The competition to start at second base between new Blue Jays Emilio Bonifacio (left) and Maicer Izturis could be something that likely isn't settled during spring training. (KEN FIDLIN/QMI Agency)
DUNEDIN, FLA. - Second base is viewed as one of the few competitive areas on a Blue Jays team that seems all but set even before a pitch is thrown in anger, but there is a growing sense that the team could go all the way through spring training and into the season without making a definitive selection.
The two candidates are Maicer Izturis, who was Alex Anthopoulos’ first signing this off-season, signed even before the massive transaction with the Marlins that brought the other candidate — Emilio Bonifacio — into the fold.
For starters, barring injury, neither Bonifacio nor Izturis is in any danger of not being on the 25-man roster, whatever the Grapefruit League games bring in terms of resolution at second base. And both players have attractive qualities that will buy them playing time, if not at second base, then someplace else around the diamond.
“One guy might not win the job,” manager John Gibbons said Monday. “I mean, they’re both going to be on the team.
