Part 5 - like the last one, we have a strong incumbent but good free agents exist. Could the Jays force Biggio to go elsewhere on the field?
Minors...
Free Agents...
- DJ LeMahieu is the big one - 177 OPS+/wRC+ last year, 100 wRC+ lifetime (IE: don't expect that bat to repeat). His UZR/150 was -1.0 but 4.7 lifetime so he is probably league average still on defense. Not wow, but nice. At 3B he was -11.2 last year, -1.3 lifetime, but was barely positive the year he played there the most (0.8 in 400 innings in 2019). Also 4 innings lifetime at SS, 299 at 1B. Entering his age 32 season - remember 2B do not age well so no more than 3 years unless you are willing to write off anything beyond that. Has a Qualifying offer attached (the only 2B with that).
- Kolten Wong - 92 wRC+ in 2020, 96 lifetime (ie: what you see is what you get) Entering his age 30 season so less of a risk to drop off quickly. 7.5 UZR/150 at 2B last year 5.9 lifetime. In 2016 he was used in all 3 OF positions as well for just 106 innings. So this is a pure 2B who is excellent on defense which would be a nice change of pace for the Jays.
- Others are weak (such as Villar) and would be no more than a backup here.
No good/realistic trade prospects jumped out at me.
So basically it is DJ LeMahieu or Wong or why bother. The minors are weak here but Biggio is strong. Not really seeing much point unless LeMahieu or Wong are much cheaper than expected. Wong might be (Cards didn't pick up his $12 mil option) and would work nicely if Biggio is good with shifting to 3B (not a fan of him there, but he is a known hard worker) or to a super-utility role (ie: plays at every position on a rotating basis to give everyone some rest).