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The Toronto Blue Jays have emerged as both a buyer and a seller at the MLB trade deadline, acquiring right-hander Jose Soriano on Monday from the Los Angeles Angels.
The deal comes less than 12 hours before the 6 p.m. ET deadline.
Jays GM Ross Atkins has been quite busy the last few days, sending ace Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs for a pair of prospects, while also acquiring veteran starter Jameson Taillon from the Cubs in a separate deal.
In his fourth MLB season, Soriano, 27, has posted a record of 9-6 with a 3.29 ERA in 123 innings for the Angels.
In return, the Angels pick up a trio of minor leaguers, headlined by shortstop Arjun Nimmala, who rates as the game's No. 43 overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
Unlike Kevin Gausman (whom they traded to the Cubs), Soriano, 27, doesn't become a free agent until after the 2028 season. That gives the Jays a bit more runway to build their future rotation. He's a hard-thrower whose fastball is averaging 96.8 mph this season, resulting in a career-high strikeout rate (9.3 K/9). If Gausman was going to leave anyway after the season, the Jays have found a capable replacement − one who's going into his second season of arbitration.
But Soriano isn't without his flaws.
He has battled control issues throughout his three previous MLB seasons, issuing roughly four walks per nine innings. That's resulted in a fairly high 1.30 WHIP over the course of his career.
An incredible beginning to the 2026 season likely boosted Soriano's value on the trade market. In his first six starts (the last of which was at Toronto), he allowed just one run over 37 2/3 innings (0.24 ERA). But since then, he's reverted to his previous form with a 4.64 ERA and 1.44 WHIP.
However, moving from a last-place team to one that has playoff experience and is focused on being a perennial playoff contender should sharpen his focus.
The Jays were able to include Nimmala in the package because they still have 19-year-old shortstop JoJo Parker as their shortstop of the future.
The Angels may be on the verge of a complete (and much-needed) rebuild. And Soriano could become expensive by the time they're ready to compete for a playoff spot.
This may not be the last of their moves as the deadline draws closer.
Nimmala, 20, was a first-round pick by Toronto (20th overall) in the 2023 draft. The Jays' No. 2 prospect is the key piece to this deal as the Angels look to bolster what's been a very weak farm system for quite some time. Nimmala has missed some time this season with injuries, but he's moved up three levels already and is currently hitting .279/.355/.451 in 33 games at Class AA New Hampshire.
Although he's progressed quickly, Nimmala seems at least a year away from a call to the majors. However, he could potentially be viewed as a replacement for the Angels' current shortstop Zach Neto, who's been the subject of several trade rumors.
Micheletti, 24, is a corner outfielder and first baseman who's also at Double-A New Hampshire. He's slashing .251/.347/.454 with 14 home runs in 402 plate appearances for the Fisher Cats. He was an eighth-round pick by the Jays in 2024 out of Virginia Tech.
Rivero, 19, was signed out of Venezuela in 2024. The right-hander is currently pitching in the Florida Complex League and has a 2.36 ERA in 42 innings.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jose Soriano trade grades: Blue Jays buying, selling at deadline
Continue reading...
The deal comes less than 12 hours before the 6 p.m. ET deadline.
Jays GM Ross Atkins has been quite busy the last few days, sending ace Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs for a pair of prospects, while also acquiring veteran starter Jameson Taillon from the Cubs in a separate deal.
In his fourth MLB season, Soriano, 27, has posted a record of 9-6 with a 3.29 ERA in 123 innings for the Angels.
In return, the Angels pick up a trio of minor leaguers, headlined by shortstop Arjun Nimmala, who rates as the game's No. 43 overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
Jose Soriano trade details
- Blue Jays receive: RHP Jose Soriano
- Angels receive: SS Arjun Nimmala, OF Eddie Micheletti, RHP Angel Rivero
Blue Jays trade grade: B
Unlike Kevin Gausman (whom they traded to the Cubs), Soriano, 27, doesn't become a free agent until after the 2028 season. That gives the Jays a bit more runway to build their future rotation. He's a hard-thrower whose fastball is averaging 96.8 mph this season, resulting in a career-high strikeout rate (9.3 K/9). If Gausman was going to leave anyway after the season, the Jays have found a capable replacement − one who's going into his second season of arbitration.
But Soriano isn't without his flaws.
He has battled control issues throughout his three previous MLB seasons, issuing roughly four walks per nine innings. That's resulted in a fairly high 1.30 WHIP over the course of his career.
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An incredible beginning to the 2026 season likely boosted Soriano's value on the trade market. In his first six starts (the last of which was at Toronto), he allowed just one run over 37 2/3 innings (0.24 ERA). But since then, he's reverted to his previous form with a 4.64 ERA and 1.44 WHIP.
However, moving from a last-place team to one that has playoff experience and is focused on being a perennial playoff contender should sharpen his focus.
The Jays were able to include Nimmala in the package because they still have 19-year-old shortstop JoJo Parker as their shortstop of the future.
Angels trade grade: A-
The Angels may be on the verge of a complete (and much-needed) rebuild. And Soriano could become expensive by the time they're ready to compete for a playoff spot.
This may not be the last of their moves as the deadline draws closer.
Nimmala, 20, was a first-round pick by Toronto (20th overall) in the 2023 draft. The Jays' No. 2 prospect is the key piece to this deal as the Angels look to bolster what's been a very weak farm system for quite some time. Nimmala has missed some time this season with injuries, but he's moved up three levels already and is currently hitting .279/.355/.451 in 33 games at Class AA New Hampshire.
Although he's progressed quickly, Nimmala seems at least a year away from a call to the majors. However, he could potentially be viewed as a replacement for the Angels' current shortstop Zach Neto, who's been the subject of several trade rumors.
Micheletti, 24, is a corner outfielder and first baseman who's also at Double-A New Hampshire. He's slashing .251/.347/.454 with 14 home runs in 402 plate appearances for the Fisher Cats. He was an eighth-round pick by the Jays in 2024 out of Virginia Tech.
Rivero, 19, was signed out of Venezuela in 2024. The right-hander is currently pitching in the Florida Complex League and has a 2.36 ERA in 42 innings.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jose Soriano trade grades: Blue Jays buying, selling at deadline
Continue reading...
