The Toronto Blue Jays had a disappointing 2026 season that saw them miss the MLB playoffs.
During the middle of the season, they made a trade with the Texas Rangers.
MLB.com wrote (on August 3): “Texas Rangers traded 2B Josh Smith and RHP Josh Stephan to Toronto Blue Jays for LHP Adam Macko.”
Jays Immediately Re-Sign 25-Year-Old Pitcher
On Tuesday, the Blue Jays announced that they are bringing back Josh Stephan.
The Blue Jays wrote (via X): “OFFICIAL: We’ve signed the following free agents to Minor League deals with invites to #SpringTraining 🔹 OF Victor Arias 🔹 RHP Lazaro Estrada 🔹 OF Rudy Martin Jr. 🔹 RHP Josh Stephan”
🔹 OF Victor Arias 🔹 RHP Lazaro Estrada 🔹 OF Rudy Martin Jr. 🔹 RHP Josh Stephan
Looking At Stephan
Stephan has spent six seasons in the Minor Leagues.
Before the Blue Jays, his entire career had been in the Minor League system of the Rangers.
This past year, Stephan went 6-11 with a 5.77 ERA in 28 games (26 starts).
MLB Pipeline wrote (on August 3): “The Blue Jays are acquiring RHP prospect Josh Stephan, along with Josh Smith, from the Rangers in exchange for Adam Macko, @Feinsand and @KeeganMatheson confirm. Stephan has 97 K’s in 101 IP at Triple-A this season.”
Stephan has 97 K’s in 101 IP at Triple-A this season: t.co/cxFzHetoej
It will be interesting to see if he is able to make his MLB debut over the next few seasons.
Looking At The Blue Jays Right Now
The Blue Jays had reached the 2025 World Series (before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7).
This past season, they were the last-place team in the American League East with a 79-83 record in 162 games.
That said, the Blue Jays still have a talented roster that could make a run in 2027.
Looking At The Rangers Right Now
The Rangers finished the 2026 season as the second-place team in the American League West with an 80-82 record in 162 games.
They were just one game back of the Houston Astros (who won the division).
The franchise won a World Series title in 2023 when they beat the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Toronto Blue Jays Immediately Re-Sign 25-Year-Old Pitcher After Trade