Gibbons: Blue Jays could pursue Fowler, Revere for leadoff spot
Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins continues his search for help in the outfield, as well as finding someone to hit atop of a good lineup. Manager John Gibbons seems to have his eye on two free agents and one former face.
When speaking with reporters Tuesday, Gibbons was asked who he thought would bat leadoff in 2017: "(Dexter) Fowler could answer that question. Ben Revere? That’s another name we’ve definitely thrown around," he said, according to John Lott of The Athletic.
| Player | Games | HR | RBI | AVG | OBP | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dexter Fowler | 125 | 13 | 48 | .276 | .393 | 4.2 |
| Ben Revere | 103 | 2 | 24 | .217 | .260 | -1.2 |
The Blue Jays' interest in Fowler has been well-documented throughout the offseason as the team reportedly extended a four-year, $60-million deal to the 30-year-old center fielder, which he subsequently rejected. Fowler is said to be seeking a contract that will pay him $18 million per year (the Blue Jays' offer would have paid him $15 million each year).
Revere would be a familiar face in the Blue Jays' clubhouse as the 28-year-old played 56 games for the club in 2015 after being acquired at the trade deadline. Last offseason under new management, the Blue Jays traded Revere to the Washington Nationals for reliever Drew Storen; a move that didn't work out for either side as Revere struggled due to an oblique injury, and Storen was shipped out of town for reliever Joaquin Benoit.
Due to his struggles, Revere was non-tendered by the Nationals and was granted free agency. For his career, he's hit .285/.320/.342 but offers limited power (six career home runs) and mediocre defense in the outfield (minus-12 defensive runs saved in the outfield).