Blue Jays, Astros Make Minor Trade

Outfielders Jesus Sanchez and Joey Loperfido swap teams in low-key deal.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros have completed a minor trade, with the Blue Jays acquiring outfielder Jesus Sanchez from the Astros in exchange for outfielder Joey Loperfido. While the deal may not have major immediate implications, both players have shown potential and could make an impact for their new teams.

Why it matters

Small trades like this can sometimes lead to unexpected dividends down the road, as teams look to uncover hidden gems and bolster their depth. Both the Blue Jays and Astros have high-powered offenses, so adding complementary pieces could pay off as the season progresses.

The details

The Blue Jays are bringing in Sanchez, who has shown flashes of power and production in limited time with the Marlins and Astros. Loperfido, meanwhile, will return to the Astros organization after a solid stint with the Blue Jays in 2024. Both players have intriguing tools and could thrive in new environments.

  • The trade was completed on February 13, 2026.

The players

Jesus Sanchez

A promising young outfielder who has shown power potential in the majors.

Joey Loperfido

A solid outfield prospect who had a productive stint with the Blue Jays in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“Trade news: The Toronto Blue Jays acquired outfielder Jesus Sanchez from the Houston Astros for outfielder Joey Loperfido, whom they had traded to Toronto in the Yusei Kikuchi deal at the 2024 deadline.”

— Jeff Passan, ESPN Reporter (ESPN)

The takeaway

This trade represents a low-risk, high-upside move for both the Blue Jays and Astros as they look to uncover hidden talent and bolster their depth. While the immediate impact may be modest, the potential for these players to develop and contribute in the future makes this an intriguing swap between two contending teams.