Era ends as Biggio exits stage

Versatile Jay arrived as part of hyped class, leaves without a playoff win

- GREGOR CHISHOLM

Throughout their rise to Major League Baseball, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio were a package deal.

The three players joined the Blue Jays around the same time and came up through the system together. In 2017, they won a Florida State League Championship at Class-A Dunedin. The following year, it was the Eastern League title for Double-A New Hampshire.

More of the same was expected at the big-league level, where the trio figured to complement each other so well. While Bichette and Guerrero were the undisputed stars, Biggio projected to become the glue guy every team requires to make the pieces fit.

The plan worked for a couple years. Biggio broke into the league in 2019, and what he lacked in a 234 average he made up for with a .364 on-base percentage and .793 onbase plus slugging percentage. He was even better during the 2020 COVID season with a .250 average and.807 OPS.

Biggio wasn't a traditional leadoff hitter, and yet his ability to see a lot of pitches and draw walks made his presence there beneficial. He wasn't expected to be the guy to come up with a big hit, but he was often on base for those who were.