As Mike Trout has proven again and again, one player isn’t enough to change a team’s fate at the MLB level. That doesn’t mean one move can’t.
When the Toronto Blue Jays signed George Springer to a six-year, $150-million contract Tuesday night, they took a step that goes beyond what the 31-year-old brings on the field. And to be clear, that’s an awful lot. With his combination of power, patience and solid centre field defence, Springer has been one of the top-10 position players in the league over the last two seasons. He plugs this team’s biggest defensive hole, and may well be the best hitter in an already powerful lineup.