Astros Acquire Daulton Varsho From Blue Jays for Arrighetti
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- Houston Astros acquired center fielder Daulton Varsho from the Toronto Blue Jays for right-hander Spencer Arrighetti on Monday, ending a years-long search for a left-handed-hitting outfielder.
- Varsho is hitting .243 with seven home runs, 26 RBIs, and nine stolen bases this season; the 30-year-old is a 2024 Gold Glove winner and is set to become a free agent after this season.
- Varsho leads all MLB outfielders with 83 defensive runs saved since 2022 (per Fangraphs), heading to an Astros outfield tied for 25th in MLB with eight fielding errors this season.
- Arrighetti, 26, is 7-5 with a 4.60 ERA and 87 strikeouts this season but is currently on the injured list with nerve irritation in his right foot.
- The Astros entered the deal as one of baseball's hottest teams, winning 11 of their past 12 games to surge into first place in the American League West.
- Varsho is scheduled to start against the Blue Jays on Monday night — facing his former team on the same day he was traded.
- The Blue Jays, in a separate deal Monday, also shipped reliever Jeff Hoffman to the Minnesota Twins.
Why it matters: The Astros, winners of 11 of 12 and now leading the AL West, filled a years-long need for a lefty bat and elite glove by landing the 2024 Gold Glove winner, but Varsho becomes a free agent after this season — making him a half-season rental for a contending team.
