Baseball
Baseball
Blue Jays Acquire Soriano, Send Top Prospect to Angels in Pitching Shuffle
The Toronto Blue Jays have moved quickly to bolster their pitching rotation, acquiring right-hander José Soriano from the Angels just hours after trading veteran Kevin Gausman. This deal sees the Blue Jays send their number two prospect, shortstop Arjun Nimmala, along with outfielder Eddie Micheletti and right-hander Angel Rivero, to Los Angeles.
Soriano, a 27-year-old right-hander, arrives in Toronto boasting a 3.29 ERA across 22 starts this season, contributing a 2.7 bWAR. He is expected to slot in as the Blue Jays’ second starter, joining ace Dylan Cease and 23-year-old Trey Yesavage to form a core rotation for the next two seasons. Soriano remains under club control through the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
The transaction signals a dual strategy for the Blue Jays at the trade deadline, balancing immediate needs with an eye toward the future. While the Gausman trade marked a significant “sell,” the acquisition of Soriano represents a long-term “buy,” securing a younger arm for their rotation.
Nimmala, Toronto’s 2023 first-round pick, has been performing well across High-A and Double-A this season. His departure, along with Micheletti and Rivero, completes the package sent to the Angels in exchange for Soriano.
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