Joey Loperfido hasn’t been in Toronto long, but he’s already shaping up to be one of the Blue Jays’ most intriguing trade chips heading into the offseason. And it’s not hard to see why.
The outfield picture in Toronto is crowded-eight players deep-and while depth is a good problem to have, it also means someone’s likely on the move. Loperfido, with his upside and versatility, might be the one to watch.
The 26-year-old outfielder arrived from Houston at the 2024 trade deadline in a deal that sent Yusei Kikuchi to the Astros. Since then, he’s shown flashes of being a real contributor at the Major League level.
In limited action-just 41 games-he slashed an impressive .333/.379/.500 with four home runs, 14 RBIs, and an .879 OPS over 104 plate appearances. That’s not just production; that’s impact, especially for a player still trying to carve out a consistent role.
But despite those numbers, Loperfido spent a good chunk of time at Triple-A Buffalo, unable to fully break through in a lineup already packed with outfield talent. It’s not a knock on his skill set-if anything, it’s a testament to how deep the Jays are in the grass.
And that depth is exactly what makes Loperfido such a valuable trade piece. He’s proven he can hit big-league pitching, he’s got above-average speed, and he plays solid defense.
That’s a package teams are always looking for.
Now, with Toronto reportedly locking in Dylan Cease to bolster the rotation, the focus shifts to rounding out the rest of the pitching staff. There’s still a need for another starter and some help in the bullpen.
That’s where Loperfido’s name could really start gaining traction in trade talks. According to MLB insider Mark Feinsand, he’s one of the top trade candidates on the roster-and that lines up with what the team’s needs are right now.
Loperfido’s still early in his career-he made his MLB debut just last year with Houston and hasn’t played more than 81 games in a season yet. But he’s close to being a fully polished big leaguer, and that’s what makes him so appealing.
He’s not a prospect you’re hoping will figure it out in two years. He’s a player who’s ready to contribute now, and that could bring back real value if the Jays decide to move him.
Of course, there’s always the case to be made for keeping a player like Loperfido around. Every contending team needs depth-guys who can step in and perform without missing a beat. Injuries happen, slumps happen, and having a player like Loperfido stashed and ready to go is a luxury most clubs would love to have.
But Toronto isn’t just looking to stay competitive-they’re aiming to win. And that means making bold moves to bring in difference-makers. If the right deal comes along, Loperfido could be part of a package that helps the Blue Jays land a high-impact arm or a key bullpen piece-someone who can help them avoid another heartbreaking Game 7 exit.
So don’t be surprised if his name starts popping up more and more this winter. Loperfido is the kind of player who can quietly headline a trade, and for a team pushing its chips in, he might just be the piece that helps unlock the next big move.