Given they are coming off of a disappointing regular season with an under-achieving record of 74-88, it’s expected to be lean awards season for the Blue Jays.
That said, a couple of players have been recognized for their defensive prowess.
Third baseman Ernie Clement and centre fielder Daulton Varsho were each nominated on Tuesday as 2024 Rawlings Golf Glove Aware finalists after having strong seasons at their respective positions.
Clement is a finalist alongside Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros and Jose Ramirez of the ALCS finalist Cleveland Guardians.
The Jays third baseman was perhaps a surprise finalist given that he played only 661 innings at the hot corner. But he was one of the more impressive Jays to be given an opportunity for playing time in 2024.
Clement recorded 10 defensive runs saved and finished with a 2.2 defensive WAR, according to Baseball Reference. He had 16 defensive runs saved overall with another six at other spots on the infield.
Many feel it’s just a matter of time before Varsho captures a Gold Glove, given his spectacular play in the outfield. Spending most of the season in centre, Varsho led all MLB players in defensive runs saved with 29 before ending his season early with a shoulder injury.
It was the second consecutive season that Varsho led the majors in defensive runs saved (29 in 2023 as well), six more than any other player.
Varsho showed his versatility, recording 17 of his DRS in centre field and 12 in left despite missing the final two and a half weeks of the season due to injury.
The awards are decided in a vote from the 30 MLB managers and as many as six coaches from each team who are asked to vote from a pool of players in their own league, excluding those on their own roster. That vote accounts for 75% of the total with the SABR Defensive Index stats making up the remaining 25%.
The winners, selected from three finalists at each position in both the National and American Leagues, will be announced on Nov. 3.