Angels’ Ace headed to Toronto via Trade
August 3, 2026 - Written by Kian Behravan
A great player, teammate, and friend. ❤️
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 3, 2026
Thank you, José! pic.twitter.com/vUExVUDVvJ
Good morning, Angels fans. Quite the news to wake up to: Jose Soriano to the Blue Jays.
The starting pitcher was dealt for three prospects, including the Blue Jays' #2 prospect, Arjun Nimmala (43 on MLB’s Top 100). This news comes after Soriano was scratched from his scheduled start on Saturday, with the team posting a public statement on social media. An odd move by PR for sure, but there’s a reason behind it.
For years, fans have sat through the front office’s refusal to rebuild, and this statement by interim GM John Mozeliak was an attempt to show them that things would be different under his leadership. It was made to give them a sense of hope for the coming years, or the rest of Mozeliak’s tenure.
Soriano is in his fourth MLB season and is in the middle of a breakout campaign. In his first six starts of the year, he gave up just one earned run, but in his next six starts he put up an ERA north of five. On the season, he has a 9-6 record with a 3.29 ERA, 127 strikeouts, and an AL-leading 57 walks.
Control has always been an issue for Soriano, especially for his splitter. However, it’s more because his sinker has so much more vertical movement than average, and his curveball breaks more horizontally than average as well. Overall, Soriano has great swing-and-miss stuff and produces ground balls at an exceptional rate. With the Blue Jays dealing Kevin Gausman recently, Soriano acts as a replacement for the right-hander, and arguably an even better one at that.
Arjun Nimmala is the Blue Jays’ number two prospect and ranks 43rd on MLB’s Top 100 list. Drafted 20th overall in 2023, he’s played up to Double-A and has posted an OPS above .800 across four levels this season. He’s scouted as an average hitter with plus power, a strong arm, and decent speed. As a shortstop, he can be placed virtually anywhere on the infield, although the Angels will likely keep him there.
Nimmala has experienced multiple midseason resets, so consistency appears to be his biggest concern. However, he’s only 20 years old and still has plenty of time to develop. Hopefully, the front office doesn’t rush him to the majors like they have with other prospects in recent years. He has been assigned to Double-A Rocket City, where he’ll likely finish the season. His expected ETA is 2028, with a likely stop in Triple-A during 2027 and a possible September call-up that year.
Eddie Micheletti is a 24-year-old outfielder currently in Double-A, but that’s by design. He was selected in the eighth round of the 2024 MLB Draft after spending four years in college. He has climbed one level each season, going from Single-A to High-A to Double-A, while maintaining an OPS around .800 at every stop.
Micheletti hits left-handed pitching well, consistently puts the bat on the ball, and limits strikeouts. He has also been assigned to Double-A Rocket City, but could reach the major league roster as a September call-up or before the start of the 2027 season.
Angel Rivero is an international pitching prospect who only recently made his way to the United States after spending three seasons in the Blue Jays organization. Although listed as a reliever, he has started nine of his 12 appearances for the FCL Blue Jays, posting a 2.36 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 42 innings.
Command remains a concern, as it often is with young flamethrowers, but the 19-year-old has quietly put together an impressive season despite being unranked in both the Blue Jays' and Angels' farm systems. He still has plenty of time to develop, and his numbers have steadily improved, although there is currently no projected ETA for his major league debut.
It seems obvious that Micheletti and Rivero were included to sweeten the deal, but the Blue Jays still appear to have underpaid for Soriano, who carries a $41.1 million surplus trade value according to Baseball Trade Values. Nimmala sits at $29.6 million, while Micheletti and Rivero are not yet included in the system.
With the trade deadline this afternoon, it’s clear interim GM John Mozeliak wanted to get this deal done and wasn't interested in haggling over every last detail. This is the second of what is expected to be multiple moves during the Mozeliak era, and it's becoming increasingly clear that this organization is serious about committing to a rebuild.
The trade deadline is this afternoon, so let’s see where the rest of these players on the market end up and what other moves the Angels have in store.
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