The Toronto Blue Jays entered play on Monday three games back of a wild card spot, and could look to add at the trade deadline.
The team had a very busy offseason on the heels of a World Series berth, but the results have been somewhat disappointing so far. Injuries have plagued them, but they are still in the postseason picture. They rank 24th in home runs, and adding a power bat should be a priority at the trade deadline. The Athletic's Jim Bowden tabbed Spencer Steer as the best fit for the Blue Jays in this year's trade frenzy.
"Steer can play first, third and left and is on pace to eclipse 20 homers for the fourth consecutive year," wrote Bowden on Monday. "He’s still only 28 but is arbitration eligible for the first time this offseason, which is why the Reds could move on from him."
Steer has hit at least 20 home runs in each of the last three seasons and is already at 14 home runs this year. Not only can he hit for power, but he has shown he can stay healthy, playing in at least 145 games in each of the previous three seasons.
Steer does not have a clear fit in the Blue Jays lineup, but his versatility would give John Schneider flexibility to get him into the lineup consistently. He cruches left handed pitching, posting a 1.044 OPS against southpaws this year. He could be the perfect platoon partner for rookie Yohendrick Piñango in left field. Piñango has played well, but has just a .448 OPS against left-handed pitching.
The Blue Jays are getting healthier, but they will need to add some help if they actually want to make another deep run in the postseason. At the very least, Steer could be plugged in as a regular designated hitter or allow Schneider to get Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the designated hitter spot. Regardless of where they would use him, he would certainly help their offense.