Daulton Varsho trade grades: Astros get much-needed OF as Jays add more pitching
· Yahoo Sports
The Houston Astros’ long, regional nightmare in search of a left-handed hitting outfielder is finally over.
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And in the end, they opted for elite defense rather than a slugger at the MLB trade deadline.
The Astros are acquiring Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Daulton Varsho in exchange for starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti, a person familiar with the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal is still pending medical review.
For the Blue Jays, it’s another step toward revamping their squad with an eye toward 2027. Varsho is a pending free agent and can slide right into center or left field for the Astros, with Cam Smith ensconced in right.
Arrighetti, meanwhile, is on the injured list with right foot nerve irritation. Both players are in Houston on this Monday, Aug. 3 trade deadline day, so they'd simply need to switch dugouts.
How did each club do in this deal? Let’s explore.
Daulton Varsho trade details
Astros receive: Blue Jays OF Daulton Varsho
Blue Jays receive: Astros RHP Spencer Arrighetti
Astros trade grade: B
Houston GM Dana Brown was strident that the Astros were going to be buyers, even as they slogged out to a 16-27 start. Lo and behold, and with an assist from the AL West, the Astros are in first place and barely over .500 and now it’s go time.
Varsho has never been an elite offensive player, and his defense has fallen off this season. Yet it’s not a bad upside play that he returns to form with a change in scenery amid a weird Blue Jays season. Varsho’s outs above average has fallen from a high of 15 in 2024 to four this season.
Offensively, he also hasn’t reached the heights of his 20-homer seasons in 2023 and 2025 in Toronto, as he has just seven longballs, though his .307 OBP is his best since 2021. Still, Varsho is a nice two-way player with speed and championship experience and should provide Houston a nice bit of deadline momentum.
Blue Jays trade grade: B-
Assuming they don’t flip Jose Soriano after acquiring him from the Angels, Toronto is doing a nice job constructing a 2027 rotation, as they must replace veteran right-handers Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber.
Arrighetti, 26, has battled injury and inconsistency since striking out 171 in 145 innings of a 28-start debut in 2024. He’s landed on the IL with elbow inflammation, a broken thumb and his recent bout with right foot nerve irritation.
That injury came amid a rough stretch in which Arrighetti posted a 7.88 ERA in eight starts, depressing his trade value just days before the deadline. Still, he will come with at least three years of club control, and the Blue Jays excel at working with pitch mixes and repertoires.
While his inconsistency might give some pause, he’s a fine add for a player on an expiring contract.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Daulton Varsho trade grades: Astros get much-needed OF as Jays add more pitching