A LOOK AT JAYS’ OUTFIELD
The projected outfielders for the Blue Jays this season:
JOSE BAUTISTA
Right field: Since 2010, Bautista has hit 227 home runs. Nobody else has hit even 200 in that time. The stately slugger is the face of the Jays’ franchise, but also facing his potential swan song in Toronto as a pending free agent. His future with the team will be debated all season long, but what’s clear is that he is still among the game’s elite hitters. Will there be another bat-flippable moment? KEVIN PILLAR
Centre field: Following last season’s breakout campaign, Pillar entered spring training this year with a guaranteed job for the first time in his career. He was a human highlight reel in 2015 and was a Gold Glove finalist. He finished second on the team in hits last season (behind only Josh Donaldson) and is expected to start this year in the leadoff spot, at least until Devon Travis returns from the disabled list.
MICHAEL SAUNDERS
Left field: Nobody was more excited to play for the Jays last year than Saunders, which made the Canadian outfielder’s nearly season-long knee injury particularly dispiriting. Then this year, he was nearly traded, but the widely reported deal with the Reds and Angels fell apart at the last minute. This spring, the Victoria native has played like he has something to prove, jostling for the team lead in hits, homers and RBI, while his knee appears to be fully healed.
JUNIOR LAKE
Bench: The 25-year-old Dominican, who was claimed off waivers by the Jays in December, spent most of last season in the minors. He doesn’t have much of a major-league track record, either offensively or defensively, but he hit .312 in Triple-A last season. He’s had a decent spring and is out of options so could squeak onto the roster as the extra outfielder.
EZEQUIEL CARRERA
Bench: The 28-year Venezuelan made his way into 91 games for the Jays last year, serving decently in the part-time role. He has the most experience of any of the extra-outfielder candidates, but posted a dismal minus-10 defensive-runs-saved mark for the Jays last season. He’s out of options. Brendan Kennedy