Houston Astros cited as strong fit for Daulton Varsho if Blue Jays sell

Daulton Varsho is one of several impending free agents on the Toronto Blue Jays who could get moved if the team decides to sell at the 2026 trade deadline—whether they actually go in that direction remains a complicated decision. 

ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently named Varsho a dream-fit acquisition for the Houston Astros should he become available. They would likely be one of several teams interested in his services given his defensive track record and power upside at the plate. 

Could the Blue Jays and Astros swing a Varsho trade?

Toronto will likely only move Varsho under two conditions. The first is that their front office believes the team cannot compete for a playoff spot down the stretch; the second is that a new contract is off the table, whether it be due to a lack of interest or asking price. 

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins likely already knows whether he will pursue a reunion with Varsho in free agency. The answer is probably no, given his noticeable decline in athleticism and the team’s glut of left-handed hitting outfielders. 

The more pressing question is whether the Blue Jays will buy or sell at the 2026 trade deadline, and the answer likely depends on what happens over the next few weeks. 

The Blue Jays entered Friday with a 44-49 record. They sit 11 games back of the first-place Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East, yet remain just 2.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot. The Astros are, ironically, the team directly ahead of them. 

Atkins and company likely won’t make their final decision until closer to August 3rd. The Blue Jays’ upcoming schedule is favourable aside from a three-game set against the Rays in late June, presenting them with plenty of opportunity to get back into the mix. 

The Astros are in a better situation than the Blue Jays despite also having a sub-.500 record because the AL West is so poor. They have a realistic shot at a division title, especially if they add another bat like Varsho into a lineup anchored by Yordan Alvarez. 

The biggest X-factor in this hypothetical is Varsho’s underwhelming play this season. He’s managed just a .713 OPS with just seven home runs after crushing 20 in 71 games in 2025. He hasn’t been making highlight plays nearly as often on defence, either, but did just remind everyone of what he can do with a sensational catch on Wednesday in San Francisco.

Would this version of Varsho be an improvement over who the Astros are currently deploying in the outfield? Yes, but he’s not performing well enough to warrant a hefty return. The prospects they offer may not be exciting enough to entice the Blue Jays, especially if they are hovering around .500 come decision time at the deadline. 

Still, if all the dominos fall a certain way, a trade between these two teams absolutely makes sense—only time will tell if it actually happens. 

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