Blue Jays 'desperately' need hitting breakout from $150 million All-Star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
With just three wins in their last 10 games, the Toronto Blue Jays have an uphill battle if they want to compete in the AL East.
They are already 9.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the division standings, and a lot of that has to do with the struggles of a four-time All-Star and World Series champion.
Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller tabbed designated hitter George Springer as someone the Blue Jays desperately need to go on a hot stretch at the plate.
"Springer missed a few weeks with a fractured toe, and then improbably got drilled by a pitch on that still-healing toe a few games after his return. So, we know he's not operating at full strength," Miller wrote.
Springer managed .959 OPS with 32 home runs for the Blue Jays in 2025, but his production at the plate has taken a turn for the worse.
"Still, he had a .661 OPS when he landed on the IL, has a .552 OPS since his return, and simply needs to be contributing more than that if he's going to be the starting DH on a near-everyday basis, especially while Alejandro Kirk and Addison Barger are on the shelf," Miller added.
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With the way the Blue Jays are playing right now, having Springer return to All-Star form would do wonders for a lineup that is struggling.
He's connected for just two homers in 107 trips to the plate and has a -0.1 bWAR in 25 games.
At this stage of his career, the 36-year-old is almost exclusively a DH. A jolt of power is almost necessary for Toronto's playoff hopes.
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