We’ve already analyzed the bullpen, rotation, and outfield. Now, in this final (and admittedly lengthy) edition, let’s break down the heart of this Blue Jays team: the infield.
Departures
Gone: Isiah Kiner-Falefa (118 wRC+, 4.8 baserunning/defensive runs above average, 2.1 WAR), Danny Jansen (94, -0.2, 0.6), Justin Turner (112, -11.5, 0.5), Spencer Horwitz (127, -6.2, 1.9).
Signing IKF turned out to be a savvy move for the Jays’ front office. He had a scorching first half at the plate, which allowed them to flip him for slugging outfield prospect Charles McAdoo before his bat cooled off. Given the number of glove-first, light-hitting infielders on the roster, he won’t be a major loss.
Danny Jansen’s absence, however, could be felt more. A mainstay for seven seasons, the 2013 16th-round pick was never able to stay healthy long enough to establish himself as a top-tier catcher. But when in form, he provided All-Star-level offense and solid defense. Now with the Rays on a one-year “prove-it” deal, he’ll look to rebuild his value.
Justin Turner was supposed to replicate the Brandon Belt experiment—getting one last good season from a veteran slugger—but it didn’t quite work. He did contribute enough to return some value in a trade. This season, the DH role will be more of a rotation, with internal options likely to surpass Turner’s 2024 production.
The biggest surprise departure is Spencer Horwitz. The 26-year-old rookie had just cemented himself as an offensive asset, excelling in plate discipline and consistent contact despite lacking typical power for a bat-first player. While his defense was subpar and he struggled against lefties, a 127 wRC+ is elite—only about 50 hitters project to do better in 2025. Replacing that production won’t be easy.
Other Departures: Luis De Los Santos is now with the Mets, Brian Serven is a Tiger, and Dan Vogelbach is currently without a team. If any of them end up being missed, the Jays have bigger issues.
Returning Players
Still Here: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (165 wRC+, -21.3 baserunning/defensive runs, 5.5 WAR), Bo Bichette (71, 3.1, 0.3), Leo Jimenez (102, -1.6, 0.6), Ernie Clement (94, 8.8, 2.2), Alejandro Kirk (94, 16.9, 2.8), Will Wagner (125, 0.5, 0.6), Orelvis Martinez (3 PA), Tyler Heineman (13 PA).
For the first time in years, this is definitively Vlad’s team. He needs to be in the MVP conversation for the Jays to contend, and after a slow April last season, he looked the part—slashing .345/.412/.590. The team should probably extend him.
Bo Bichette, once the steadier of the Jays’ young stars, had a rough 2024 before calf injuries ended his season. There appears to be some tension between him and the front office, making this likely his final season in Toronto. Still, they’ll need one last All-Star-caliber campaign from him.
Leo Jimenez seems like the heir apparent at shortstop. Until then, he’ll serve as a utility man. His MLB debut was rocky in terms of contact and plate discipline, but he compensated with unexpected power and an uncanny ability to get hit by pitches (16 times in 210 PAs). If he settles in, he could be a solid regular with good on-base skills and plus defense—though not quite Bo’s level.
Ernie Clement was a surprise contributor. A free-swinger who makes a ton of contact, he tweaked his approach to generate more power, which helped him produce a near-league-average offensive line. With solid defense at third and some speed, he’s a borderline everyday player, though he’ll likely share time with Orelvis Martinez and/or Addison Barger, who offer more offensive upside.
Speaking of Orelvis Martinez, he’s returning from a PED suspension and might still be in the organization’s doghouse. He boasts significant power, but concerns remain over his contact ability and plate discipline. Expect a low average and OBP, but if his slugging approaches .500, he could still provide value. A move to right field is possible, but he’ll likely get a shot at third first.
Alejandro Kirk has quietly become a strong regular, albeit not in the way initially expected. The elite contact-and-power combination that made him a top prospect hasn’t fully materialized, though last year hinted at some underlying improvements. Instead, he’s emerged as an elite defensive catcher—ranking among the best in framing, blocking, and even throwing out baserunners (27 caught stealings in 87 attempts). 2025 will be his first year as the undisputed No. 1 catcher, meaning he’ll need to handle a larger workload while maintaining last year’s defensive gains.
Tyler Heineman, meanwhile, will likely see more playing time than he has since 2022. His bat is a liability (.571 career OPS), but his defense is strong. Relying on him as an everyday starter if Kirk gets hurt is concerning, but he’s serviceable as a backup.
Will Wagner’s emergence likely made Horwitz expendable. The son of Hall of Famer Billy Wagner, he possesses exceptional bat-to-ball skills (just a 6.6% whiff rate on pitches in the zone) and solid raw power—more than Horwitz had. While he doesn’t match Horwitz’s elite plate discipline, he’s still a patient hitter, and his .305/.337/.451 line last year was no fluke. Like Horwitz, he struggles against lefties and lacks a clear defensive home, but if he keeps hitting, they’ll find a spot for him.
New Addition
In: Andrés Giménez (83 wRC+, 17.9 baserunning/defensive runs, 2.8 WAR).
The key return for Horwitz and arguably Toronto’s biggest offseason move, Giménez carries a contract similar to Anthony Santander’s. His value lies in his elite defense—he ranks second in MLB in Outs Above Average over the past three seasons, while also ranking 12th in stolen bases (80) with excellent efficiency. Only Dansby Swanson has generated more value without the bat in his hands.
The issue? His bat. While his 105 wRC+ over the last three years is decent for an infielder, that number is inflated by a red-hot 2022 that now looks like an outlier. Without that, his 90 wRC+ ranks near the bottom among qualified hitters over the past two seasons.
Even with his offensive struggles, Giménez remains a high-level regular due to his elite defense and baserunning. If he rebounds even to a league-average hitter, he’s an easy All-Star, and at 26, he’s entering his prime. However, it’s an odd fit for a Jays roster already overloaded with glove-first, bat-light players—especially at the cost of last season’s second-best hitter.
Outlook
Toronto’s position players posted 22.7 fWAR last season, ranking 11th in MLB, with 17.0 coming from the infield. Vlad, Horwitz, Clement, and Kirk had strong years, with solid contributions from IKF and Jimenez helping offset Bo’s struggles. It was the only unit that met expectations.
For the Jays to bounce back in 2025, the infield must step up again—if not improve. The overall group remains strong, with some credible depth outside of catcher. A return to form from Bo and a bit more offense from Giménez could push this unit into the league’s upper tier.