Checking in on how some of the newest Blue Jays have fared since the trade deadline

The Toronto Blue Jays were quite active at this year’s MLB trade deadline. Not only did they move out key core players such as Kevin Gausman, Daulton Varsho and Jeff Hoffman, the Blue Jays also managed to cleverly bring in some impactful pieces in return that could help the club both now and in the future.

Some of those pieces have had a much bigger impact on the recent Blue Jays' playoff surge. Others have yet to make their Blue Jays' debuts.

Brett Bateman

Brett Bateman is quickly becoming a fan favourite since his arrival in Toronto. Originally thought to be a depth outfield piece with a chance to compete for a job with the Blue Jays next season, Bateman was promptly promoted to the majors by the Blue Jays just a few days after joining the organization.

He has wowed everyone with his speed and solid contact hitting skills. Going into Sunday (Aug. 16), he has compiled a strong .314 average, .739 OPS, along with three runs scored and three RBIs in eight games of action. More importantly, Bateman has made his at-bats exciting and has often contributed to effective run generation in the process. The Blue Jays may have unexpectedly landed a gem from the Chicago Cubs.

Josh Smith

The Blue Jays acquired utilityman Josh Smith from the Texas Rangers to serve as valuable depth for the club. But who would have thought an injury to Luis Urias would quickly insert the 29-year-old former Silver Slugger onto the Jays roster in no time.

As a bench player, Smith has amassed a .200/.273/.350 slash line with four runs scored, one home run, one RBI and one stolen base in 20 at-bats over 11 games of action with the Blue Jays. More significantly, he has taken reps at second base, third base and left field, along with being a pinch hitter and runner, showing his versatility that could be used in various situations.

Jameson Taillon

Coming home to Canada to pitch for the Blue Jays, Jameson Taillon was looking to be a difference maker in the Toronto rotation down the stretch after the trade with the Cubs. After a decent debut with the Blue Jays in which he gave up three runs in four innings of work against the Houston Astros, Taillon would suffer a right forearm injury in his next start against the Boston Red Sox. The ailment landed the 34-year-led veteran pitcher on the 15-day IL, but hopes to return before the end of the 2026 season.

Spencer Arrighetti

Similar to Taillon, Spencer Arrighetti would be befallen by a foot injury after joining the Blue Jays organization at the trade deadline. Arrighetti was diagnosed with Morton’s neuroma, which is a condition related to a damaged nerve that elicits pain on the bottom of the foot, as reported by Jays manager John Schneider as per Sportsnet. Toronto hopes that the 26-year-old right-hander can pitch through it and eventually make his debut with his new club in the near future.

José Soriano

As one of the prized acquisitions by Toronto at the trade deadline, José Soriano has met expectations so far in his two starts with the Blue Jays. Soriano has compiled a tidy 1.69 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, giving up just two earned runs with seven strikeouts in 10.2 innings pitched for the Jays.

More impressively, he dominated in his last start against the Red Sox, with his only blemish being a Willson Contreras home run in his six innings of work. Toronto will look to Soriano to help anchor the front end of the rotation along with Dylan Cease as they aim to chase down a playoff spot.

Blue Jays biggest returns have impressed since the deadline, but there are also prospects to watch from those deals

Prospects Ty Southisene, Dameury Pena, Dasan Hill, John Klein, Josh Stephan

In addition to those players that were expected, or have made, an impact at the major league level, some of the prospects that the Blue Jays acquired at the deadline have gotten off to solid starts as well.

In particular, Ty Southisene, who came over to the Blue Jays organization along with Bateman in the Gausman trade with the Cubs, has recorded his first ever professional home run with the Jays’ High-A affiliate Vancouver, along with eight runs scored and three stolen bases in just seven games played.

Dameury Pena, who was part of the return package in the Hoffman trade to the Minnesota Twins, he has already recorded two three-hit games with the Jays’ Single-A affiliate Dunedin and is currently hitting a solid .333 with an .820 OPS in six games of action.

Dasan Hill, who as also acquired in the Hoffman deal has pitched in two games with High-A Vancouver. He's thrown six innings in those outings combined and has six strikeouts, while issuing two walks, and giving up three runs (two earned) and five hits.

Klein, the final player moved in the Hoffman deal, is a 24-year-old right-hander who made his MLB debut earlier this season with the Twins. He pitched in 4.1 innings in three games out of the bullpen. In two games with Buffalo, he's started twice, throwing 6.2 innings, striking out five while walking five and giving up four runs on six hits.

Stephan, who was sent to Toronto along with Smith from the Rangers, is also a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher, who is pitching with the Buffalo Bisons. In his two starts, he has pitched a combined 12 innings, striking out eight hitters, while giving up 11 runs (10 earned).

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