Blue Jays' fielding strength magnified by Yankees' defensive collapse
For nearly three seasons, the Toronto Blue Jays have owned that top-of-the-line, ergonomic pillow. They've won back-to-back American League team Gold Glove awards and sit top 10 in defensive runs saved and Outs Above Average again this year.
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A diving catch or perfect relay throw draws attention, every so often, to Toronto's best asset. But, for the most part, it's the team's quiet strength. It's difficult to appreciate when routine plays are just that — routine — until truly bad fielding swings a pivotal division game.
The New York Yankees outhomered the Jays 7 to 1 in three games at Rogers Centre. But the gloves earned Toronto a series win. Wednesday's error-filled, 8-4 victory lifted the 60-42 Blue Jays to a tie for the American League's best record, earned a tiebreaker advantage over the Yankees and highlighted the crisp defence that lives quietly behind the team's 2025 success.
'The little things,' Ernie Clement said. 'The fundamental things, the things that you don't really think about are so magnified when you're playing a good team. And we've absolutely keyed in on that.'
The Yankees committed four errors in the series finale — a number that doesn't fully encapsulate the many miscues. Cody Bellinger drifted helplessly in right field, losing a ball in the sky that dropped for a Clement triple, and Max Fried failed to cover home plate, allowing George Springer to dart home for an extra run.
The Jays have committed just two errors, total, in six games since the All-Star break. When asked whether games like this give him extra appreciation for Toronto's sound fielding, manager John Schneider was clear: 'Hell, yeah.'
'Outs are precious,' Schneider added. 'And you can see how the game can get flipped with one swing.'
Leo Jiménez darted to his left on the first play of the game. Trent Grisham's bouncing ball seemed destined for the outfield turf before Jiménez leapt, with glove outstretched. The second baseman snared the ball, pivoting onto his back to fire a throw to first that beat Grisham by millimetres. After a replay confirmed the out, the home crowd unleashed an appreciative cheer.
After review, the runner is out! What a play by Leo Jimenez. 😮💨
Watch Yankees vs. Blue Jays LIVE on Sportsnet 📺 pic.twitter.com/kDUSdQSlkA
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 23, 2025
The flashed leather that kickstarted Wednesday's contest would not become the norm, as the Yankees followed it with four costly errors. But it's become expected in the field, for Toronto. The Jays' defence has stolen 13 more outs than average this season, according to Baseball Savant. The fielding has saved 10 runs, despite top fielders Daulton Varsho and Andrés Giménez missing significant time. Both numbers are best in the American League East and top three in the AL.
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'Every single night there's something crazy that we're doing,' Chris Bassitt said. 'I don't really take it for granted, because I'm like, 'How in the world?' But it's just, we make a lot of top plays.'
Defence was Toronto's defining feature the last two seasons. The Team Gold Gloves were all the team won. Kevin Kiermaier, Matt Chapman and José Berríos' 2023 Gold Gloves were consolation prizes after they crashed out of the postseason in consecutive wild-card games for the second straight year.
This year, though, fielding is one strength, not the only one. Rounding out the other facets lifted Toronto to true contender. But as the offence jumps from dismal to solid and the bullpen resurrects after a disastrous 2024, defensive strength has faded to the background.
The fielding is still there for the Blue Jays, though, and could get better with returns from Varsho and Giménez. On nights like Wednesday — facing defensive performances like the Yankees' — the Jays' quiet strength became loud again.
(Photo of Alejandro Kirk and Yariel Rodríguez: Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images)
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Kyle Schwarber will defer his Indiana University Hall of Fame selection because of attendance rule
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