Here's what Chapman trade means for Toronto

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- The Blue Jays found their major infield upgrade on Wednesday, landing star third baseman Matt Chapman from the A’s for a package of four prospects.

The gifted defender comes with offensive upside as he looks to bounce back from a down ’21 season at the plate, and he should give this roster a much different look over his next two seasons of team control in Toronto.

Looking ahead, here’s how Chapman will impact the Blue Jays in all phases:

Chapman’s defense isn’t just good, it’s elite

It’s difficult to avoid hyperbole when you discuss Chapman’s defense. The short version is that Chapman could be one of the best defensive infielders the Blue Jays have ever had. Relative to the Blue Jays' plans at third base entering the day, it's a substantial change.

“We asked a lot of guys last year, especially [Cavan] Biggio," GM Ross Atkins said Wednesday. "I think asking him to play third base, we knew it was a lofty ask and he gave it an incredible run. [Santiago] Espinal has been great for us bouncing around and filled in pretty well for us there. Now, having someone as accomplished as Matt Chapman to really stabilize that side of the infield will be great for Bo [Bichette, shortstop] and be great for those who are getting second-base opportunities. It really will help us have a much more well-rounded defense.”

In 2021, Chapman led all third basemen with 17 Outs Above Average (OAA), which ranked fourth among all defenders in baseball regardless of position. In 2019, his 14 OOA ranked him third at his position, and since he entered the league in ’17, he only trails nine-time Gold Glove winner Nolan Arenado.

Beyond Chapman’s three three Gold Gloves, he’s also picked up two Platinum Gloves, awarded to the best defender in each league. Add these accolades together and you have a human highlight reel with excellent fundamentals. This could also have an impact on the man to his left, Bichette.

“Chapman does play deep and plays in the hole,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said, “so we can always move Bo more up the middle.”

Which starting pitchers will benefit most?

Having a vacuum at third base will help anyone who takes the mound for the Blue Jays, and while Toronto doesn’t have a starter whose numbers lean into extremes with ground-ball contact to the left side, Hyun Jin Ryu and Yusei Kikuchi should be particularly happy with this addition.

Ryu’s career ground-ball rate sits at 49.3%, and while he’s allowed an average amount of pull contact across his career, his third basemen were busy in 2021. Part of this has to do with the velocity Ryu works at, as he’s not exactly catching right-handed hitters swinging late on a 90 mph fastball, so Chapman will be a valuable factor as Ryu looks to shake off a ’21 season that was below his standards.

“I’m sure it’s a very good feeling for Hyun Jin Ryu to look to his right and see a wall standing there,” said Atkins.

Kikuchi is close behind with a 47.7% ground-ball rate and an above-average pull rate. The key here is that, in ’21, Kikuchi allowed an average exit velocity of 91.9 mph, which put him in the bottom 1% of all pitchers. That’s not a place Kikuchi wants to be, but if there are some rockets coming back his way, who better than Chapman to save him?

“This is huge. Make them pull the ball,” Montoyo said. “He’ll catch it.”

• Atkins, Blue Jays believe Kikuchi 'just getting started'

Where does Chapman fit in the lineup?

Replacing Marcus Semien will still need a collective effort -- and perhaps another addition -- but the Blue Jays remain one of baseball’s most talented lineups. Chapman shouldn’t need to be the engine, either, after spending much of his time with the A’s batting second or third.

“We’re still righty-heavy, but he’s going to have some fun in this lineup, I know that,” Montoyo said. “It’s not only going to be about him. In Oakland, their offense wasn’t as good as ours. That’s going to help him out, too.”

Even in a down 2021 season, Chapman walked 80 times. On the Blue Jays, only Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (86) walked more. Yes, there will be strikeouts, with Chapman's 202 last season blowing away previous career highs, but when he was at his best in ’18 and ’19, his on-base tool was an asset. If he can return to that place, Chapman would be a fine bat to use between some of Toronto’s more aggressive hitters, breaking them up and balancing the lineup, even if he’s not a lefty.

There’s power here, too, and moving from Oakland to Toronto can only help that. In 2018, ’19 and ’20, Chapman ranked in the top 5% of baseball in terms of average and maximum exit velocity. He peaked at 36 home runs in ’19, but as Josh Donaldson showed when he made the move from the A’s to the Blue Jays, life is different in the AL East.