Blue Jays GM says roster moves improved club following trade deadline
Jays add proven pitchers Jose Soriano, Spencer Arrighetti, subtract Daulton Varsho, Jeff Hoffman
Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins believes his struggling club improved its roster after a blended trade deadline that saw him add proven starting pitchers Jose Soriano and Spencer Arrighetti, and subtract Daulton Varsho and Jeff Hoffman on Monday.
Atkins took the blame for the Blue Jays' disappointing 2026 season, a year after being a World Series finalist.
asserted
Atkins → say → season
However, he was pleased that his moves — including Sunday's late deal that moved veteran starter Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs — will still give Toronto a shot to compete for an American League wild-card spot in the final two months.
asserted
that → include → months
"I think we're close, but obviously, I would rather we were just adding at this point and making us a much better 26-man and 40-man roster for the 2026th season," said Atkins, whose team began play Monday evening 4 1/2 games out of the final AL wild-card berth.
asserted
team → think → berth
"We weren't in that position, so we're turning our focus to continue to win games and compete this year, and make us better for the 2027 season and beyond that.
asserted
us → turn → that
We feel that we've accomplished that."
asserted
we → feel → that
Including the Gausman deal, Atkins spun five trades on deadline day.
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Atkins → include → day
Varsho was moved to the Houston Astros for right-handed pitcher Arrighetti, 26, and cash considerations.
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Varsho → move → Arrighetti
Arrighetti is currently on the injured list with right foot nerve irritation.
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Arrighetti → injure → irritation
The 27-year-old Soriano was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels for infielder Arjun Nimmala, outfielder Eddie Micheletti Jr., and right-handed pitcher Angel Rivero.
asserted
Soriano → acquire → Nimmala
Soriano's contract has club control through 2028.
asserted
contract → have → 2028
Gausman was moved to the Cubs for outfield prospect Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene.
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Gausman → move → Bateman
In an earlier trade, the Cubs sent starting pitcher Jameson Taillon to Toronto for cash considerations.
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Cubs → send → considerations
Toronto sent Canadian reliever Adam Macko to the Texas Rangers for infielder/outfielder Josh Smith and right-handed pitcher Josh Stephan.
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Toronto → send → Smith
Hoffman was traded to the Minnesota Twins for prospects Dasan Hill, John Klein and Dameury Pena, and $250,000 in international cap space.
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Hoffman → trade → space
Hoffman, of course, surrendered a game-tying homer to Miguel Rojas of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series last fall.
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Hoffman → surrender → fall
The Dodgers won the deciding game in the 11th inning.
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Dodgers → win → inning
"I will say this: I think it's very unfair for Jeff Hoffman to be remembered by one pitch last year in Game 7," Toronto manager John Schneider said.
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Schneider → say → Game
"Unfortunately, that comes with Game 7 when you're pitching the ninth inning.
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you → come → inning
But what he's done for us and the innings that he's pitched for us, you know, last year and this year, I'll always be thankful for."
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I → do → us
Atkins summed up the last two days of wheeling and dealing with a favourable outlook.
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Atkins → sum → outlook
"I think the thing we were most pleased with is that we were able to apply higher pieces that can impact the team immediately, and who will be here for the long term, and that was important to us," Atkins said.
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Atkins → think → us
The Jays GM did not move veterans George Springer, Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber, even though their contracts are set to expire in the off-season.
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contracts → move → season
"We felt that because we have so much support here, it wasn't necessary that we trade them," Atkins said.
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Atkins → feel → them
"There was a benefit to us continuing to compete, a benefit to individuals like Max and George and Shane being here to impact others individually, and impact us winning baseball games."
asserted
us → be → games
Blue Jays GM says roster moves improved club following trade deadline
Jays add proven pitchers Jose Soriano, Spencer Arrighetti, subtract Daulton Varsho, Jeff Hoffman
Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins believes his struggling club improved its roster after a blended trade deadline that saw him add proven starting pitchers Jose Soriano and Spencer Arrighetti, and subtract Daulton Varsho and Jeff Hoffman on Monday.
Atkins took the blame for the Blue Jays' disappointing 2026 season, a year after being a World Series finalist.
asserted
Atkins → say → season
However, he was pleased that his moves — including Sunday's late deal that moved veteran starter Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs — will still give Toronto a shot to compete for an American League wild-card spot in the final two months.
asserted
that → include → months
"I think we're close, but obviously, I would rather we were just adding at this point and making us a much better 26-man and 40-man roster for the 2026th season," said Atkins, whose team began play Monday evening 4 1/2 games out of the final AL wild-card berth.
asserted
team → think → berth
"We weren't in that position, so we're turning our focus to continue to win games and compete this year, and make us better for the 2027 season and beyond that.
asserted
us → turn → that
We feel that we've accomplished that."
asserted
we → feel → that
Including the Gausman deal, Atkins spun five trades on deadline day.
asserted
Atkins → include → day
Varsho was moved to the Houston Astros for right-handed pitcher Arrighetti, 26, and cash considerations.
asserted
Varsho → move → Arrighetti
Arrighetti is currently on the injured list with right foot nerve irritation.
asserted
Arrighetti → injure → irritation
The 27-year-old Soriano was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels for infielder Arjun Nimmala, outfielder Eddie Micheletti Jr., and right-handed pitcher Angel Rivero.
asserted
Soriano → acquire → Nimmala
Soriano's contract has club control through 2028.
asserted
contract → have → 2028
Gausman was moved to the Cubs for outfield prospect Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene.
asserted
Gausman → move → Bateman
In an earlier trade, the Cubs sent starting pitcher Jameson Taillon to Toronto for cash considerations.
asserted
Cubs → send → considerations
Toronto sent Canadian reliever Adam Macko to the Texas Rangers for infielder/outfielder Josh Smith and right-handed pitcher Josh Stephan.
asserted
Toronto → send → Smith
Hoffman was traded to the Minnesota Twins for prospects Dasan Hill, John Klein and Dameury Pena, and $250,000 in international cap space.
asserted
Hoffman → trade → space
Hoffman, of course, surrendered a game-tying homer to Miguel Rojas of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series last fall.
asserted
Hoffman → surrender → fall
The Dodgers won the deciding game in the 11th inning.
asserted
Dodgers → win → inning
…and 8 more, not listed.
