Blue Jays Veteran Sends Front Office Message With Brett Bateman Seizing His Job

The Toronto Blue Jays have spent the second half of the season oriented toward the near-term future, even while trying to keep their postseason hopes alive.

That balancing act became apparent after the club acquired outfielder Brett Bateman at the trade deadline. The 23-year-old arrived as a key piece of the return for veteran starter Kevin Gausman and immediately brought another intriguing defensive option to Toronto’s outfield.

Bateman has gotten off to a strong start with the Blue Jays and he has emerged as an intriguing piece for both the present and future. But his arrival could mean the end of the road for a veteran teammate.

Toronto Blue Jays Veteran Myles Straw Sends Clear Message After Brett Bateman Trade Addition

For Myles Straw, Bateman’s arrival could have a significant impact on the future with two club option years ahead, each worth $8 million. The former Gold Glover is batting just .222 this season and is now watching the young trade addition make a case for a fourth outfielder role or even an everyday center fielder.

“Bateman’s defence and speed, alone, should make him part of the Jays’ 2027 outfield mix in some fashion,” Mitch Bannon wrote for The Athletic. “His floor, as many evaluators suggested at the deadline, is a big-league fourth outfielder. The real question is whether Myles Straw will join him.”

With a club option ahead and his performance at the plate lacking, Straw indicated that he is aware that his future role on the team is undecided when he offered a message to the club’s decision makers.

“I want to be able to come back here next year,” Straw told Bannon. “However I’ve got to do that, to make someone happy up in the front office to come back, I’ll do that.”

Toronto Blue Jays Face Roster Question After Brett Bateman Trade

Straw could still be a sound investment from the Blue Jays at $8 million next season, particularly if he shows some improvement in the batter’s box in a final playoff push. But he could also be fighting a losing battle if Bateman does the same, particularly with a discounted buyout price available on his contract.

“The lack of pop is why most scouting reports project Bateman as a reserve. In other words, he might become the replacement for Straw, who is now competing against him for playing time but likely isn’t long for the Jays with an $8-million (U.S.) club option that is certain to be bought out for $1.75 million this off-season,” Gregor Chisholm reported for the Toronto Star.

For Straw, that appears to be a challenge that he wants the front office to know he is willing to embrace.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com