The Toronto Blue Jays‘ defense helped carry the club to a World Series berth in 2025. With many key contributors returning next season, the team is trending toward being an elite defense once again. Mike Petriello of MLB.com released a projected ranking of every defense using FanGraph’s Defensive Runs Above Average (DEF) stat as a baseline. The Blue Jays topped the list, finishing above the Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Boston Red Sox.
Petriello and team compiled the list by using DEF projections and playing time predictions. They also made some manual adjustments to limit the impact of players who spend most of their time as designated hitters.
FanGraphs defines DEF as a measure of defensive value relative to league average. The metric includes a positional adjustment that allows for comparison around the diamond, not just at individual spots. Toronto led the league in team DEF last season, edging the Cubs and Guardians.
Toronto Blue Jays Boast Several Elite Defenders
There are strong defensive players up and down this roster. Infielder Andres Gimenez and outfielder Daulton Varsho have four Gold Glove awards between them. Catcher Alejandro Kirk finished second among all players in Statcast’s Fielding Run Value stat this past season. He led all backstops in Blocks Above Average and ranked in the 98th percentile in Framing.
Utilityman Ernie Clement showed remarkable versatility last season. The veteran made at least 15 appearances at every infield position in 2025. He ranked in the 98th percentile in Statcast’s Outs Above Average metric. Outfielder Myles Straw doesn’t have a regular role, but he’s a standout glove off the bench. The speedy center fielder won a Gold Glove with the Guardians and serves as an excellent late-inning defensive replacement option.
The 2026 Defense Could Be Even Better
The team doesn’t have anywhere to go on the leaderboard after pacing the league in DEF, but one factor could make them even more impressive next season. Shortstop Bo Bichette has been one of the weakest defenders at his position in recent years. He posted -12 Defensive Runs Saved in 2025. Bichette ranked in the 1st percentile with -13 Outs Above Average this past season.
With Bichette heading to the New York Mets on a massive three-year, $126 million deal, the Blue Jays can now replace him with a more reliable defender. Gimenez slid over to shortstop when Bichette went down with a knee injury late in the 2025 season. He’s a strong bet to handle the position in 2026. Clement will likely earn more regular playing time at second base. The up-the-middle foursome of Kirk, Gimenez, Clement, and Varsho is one of the more defensively dominant groups in the league.
The lone drawback to the 2026 roster from a defensive perspective is the addition of Kazuma Okamoto. Toronto signed the Nippon Professional Baseball star to a four-year, $60 million deal this offseason. The slugger posted a strong .327/.416/.598 slash line in an injury-shortened campaign last year. His bat should help replace the offensive production lost by Bichette’s departure. His glove, on the other hand, has earned mixed reviews. Scouts question his ability to stick at third base in the big leagues.
Blue Jays Projected to Lead League in This Category