The Blue Jays introduced that they’ve recalled infielder Spencer Horwitz, with infielder/outfielder Cavan Biggio designated for project in a corresponding transfer. Their 40-man roster rely drops to 39. Shi Davidi of Sportsnet relayed on X earlier that Horwitz was becoming a member of the membership.
Biggio, 29, has been in a multi-positional function for the Jays for some time. He confirmed a eager eye on the plate when he first arrived within the large leagues however it appears that evidently pitchers realized he wasn’t prone to do a lot harm in the event that they threw him extra strikes. He drew a stroll in 16.5% of his plate appearances in his rookie season in 2019 however that quantity has dropped 12 months over 12 months. It was 15.5% in 2020 after which went to 12.6%, 12.5% and 11.8% within the years after that.
Right here in 2024, Biggio has solely walked at a ten.7% clip. That’s nonetheless above league common, which is 8.3% thus far this season, however an enormous drop from the place he began. Strikeouts have additionally grow to be a rising downside for him over time. In 2021, he was punched out at a roughly league common charge of 23% however that ticked up into the excessive 20s in subsequent campaigns and is at present at a 32.1% clip right here this 12 months.
Because of his on-base skills, Biggio was in a position to hit .240/.368/.430 over the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He hit 16 residence runs within the first of these seasons however that’s now thought-about by many to be a “juiced ball” season the place residence runs reached unprecedented ranges. That manufacturing nonetheless translated to a wRC+ of 118 however he’s hit simply .219/.327/.351 since then for a 94 wRC+, which features a line of .200/.323/.291 and 88 wRC+ right here in 2024.
Defensively, Biggio has by no means acquired particularly robust grades anyplace on the diamond however has at the very least supplied the Jays with loads of versatility. That features one inning at shortstop however loads of time on the different three infield positions and within the outfield as properly.
As Biggio’s outcomes have declined over time, different gamers have slid into his multi-positional function. Davis Schneider is splitting his time between second base and left discipline and has hit .254/.364/.505 since his call-up final 12 months for a 145 wRC+. The Jays signed Isiah Kiner-Falefa within the offseason and he’s hitting round league common with robust protection at varied infield positions. Ernie Clement isn’t hitting a lot however will get stronger grades for his glovework than Biggio.
On prime of these three, there’s additionally the aforementioned Horwitz. He has been hitting very properly in Triple-A this 12 months, strolling in 17% of his plate appearances and producing a line of .335/.456/.514 for a 157 wRC+. He has primarily performed first base however the Jays lately began getting him some work at second base to be able to assist him coexist with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who performs first most days. The Jays have additionally experimented with Guerrero enjoying some third base of late but in addition have Justin Turner and Daniel Vogelbach within the first base/designated hitter rotation.
Amid all of that, it appears Biggio has been nudged off the roster for being type of in between. He doesn’t have as a lot offensive potential as guys like Schneider, Turner, Vogelbach and maybe Horwitz, whereas Kiner-Falefa and Clement are stronger defenders. The Jays additionally couldn’t ship Biggio all the way down to the minors as he now has greater than 5 years of service time.
That has nudged Biggio off the 40-man roster and the Jays will now have one week to commerce him or cross him via waivers. Since he has handed the five-year service time marker, he has the proper to reject an outright project and elect free company whereas additionally retaining all of his wage. He’s making $4.21MM this 12 months, with about $2.78MM left to be paid out. If anybody had been to assert him, they must tackle that wage however would even have the flexibility to retain Biggio through arbitration for subsequent 12 months.
