The Blue Jays were busy at last year’s trade deadline, trading veteran players with expiring contracts and acquiring a whopping 13 players, a majority of whom were prospects. The moves at the deadline and the draft outcome only moderately boosted Toronto in the farm system rankings, thanks in part to several of their top pitching prospects getting hurt.

Joey Loperfido and Jonatan Clase were brought in at the deadline (under separate transactions). Both players had opportunities on the active roster in the second half of the 2024 season. Loperfido remained on the Jays squad following his acquisition from the Astros while Clase made his Blue Jays debut towards the tail end of the season in limited action. With rumours swirling that the Blue Jays are set to go all in to try to add Juan Soto or another outfielder, a starting outfield job may not be in the cards for either prospect given the current outfield picture.

This begs the question: who should stay in the big leagues as the fourth outfielder, and what may happen to the other player?

The 25-year-old Loperfido debuted for the Astros on April 30th after terrorizing minor pitching with his home run pop and on-base skills. After hitting 25 home runs in 124 games in 2023, the former Duke Blue Devil blasted 13 home runs in his first 28 triple-A games to open up 2024. However, across two stints with the Astros, he slashed just .236/.299/.359 through 38 games.

The former seventh-round pick’s numbers stayed on pace with his Houston numbers after arriving in Toronto, hitting .197/.236/.343 across 43 games. Similar to fellow former Astros teammate Jake Bloss – who came to Toronto in the same deal – the left-handed hitting Loperfido quickly advanced through the system only to struggle at the big league level, primarily with his strikeout numbers (36.1 K%). The six-foot-three slugger has experience in each of the three outfield spots, although he is not looked at as more than an average defender. The team likely still sees him as a long-term starter given the profile of being able to hit for power and his plus speed.

Clase was brought over along with catcher Jacob Sharp at the deadline with reliever Yimi García being sent to the Mariners. The Dominican outfielder quickly rose through the Mariners system, splitting 2023 between high-A and double-A before making his MLB debut this past April after just 12 triple-A games. Unlike Loperfido, the 22-year-old was much younger than his peers at each of those minor league spots, impressing with his speed and ability to get on base.

Clase did not stick in the big leagues with the Mariners, instead being sent back and forth from triple-A a total of four times before being traded. He slashed .274/.373/.483 with triple-A Tacoma while swiping 26 bags. Across the entire season, he would steal a total of 41 bases. The 5-foot-10 outfielder never received consistent playing time with the Mariners, managing just eight hits across 43 plate appearances. After the trade, Clase logged 35 games with triple-A Buffalo, slashing just .244/.288/.363. However, his season ended on a positive note, collecting seven hits in 20 at-bats after a late-season call-up to Toronto that included his first big league home run. For Clase, his calling card is his elite speed, with the top prospect swiping 79 bases in 2023.

Both outfielders have positioned themselves to be a part of the Blue Jays plans for 2025. This is contingent on what the Blue Jays’ offseason plans entail when it comes to adding Soto or another outfielder but until then, both players are setting themselves up to contribute in the Major Leagues and a competition may be brewing this Spring for playing time.

Loperfido had considerably more playing time following the trade last year, collecting 262 plate appearances compared to Clase’s 66. The former Astro has the power profile to help the Blue Jays if he can correlate his triple-A stats in the big leagues, making him unlikely to be pushed into a fourth outfielder role where he won’t receive consistent playing time. Clase’s current profile seems perfect for a 4th outfielder, given his speed to play any outfield spot and switching hitting flexibility. However, given his age, the Jays may want to give him everyday at-bats to help with his progression and development instead of having him sit on the bench in Toronto.

Given his age and experience last year at the major league level, it makes more sense that Loperfido will play a more pivotal role in the Blue Jays outfield in 2025. However, given the long season, it wouldn’t be surprising if Clase was next up for at-bats if an injury were to occur.