Astros ‘not done’ after re-acquiring Joey Loperfido in trade of Jesús Sánchez to Jays

In a cost-saving move expected to open the door to more player movement, the Houston Astros on Friday traded outfielder Jesús Sánchez to the Toronto Blue Jays for their former farmhand Joey Loperfido.

“We’re not done,” general manager Dana Brown said, unprompted, when he announced the trade at the Astros’ spring training complex in Florida.

The Athletic previously reported that the Astros have been actively trying to trade Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker.

Loperfido, 26, was drafted by Houston in the seventh round in 2021 and traded to Toronto in July 2024 for Yusei Kikuchi.

Sánchez, who is owed $6.8 million this season, came to Houston from the Miami Marlins at last season’s trade deadline.

Loperfido, who can still be optioned to the minor leagues, was unlikely to get a spot on Toronto’s Opening Day roster.

The acquisition of Sánchez is not as straightforward for the Jays. After losing outfielder Anthony Santander for six months, the Jays needed some power. However, it’s hard to imagine how Sánchez and outfielder Nathan Lukes can coexist the way the team’s currently constructed.

Sánchez is under team control through 2027, while Loperfido is controllable through 2030.