It appears the Toronto Blue Jays aren’t full-on sellers despite dealing Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs yesterday. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Toronto is acquiring right-handed starting pitcher Jose Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels.
Passan wrote on X: “BREAKING: The Toronto Blue Jays are acquiring right-hander Jose Soriano in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels, sources tell ESPN.”
Passan added: “The Angels will receive top shortstop prospect Arjun Nimmala, outfielder Eddie Micheletti and right-hander Angel Rivero from the Blue Jays for Jose Soriano, sources tell ESPN.”
TRADE: Toronto Blue Jays Acquire Jose Soriano From Los Angeles Angels
GettyANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JULY 20: José Soriano #59 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 20, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ross Turteltaub/Getty Images)
Soriano, 27, is under team control through 2028.
MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson wrote on X: “This is the long-term “buying” move the #BlueJays have been looking for, getting ahead of their 2027-’28 business in the rotation. Arjun Nimmala is a steep price as the headliner, too. Their No. 2 prospect is in the middle of a very strong year between High-A and Double-A.”
This season, Soriano has posted 2.7 bWAR and a 3.29 ERA with 1 1.25 WHIP and 127 strikeouts in 123 innings across 22 starts.
Soriano has four years of MLB experience, all with the Angels. He has a career 3.72 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and 432 strikeouts in 447 innings across 113 outings (73 starts).
Looking at the Angels’ Return From Blue Jays in Soriano Trade
GettyTORONTO, ONTARIO – OCTOBER 05: Mark Shapiro, president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on before game two against the New York Yankees of the American League or National League Division Series at Rogers Centre on October 05, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
It wasn’t cheap for the Blue Jays to get Soriano. Nimmala ranked as the team’s No. 2 overall prospect before the deal. Nimmala, 20, has hit .265/.364/.453 with eight home runs and 34 RBI in 62 games across four minor-league levels this season. Toronto selected the shortstop in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft.
Mitcheletti and Rivero didn’t rank among the Blue Jays’ top-30 prospects before the trade. Mitcheletti, 24, was drafted in the eighth round of the 2024 MLB Draft. He has an .800 OPS with 14 home runs and 45 RBI in 93 games at the Double-A level this season.
Rivero, 19, is a right-handed starting pitcher. In 42 innings across 12 appearances (nine starts) in rookie ball this year, the right-hander has posted a 2.36 ERA with 52 strikeouts and 23 walks
Toronto Blue Jays Right Now
GettyTORONTO, CANADA – JULY 21: Kevin Gausman #34 of the Toronto Blue Jays gets pulled from the game by manager John Schneider #14 standing alongside Brandon Valenzuela #59 in a break in play against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on July 21, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
The Blue Jays are 4 1/2 games back of the final AL Wild Card spot with a 52-60 record.
Toronto just won two of three games against the St. Louis Cardinals at Rogers Centre. Next, the Blue Jays will begin a three-game series against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on Monday night.
TRADE: Blue Jays Surprisingly Acquire One of Top Starting Pitchers on Market