DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Toronto Blue Jays needed a big swinger. Days after losing Anthony Santander for at least five months, Toronto acquired left-handed outfielder Jesús Sánchez from the Houston Astros in exchange for Joey Loperfido. The trade gives the Jays new power potential.

“(Sánchez) can steal a base and is a really unique athlete,” general manager Ross Atkins said at the team’s spring training complex on Friday. “Above average runner, the defence is strong and the power is as good as anybody in baseball.”

The 28-year-old Sánchez has hit at least 13 homers in each of the past five seasons, with most of his production coming against right-handed pitching.

The Jays signed Santander ahead of the 2025 season in hopes he’d bring thump to the lineup, but he played just 54 games and is now out while recovering from shoulder surgery.

Sánchez hasn’t flashed the 40-homer upside of Santander, but Atkins called him one of their “better options” against righties now. He should join Addison Barger and Nathan Lukes as lefty options for the top of Toronto’s lineup, at least against right-handers.

Blue Jays Lineup Options

Option 1

Option 2

George Springer (DH)

George Springer (DH)

Addison Barger (RF)

Addison Barger (3B)

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B)

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B)

Jesús Sánchez (LF)

Jesús Sánchez (RF)

Alejandro Kirk (C)

Alejandro Kirk (C)

Daulton Varsho (CF)

Daulton Varsho (CF)

Kazuma Okamoto (3B)

Nathan Lukes (LF)

Ernie Clement (2B)

Ernie Clement (2B)

Andrés Giménez (SS)

Andrés Giménez (SS)

While Sánchez hasn’t posted a full-season OPS over .780 since 2021, he had one of the quickest bat speeds in baseball last year (93rd percentile) as well as well-above-average exit velocities.

However, he struggled after joining the Astros at the trade deadline. The Jays, Atkins said, expressed interest in Sánchez at that time and have been interested in him for a while.

Loperfido had some of the same upside as Sánchez, with above-average bat speeds and solid running and fielding skills. Loperfido was also optionable, able to be sent to the minors, and was making the league minimum.

Sánchez’s longer track record in MLB and his power potential clearly intrigued Toronto. And it seems that taking on Sánchez’s $6.8 million contract, which could push the team above the final luxury tax threshold, isn’t an issue for the Jays, who spent more money this offseason than other teams.

However, the trade complicates Toronto’s current outfield mix. Sánchez, Lukes and Barger wouldn’t all be able to play in the outfield each day with Daulton Varsho in centre, but all three could be on the field if Barger plays at third base.

“Nathan Lukes is going to be an integral part of this,” Atkins said. “Moving forward, fully expect him to be making a significant impact. 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.”

Depth, especially this early in spring, is never a problem. Not needing Barger to man right field every day would protect the team if newcomer Kazuma Okamoto struggles in any way, such as against right-handed pitching.