The Toronto Blue Jays came up just short of winning the World Series last season. After pushing the Los Angeles Dodgers to Game 7, they ended up losing in a hotly contested winner take all situation.
Heading into the MLB offseason, the Blue Jays were aggressive. They quickly landed star pitcher Dylan Cease and also signed a big piece in Japanese star third baseman Kazuma Okamoto.
Bo Bichette left the team in MLB free agency, but the addition of Okamoto should be a solid replacement. However, the team is facing a potential issue that could derail their hopes of taking the final step towards winning a championship.
Toronto Blue Jays Facing Huge Outfield Question Mark
Zion Trammel of On SI has suggested that the team’s biggest question mark comes in left field.
“It’s not for a lack of depth. In fact, manager John Schneider may have too many options to consider at the moment,” Trammel wrote.
“Anthony Santander was expected to fill that role before he underwent shoulder surgery, which will sideline him for most of the regular season. The battle will likely come down to Jesús Sánchez and Nathan Lukes.”
After undergoing surgery back in February, Santander was expected to miss five to six months due to a torn labrum in his left shoulder. His projected return timeline is somewhere around August this season.
He could be the right fit late in the year, but won’t be available for quite some time.
Examining the Two Suggested Left Field Options
Jesus Sanchez was one name Trammel mentioned as a possible starter for the Blue Jays. He is coming off of a 2025 MLB season with the Miami Marlins and Houston Astros that saw him hit 14 home runs, drive in 48 RBI, and slash .237/.304/.395.
Lukes, on the other hand, played for Toronto last year. He appeared in 135 games, hitting 12 home runs to go along with 65 RBI and a slash line of .255/.323/.407.
Either player could fill in for the Blue Jays, but they aren’t elite options. The left field position could become a glaring hole for Toronto to start the year.
It will be interesting to see who manager John Schneider decides to roll with on Opening Day. The Blue Jays might have to address left field with an option outside of the current roster at some point this season.
Blue Jays Facing Major Question Before Opening Day