The Blue Jays announced this evening they’ve activated Cavan Biggio from the COVID-19 injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Buffalo. The Jays had a vacancy on the 40-man roster, so no additional move was necessary.
Biggio has appeared in minor league games on rehab stints over the past couple seasons, but this is the first time he’s been sent to the minors as an official assignment since he made his MLB debut in May 2019. That he’s been squeezed off the active roster for the time being is a testament both to his recent struggles and the strong work of new starting second baseman Santiago Espinal.
Over his first two MLB seasons, Biggio posted above-average offensive numbers revolving around excellent on-base skills. An exceedingly patient hitter, he was among the game’s best at drawing walks and reached base at a .368 clip in a bit shy of 700 plate appearances. Both his walk and power numbers took a step back last season, though, and he struggled to a .224/.322/.326 line across 79 games.
In spite of that downturn, Biggio was the Jays’ Opening Day second baseman this year. He collected just one hit and three walks over his first 13 games, however, and he’d begun to cede playing time to Espinal even before landing on the IL on April 27. The latter has continued to produce after the calendar flipped to May and owns a .282/.347/.445 line through 124 plate appearances. Espinal has seized a place in the regular infield alongside Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Matt Chapman, leaving no room in the starting lineup for Biggio.
Biggio entered this season with two years and 129 days of service, putting him on a trajectory to reach free agency after the 2025 season. He has accrued roughly 39 more service days this year, leaving him just a few days shy of hitting the three-year threshold. (Players are credited with a full service year upon reaching 172 days on an MLB roster or injured list). Assuming he’s recalled at some point this season — which seems likely barring major struggles or injury in the minors — his free agent trajectory won’t be affected by today’s demotion.
St. Louis defeated St. Louis in the 1944 World Series.
New York defeated New York in the 2000 world series
Los Angeles defeated Los Angeles in the 2022 World Series.
Oooooo
Chicago defeated Chicago in the 1906 World Series.
Have to hit , pretty simple.
Being a former top prospect and son of a Hal of Famer, just isn’t enough anymore, he actually needs to produce. I hope he gets it together in the minors.
When was it ever “enough”?
Like that lady sang in that Hugh Jackman circus chic flic
He wasn’t really a top prospect…40 fv @ fangraphs.
Never liked this guy because he can’t hit, field, run, or make me feel tingly inside. Always seemed like a nepotism call-up who was rushed to the bigs because of his daddy’s name. That opinion changed when I first used his milestone card in The Show. IT SUCKS!!!! FYM you’re a 91 OVR with 0 hitting stats above 98??? Rubbish!!! Anyway seeing as he only has 59 PWR L and 91 CON R it seems he is strongly outperforming the attributes given to him by Sony San Diego. He is one of the few men I can truly say I respect with my entire heart.
Fletcher: Your post left me conflicted. I hated him when I started reading it, now I’m rooting for him. Which is it? Do we love the guy at the end of this emotional roller coaster prompted by a video game? Either way, I’m on board.
His stats in your video game are not to your liking ?
Feeling this in my bones right now.
Biggio 91 Milestone raked last year
He could probably start to hit if he would quit having convulsions with his top half while in the box. Way too much movement pre-swing.
Matt Carpenter must have been his hitting coach!!
All I know is Cavan biggio has strong wrists and he’s definitely a better player than Bo Bichette.
#scoutseyes
I assume that is meant as sarcasm.
Safe to say
Whatever happened to the Scouts eyes guy?
He realized no one believed his story and either left or changed his name like many posters do.
I know
I miss him too
He’s got me muted after I kept posting about him calling Semien a spare part and Ray a 6th starter.
When your going to make outlandish stupid statements and people hold your feet to the fire just say “ I was wrong” instead of doubling down and pretending like you know something
No way, I remember that guy. We argued for days once. He was telling me both Joe Musgrove and Trevor Williams were 5th starters at best. Well, atleast one of those takes were ok I guess.
Trevor Williams has had injury issue since he left the Pirates though too. So I’m still not all-in on that take yet..lol.
If he would’ve said “Trevor Willimas won’t stay healthy and is nothing more than a 5th starter” then I’d totally agree with it.!!
And TrevorWilliams was coming off a 14-10, 170IP, 3.11ERA, 1.18WHIP and 136K season with the Pirates.
Good analysis thanks
Even if he doesn’t get it together, hitting 2 out of 3 on legacy players was a pretty impressive feat for Toronto. Bo and Vlad are awesome to watch play.
And Ollie Kirk Jr
The Jays are stronger without him: He was disastrous through the beginning of the season and the team can’t afford so many automatic outs. As others said here, you gotta be able to hit. Unless he becomes the superstar of AAA land, he’s gone for good this time.
5th round pick, could have a decent career as a back up. But has to hit. Might need a new start elsewhere.
Pedigree means nothing, nor does rookie year success. Two cases in point: Pete Rose Jr and Warren Morris.
Rose Jr got a brief cup of coffee with the 1997 Reds and just couldn’t match his father.
Morris was in the ROY balloting in 1999, hit a tick under .300 with the Bucs. His numbers fell off dramatically the next two years. He had a little success with the 2003 Tigers but that was about it for him.
You can always hope he’s a late bloomer somewhere with a change of scenery. Might not be a bad trade piece for a team willing to take a flyer.
Warren Morris, tough legacy to follow. His pops Garrett – comedy legend
Don’t forget his uncle Mercury lol
In all seriousness, it must be brutal to follow in the footsteps of a Hall of Famer…regardless of the sport.
That used to be more common, the children of famous athletes rarely became stars, but that’s not the case today. Matt Holidays son will be the next big one, kid can rake
Probably helps that Matt Holliday also is a hitting coach. Some great players could play but not necessarily teach.
He had a little success with the 2003 Tigers? That’s like saying he was the least smelliest turd.
Do the reverse of dad and grab the catcher’s glove
Maybe a trade to Houston will get the Biggio bloodline back on track?
Maybe some help via Houston penchant for er, advanced batter intelligence
Would not mind if the Orioles would take a shot at acquiring Biggio. We do need a everyday starting 2B and we do have talent in the minors to make a trade.
@OF
Hahahahaha, you beat me to this
Honestly McKenna for Biggio could make sense.. McKenna’s a good reserve OF w some upside who can be optioned and is controlled for 6 years.
Biggio is probably done in TOR barring an injury to bring him back up. He’s already making 2 million bucks. You’re not paying him that to not play or ride the AAA shuttle for very long.
He’s always been overrated
Biggio had 26 home runs, 99 RBI’s and drew 100 walks in 2018 at AA New Hampshire. Seeing he was only 23, I understand the optimism.. Seeing he’s 27 now, he’s definitely in a “now or never” situation. Right now, the whole Toronto lineup is struggling and they are fast becoming a dot in the Yankees rear view mirror. Sometimes the league just simply figures a player out. Look at the decline of Jesse Barfield for proof. Barfield went from leading the league in home runs in 1986to a steady decline that saw him out of the league 5 years later. It happens.
I was never sold on Biggio as a star, thinking he’s more of a multi-positional bench piece, not a starter. He can be pitched to, which is now eroding his OBP skill. He’ll be back, but expectations on what type of player he’ll be should be greatly lowered.
He’s got the best skill set every gm in the game looks for to start. OBP. It’s hard to be a Ben zobrist type and that’s what the jays were using him as.
Given they still don’t have any lefty hitters he won’t be down for long.
He might be a nice buy low candidate at the deadline, when Toronto will probably be facing a roster crunch at that time
Yup, I was thinking that it is time for TO to trade him. There are likely a couple of GMs that think they can turn him around, and they might.
Could have sworn this guy had the letter L in his first name
Better this Big 0 than Bradley Zippo
If he stays healthy. Vlad Jr could become the all-time home run Leader.
Maybe he goes down to AAA and figures things out.
The change his approach at the plate
They did this with Teoscar 4-5 years ago and now look at him
But they probably should have done thins with Calvin a couple of years ago.
I think he’s got a shot to turn it around in AAA, if he gets regular PT. They write the article like Espinal took his position, but it was a platoon from the start. They would even pinch hit for him if a lefty came in from the pen. Struggles plus platoon duty are hard to overcome.
Pitchers have figured out he struggles with high end velocity, especially up in the zone. He seems to be protecting for that, which leaves him vulnerable to soft stuff.
We cant discount injury. He was playing most of last season with some sort of taping on his trap and was clearly not 100%
He has a great eye, and likely would benefit from robo umps as he gets screwed by the Angel Hernandez’s of the world. who routinely get close pitches wrong.
I still have hope for him. If nothing else he can be a platoon, pinch hitter, utility guy.
I would say swap him to Houston, but they already got Dubon. Maybe Washington. He’s got to be a better long term option than Escobar, Hernandez, or Gordon. Maybe pick up one of the vet bullpen pieces like Cishek or Erasmo Ramirez from Washington in a deal.
Man the Nationals have a LOT of older players for a bad team. They are going to need a major multi-year overhaul soon.
Long over do move. Needs to work on his 2 strike swing, like get one. Gives away too many at bats. Defense at 2nd medicore but acceotable if the bat plays, 3rd base abysmal but hes not a 3rd baseman.
Hope he can find the groove and contribute.
I certainly feel bad for Cavan, however as they say, that’s how the ball bounces. Now it’s time to refocus and work harder than he ever has before for himself now. The Jays have made their choice so he now needs to hone his skills for a future with possibly another team. Cavan has all the genetics to be an all star and now show he deserves to be in the Show and stay there! I know he can do it!