The Toronto Blue Jays an surprising plan in place for Michael Stefanic
Photo credit: AngelsWin.com
One of the Toronto Blue Jays additions from this off-season, Michael Stefanic, might end up surprising a lot of people this year, making the Opening Day roster.
The Blue Jays announced earlier this off-season that they closed on a minor league deal with infielder Michael Stefanic which includes a Spring Training invite and it looks like it might be end up being a bigger signing than most expected.
One move that has flown quietly under the radar was the signing of infielder Michael Stefanic to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training. The deal came in early December, with Stefanic hitting free agency after being outrighted to the triple-A roster and electing free agency shortly after. -Shushkewich
Blue Jays Michael Stefanic might actually have a chance at making the Opening Day roster
The Blue Jays have a ton of young infielders in there system that are ready to take the next step such as Orelvis Martinez, Leo Jimenez, Will Wagner and Addison Barger which is why many forget about Stefanic.
However, when looking at the experience that Stefanic has over these younger players plus with the success he has had in certain momentss during his time in the MLB, he might actually beat out one of these younger players for an Opening Day roster spot.
Considering the Blue Jays have a glut of talented infielders - Leo Jimenez, Addison Barger, Will Wagner, Orelvis Martinez - Stefanic may seem like the odd man out, especially since he would need a 40-man spot and is out of MiLB options. While it's not a splashy signing like Pete Alonso or Alex Bregman, what makes Stefanic an interesting name in the mix for the Jays Opening Day roster is how ZiPS is projecting for the 29-year-old to have a solid showing in 2025. -c
Stefanic could end up being a solid bench player for the Blue Jays next season and if he ends up performing when used, he might end up finding himself a more permanent role.
Should Stefanic replicate at least some of the ZiPS numbers, the Blue Jays may have just found some gold off the bench. It's wishful thinking, but I am all for more competition this spring to determine who should stay in the big leagues and who should wait in the wings, ready to pounce when the opportunity strikes. -Shushkewich
Despite all of this, it might all come down to how Stefanic ends up performing at Spring Training in a few weeks.
Source: Blue Jays Nation
Blue Jays: Michael Stefanic is a dark horse candidate for the Opening Day roster in a bench role
Blue Jays: Michael Stefanic is a dark horse candidate for the Opening Day roster in a bench role
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