The Toronto Blue Jays continue to enhance their roster as they secured a trade with the Houston Astros to bring in outfielder Jesus Sanchez. This development came to light on Friday, with ESPN’s Jeff Passan reporting that Toronto would send outfielder Joey Loperfido to Houston in exchange.
Sanchez, a 28-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic, stands at 6 feet 4 inches tall and brings a strong left-handed hitting presence to the club. He had a mixed 2025 season, with a performance split between the Miami Marlins and Astros, during which he recorded a .237 batting average alongside 14 home runs and 13 stolen bases. His standout season came in 2023, where he posted a .777 OPS over 125 games, hitting 14 home runs and 23 doubles. In 2024, he maintained a solid showing with a .731 OPS in 149 games, contributing 18 homers, 25 doubles, and 16 stolen bases.
Sanchez’s acquisition is particularly interesting given that the Blue Jays are in need of outfield depth. Following the recent long-term injury to Anthony Santander, Sanchez will compete with Nathan Lukes to fill the lineup gap. The projected batting order for the Blue Jays, assuming Sanchez fills the left field role, could look as follows: George Springer as designated hitter, Kazuma Okamoto at third base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first, Addison Barger in right field, Alejandro Kirk behind the plate, Daulton Varsho in center field, Ernie Clement at second, Sanchez in left, and Andres Gimenez at shortstop.
This move illustrates the Blue Jays’ commitment to strengthening their team, aiming to boost their competitiveness in the upcoming season. The addition of Sanchez provides versatility and a chance to shine in the Blue Jays’ lineup as they navigate the challenges of the season ahead.