OFFICIAL: We’ve acquired RHP José Soriano from the Angels in exchange for INF Arjun Nimmala, OF Eddie Micheletti Jr. and RHP Angel Rivero.
Toronto Blue Jays 2026 MLB Trade Deadline live blog
Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Aug 3, 2026, 06:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 3, 2026, 18:54 EDT
It’s been a whirlwind of a season, and the trade deadline comes at 6:00 PM ET on Monday.
The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to be sellers, entering Monday’s series against the Houston Astros with a 52-60 record. Less than a year after falling shy of the World Series, they’ve already traded their long-time ace, Kevin Gausman. In fact, it was one of two separate trades the Blue Jays made with the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, also acquiring Jameson Taillon during Sunday’s series finale.
Expect them to be busy on Monday. Gausman was one of a handful of players on expiring deals. Daulton Varsho and Shane Bieber are likely to be traded, while George Springer and Max Scherzer are also candidates to be moved. Both players have trade protection, Scherzer a full no-move clause, and Springer his 10-5 rights.
Other players who have been in trade rumours in recent weeks are Jeff Hoffman and Tyler Rogers, with the former’s contract expiring after the 2027 season.
The Blue Jays may take a buyer and seller approach, meaning they sell off the players on expiring contracts, but trade prospects for players with team control. José Soriano, Reid Detmers, and Nick Lodolo are potential candidates. This would give them a head start on improving the team for the 2027 season and beyond, because they undoubtedly would like to contend if there’s a 2027 season.
While the Blue Jays have only made one major trade, there’s been a few more noteworthy trades across Major League Baseball. The biggest of which saw the Los Angeles Dodgers send prospects to the Detroit Tigers for back-to-back American League Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal.
The Blue Jays’ American League East rivals have been busy and will continue to be busy. On Sunday, the New York Yankees acquired Luis García Jr. from the Washington Nationals. The Tampa Bay Rays also acquired Freddy Peralta from the New York Mets.
Buckle up, it’s going to be a busy day across Major League Baseball!
Deadline Day, 9:30 AM ET
The Blue Jays made the first major trade of the day, sending Arjun Nimmala, Eddie Micheletti Jr. and Angel Rivero to the Los Angeles Angels for José Soriano. This moves bolsters their rotation for the 2026 season and beyond, as the next two free agent classes are rather week. With JoJo Parker emerging, as well as a plethora of left-handed batting outfielders, the Jays traded for areas of strength in this move.
BREAKING: The Philadelphia Phillies are acquiring second baseman Luis Arraez in a trade with the San Francisco Giants, sources tell ESPN.
At the same time as the Soriano trade, the Philadelphia Phillies also made two big moves, acquiring second baseman Luis Arraez and left-handed reliever Brooks Raley. The latter move saw them give up pitching prospect Luke Gabrysh and outfield prospect John Spikerman.
11:30 AM ET
Trade news: The Atlanta Braves are acquiring left-handed reliever Brent Suter from the Los Angeles Angels for infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr., sources tell ESPN.
The Angels made a second trade on Monday, sending left-handed reliever Brent Suter to the Atlanta Braves for Nacho Alvarez Jr. Suter is a 36-year-old with a 4.12 ERA and 3.65 FIP in 63.1 innings pitched. Alvarez Jr. is a young player who hasn’t had a great 2026. It could be a solid comparison if Jeff Hoffman is dealt.
12:30 PM ET
A few massive moves less than six hours from the deadline. The Baltimore Orioles sent Taylor Ward to the Seattle Mariners for an unknown package. Ward’s power has dried up since being traded from the Angels last off-season. In return, the Orioles received Alex Hoppe, Brock Moore, and Harrison Kreiling, three pitchers, according to Baltimore Sun’s Matt Weyrich.
BREAKING: The Seattle Mariners are acquiring outfielder Taylor Ward in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles, sources tell ESPN.
A team the Blue Jays are chasing for the final wild card spot, the Cleveland Guardians, acquired Jo Adell from the Angels. There’s some pop in his bat, but he has an 89 wRC+ this season. We’ll see what the package is as the Angels continue their fire sale. Catching prospect Jacob Cozart goes the other way, according to The Athletic’s Zack Meisel.
Jo Adell to Guardians
The other L.A. based team, the Dodgers, also acquired a player, adding Ben Rortvedt for the third time in about a year. They sent Chayce McDermott to the New York Mets to acquired his serivces.
Dodgers acquire catcher Ben Rortvedt from Mets for pitcher Chayce McDermott
2:20 PM ET
After an hour and a half of inactivity, a few trades popped up. The Blue Jays made one of these trades, sending Adam Macko to the Texas Rangers for Josh Smith and prospect Josh Stephan. A little out of the blue, but we’ll see if this is a precursor for future moves.
Rangers are trading Josh Smith to Toronto. Getting lefty Adam Macko in return.
Former Blue Jay Robbie Ray is on the move as well, as the San Francisco Giants shipped him off to their National League West rival, the San Diego Padres. The return has yet to be reported, but the 2021 American League Cy Young winner has a 3.08 ERA and 4.36 FIP in 122.2 innings this season. In return, the Giants reportedly got prospects Joniel Hernandez and Miguel Mendez.
The San Diego Padres are finalizing a trade to acquire left-hander Robbie Ray from the San Francisco Giants, sources tell ESPN.
In the American League East, the Tampa Bay Rays acquired Liam Hicks from their National League rivals, sending Brayden Taylor, Jacob Kisting, and Adrian Santana in return. All three of those prospects ranked in the Rays’ top 30 according to MLB Pipeline. Hicks, who is Canadian, is slashing .282/.363/.432 with 14 home runs in 409 plate appearances, good for a 119 wRC+.
BREAKING: The Tampa Bay Rays are acquiring catcher Liam Hicks in a trade with the Miami Marlins, sources tell ESPN.
As I was writing this update, the Dodgers acquired left-handed pitcher Kris Bubic from the Kansas City Royals, with the return package yet to be announced. Bubic, 28, has a 4.11 ERA and 3.71 FIP in 50.1 innings across nine starts. The lefty had a 2.55 ERA and 2.89 FIP in 116.1 innings last season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are acquiring left-hander Kris Bubic in a trade with the Kansas City Royals, sources tell ESPN
Another NL West made a team earlier, as the Colorado Rockies shipped Brenton Doyle to the Chicago White Sox for Mason Adams and Carlos Vielma, two prospects. Doyle had some good seasons on defence a few years ago, but has struggled all around in 2026.
The White Sox have agreed to acquire Brenton Doyle from the Rockies for RHP Mason Adams and SS Carlos Vielma, per source. Deal is in medical review.
3:00 PM ET
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Adley Rutschman trade is official, though the package has yet to be determined. Drafted first overall in 2019 by the Baltimore Orioles, the catcher hasn’t lived up to the promise, but he’s having a solid year. With Hicks off the market, it’ll be interesting to see if the Yankees can find their catcher before the 6:00 PM ET deadline.
BREAKING: The Boston Red Sox are acquiring three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles, sources tell ESPN.
There’s been conflicting reports about whether or not the Chicago Cubs have landed Reid Detmers, with the most recent update being they have not according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
The Cubs have not acquired Reid Detmers in a trade with the Angels, per a source.
3:20 PM ET
The return for Rutschman is in, and it’s a haul for the Orioles. They received Anthony Eyanson, a top 100 prospect, as well as Kyson Witherspoon, Enddy Azocar, and Carlos Narváez. Witherspoon and Azocar were both ranked as top five Red Sox prospects before the trade. Jake Rogers is also heading to the Red Sox in this deal.
The Red Sox are sending RHP Anthony Eyanson (Boston's No. 2 prospect and No. 49 overall per @MLBPipeline), RHP Kyson Witherspoon (No. 4), OF Enddy Azocar (No. 5), OF Harold Rivas (No. 17) and C Carlos Narvaez to the Orioles for Rutschman, per source. @jcalvinmeyer was on it.
It’s a great trade for the Orioles, especially for someone who hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. This trade makes me wonder what the Jays could get for Alejandro Kirk, although he should be untouchable.
Three other trades occurred around this time. The Mets sent Luke Weaver to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Sammy Stafura. The Brewers acquired Dustin May and Jo Jo Romero from the St. Louis Cardinals.
Brewers acquiring RHP Dustin May and LH reliever Jo Jo Romero from Cardinals, source tells me and @WillSammon
Additionally, the Cubs acquired another starter, Braxton Garrett, from the Miami Marlins. In return, they got Jonathon Long and Jace Beck.
Return to Marlins is first baseman Jonathon Long and pitcher Jace Beck.
The Cubs are acquiring Braxton Garrett in a trade with the Marlins, league source tells The Athletic.
6:50 PM ET
Trade deadline has come and gone, with the Blue Jays making three trades. As well as the Soriano trade and the trade with the Cubs, the Jays sent Daulton Varsho to the Houston Astros for Spencer Arrighetti, the team they are set to play in just an hour.
Daulton Varsho is close to agoing to the Astros, per source. It's in medical review. The return will be starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti. #BlueJays
Shortly before the deadline they sent Jeff Hoffman to the Minnesota Twins for Dasan Hill, John Klien, Dameury Pena, and some international signing bonus pool space. Both these trades hurt as much as the Gausman one last night.
The return for Jeff Hoffman, sources tell me & @ShiDavidi Dasan Hill John Klein Dameury Pena 250k in international cap space
Elsewhere, the Rockies sent Antonio Senzatela to the Brewers for Mark Manfredi and Juan Martinez. The Rockies also traded Victor Vodnik to the Marlins for Connor Norby and Aiden May.
The Miami Marlins are acquiring right-handed reliever Victor Vodnik from the Colorado Rockies for infielder Connor Norby and right-hander Aiden May, sources tell ESPN.
Former top 100 prospect, Marcelo Mayer, was traded to the San Francisco Giants for left-handed pitcher Erik Miller. It’s a good example of why you should be willing to trade prospects.
The Cubs did just that, acquiring Clay Holmes and Tyrone Taylor for an MLB Pipeline top 100 prospect in Jefferson Rojas. Alexander Frias, one of the prospects the Cubs acquired for May, is also seen as a top 100 prospect by some publications.
THE CARDINALS ARE THIEVES Alexander Frias is seen a Top 100 prospect around the league and was ranked as FanGraphs #43 prospect in their post-draft update. He projects to be a solid defender in the outfield with a good bat Josiah Ragsdale has been one of the best hitters in Show more
Class A outfielder Alexander Frías and Double A outfielder Josiah Ragsdale are coming from Milwaukee to St. Louis in the return, per a source. Both considered top 30 prospects.
Another notable move saw the Padres acquire Casey Mize and Gage Workman from the Detroit Tigers for Kas Mayfield and Jackson Wolf. The Yankees also acquired Heliot Ramos for Henry Lalane and Kaeden Kent.
We’ll see how the rest of the season plays out, but thank you for reading alone with this article throughout the day!
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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