And It’s not just about Clement and Schneider getting on the team over Espinal but we also need to give them playing time over Biggio.
I am so tired of management giving Biggio so many opportunities only for him to have one tiny hot stretch and then for people to think he’s going to turn the corner the next season… I would take the mystery box at 2B (Clement/Schneider) over Biggio. Biggio needs to be a bench bat imo.
Biggio was an above average hitter last year with only one bad month (16 wRC+ in Mar/Apr).
In his 5 seasons, he has one bad year (he played through wrist and spine injuries and couldn't swing properly) and 1 slightly below average year (he got COVID partway through the year).
Schneider is not a lock to make this team. In fact, unless his at bats improve, I'd say that he's on the outside looking in, given that his K rate has ballooned (he's over 50% so far on the spring).
Espinal for some reason didn't hit lefties last year. As a defensive infielder who hits lefties, that obviously carried over to the field.
I love Clement. What he brings to the table intrigues me because his K rate dropped, which bodes well for success at the MLB level. I don't think there's as much of a crunch between these three (if they are all here) as some would think.
Right now, I'd have Biggio starting at 2B (with Espinal playing against righties)
I'd have IKF starting at 3rd (unless someone takes that), but against lefties he'd play LF and one of Varsho/Kiermaier would play CF with the other sitting) and Clement would play 3rd.
If the Jays grabbed a traditional outfielder, I see that player not playing a lot out of the gate while they work on fixing the problems that made the player available. That would leave the player as a PH and defensive sub (defense optional). This is also the roster spot that Vogelbach is vying for. The other option would be to bring someone like Lukes or Eden and a glove and running option (basically without having 13 guys forcing a roster spot, the last guy is likely to fill a specific niche).