With One Option Left in 2026, What Will the Fate of a 27-Year-Old Utility Player Be With the Blue Jays?
After just one day up, Davis Schneider has been optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons for the fourth time this year. Players usually have three years to be optioned to the Minors, but that limit applies only five times per year. So, the 27-year-old can be optioned once more before he has to go through waivers. If that happens, all 29 other teams can pick him up before he can return to Toronto’s Minors. Was this a waste of an option, a sign that the utility player’s time with the Jays is coming to an end?
Schneider’s MLB Debut was on August 3rd, 2023, and he stayed in the Majors until April 17th, 2025. The utility player was recalled a month and a half later on June 1st. He then stayed in Toronto until this year’s options started on May 25th. Just under a month later, the righty returned to the Majors on June 12th. He only lasted about two weeks with the Jays before being optioned for the second time on June 30th. On July 23rd, the 27-year-old was recalled once again. August 10th was his third option. On August 21st, the New Jersey native returned for one game: he played left field for two innings and didn’t get an at-bat. He’s now back with the Buffalo Bisons. In total, the utility player has played 62 games with Toronto in 2026. For reference, his best friend and 2026 all-star, Ernie Clement, has played 126 games.
The main reason for all of Schneider’s options this year is his .142 AVG. In 2025, his batting average was .234, so this is uncharacteristic. The 27-year-old’s average before his first option was even worse at .127. He didn’t start the season that way, however. The utility player’s highest was .333 on April 4th, but 10 days later, he was under .200 and kept declining until his first option. When the righty returned in June, his highest was .167. In July, the New Jersey native only played five games and stayed around .150. He has played six games in August but has no hits in only five at-bats.
Schneider plays both left field and second base, but the Blue Jays have those positions covered this year. Clement has been phenomenal at second and is hitting .285. There are also plenty of versatile outfielders like Nathan Lukes and Myles Straw who are doing much better at the plate with averages over .200. Toronto just doesn’t have room for the 27-year-old when he isn’t hitting well. On September 1st, MLB teams can add one pitcher and one position player to their official roster, but will Schneider’s hitting make that cut? Rookie Yohendrick Piñango would probably be a better choice with a .260 Major League batting average. There’s just over a month left in the regular season, so one option left isn’t too concerning, but will the utility player have to go through this again next year? Unfortunately, Schneider’s best fit might just be on another team.
