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Toronto Blue Jays' 2023 Breakout Player Gets Role Clarified Heading into 2024
USA TODAY Sports

As the Toronto Blue Jays look to find ways to get him on the field, Davis Schneider will focus on second base and left field at spring training, according to reports.

According to Shi Dividi of Sportsnet:

— Davis Schneider did OF work over the winter and he’ll be focused on 2B and LF 

— Alex Manoah’s delivery “is in really good spot right now” and “his mental state of mind is right where it should be.” 

— Yariel Rodriguez comes in as a SP but will be cautious b/c of long layoff

1) It makes sense that the Jays will try to exploit Schneider's versatility. He burst onto the scene in 2023, hitting .276 with eight home runs in just 116 at-bats, so getting his bat into the lineup is clearly a good thing.

2) It seems as if Schneider could be transitioning into the Whit Merrifield role. Merrifield was an All-Star for Toronto in 2023 but is not anticipated to re-sign with the team.

3) Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Cavan Biggio and Santiago Espinal are all options to play at second base, but if "IKF" plays third base, perhaps Schneider could end up beating the other two out at the keystone.

The Blue Jays finished third in the American League East last season and advanced to the playoffs for the second straight year. They were beaten in the wild card round by the Minnesota Twins, marking the second straight year that they've been swept in that round.

The team has brought in Kiner-Falefa, Rodriguez, Chad Green and Justin Turner this offseason.

This article first appeared on FanNation Fastball and was syndicated with permission.

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