With All The Tulo/Travis Injuries, Is It Time To Search For Another Starting Middle Infielder?

Over the course of the season, the Blue Jays have had numerous issues with their middle infielders. Obviously, it's not that they are playing badly, it's that their bodies just aren't holding out. After a rather lengthy injury to Troy Tulowitzki to start the season, and a couple less severe injuries to Travis, it might just be time to think about bringing in an everyday starting middle infielder. Combined this season, Travis and Tulo have only played 81 games (Travis at 50, Tulo at 31) out of the Blue Jays total 64 played. With each player missing a lot of time, it might just be worth bringing in a starter, as they will be starting pretty often, despite our strong middle infield. With that, lets take a look at some options:

Option 1: ZACH COZART, Cincinnati Reds starting SS, can also play 2B, and 3B. Considering his age, and that he is on a rebuilding team, there is a high chance that he is in reach for the Jays, even with their limited farm system.

Option 2: BRETT LAWRIE, Free Agent, former Blue Jay, plays 3B, 2B, SS. Being a former Blue Jay, fan favourite, and favourite teammate, Lawrie could be a potential great fit with Toronto. Despite not being an everyday starter, he makes this list because he would be a fantastic bench player, and because he is a natural fit with Toronto.

Option 3: CORY SPANGENBERG, San Diego Padres UTL, plays INF, OF. Spangenberg has come close to a player that could start for a contending team, but he is not quite there yet. However, he is a very valuable asset that the Jays should try and trade for, especially since he is a left handed bat. Another point, similar to Cozart, Spangenberg is also on a rebuilding team, and although he is only in his mid 20's, he won't be overly hard to trade for.

Option 4: JONATHAN VILLAR, Milwaukee Brewers UTL, plays INF, OF. The speedy switch hitting 2016 breakout could be a major target for Toronto going forward. Again, like the other two trade options, he is on a rebuilding team. However, that isn't the most important part. He can solve many problems, as he can also play the outfield very well (New LF?).

Alright, let's start this off with option 1, Zach Cozart. How realistic would I rate this trade of happening, assuming that they were going to make a trade or sign one of these guys? I would say that of the four, this is third most likely to happen. So far this season, Cozart has been killing it. Hit batting average up to this point is a staggering .329, and thanks to it, he has surprisingly just surpassed Corey Seager to lead the all-star voting for shortstops. Despite a rising stock, and getting older, I just can't see the Reds letting go of him yet. It is as if he is locked into the team. The Reds will never trade him, Votto, Mesoraco, etc, for no real good reason. Even if the Jays were to offer them a rather attractive deal, including prospects such as Max Pentecost and Justin Maese, I still can't see them taking it. Due to the lack of interest on the Reds side, I think it's time to move on.

Now time for option 2, Cory Spangenberg. This seems like a much more realistic deal. I would rate this option as the most likely, and with little doubt. With the Jays in need of left handed hitters, and outfield depth, Spangenberg looks like a fantastic option. The 26 year old utility man has hit .271 so far this season with 3 home runs in 133 at-bats. Over the course of his 3 year career, he has been played in left field, right field, centre field, second base, and third base, and he is easily capable of manning the shortstop and first base positions as well. Even more convincing, is that the Padres are willing to trade just about anyone but Wil Myers during this rebuild, and every player looks relatively easily accessible. A trade for Spangenberg would not require too much. The Jays would likely only need to give away 2 or less prospects rated anywhere from the 8-25 range (in the teams top 30 prospects list), if even. This would be a great option, considering the little they would have to give up, and the player that they would be getting in return, solving their needs.

Option 3, Canadian INF Brett Lawrie is now on the board. I would rate this very close to Spangenberg as the best option. However, given that Lawrie has struggled lately, he is bumped a little bit to the second spot. The former Blue Jays fan favourite is currently a free agent, after getting released by the White Sox this past offseason. Despite his struggles last year on the offensive side (.248 batting average), he is still a good option thanks to his athleticism, fan base, past team chemistry, and potential (as he is only 27). Even better, the Jays won't have to give up anyone to get him. Being a free agent, they could likely offer him a cheap contract, and he would likely be willing to take up a bench role. He would be another great fit for Toronto, but wouldn't be a great long term solution like Spangenberg, which is why he comes in second.

Lastly, option 4, Jonathan Villar. The 26 year old utility man is the fourth, and most unlikely option for the Jays. The 2016 break out seems like a swell option, considering that he is very fast, a switch hitter, and a utility man, and possibly a future starting outfielder for Toronto. However, there are many reasons that they Jays should not/could not trade for him. Firstly, the Brewers are very keen on him. Being that he is only 26. Also, to get someone who really showed potential like him last year, really comes at a high price of a lot of good prospects, which Toronto simply cannot provide. Even worse, and probably the most critical point, is that Villar is in a terrible slump this season. His batting average is only at .213, and he only has 6 home runs. Considering that the Jays want to win right now and need someone immediately, and not in sometime in the future really lowers the chances of this deal.

Just to wrap things up, if Toronto was to take one of these options, as they should right now, they should take Cory Spangenberg. He is a contact first left handed bat, who is only 26, and who can play most of the infield, and the whole outfield. Seeing that he is already doing relatively well this season, and that his price tag is low, he is an extremely good option, expecially when you put into consideration that he would still be ok with sitting on the bench or, playing the outfield when both Tulo and Travis are healthy.