One day after DFA'ing Lourdes Gurriel Jr., the Diamondbacks have claimed Jesus Sanchez.
Over the weekend, the Toronto Blue Jays designated outfielder Jesus Sanchez for assignment.
On Monday, Sanchez was claimed by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ironically enough, Sanchez takes the place of Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who was designated for assignment by Arizona on Monday. Gurriel is a former Blue Jays outfielder who was traded to the Diamondbacks before the 2023 season in the deal that brought over Gold Glove outfielder Daulton Varsho.
Varsho was traded to the Houston Astros this past trade deadline as the Blue Jays restructured their roster. Of course, Toronto is still in the playoff race, as they have moved to within one game of the Cleveland Guardians in the wild card battle.
About what Sanchez did with the Blue Jays
Acquired in a February trade with the Houston Astros, Sanchez ended up playing 99 games for the Jays. He hit a decent enough .260 and posted an also respectable .734 OPS, but defensively he really struggled, and he posted a -1.0 bWAR (Baseball Reference).
While Sanchez provided some pop that helped cover up for the season-long injuries to Anthony Santander and Addison Barger, as well as the season-long struggles of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the organization evidently decided that opportunities were better served being given to other players. That includes Brett Bateman, who is making himself part of the long-term plans for the organization as well.
Why did the Blue Jays acquire Sanchez?
Well, the Blue Jays clearly knew that Santander was going to miss significant time with his labrum surgery back in spring training, so Sanchez was an alternative to help fill in the gaps left by him. Unfortunately, the injury to Barger and the subsequent trade of Varsho left him needing to play more than the Jays probably desired when they acquired him.
He's always had big power and now he'll try to to find another level in his career in Arizona.
Up next for Toronto
The Blue Jays will kick off a new series with the Detroit Tigers on Monday night at Rogers Centre. First pitch is set for 7:07 p.m. ET as recent trade acquisition Jose Soriano pitches against Troy Melton.
The Tigers are one of the most disappointing teams in baseball this season. After getting to the American League Division Series a year ago, they are just 70-79. They also traded away two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline, as well as Casey Mize.
Soriano is 12-7 with a 3.48 ERA between the Los Angeles Angels and Blue Jays. Melton is 8-4 with a 2.42 ERA in his first full season as a starter. He has a fastball in the upper-90s.
