2026 MLB Trade Deadline: Toronto Blue Jays go with hybrid approach to address this year and next
The Toronto Blue Jays are still in the American League wild card hunt, but at seven games under .500, the playoffs are far from a sure thing.
Toronto’s management elected a rare hybrid approach at the trade deadline, moving off some pending free agents, while also adding players who are expected to be major parts of the team next year and beyond.
The Blue Jays ended up making six trades over the last couple of days to bring in 10 players, including six pitchers. Starter Jose Soriano is the highlight of Toronto’s trade deadline moves, but there’s also some other players to be excited about.
Here’s what the Blue Jays did leading up to the trade deadline.
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Arrighetti in, Varsho out
Toronto Blue Jays receive: RHP Spencer Arrighetti
Houston Astros receive: OF Daulton Varso
Spencer Arrighetti is currently on the injured list with irritation in his right foot, but he is expected to return this season. The 26-year-old gives Toronto another potential rotation piece under team control until 2030. He’s a solid end-of-the-rotation starter who provides a great return considering Daulton Varsho will be a free agent next season.
Hoffman headed to Minnesota
Toronto Blue Jays receive: LHP Dasan Hill, RHP John Klein, 2B/LF Dameury Pena, international signing pool money ($250,000)
Minnesota Twins receive: RHP Jeff Hoffman
Dasan Hill holds a few weapons in his arsenal, most notably a fastball that tops out at 98 m.p.h. John Klein has mostly pitched in triple-A this season, but could develop into a starter or reliever for the Blue Jays. Dameury Pena is more of a contact hitter who has potential to develop more power in the future.
Hill, Klein and Pena are a fair return for Jeff Hoffman, who will always be known in Toronto as the guy who gave up the ninth inning home run in Game 7 of the World Series.
Soriano added for trio prospects
Toronto Blue Jays receive: RHP Jose Soriano
Los Angeles Angels receive: SS Arjun NImmala, OF Eddie Micheletti, RHP Angel Rivero
Toronto’s buy-and-sell hybrid approach is personified with Jose Soriano, a legitimate ace-calibre starter. The 27-year-old is under team control through the 2028 season and he should slot in next to Dylan Cease at the top of the rotation.
Giving up highly touted prospect Arjun Nimmala is a steep price, but it’s worth it to bolster the rotation. The Jays now head into next year with Cease, Soriano and Trey Yesavage as a starting point for the rotation, with Cody Ponce, Bowden Francis and Jose Berrios each slated to return from injury.
Macko shipped to Rangers
Toronto Blue Jays receive: INF/OF Josh Smith, RHP John Stephan
Texas Rangers receive: LHP Adam Macko
Josh Smith is a versatile infielder who can also play the outfield. He’s having a down-year at the plate with a .213 average and only one home run, but he’s a much-needed lefty under team control through 2028. John Stephan will bounce between the majors and triple-A, essentially filling Adam Macko’s role.
Gausman the first chip to fall
Toronto Blue Jays receive: INF Ty Southisene, OF Brett Bateman
Chicago Cubs receive: RHP Kevin Gausman
The Blue Jays’ first major move was sending Kevin Gausman (who they later replaced with Soriano) to the Cubs for a pair of prospects.
Ty Southisene is a smart, high-contact hitter, but his lack of power is concerning and he has never hit a professional home run. Still, Southisene’s ability to get the ball and play as well as his speed should make him a valuable asset down the road.
Brett Bateman’s hitting ability is similar to Southisene. Bateman’s best strength is his defensive play in the outfield, which will offset the loss of Varsho.
Buying cheap on Taillon
Toronto Blue Jays receive: RHP Jameson Taillon
Chicago Cubs receive: Player to be named later or cash considerations
Toronto essentially took a flyer on 34-year-old Jameson Taillon. He’s been fairly reliable at eating innings throughout his career, although he needed a change of scenery after the Cubs DFA’d him. That happened because he’s averaging 3.0 home runs per nine innings this year, more than double his career rate.
The Blue Jays really didn’t give up anything for Taillon, so there’s no risk.