Re-grading the 4 moves the Toronto Blue Jays made at the 2025 trade deadline

The Toronto Blue Jays were busy at last year’s trade deadline with eyes on making a deep postseason run. Their additions ultimately propelled them to within two outs of a World Series championship. 

This deadline was the best showing by the current front office led by general manager Ross Atkins and president Mark Shapiro. Would a bigger splash have been the difference against the Los Angeles Dodgers? Hindsight is 20/20, but it’s hard to argue that the deals made weren’t net positives. 

Which of the deals the Blue Jays made looks the best in 2026?

Trade 1: Blue Jays acquire starting pitcher Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians for pitching prospect Khal Stephen

The decision to trade for an injured Bieber was a big gamble that mostly paid off. He pitched well down the stretch upon making his long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery in early August, recording a 3.57 ERA (121 ERA+) across seven starts. 

This move appeared like a slam-dunk win when Bieber opted into his $16-million player option after a solid showing in the playoffs. However, he’s since missed the first two months of the 2026 season while dealing with arm fatigue, suggesting the decision was more about his health than anything else. 

Still, this was a good deal last year and will be even better if Bieber can deliver roughly 15 quality starts for Blue Jays in 2026. 

Grade: B

Trade 2: Blue Jays acquire relief pitcher Louis Varland from the Minnesota Twins for outfielder Alan Roden and pitching prospect Kendry Rojas

There was some disappointment when the Blue Jays traded for Varland because they didn’t land Jhoan Duran or Griffin Jax. The conversation is a little different now. 

Varland set an MLB record with 15 appearances during the Blue Jays’ playoff run. He’s since usurped Jeff Hoffman as the team’s closer and established himself as one of the most dominant relievers in baseball under team control through 2030. It doesn’t matter if Roden and Rojas become All-Star-caliber players—this is one of the best trades in franchise history. 

Grade: A+

Trade 3: Blue Jays acquire relief pitcher Seranthony Domínguez from the Baltimore Orioles for pitching prospect Juaron Watts-Brown

Domínguez has become somewhat of a mercenary around the league, often getting traded to whichever contending team needs bullpen help at the deadline. 

The right-hander pitched some of his best baseball as a Blue Jay, allowing just seven earned runs across 21 innings in the regular season while racking up 25 strikeouts. He was equally as effective in the postseason despite battling some command struggles. Domínguez, now a member of the Chicago White Sox, did exactly what the Blue Jays needed him to do after joining the team. No complaints. 

Grade: B+

Trade 4: Blue Jays acquire catcher Brandon Valenzuela from the San Diego Padres for infielder Will Wagner

This deal happened with little fanfare, yet it has been hugely important to the 2026 Blue Jays in light of Alejandro Kirk’s injury. 

Valenzuela has essentially been the team’s starting catcher for the better part of two months, flashing legitimate defensive upside and power in his bat. Wagner, meanwhile, hasn’t yet established himself as an MLB player at a far less valuable position. Competent catchers are hard to find. There is still time for this trade to even out, but it looks like a fleece on paper right now. 

Grade: A

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