<p data-start="370" data-end="684">Even though the Toronto Blue Jays have enjoyed a successful 2025 season so far, there are still a few former players fans wish were still around. While there’s no guarantee these players would be thriving if they had stayed in Toronto, it’s interesting to imagine how they might have fit into the current roster.</p>
<hr data-start="686" data-end="689" />
<h2 data-start="691" data-end="743">Otto Lopez</h2>
<p data-start="745" data-end="1083">It may be surprising to remember that Otto Lopez was once the Blue Jays’ No. 4-ranked prospect back in 2022. After strong performances in Triple-A and a few stints in the majors, his momentum was cut short by an injury in the second half of 2023. Once Toronto signed Yariel Rodríguez that offseason, Lopez was designated for assignment.</p>
<p data-start="1085" data-end="1379">After bouncing around to the Giants and eventually landing with the Miami Marlins, Lopez has carved out a steady big-league role. Across 233 career games with Miami, he’s hitting .254 with a .676 OPS, and in 2025 he’s enjoying his best season yet, driving in 61 RBIs across 116 games.</p>
<p data-start="1381" data-end="1642">For the Blue Jays, Lopez could have been a valuable utility option, especially now with Ernie Clement sidelined. His ability to cover multiple infield spots and provide contact hitting off the bench would have given Toronto much-needed depth down the stretch.</p>
<hr data-start="1644" data-end="1647" />
<h2 data-start="1649" data-end="1703">Yusei Kikuchi</h2>
<p data-start="1705" data-end="2030">Even though the Blue Jays have shifted to a six-man rotation for the coming weeks, having a reliable left-handed starter like Yusei Kikuchi would have been a major asset.</p>
<p data-start="1705" data-end="2030">Now pitching for the Los Angeles Angels, Kikuchi has put together one of his best campaigns and was named an All-Star for the second time in his career.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="ja" dir="ltr">菊池雄星、<br />2025 MLB オールスター 選出おめでとうございます！ ⭐️</p>
<p>Congratulations to Yusei Kikuchi on being named a 2025 MLB All-Star! ⭐️ <a href="https://t.co/S34ysy1PLa">pic.twitter.com/S34ysy1PLa</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) <a href="https://twitter.com/Angels/status/1941969927415710171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p data-start="2032" data-end="2349">In 28 starts for the Angels, Kikuchi owns a 3.68 ERA with 156 strikeouts—a total that would currently lead all Toronto starters. His WHIP (1.429) is still a concern and he&#8217;s also been hit around quite a bit (156), but his ability to miss bats and eat innings would be extremely valuable for a Blue Jays rotation fighting to stay sharp before the playoffs.</p>
<p data-start="2351" data-end="2606">Kikuchi also made it no secret that he enjoyed his time in Toronto, expressing disappointment when the team didn’t make him an offer in free agency. Given the current state of the rotation, his presence might have been exactly what the Blue Jays needed.</p>
<hr data-start="2608" data-end="2611" />
<h2 data-start="2613" data-end="2678">Steven Matz</h2>
<p data-start="2680" data-end="3019">Another familiar face the Blue Jays might wish they had back right now is hander Steven Matz, who was traded to the Boston Red Sox at the 2025 trade deadline. Many fans remember his strong 2021 season with Toronto, when he posted 14 wins, a 3.82 ERA, and 2.2 WAR in 29 starts—trailing only Robbie Ray and Alek Manoah in WAR among starters.</p>
<p data-start="3021" data-end="3333">After inconsistent years in St. Louis where he bounced between the rotation and bullpen, Matz was dealt to Boston for prospect Blaze Jordan. Since joining the Red Sox, Matz has been lights out in relief, allowing just one earned run (0.79 ERA) across 11 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts in 10 appearances.</p>
<p data-start="3335" data-end="3613">The Blue Jays could have desperately used that kind of versatility in their bullpen. With Brendon Little as the only true left-handed reliever, Matz’s ability to handle multi-inning relief or step into spot starts would have provided critical stability for a playoff push.</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="https://nationgear.ca/collections/bluejaysnation"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-85322" src="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2099/08/VLADDY_BJN-Merch_727x404_01.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" srcset="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2099/08/VLADDY_BJN-Merch_727x404_01.png 727w, https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2099/08/VLADDY_BJN-Merch_727x404_01-300x167.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 727px) 100vw, 727px" /></a></p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


<p data-start="370" data-end="684">Even though the Toronto Blue Jays have enjoyed a successful 2025 season so far, there are still a few former players fans wish were still around. While there’s no guarantee these players would be thriving if they had stayed in Toronto, it’s interesting to imagine how they might have fit into the current roster.</p>


<hr data-start="686" data-end="689" />

<h2 data-start="691" data-end="743">Otto Lopez</h2>
<p data-start="745" data-end="1083">It may be surprising to remember that Otto Lopez was once the Blue Jays’ No. 4-ranked prospect back in 2022. After strong performances in Triple-A and a few stints in the majors, his momentum was cut short by an injury in the second half of 2023. Once Toronto signed Yariel Rodríguez that offseason, Lopez was designated for assignment.</p>
<p data-start="1085" data-end="1379">After bouncing around to the Giants and eventually landing with the Miami Marlins, Lopez has carved out a steady big-league role. Across 233 career games with Miami, he’s hitting .254 with a .676 OPS, and in 2025 he’s enjoying his best season yet, driving in 61 RBIs across 116 games.</p>
<p data-start="1381" data-end="1642">For the Blue Jays, Lopez could have been a valuable utility option, especially now with Ernie Clement sidelined. His ability to cover multiple infield spots and provide contact hitting off the bench would have given Toronto much-needed depth down the stretch.</p>


<hr data-start="1644" data-end="1647" />

<h2 data-start="1649" data-end="1703">Yusei Kikuchi</h2>
<p data-start="1705" data-end="2030">Even though the Blue Jays have shifted to a six-man rotation for the coming weeks, having a reliable left-handed starter like Yusei Kikuchi would have been a major asset.</p>
<p data-start="1705" data-end="2030">Now pitching for the Los Angeles Angels, Kikuchi has put together one of his best campaigns and was named an All-Star for the second time in his career.</p>
https://twitter.com/Angels/status/1941969927415710171
<p data-start="2032" data-end="2349">In 28 starts for the Angels, Kikuchi owns a 3.68 ERA with 156 strikeouts—a total that would currently lead all Toronto starters. His WHIP (1.429) is still a concern and he's also been hit around quite a bit (156), but his ability to miss bats and eat innings would be extremely valuable for a Blue Jays rotation fighting to stay sharp before the playoffs.</p>
<p data-start="2351" data-end="2606">Kikuchi also made it no secret that he enjoyed his time in Toronto, expressing disappointment when the team didn’t make him an offer in free agency. Given the current state of the rotation, his presence might have been exactly what the Blue Jays needed.</p>


<hr data-start="2608" data-end="2611" />

<h2 data-start="2613" data-end="2678">Steven Matz</h2>
<p data-start="2680" data-end="3019">Another familiar face the Blue Jays might wish they had back right now is hander Steven Matz, who was traded to the Boston Red Sox at the 2025 trade deadline. Many fans remember his strong 2021 season with Toronto, when he posted 14 wins, a 3.82 ERA, and 2.2 WAR in 29 starts—trailing only Robbie Ray and Alek Manoah in WAR among starters.</p>
<p data-start="3021" data-end="3333">After inconsistent years in St. Louis where he bounced between the rotation and bullpen, Matz was dealt to Boston for prospect Blaze Jordan. Since joining the Red Sox, Matz has been lights out in relief, allowing just one earned run (0.79 ERA) across 11 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts in 10 appearances.</p>
<p data-start="3335" data-end="3613">The Blue Jays could have desperately used that kind of versatility in their bullpen. With Brendon Little as the only true left-handed reliever, Matz’s ability to handle multi-inning relief or step into spot starts would have provided critical stability for a playoff push.</p>


<hr />

<a href="https://nationgear.ca/collections/bluejaysnation"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-85322" src="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2099/08/VLADDY_BJN-Merch_727x404_01.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" /></a>

Celebrate <a href="https://nationgear.ca/collections/bluejaysnation">Vladdy’s big news</a> in style with the <em>exclusive</em> new <a href="https://nationgear.ca/collections/bluejaysnation">BlueJaysNation Vladdy merch</a> — available only at <a href="https://nationgear.ca/collections/bluejaysnation">NationGear.ca</a>! Rep a future Hall of Famer and wear your team's pride loud. Limited drop. Don’t miss out.

&nbsp;

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