Twins, Cubs Pursued José Soriano After Blue Jays Trade
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Twins, Cubs Pursued José Soriano After Blue Jays Trade
- The Toronto Blue Jays acquired right-hander José Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels on August 3, 2026, in exchange for three prospects, including top shortstop prospect Arjun Nimmala.
- Despite the trade, the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs reportedly contacted the Blue Jays to inquire about Soriano, with the Twins offering their No. 3 prospect, Kaelen Culpepper.
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The Toronto Blue Jays made a significant move at the August 3, 2026, MLB trade deadline, acquiring starting pitcher José Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels. In return, the Angels received shortstop prospect Arjun Nimmala, minor league outfielder Eddie Micheletti, and minor league right-hander Angel Rivero. Soriano, 27, has had a strong 2026 season, posting a 9-6 record with a 3.29 ERA through 22 starts and striking out 127 batters in 123 innings. He is under team control through the 2028 season, making him a valuable asset for Toronto beyond the current year.
Even after the Blue Jays finalized the deal, other teams reportedly continued to express interest in acquiring Soriano. The Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs were among the clubs that reached out to the Blue Jays. The Twins’ offer for Soriano reportedly included infielder Kaelen Culpepper, their No. 3 prospect, but the Blue Jays also sought pitching prospect Riley Quick, which the Twins were unwilling to include. The Cubs also reportedly attempted to acquire Soriano after his trade to Toronto.
The acquisition of Soriano came shortly after the Blue Jays traded veteran starter Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs, indicating an active approach to reshaping their pitching staff. Soriano is expected to bolster Toronto’s rotation alongside Dylan Cease and rookie Trey Yesavage. The Angels’ decision to trade Soriano, a playoff-caliber starter, signaled a different approach for their team at the deadline, focusing on shedding high-end players with long-term control.