How does Jesús Sánchez trade impact this Blue Jays trio?

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- The Blue Jays’ outfield puzzle has the same number of pieces, but the shapes fit together a little differently now. This organization needs to squeeze as much production as it possibly can out of a crowded outfield group, and while the addition of Jesús Sánchez from the Astros on Friday adds a new layer to that, it also brings new upside. Beyond managing the bullpen, this feels like the daily decision that will take up most of manager John Schneider’s time.

Let’s start by taking an inventory of the healthy options:

40-man roster: George Springer (majority DH), Daulton Varsho, Nathan Lukes, Davis Schneider, Myles Straw, Jesús Sánchez, Jonatan Clase

Prospects: Yohendrick Pinango (No. 7), RJ Schreck (No. 10)

“I think it can work in a variety of ways, really,” John Schneider said. “We want to continue to use everybody and their skills in different ways. There’s probably an opportunity to get a lot of left-handed bats in against right-handed pitchers.”

Look to last season for the blueprint here, even if the Blue Jays had to figure out what the blueprint was on the fly. Straw went from fringe roster competition to appearing in 137 games. Lukes launched himself into a near full-time role with 135 games. There are always more reps to go around than anyone imagines in the early days. The magic of 2025, though, is that Schneider and his staff hit all the right notes at the right times, which is different than simply sharing time to keep everyone fresh.

“I learned last year that it’s pretty beneficial to use everyone and their skills in situations that they’re good at,” Schneider said. “Having that option and that versatility is good for us, and having guys who have been there and done that.”

With Sánchez in the mix, let’s take a look at who will feel the impact the most, and that’s not reserved to just the outfield.

1. 3B/RF Addison Barger

Sánchez mashes right-handed pitching, which could lead to an outfield of Sánchez, Varsho and Lukes. That works well with Barger at third base, and while that might create some tough decisions later in the game, it’s likely Toronto’s best shot at jumping a righty starter.

Prior to the Sánchez addition, it felt like Barger would spend more time in right field with Kazuma Okamoto taking on as much third base as he could handle, but the math has changed. This lineup needs to chase upside if the Blue Jays are going to replace the production of Bo Bichette and protect themselves against regression elsewhere. Barger might just be their best shot at that upside.

2. OF Nathan Lukes

Lukes will be directly impacted by the Sánchez addition because there’s a certain level of overlap between the two. Lukes has been rock solid for the Blue Jays and really got his opportunity to shine throughout the 2025 run, but as the club chases more platoon matchups, he’ll be on the daily bubble for playing time.

Schneider found some time to meet with Lukes individually on Friday. He’s a manager’s dream, always ready and always steady, so Schneider reassured him that he was still a big part of the Blue Jays’ plans. Later that morning, general manager Ross Atkins echoed that.

“I actually think it’s just going to make us better, so Nathan Lukes is going to be an integral part of this moving forward,” Atkins said. “We fully expect him to be making a significant impact. I can see outfields where we have three left-handed hitting outfielders and Addison [Barger] is playing on the infield, so that versatility just adds options for us and, every given day, makes our 26-man roster extremely strong.”

3. 3B Kazuma Okamoto

If the door is cracked open for Barger to see more time at third, that would impact Okamoto, who is expected to arrive in camp late Friday after sorting out a visa issue.

This captures one of the Blue Jays’ roster oddities, too. They’re loaded with outfielders, but thin on infielders. That’s because Barger and Schneider can both slide in, but the club will need to explore whether it wants a more traditional “backup” infielder in camp.

“Leo Jimenez is a good player, too, and we’ll see how camp goes,” Atkins said. “Hopefully, we’re having that discussion because that will mean we were healthy and guys have performed well.”

There’s so much for Okamoto to adjust to this spring, from a new team to a new country, but the Blue Jays will need to see results early. This camp -- and early months of the season -- will be filled with competition, and the Sánchez deal has only added to that.