HOUSTON -- The Blue Jays have agreed to a trade to send Daulton Varsho across the diamond here in Houston to join the Astros, the team confirmed Monday.
The deal will net the Blue Jays 26-year-old righty starter Spencer Arrighetti, another long-term addition for their rotation after landing José Soriano from the Angels in a big, splashy deal Monday morning.
Trades and Transactions presented by CohnReznick
• Tracking every Deadline trade
• Skubal heads to Dodgers in Deadline blockbuster
• Rutschman traded to Red Sox for big prospect haul
• Phillies get 3-time batting champ Arraez, relief ace Raley
• Every prospect traded before Deadline
Shortly after 2 p.m. CT in Houston, Varsho strolled out to center field at Daikin Park, wandering around the wall and warning track to get a feel for its dimensions. Just over one hour later, news broke of the deal. By the time Varsho packs his bags and moves clubhouses, he could be active for the Astros as soon as tonight for the series opener.
TRADE DETAILS:
Toronto receives: RHP Spencer Arrighetti
Houston receives: OF Daulton Varsho
This is the Blue Jays’ third move of the day and their fifth ahead of the Deadline. After the Soriano deal earlier Monday, this represents more of a classic “seller” move, which could continue leading up to the Deadline, with George Springer, Shane Bieber, Max Scherzer, Luis Urías and Jeff Hoffman all potential options to be moved at the right price.
Varsho came into this season primed for a big contract year and looked great in Spring Training, but that hasn’t carried over into the season. He’d originally looked like he had the potential to emerge as one of the top position players on the free-agent market with a big offensive year alongside his Gold Glove-caliber defense, but he’s hit just .243 with a .682 OPS and his defense has surprisingly taken a step back.
Still, Varsho has been a key piece in this era of Blue Jays baseball, and his departure is yet another sign that we’re entering a new one. Varsho represented one of the biggest swings we’ve ever seen from this front office when they acquired him from the D-backs for catching prospect Gabriel Moreno, who has grown into a star in Arizona, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Arrighetti is a solid return for two months of Varsho, the Blue Jays opting to target controllable starting pitching over another prospect they may need to wait on. While the Soriano addition raised the ceiling of this 2027 and ‘28 rotation significantly, Arrighetti could raise the floor. He’s currently on the IL with right foot nerve irritation, but has been throwing bullpen sessions and expects to pitch again in ‘26.
Blue Jays' 2027 rotation projection
1. Dylan Cease
2. José Soriano
3. Trey Yesavage
4. Cody Ponce
5. TBD
That "TBD" is getting more interesting now, and will be opened up to a group that includes Arrighetti. Rule 5 Draft wonder Spencer Miles is another candidate as the Blue Jays likely stretch him out next season, and they are expected to continue to address the decision. Even after they entered 2026 with what seemed like incredible rotation depth, they’ve been spread thin throughout the season.
Arrighetti doesn’t light up the radar gun, living near 93 mph, but his big curveball is the star of his arsenal. He’ll be the latest project for Pete Walker and the Blue Jays’ pitching coaches, who will need to drag down his walk rate (5.1 BB/9) from the past two seasons to develop Arrighetti into a full-time option.