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But that’s the fly in the ointment. Tulowitzki, 32, has long been one of the top shortstops in baseball and is signed until 2020 at US$20 million annually (that drops to $14 million in 2020). At 26, and with huge offensive upside, Devon Travis is touted as the Jays’ second baseman of the future.

So, unless the Jays embark on a rebuild soon and find a way to trade Tulowitzki, Goins won’t get a chance to be an everyday shortstop or second baseman in Toronto. And he knows that. Hence the dilemma.

“I don’t want to spend my career as a utility guy, but this is the place I have been, the place who believed in me, who drafted me, who wanted me in the big leagues. And I want to keep going out there and contributing to that, and if it’s playing every day, if it’s not playing every day, I got to come here and I’ve got to prepare myself like I’m going to play every day, and that’s what I do,” he said.

Jays fans have seen before what Goins can do at short, and at second base. There’s no question he’s a premier defensive infielder. And with regular playing time he believes he can be a solid MLB hitter. But Goins realizes that his bread and butter is defence. The Round Rock, Tex., native does not particularly enjoy talking to reporters, but he opened up on Tuesday.

“I can see myself playing every day for sure and I can be a Gold Glove shortstop in this league. Or at second base. That’s how I feel personally,” he said. “I feel I can be the best at either position in the league, honestly. And I can play third, I can play anywhere really. You put me at first or in the outfield, it will just take some work, getting used to angles and hops and things, but the key is taking advantage of my opportunities.”