Tessera

By my quick count, the Blue Jays got 43 years of control today beyond 2026, besting the 42 from 2019 (though they lost some with their hybrid buy/sell). I suspect Ross Atkins has learned his lesson and will not bring this up when he speaks to the media.

The Blue Jays' deadline was conceptually interesting, but outside of Jose Soriano, it feels like they wound up with a relatively boring collection of players. Potentially useful, but not exciting.

One way for Blue Jays fans to conceptualize incoming pitching prospect Dasan Hill is as the Twins' Johnny King. Both are 20-year-old LHP working in High-A, missing a ton of bats and walking a few too many, starting but not pitching deep into games. Identical FIPs (3.80) at A+.

According to the FanGraphs' Twins top prospect list (which was updated in mid-June), the Blue Jays got MIN's #13 (Hill), #34 (Klein) and #47 (Pena) prospects for Jeff Hoffman. MLB Pipeline is much higher on the group, with Hill at 7 and Klein at 17.

A Blue Jays - Jeff Hoffman divorce is likely for the best, even though he's been much better lately. They can take the money he's owed in 2027 and find another high-leverage RP while getting value from the Twins.

Spencer Arrighetti is a low-velo, kitchen-sink righty who's currently hurt. But he also has both 50+ MLB starts under his belt and multiple options. Not exciting, but a flexible depth rotation piece for years to come.

The positive with Josh Smith is that he can plug multiple holes in a lineup, and he's generally been a respectable hitter at the MLB level. Between 2024 and 2025, he hit .254/.336/.380 in 1155 PA, good for a 107 wRC+.

New Blue Jays INF Josh Smith is versatile and controllable. Both of those things are good, but that doesn't necessarily mean he will be. Rough numbers in limited at-bats in 2026 (65 wRC+) and an OAA of 0 or worse in his career at 6 of the 7 positions he's played (+1 at 3B).

RIP to Arjun Nimmala's reign as the official prospect of Blue Jays Happy Hour. The prestigious belt will find another good home soon

In 2024 and 2025, José Soriano was an extreme groundballer who leaned on his sinker. This year, he’s gone away from it in search of Ks. His ERA is the lowest in 2026, but his xERA is the highest. It’s not totally clear what the ideal balance is. Will be interesting to see what the Blue Jays think.

Stoeten @stoeten.bsky.social · 5d ago

I don't love the José Soriano deal, but an element of it I do like is that the Blue Jays are betting they can get more out of a talented arm than the Angels did - and that seems like a decent bet.

In our biggest Patreon-exclusive bonus episode ever, this week @nickashbourne.bsky.social and I took a look back at all of the Blue Jays' Atkins-era trade deadline sell-offs, giving grades to each and every deal they've made. Have a listen 👇

236b. Grading Past Sell-Offs | Blue Jays Happy Hour

236b. Grading Past Sell-Offs by Blue Jays Happy Hour on Patreon. Join Blue Jays Happy Hour's community for exclusive content and updates.

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Stoeten @stoeten.bsky.social · 6d ago

It’s time to finally deal with the inevitable, as this week @nickashbourne.bsky.social and I are talking trades—and the upcoming MLB trade deadline, which could reshape the Blue Jays in the hours between now and Monday at 6 PM ET. Have a listen 👇

🎧BJHH: 236 - The 2026 Trade Deadline Preview!

Talkin' trades! Just not the fun kind we want to be talking about.

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Nick Ashbourne @nickashbourne.bsky.social · 7d ago

Trading George Springer went from unthinkable because of the competitive status of the Blue Jays, to improbable due to his struggles, to a real possibility now that he's bouncing back: www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/...

How George Springer's resurgence could help Blue Jays at trade deadline

The idea of George Springer serving as a trade chip has gone from inconceivable to a distinct possibility rather quickly. Nick Ashbourne analyzes his resurgence at the plate and who might be a good fi...

sportsnet.ca

Nick Ashbourne @nickashbourne.bsky.social · 2w ago

I feel like that there is a specific "Jeff Hoffman is on the mound and things aren't looking good" sound at Rogers Centre that's unique to him.

Before today, the last time the Blue Jays won a 1-0 ballgame, Brian Serven was catching Bowden Francis, and the relievers that followed were Ryan Burr, Génesis Cabrera, and Chad Green.

Huge example of how ABS can swing a ballgame in the 7th. Kyle Teel gets the second pitch of this AB called a strike, and he can't challenge. Then Kirk challenges on the 3rd pitch to get to 1-2. Hoffman finishes the K and turns what looked like a rough inning around.

This is by far the best Shane Bieber we've seen in 2026. He's commanding the heater, the changeup is living below the zone nicely, and he has more Ks on the slider (3) than he managed in his other 4 starts combined (2).