The Toronto Blue Jays made an intriguing move on Friday, and the team may not be done.
Toronto traded outfielder Joey Loperfido to the Houston Astros for slugger Jesus Sanchez in an intriguing move. The Blue Jays made an upgrade in the outfield, but gave up Loperfido, who’s under team control through 2030.
Although the Blue Jays roster seemingly is set, general manager Ross Atkins isn’t ruling out the team making another trade.
“We’re open to thinking about different ways of structuring the 40-man, the 26-man and beyond. But feel very good about the starting point right now, and excited about the add today,” Atkins said on Friday.
Toronto still has a surplus of outfielders, especially if RJ Schreck has an impressive spring training. That could lead to the Blue Jays dealing someone like Nathan Lukes, whose role could be redundant. Especially after the deal to acquire Sanchez.
Sanchez is known as a righty masher and adds more power to the lineup. The Blue Jays could also use another bench infielder to compete with Leo Jimenez and Josh Kasevich. Those two appear to be battling for the final roster spot.
Yet, it’s clear that even though the Blue Jays were aggressive this offseason, Atkins is still looking for ways to improve Toronto’s roster.
Blue Jays GM Eager to Add Sanchez
Atkins said Sanchez is someone he’s liked for a long time and was eager to land him.
The Blue Jays general manager believes Sanchez’s bat can make an impact in the lineup.
“Jesus, having been in the major leagues now for a significant portion of time over the last four years,” Atkins said. “And having had a great deal of success and the power complement to us that has already played out, is attractive to us with where we are as a team.”
Atkins also believes the Blue Jays roster is better now than it was yesterday, which is what he wants to accomplish.
“It’s going to just make us better,” said Atkins. “I could see outfields where we have three left-handed hitting outfielders and Addison’s playing in the infield, so that versatility just adds options for us and makes our 26-man extremely strong.”
Toronto is tied for the fourth-best odds of winning the World Series at +1400.
Loperfido Thankful for Time in Toronto
The Blue Jays acquired Loperfido from Houston back in 2024. Not even two years later, he’s being traded back to the Astros.
Although Loperfido’s time with the Blue Jays was minimal, he believes he’s a much better player now than he was when he got to Toronto.
“I feel like I can leave knowing I’m a better player now than I was when I got here,” Loperfido said. “I’m so grateful to have gotten to play with this group, to play in Toronto for the fans, for the whole country. And that post-season run I’ll have my whole life. I’ll always be grateful for that.”
Loperfido, meanwhile, said he’s excited to return to Houston.
“I had a missed call from Ross and a text that said, ‘Hey, give me a call when you get a chance,’ and I said to my girlfriend, ‘We might be going somewhere else.’ Houston was definitely not what I was expecting him to say,” Loperfido added.
“But it’s a familiar place. I still know a ton of guys in that clubhouse, keep in touch with them pretty regularly. And staff-wise, it’s a lot of the guys that were there when I was playing there in ’24. If I had to go anywhere, it’s going to be awesome to go back there.”
Loperfido hit .333 with 4 home runs and 14 RBIs last season in 41 gmes with the Blue Jays.
Blue Jays GM Drops Intriguing Message About More Moves After Loperfido Trade