Blue Jays’ John Schneider sends four-word warning to struggling outfielder
The Toronto Blue Jays have reached the most important stretch of their season with almost no room for error.
On Monday, Toronto fell out of the American League playoff picture after a 6-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals, falling to a losing record on the year as the regular season quickly comes to a close. The fall highlighted the importance of every remaining game and even every remaining individual play, just as concerns are growing in left field.
Thanks in large part to a nightmare game against the division rival Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, in which he lost a ball in the roof and another in the lights, patience is wearing thin for Blue Jays outfielder Jesús Sánchez.
Those concerns resurfaced Sunday, when Sanchez dropped a routine fly ball in a loss against Kansas City. After the game, Blue Jays manager John Schneider offered a blunt warning to Sanchez.
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider sends warning after another mistake by Jesús Sánchez
After the latest mistake, Schneider offered a blunt assessment of Sánchez while attempting to defend the player.
“I think he was fighting the sun a little bit, but it seemed like he got over it,” Schneider said, according to MLB.comIt’s Keegan Matheson. “He missed it… We have to make sure we play tight. We don’t have to give anybody extra outs.”
And the coach added a clear four-word warning about the remaining room for errors like that.
“I have to get better,” Schneider added, according to Matheson.
Sanchez’s latest mistake came despite limited opportunities in the outfield. The seven-year veteran has started just four games in the outfield since the Tampa Bay series, and Sunday marked his fourth.
But that was already the third error of the season for Sánchez, who leads all left fielders in the Major Leagues despite having played only 44 games in that position.
Toronto acquired Sanchez from the Houston Astros during the offseason largely for his offensive upside. But after a good start to the season, his production has also cooled considerably.
Toronto Blue Jays have other options in left field as Jesús Sánchez struggles
With the playoff race getting tighter, Toronto has alternatives if Schneider decides Sanchez can’t be trusted defensively.
Myles Straw has increasingly taken over left field and offers significantly stronger defense. His bat has also been productive recently, giving the Blue Jays a compelling option when prioritizing run prevention.
Josh Smith could provide another possibility. Acquired from the Texas Rangers at the trade deadline, Smith has produced an impressive offensive streak since joining Toronto and has enough outfield experience to give the club another path.
Rookie Sean Keys is another intriguing possibility after hitting 28 home runs in the minors, although his limited outfield experience creates its own risk. And maybe Anthony Santander will return from injury in time to get some reps in the outfield.
