The Toronto Blue Jays are closing in on adding free agent Juan Yepez.
This comes on the heels of their modestly busy winter. They fortified their pitching by adding Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, Tyler Rogers, Jorge Alcala, Chase Lee, and Spencer Miles. Additionally, they have added a slew of international free agents at various positions, as well as Kazuma Okamoto, to help cover for the loss of Bo Bichette.
While the potential addition of Yepez is not yet official, he could be a welcome addition to the Blue Jays, providing more than just depth at a bargain price.
Toronto Blue Jays Signing Juan Yepez?
According to Eric Treuden of Just Baseball, the Blue Jays are interested in signing Yepez.
“Per source: The Blue Jays are talking with free agent 1B/OF Juan Yepez about a contract (presumably MiLB),” Treuden wrote on February 10, 2026. “Yepez, 28 next week, spent last year in Triple-A with the Nationals. Hit .266 with four home runs and a .781 OPS in 28 Venezuelan Winter League games. Solid depth bat.”
On the surface, adding a player who can play infield and outfield feels exactly like the kind of move that the Blue Jays would make. After all, Okamoto is reportedly comfortable playing at 3B as well as in the outfield.
In 62 games during the 2024 MLB season, Yepez hit six home runs, 26 RBIs, and 15 doubles. Additionally, he connected on 64 total hits, slashing .283/.335/.429.
Where Juan Yepez Could Help the Blue Jays
Yepez isn’t as high-profile a signing as Okamoto, yet the stats suggest he could be a surprising addition to the Blue Jays.
For starters, he could be a helpful bat who is more than just a depth piece. Looking at three stats shows us how. In 2024, he finished with 15 doubles, a .429 slugging percentage, and a 112 wRC+.
Had Yepez collected those stats while playing for the Blue Jays in 2025, he would have earned a spot as a regular. He would have ranked eighth in doubles and fifth in slugging. The only returning Blue Jays who slugged better were George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr, and Addison Barger.
Yepez’s 112 wRC+ would have had him ranked ninth (eighth if you exclude Bichette). In 2024, he ranked fourth in wRC+ among all position players who played at least 30 games for the Washington Nationals.
Yepez is a Versatile Defender
Another feather in Yepez’s cap is his ability to play multiple defensive positions.
In his MLB career, he has primarily played first base. However, Yepez has also played left field, right field, third base, and designated hitter. It is also important to note that he throws and swings right-handed.
This versatility extended to his minor-league career as well. Yepez primarily played first base, then third base and designated hitter, with a few games in left and right field.
The Price to Add Yepez
While Yepez could help the Blue Jays in a few specific ways, he can also be had for a bargain.
According to Spotrac, he signed an $81,000 contract for the Nationals prior to the 2025 season. Before that, he signed in 2024 for $740,000, in 2023 for $720,000, in 2022 for $700,000, and in 2014 for $1,000,000.
Because of his contract history, it’s easy to estimate that signing him would cost the Blue Jays less than $1,000,000. Although signing him for more wouldn’t be an issue, as far as their ability to spend money is concerned.
It’s not necessary for the Blue Jays to add another position player. However, if they were to add Yepez, he would be a valuable depth piece at the MLB level.
Blue Jays Rumored New Addition is More Than a Bargain