Toronto Blue Jays Joey Loperfido might be on his way out of Toronto
Photo credit: FanGraphs Baseball
It's become clear That Toronto Blue Jays prospect left fielder Joey Loperfido will need to break out this season as competition has become even tougher with the Blue Jays signing Anthony Santander earlier yesterday.
Joey Loperfido will be an elite player in LF for the Blue Jays next season
It appeared that he was slated to start with the Blue Jays in left field according to Fangraphs depth chart but with the addition of Santander it makes it more apparent that he needs to have a great spring training and show the team that he is ready for a full-time job.
Santander adds more competition for Loperfido
Currently, Joey Loperfido is penciled in to start in left field for the Blue Jays in 2025 according to Fangraphs' 2025 depth chart for the team.
Of course, things could change before now and the start of Spring Training, as the Blue Jays have been interested in Anthony Santander all off-season long. - Ryley Delaney BlueJaysNation
Of course, things could change before now and the start of Spring Training, as the Blue Jays have been interested in Anthony Santander all off-season long. - Ryley Delaney BlueJaysNation
The 25-year-old outfielder was acquired from the Houston Astros prior to the 2024 trade deadline as the Jays also acquired Jake Bloss and Will Wagner for Yusei Kikuchi. After a strong start in 2024 with the Astros, Loperfido began to fade in did not show the numbers that many had hoped.
It's clear that Loperfido has been working on his game over the course of the winter and has hopes that he could become a full time blue Jay as opportunity presents itself now that the Jays have signed Santander.
Big changes on the hand placement for Joey Loperfido. He said he's "in a better spot to handle verty stuff and has a little more depth in his bat path
If Loperfido can find a way to break out this season, it will give the Blue Jays flexibility as Santander could become the designated hitter and help re balance the outfield and the infield as the Blue Jays roster continues to be in flux prior to the beginning of Spring training.
Loperfido could also end up being moved by the Blue Jays as he might end up being more valuable to them as a trade asset than a back up outfielder.
Ross Atkins quiets some critics with Santander
The signing of Santander should help tamper some of the talk that the Blue Jays offseason is a complete failure. General manager Ross Atkins had come up short with several prominent free agents including Roki Sasahi, Juan Soto and Ted Williams Who had the Blue Jays in the mix but just could not close the deal.
The Blue Jays starting left field job is Joey Loperfido's to lose
But the possibility of Max Scherzer potentially signing with the Blue Jays, adding Santander should help with the remaining free agents on the market to potentially landing one or two more to help round out the roster for this season.
All eyes will be on Atkins over the coming weeks as the offseason switches to spring training.
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