The Toronto Blue Jays are entering the 2026 season with a lineup packed with potential, even after the offseason departure of Bo Bichette. With a roster that helped them become the reigning AL champions, the Blue Jays are looking to keep the momentum going and contend once again.
In 2025, the Blue Jays were offensive powerhouses, ranking fourth in wRC+ (112), fourth in runs scored (798), third in wOBA (.330), and third in OPS (.761). At the heart of this success were George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who delivered wRC+ marks of 166 and 137, ranking them third and 13th in the American League, respectively. Springer typically led off, while Guerrero Jr. held down the third spot, a trend continuing in Spring Training.
The second spot in the lineup was often filled by Nathan Lukes or Davis Schneider in a platoon role, with Bichette handling cleanup duties. With Bichette gone, the Blue Jays are exploring new options to fill these crucial roles, and Daulton Varsho and Addison Barger are emerging as key players.
Addison Barger and Daulton Varsho were instrumental in 2025 and are expected to bring the heat again. Barger had a standout stretch from May to July, boasting a .277/.332/.554 slash line with a 141 wRC+.
Although he slumped later, his barrel rate, exit velocity, and hard-hit rate remained impressive. His postseason performance showed marked improvement in plate discipline, which has carried into Spring Training, making him a strong contender for a breakout 2026 season.
Daulton Varsho, limited to 71 games in 2025, still managed to match his career-high with 20 home runs. His increased bat speed and .310 ISO indicate his power potential, even if such numbers aren't sustainable long-term. Varsho's knack for pulling the ball in the air aligns with his best power-hitting season, and his Spring Training form suggests he's ready to contribute significantly.
Slotting Varsho and Barger in the second and fourth spots, surrounding Springer and Guerrero Jr., seems like a strategic move to maximize offensive output. While Alejandro Kirk and Kazuma Okamoto are also expected to contribute, their profiles suggest different lineup roles. Kirk's contact-oriented approach suits the fifth or sixth spot, while Barger and Varsho's power and discipline make them ideal for the top of the order.
The Blue Jays have experimented with these lineup configurations in Spring Training, indicating a willingness to optimize their batting order. Whether they fully commit to this setup remains to be seen, but positioning Varsho and Barger to maximize their impact seems like a savvy strategy for 2026.