Blue Jays looking at major moments ahead for Jesus Sanchez after trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It wasn’t the biggest move of the Toronto Blue Jays‘ offseason.

Advertisement

But if things turn out the way Toronto is hoping, Jesus Sanchez could end up looking like a brilliant trade acquisition.

The Blue Jays traded with the Houston Astros to get Sanchez this offseason, sending Joey Loperfido the other way.

Sanchez is a 6-foot-4, lefty-hitting, righty-throwing outfielder who is 28 years old from the Dominican Republic.

He’s coming off a 2025 season that he split between the Miami Marlins and the Astros. Across the entire 2025 campaign, Sanchez hit .237 with 14 home runs and 13 steals.

Advertisement

His best MLB campaign was 2023, when he had a .777 OPS in 125 games (23 doubles, 14 homers), and he followed that up with a .731 OPS in 2024 in 149 games (25 doubles, 18 homers, 16 steals).

MORE: Big Papi’s son has a special moment for the Red Sox

The Blue Jays are looking at starting Sanchez in the outfield to start the season, at the very least against right-handed pitchers with Sanchez batting from the left side .

Sanchez will likely play left field on those days, with Daulton Varsho in center and Addison Barger in right.

Advertisement

And really, this is just a pre-Opening Day look at the fact that Sanchez has a lot of talent. He can make a major impact even as a player that is a bit less heralded than some of his teammates.

That’s what happens when you spend a lot of the start of your career with the Miami Marlins.

Now, though, Sanchez is with a serious contender. He’s got a chance to make a name for himself.

More MLB news: