3 Blue Jays players whose long-term fates were sealed at 2025 trade deadline

The Toronto Blue Jays were among the teams that were quite active during the 2025 MLB trade deadline. They made multiple moves that ultimately had a trickle-down effect on their potential roster makeup going forward.

For most Blue Jays players, they had nothing to worry about as their roles with the team went unaltered. However, for a select few their futures with the organization were inadvertently determined.

3 Blue Jays players whose long-term fates were sealed at 2025 trade deadline

C Ali Sánchez 

Entering the 2025 season as the unofficial third-string catcher for the Blue Jays, Ali Sánchez has quietly done his job whenever he has been called upon by the team. He handled the backup duties back in May when Tyler Heineman was placed on the concussion protocol, and was called up once again in July when Alejandro Kirk had to undergo concussion protocol as well.

In eight total games of action, Sánchez batted .238 with a .571 OPS, with two doubles and two runs scored. Behind the plate, he sported a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage while throwing out 20% of would-be base stealers.

However, when the Blue Jays dealt away promising infield prospect Will Wagner for catching prospect Brandon Valenzuela at the trade deadline, that ultimately determined Sánchez’s future with the team. For Toronto to give up one of their breakout prospects from last season so quickly, it shows that they highly regard Valenzuela as their potential future catching option. As a result, Sánchez likely is no longer in the long-term plans of the Jays, as further exemplified by his recent designation for assignment.

OF Joey Loperfido

Earlier in the season when the Blue Jays ran into some injury woes with their everyday lineup, they looked for reinforcements from their farm system. But with players being promoted left and right, Joey Loperfido surprisingly never ended up getting the call despite playing extremely well with the Jays’ Triple-A affiliate at the time.

As a result, some speculated that Loperfido wasn’t in the long-term plans with Toronto and was perhaps even being showcased for a trade when he was finally called up later on in July.

However, Loperfido had put together a strong showing since his promotion, compiling a stellar .386 average, .970 OPS, along with 10 runs scored, three home runs and 10 RBIs in 24 games of action. Whether it was coincidence or not, the Jays ended up dealing top outfield prospect Alan Roden at the trade deadline instead of Loperfido. With one of his top competitors for playing time in the outfield gone, it now appears that Loperfido is here to stay in Toronto.

He was getting plenty of playing time lately and hopefully won't miss too much time after taking a pitch too the knee during Tuesdays game against the Rockies.

P Chris Bassitt

The Blue Jays made their biggest splash at the deadline with the acquisition of former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber. With a player option remaining in his contract for next season, Toronto hopes that a successful conclusion to the 2025 season, along with the potential of a solid playoff run, can convince the star 30-year-old to be in the long-term plans of the franchise going forward. If that comes to fruition, that would likely spell the end to Chris Bassitt and his tenure with the Jays.

As a pending free agent at the end of the 2025 season, Bassitt has been reliable and productive during his three years with the organization. The veteran right-hander has posted three straight seasons with double digits in wins, including leading the American League with 16 in 2023. This year, Bassitt has gone 11-5 with a 4.12 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, along with 126 strikeouts in 129 innings pitched over 24 games played.

At 36-years-old Bassitt will likely be looking for one final multi-year contract to lead up to his potential retirement. With Bieber now representing the Jays’ most ideal replacement option for Bassitt in the rotation, and players like Trey Yesavage closing in on their big league debuts, this will likely become Bassitt’s last season with Toronto as a result.