Toronto Blue Jays Trade Deadline in Review

[Leo Morgenstern]

The Blue Jays were active leading up to the trade deadline, giving us some of the moves we expected and at least one we didn't.

Kevin Gausman and Daulton Varsho are gone, but impending free agents Shane Bieber, George Springer, and Max Scherzer are still around. The lineup is worse without Varsho, but the outfield defense won't take much of a hit with Myles Straw around to take over. As for the rotation, Gausman to José Soriano isn't much of a downgrade, if it's a downgrade at all. Plus, with the additions of Spencer Arrighetti and Jameson Taillon, rotation depth isn't looking like a problem anymore. (Time to knock on wood and pretend I never wrote those words.)

The area where the Jays might have taken the biggest hit is the bullpen. Jeff Hoffman is gone, which will put even more pressure on the team's remaining high-leverage relievers. That said, it's hard to overlook Hoffman's -2.06 Win Probability Added with Toronto, the second-worst among all AL relievers over the last two years. I'm not saying he isn't a talented reliever – I know he is – but even so, he may have lost the Jays more games than he won them. That makes his departure easier to swallow. 

So, the Blue Jays might be a little worse off for the rest of 2026, but they won't be unwatchable. And who knows? They might even have what it takes to make a Cinderella run. (Sorry, I don't know why I keep jinxing things.) They're also in a better position for 2027. We'll have more to say about their deadline moves in the coming days, but for now, here's a rundown of the six trades they made over the long weekend, with links to our initial write-ups.

The Headliner: José Soriano for Arjun Nimmala

Most folks were calling the Blue Jays sellers last week, but how often does a seller trade one of their top prospects at the deadline? Arjun Nimmala is no small price to pay, but José Soriano is a big get. Adding Soriano helps with the pain of losing Gausman, and now the Jays have one less need to address in the offseason. 

• Blue Jays get José Soriano
• Angels get Arjun Nimmala, Eddie Micheletti Jr., and Angel Rivero 

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The Hardest Goodbye: Kevin Gausman to the Cubs

Kevin Gausman will be sorely missed, but the Blue Jays were smart to cash in on his trade value before he hit free agency. The question now is if they were smart about the prospects they asked for in return.

• Blue Jays get Brett Bateman and Ty Southisene
• Cubs get Kevin Gausman

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From Friend to Rival in About Four Hours: The Daulton Varsho Story

Daulton Varsho was already with the Blue Jays in Houston when this deal was completed. He suited up for the Astros and went 1-for-4 with a walk against his former team.

• Blue Jays get Spencer Arrighetti
• Astros get Daulton Varsho

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Jeff Hoffman to the Twins Completes an Unexpected Closer Swap

Two offseasons ago, Jeff Hoffman was coming off an All-Star season. He signed a three-year, $33 million deal to be the Blue Jays' new closer. Louis Varland had a 5.51 career ERA. He wasn't even sure he'd crack the Twins' Opening Day roster. Oh, how things change. 

• Blue Jays get Spencer Arrighetti
• Twins get Jeff Hoffman

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More Like Jay-meson Taillon

The Blue Jays sent a veteran starter to the Cubs, but not before they took one for themselves. 

• Blue Jays get Jameson Taillon
• Cubs get cash considerations or a player to be named later

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The Utility Man Formerly Known as Josh H. Smith

The versatile Josh Smith has played every position except pitcher and catcher. I'd be shocked if we don't see him pitch at least once for the Jays before the year is over. 

• Blue Jays get Josh Smith
• Rangers get Adam Macko

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