The Toronto Blue Jays are outside a playoff spot after the break, a jarring reality just a year removed from a World Series appearance.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer have been well below expectations all season, and Toronto's once-dangerous offense has fallen off dramatically as a result.
That's the backdrop for Chris Rose's prediction on Talkin' Baseball, tying the Blue Jays to Kansas City Royals outfielder Lane Thomas.
"The Blue Jays are still in it, but need some help offensively," Rose said. "This guy isn't going to change the world, but he's an athletic outfielder who can still hit left-handed pitching. Lane Thomas is on his way north of the border."
Thomas is hitting .234 with seven home runs and 31 RBIs this season, modest numbers compared to his career-high 28 homers and 86 RBIs in a better year.
As a pending free agent, the acquisition cost shouldn't be steep, exactly the kind of low-risk addition a team in Toronto's spot could justify.
The need is real. Addison Barger is out with an elbow injury until at least August 10, and Jesus Sanchez, who's actually been productive at .274 with seven homers, is dealing with an ankle issue that could keep him out until July 20.
Why Schneider is begging for more thump in the lineup
Guerrero is hitting .259 with six home runs, Springer sits at .218 with nine homers, and Kirk is down at .202, all numbers well off where Toronto needs its core to perform.
Varsho rounds out the group at .244 with seven homers, completing a picture of a lineup that's lost its identity from a year ago.
Schneider didn't mince words about what needs to change.
"We got to flip it," Schneider said. "When you look up at like Varsh, Kirky, Vlad, obviously, and George, you need some more slug out of those guys. They gotta get some pitches to hit them hard."
It's a bit like an entire band playing out of tune at the same time, and no single fix solves it without everyone finding their note again.
Does adding a modest bat like Thomas actually move the needle, or does Toronto need its core four to rediscover their form regardless of who else gets added?
Would Lane Thomas actually help fix the Blue Jays' offensive problems?
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