"The Astros could have non-tendered Sánchez on the heels of those struggles but chose to keep him around despite a projected arbitration salary of some note. The two parties agreed to a $6.8MM deal for the 2026 season. Toronto will take on the entirety of that sum in this swap and, as a third-time luxury payor in the top penalty tier, pay a 110% tax."
"It's a heavy price to buy low on a player, but Sánchez touts a career .253/.324/.450 batting line against right-handed pitching and has plenty of encouraging underlying metrics. He's averaged a hearty 91.1 mph off the bat in his career and logged a robust 45.7% hard-hit rate. Last year's 75.9 mph bat speed ranked in the 93rd percentile of MLB hitters."
Jesús Sánchez was traded from the Astros to the Blue Jays in exchange for outfielder Joey Loperfido, with both players on 40-man rosters so no corresponding moves are required. Sánchez struggled in Houston after a deadline acquisition from Miami, slashing .199/.269/.342 in 160 plate appearances versus a .253/.319/.428 line in nearly 1,300 plate appearances with Miami since 2023. Houston agreed to a $6.8MM arbitration deal for 2026 that Toronto will assume; as a third-time luxury tax payer in the top penalty tier, Toronto will pay a 110% tax, bringing total cost to $14.28MM. Sánchez profiles as a corner outfielder with strong underlying metrics—91.1 mph average exit velocity, 45.7% hard-hit rate, 75.9 mph bat speed—and positive defensive marks in right field (DRS and OAA).
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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