Blue Jays ship Adam Macko to Rangers in surprising trade for Josh Smith

The Toronto Blue Jays reportedly completed another trade on Monday, acquiring infielder Josh Smith and Josh Stephan from the Texas Rangers in exchange for pitcher Adam Macko.

Smith, 28, has experience playing all over the diamond, while Stephen is a right-handed pitching prospect who has yet to make his MLB debut. Macko, meanwhile, impressed in his first taste of big league action with the Blue Jays in 2026. 

Why did the Blue Jays trade Macko for another infielder?

Smith is the most established name involved in this trade and has a track record of being a quality MLB player despite struggling this year. He accrued 2.9 fWAR during a career-best season in 2024 and was worth 1.8 in 2025. 

Versatility is Smith’s calling card; he has experience playing every position on the diamond except catcher. He’s played the bulk of his games on the left side of the infield at third base or shortstop, but also has nearly 500 career innings in the outfield. 

He is under team control through the end of the 2028 season.

Stephen, 24, has a 5.44 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across 101 innings at Triple-A this season. He’s struck out 97 batters while issuing 31 walks. He profiles as a depth option for the Blue Jays who could conceivably mop up some innings as necessary. 

Macko going the other way in this deal is the real surprise. The Blue Jays originally acquired him from the Seattle Mariners along with now-retired reliever Erik Swanson in exchange for Teoscar Hernández back in November of 2022. 

The young Canadian recorded a 4.91 ERA and 1.545 WHIP across his first 22 MLB innings, pitching better for most of his time on the Blue Jays than his season-long numbers might suggest. He allowed just two earned runs across his first 15 appearances with Toronto before hitting a rough patch in July that ultimately led to his most recent demotion. 

Smith’s fit on the Blue Jays moving forward is unclear with Ernie Clement already filling a utility role and the likes of Luis Urías, Lenyn Sosa, and Charles McAdoo still in the organization. Their skill sets are all incredibly similar. One of them getting moved in another trade would answer some questions. 

Macko, meanwhile, could have conceivably filled a need on the Blue Jays next year as a lefty relief pitcher in a predominantly right-handed bullpen. This move could signal a renewed level of confidence in chaotic strikeout arm Brendon Little. 

While many pegged the Blue Jays as traditional sellers heading into the trade deadline, their acquisition of José Soriano and now Josh Smith has proven the front office is thinking about things on a different timeline—all eyes are on 2027. 

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