andres Gimenez is a lock at second base barring any type of injury, but proves to be versatile in any infield position according to those who know him.
The three-time gold-glover is also thought to be a lead-off hitter at times this season. Hopefully his bat gets going in a year the Blue Jays need offence more than any other.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 19 | 198 ANSWERS Spring Training: New role for Springer. Updates on Bichette, Wagner, Gimenez and Barger. Who would you like to see in the leadoff spot? George Springer, Bo Bichette, Will Wagner or Andres Gimenez" | ||
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