BREAKING: Daulton Varsho Traded To Houston Astros

[Mike LeSage]

Jeff Passan is reporting that the Houston Astros have acquired Daulton Varsho. The Blue Jays center fielder is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, but the potential of a qualifying offer made his trade availability uncertain. The return for the Jays is reportedly right-hander Spencer Arrighetti.

Varsho was worth 11.9 bWAR (8.4 fWAR) over four seasons in Toronto. His steady presence in center field only garnered one Gold Glove, but he arguably deserved at least one more. He came to the Jays ahead of the 2023 season in a trade that sent Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabriel Moreno to Arizona. That trade signified a move towards a defense-first outfield and a shift in team-building philosophy. In 2025, Varsho put up a 123 wRC+ (his only Toronto season over 100) and was one of the catalysts propelling the Jays on their postseason run.

The 26-year-old Arrighetti has started 17 games for the Astros this season, posting a 7-5 record over 88 innings. His 4.60 ERA and 5.07 FIP line up with 87 Ks against 50 BBs. He is currently on the 15-day IL with nerve irritation in his right foot. He hit the IL twice last season with a broken thumb early in the year and right elbow inflammation, limiting him to just 35.1 IP. In 2024, he threw 145 innings and notched 171 strikeouts. Arrighetti has club control until at least the end of the 2029 season with options remaining, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com.

The Blue Jays are beginning a series in Houston tonight (first pitch 8:10 pm ET), and there are multiple reports that the Astros are hoping to have Varsho in their lineup for this evening's game. Shane Bieber is Toronto's projected starter, but with just over an hour to the deadline, that could change.

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