How Blue Jays 'perfectly' executed trade deadline

The Toronto Blue Jays had one of the more interesting trade deadlines in Major League Baseball. 

The AL East club was neither a buyer nor a seller. 

Instead, the Blue Jays were stuck somewhere in the middle of the pack. Because of this, the front office traded expiring contracts and brought in players who can impact the team in 2027 and beyond. 

Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter wrote Thursday that the Blue Jays "perfectly" threaded the needle at the deadline. Some of the acquisitions have allowed Toronto to stay within striking distance of a postseason spot. 

"Rather than fully waving the white flag, they did some short-term selling by moving impending free agents Kevin Gausman and Daulton Varsho while also landing controllable major league pieces José Soriano and Spencer Arrighetti to replenish the rotation," Reuter wrote. 

Soriano has a 4.13 ERA in his first five starts with his new club, and both he and Arrighetti will be in the rotation next season. 

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Outfielder Brett Bateman was acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the trade for right-hander Kevin Gausman, and he's become Toronto's leadoff hitter while sporting a .314 batting average. 

"The decision to thread the needle between buying and selling might just end in an improved 2027 outlook and a trip to the 2026 postseason," Reuter added. 

The Blue Jays may fall short of expectations one year after reaching the World Series, but the organization's deadline will help them contend again in 2027. 

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