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Toronto gives up youth and potential for a little more experience and pop while dealing away fan-favourite outfielder.
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Published Feb 13, 2026  • Last updated 2 hours ago  • 2 minute read
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Jesús Sánchez, now with the Blue Jays, doubles during the first inning against the Miami Marlins on August 06, 2025. Photo by Carmen Mandato /Getty ImagesArticle content
The Joey Loperfido era with the Blue Jays is over before it really got started.
The intriguing outfielder who filled the gap on the Jays playoff roster when Anthony Santander had to be removed in the middle of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners because of a back injury, is headed back to Houston in exchange for veteran Astros outfielder Jesus Sanchez.
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Sanchez, a left-handed bat with more proven power than Loperfido, is 28 and going into his seventh MLB season. He has had double-digit homer totals in each of the past five seasons, but never more than 18 and not fewer than 13.
Sanchez has posted a .239 batting average and .307 on-base percentage over his 580 games in MLB over six seasons.
He has primarily played in right field throughout his career, but also has spent time in left and centre and has been an above average outfielder defensively. He figures to slot in on the high end of a platoon setup, starting against right-handed pitchers. He batted only .159 in 75 plate appearances against lefties last season.
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He began his big-league career when he was signed as an amateur free agent by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2014. In 2019, he was traded to the Miami Marlins along with Ryne Stanek for Nick Anderson and future Blue Jays reliever Trevor Richards.
Last July, he was traded by Miami to Houston for three minor leaguers.
Loperfido is actually returning to the Houston organization that drafted him in the seventh round in 2021. He left Houston two years ago when the Astros traded him to Toronto along with Will Wagner and Jake Bloss for Yusei Kikuchi.
Loperfido has played 122 games in his young MLB career, putting up a batting average of .248 and OBP of .297.
The Jays give up some youth and potential in exchange for some power, particularly against right-handed pitcher where most of Sanchez’ power lives.
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