Jays-Rangers Deadline Shake-Up
Blue Jays Acquire Silver Slugger Josh Smith, Pitcher Stephan from Rangers for Macko
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Key Points
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Josh Smith was a Silver Slugger winner in 2024.
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The Rangers saved about $1 million of Smith’s $3.23 million contract this year as part of the trade.
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Arjun Nimmala heads the three-prospect package sent to the Angels for Jose Soriano and is described as a highly touted young prospect.
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Adam Macko has moved to a full-time bullpen role this season, posting a 4.91 ERA with 23:10 K:BB over 22 MLB innings for Toronto and a 4.07 ERA with 29:11 K:BB over 24.1 Triple-A innings.
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Macko made his major league debut in May, tossing a scoreless inning for Toronto.
The Toronto Blue Jays made one of the busier deadline runs in the AL East, and one of their final moves sent left-handed pitcher Adam Macko to the Texas Rangers for infielder Josh Smith and minor-league right-hander Josh Stephan. Freedom 96.9 confirmed the deal, which gives Toronto a versatile defender and extra pitching depth while Texas adds a young arm to its bullpen.
The swap was part of a wider flurry of activity for Toronto, which also traded ace Kevin Gausman to the Cubs and acquired Jose Soriano from the Angels. Together, the moves reflect a Blue Jays front office willing to reshape its roster aggressively before the deadline.
Josh Smith Brings Defense and a Silver Slugger Award
Smith is no fringe piece. He won the Silver Slugger award in 2024, the prize given to the best offensive player at each position. KTIK reported he covered shortstop, second base, first base, and outfield for Texas in 2025 — the kind of versatility every contending team craves late in a season.
The Rangers also shed about $1 million of Smith's $3.23 million salary this year. Bellingham Herald noted that financial relief was a key factor in Texas agreeing to the deal. For Toronto, taking on that remaining contract is a small price for a proven, multi-position contributor.
Macko Heads to Texas as a Full-Time Reliever
Macko made his MLB debut in May, tossing a scoreless inning for Toronto. He moved to a full-time bullpen role this season and posted a 4.91 ERA over 22 MLB innings, with a strong 23:10 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He also showed sharper control in Triple-A, where he logged a 4.07 ERA and 29:11 K:BB over 24.1 innings.
Texas is expected to plug Macko straight into its bullpen. Freedom 96.9 framed the move as a cost-saving decision for the Rangers, but landing a 25-year-old left-hander with solid strikeout numbers is a real bonus for a team looking to shore up its late-inning options.
Stephan Adds a Wildcard to Toronto's Pitching Mix
The third piece of the deal is Josh Stephan, a right-handed minor-league reliever. He put up a 5.44 ERA over 21 Triple-A starts this year — not a dominant number, but Toronto receives him as depth rather than a frontline arm. The Game Haus noted Stephan was confirmed as part of the package alongside Smith.
Blue Jays Remake Their Roster in One Deadline Burst
The Macko-Smith deal was just one piece of Toronto's deadline activity. The Blue Jays also sent Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for two prospects. Then they shipped out three prospects — led by highly touted shortstop Arjun Nimmala — to the Los Angeles Angels for right-hander Jose Soriano.
Each move has a clear logic. Gausman brought back future assets. Soriano adds a live arm. Smith fills an immediate defensive gap. Bellingham Herald and other outlets described the burst of trades as a sign that Toronto is serious about competing in the second half of the season, not waiting for next year.
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