DUNEDIN – His spot on the high of the batting order not safe and his statistics trending downward, George Springer has a lot to show as he enters the penultimate season of his six-year cope with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Supervisor John Schneider plans to present the veteran right-fielder some reps in left area this season and says the leadoff spot will doubtless be “a fluid state of affairs.”
“He’s open to something and every little thing, which is superior,” Schneider mentioned. “So it’s simply attempting to make use of him appropriately.”
Springer, 35, posted sturdy numbers in his first yr with Toronto — an injury-riddled 2021 season — however his statistics have been on a gentle decline since.
He hit .267 with 25 homers and 76 RBIs over 133 video games in 2022. A yr later, he performed in 154 video games and hit .258 with 21 homers and 72 RBIs.
The four-time all-star endured a horrible first half final season. He was capable of pull his numbers up however nonetheless hit simply .220 over 145 video games with 19 homers and 56 RBIs.
“Clearly I didn’t do what I had hoped to do final yr,” Springer mentioned. “I perceive that, I settle for that, I acknowledge that. I feel a whole lot of it’s simply understanding what went incorrect, the way it incorrect and understanding tips on how to get your self out of it slowly however certainly.”
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Springer selected to not reveal specifics of any changes he has made as camp returned to regular Wednesday on the heels of the failed Vladimir Guerrero Jr. contract extension talks. The slugger will doubtless turn into a free agent after the 2025 season.
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“I simply sort of watched it from afar,” Springer mentioned. “I do know who he’s, I do know what sort of participant he’s, however crucial factor is he’s an ideal human.
“He’s right here to win and clearly a man like that in your group — for nonetheless lengthy — is nice.”
After spending his first seven seasons with the Houston Astros, Springer signed a team-record US$150-million cope with the Blue Jays in early 2021.
His arrival signalled the franchise was aiming for large issues after a wild-card spherical look within the shortened 2020 marketing campaign. Springer helped Toronto return to the playoffs in two of the subsequent three years however the group didn’t make the divisional collection.
With a veteran-heavy beginning rotation and homegrown pillars Guerrero and Bo Bichette coming into contract years, the stress is on the Blue Jays to make the most of an open aggressive window that might slam shut if there’s a weak first half.
“I’m very assured within the group that now we have and the mentality,” Springer mentioned. “It isn’t about tomorrow. It’s about now and I feel guys perceive that.”
A lifetime of the celebration sort, Springer is as outgoing and pleasant as they arrive.
His participating persona and jovial type helps hold issues gentle and energetic across the participant improvement advanced.
“He’s a veteran man who has been by way of rather a lot,” Schneider mentioned. “He is aware of when to push the envelope and is aware of when to again off. He is aware of when to have a bit of little bit of urgency and is aware of when to not panic.”
Schneider expects he’ll “combine and match” within the leadoff spot this season relying on the opposition and pitching matchups. That checklist, a minimum of as of Wednesday, included Springer, Bo Bichette, Will Wagner and Andres Gimenez.
“There’s a handful of men who can do it and we’re simply going to attempt to maximize (it) every evening,” Schneider mentioned.
Whereas his defensive play has been regular, Springer’s on-base share, slugging share and OPS have dropped yearly since his Toronto debut.
He had an OBP of .352 in 2021 nevertheless it was simply .303 final season. His slugging share (.555 to .371) and OPS numbers (.907 to .674) have dropped extra sharply over the identical span.
“I’m not attempting to chase outcomes,” Springer mentioned. “I’m simply doing no matter I can to assist us win that day. Whether or not it’s within the field, within the area, within the clubhouse. I additionally perceive that outcomes matter.
“So it’s simply being one of the best model of myself and we’ll see what occurs.”
Toronto kicks off pre-season play Saturday towards the New York Yankees.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Feb. 19, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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