Joey Lopefido ‘extremely surprised’ by Astros trade, says Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins

The first time, of course, happened nearly two years ago as part of the 2024 Yusei Kikuchi trade — a three-for-one deal that also included fellow prospects Jake Bloss (who will open this season on the IL while recovering from Tommy John surgery) and Will Wagner (traded to the San Diego Padres for catcher Brandon Valenzuela last summer).

Leaving Toronto is bittersweet, as Loperfido explained Friday, shortly after arriving at the organization’s player development complex in Dunedin, Florida. He planned to prove himself in camp this spring, hoping to earn a roster spot with the major-league club in place of veteran Anthony Santander, who will be sidelined five to six months due to surgery on his left shoulder.

Instead, Loperfido now returns to the franchise that made him a seventh-round selection in 2021, where he spent several years developing before being shipped out as part of an all-in move to land Kikuchi.

The only consolation in this emotionally charged departure is knowing how far he has come in recent seasons. He’s a different, more advanced player than when he first arrived after the ’24 trade deadline. Last season’s magical run to the World Series also gives him valuable attention on a postseason journey he will cherish “for the rest of my life.”

Loperfido, after slashing .333/.379/.500 with a whopping 148 wRC+ (100 league average) in 104 plate appearances last season with Toronto, should have a clear path to earning regular reps against right-handed pitching in camp. But he’ll likely share left field with Jose Altuve and possibly Yordan Alvarez — assuming the latter stays healthy in 2026.

With Loperfido under club control until 2030, he also serves as a long-term upgrade over Sánchez for the Astros, who have few core players in the outfield besides center fielder Jake Myers. If the former Blue Jay can take his game to the next level, there is certainly potential for him to become an everyday player in the long run.

But it’s also worth noting that he has one minor league option remaining, giving Houston’s brass the flexibility to shuttle him back and forth from Triple-A if necessary.

The Blue Jays remain outfield-heavy after trading Loperfido for Sánchez, who joins a group that includes Daulton Varsho, Addison Barger, Nathan Lukes and Davis Schneider. As such, management is keeping the door open for additional moves, as Atkins noted, which could mean making both the 26- and 40-man rosters a little more balanced by subtracting this outfield surplus.

On the position player side, they could benefit from adding an optional, bat-first infielder via trade — as the club’s immediate Triple-A depth includes a pair of glove-first middle infielders, Leo Jiménez (out of options) and Josh Kasevich (not on the 40-man roster).