Blue Jays Could Cut Ties with Promising 26-Year-Old: Insider

By Jackson Roberts

Contributing Sports Writer

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Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Joey Loperfido hasn't been able to catch a break.

Loperfido was a promising prospect for the Houston Astros, but last year, he was traded to the last-place Toronto Blue Jays when it looked as though the Astros didn't have room for him. This year, though, it was the Blue Jays whose outfield was overcrowded, and while his new team charged to a division title, the Astros missed the playoffs with a thin outfield depth chart.

Every player is happy to be a member of a pennant-winning ballclub, but Loperfido could remain on the wrong side of a roster crunch as long as he remains in Toronto. So if anyone on the roster is looking forward to the possibility of a trade this offseason, the 26-year-old is a safe bet.

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On Saturday, MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand foreshadowed that Loperfido just may get what he'd be asking for.

Feinsand labeled one player a trade candidate from each team, and not only did he chose Loperfido for the Blue Jays, but he seemed fairly bullish on the prospect of a deal getting done.

"Loperfido spent most of 2025 stuck behind an outfield logjam in Toronto, appearing in only 41 games," Feinsand wrote. "He produced when given the opportunity – Loperfido hit four homers with 14 RBIs and an .879 OPS in 104 plate appearances – and with five years of club control remaining, the 26-year-old could be part of a deal to land some pitching in Toronto."

Not only do the Blue Jays already have too many outfielders to promise significant playing time to Loperfido, but the possibility remains that Toronto could target big-name free agents Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger. Plus the only reason Loperfido made the playoff roster this year was an injury to Anthony Santander, who either will occupy an outfield spot moving forward or shift George Springer to right field from his usual designated hitter spot.

However, every team needs depth pieces who are ready to contribute at a moment's notice, so it's not as though the Blue Jays are on a time crunch to move Loperfido. They have to feel they're getting the perfect player to add to their championship roster for whatever package in which he's included.

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