Philadelphia Phillies show interest in Toronto Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho

By Liam Tremblay — 31 July 2026 — 4 min read

Phillies seek outfield and pitching upgrades

The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly interested in acquiring Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho. This interest comes as the Phillies look to bolster their roster ahead of the upcoming trade deadline. According to reports, the two clubs are emerging as potential trade partners, with several Blue Jays players, including Varsho, being considered as fits for Philadelphia.

The Phillies are also in need of pitching help, both for their rotation and bullpen. Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber are among the pitchers from the Blue Jays who could be targets. The Phillies’ starting rotation has seen struggles, with Andrew Painter being sent to the minors and Aaron Nola facing difficulties. While the team has a strong front three in Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez, and Jesús Luzardo, they are actively seeking another starter.

Gausman, a veteran pitcher, does not have the Phillies on his eight-team no-trade list, which includes the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, and Seattle Mariners. This absence from his no-trade list could simplify potential trade discussions between the two teams. Gausman’s current season includes a 4.51 ERA over 22 starts and 121.2 innings pitched, with 123 strikeouts.

There is also a degree of familiarity between Gausman and the Phillies’ coaching staff. The Phillies’ pitching coach, Caleb Cotham, previously worked with Gausman when he was with the Reds, assisting in the development of his fastball/splitter combination. Additionally, interim manager Don Mattingly spent three seasons with Toronto before joining Philadelphia for the 2026 campaign, providing him with insight into the Blue Jays’ clubhouse and players.

Blue Jays consider moving players amid disappointing season

The Blue Jays are experiencing a challenging season, marked by a 50-59 record and the fewest runs scored in all of baseball. Despite being 5.5 games out of a playoff spot in the American League, they would need to surpass six teams to reach a playoff position. Their playoff odds are currently estimated at 7.1% by FanGraphs and 9.1% by PECOTA Standings at Baseball Prospectus.

With a core group of players including Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alejandro Kirk, Dylan Cease, Kazuma Okamoto, and Trey Yesavage, Toronto is expected to aim for contention next season. However, the team is open to trading some short-term assets in what is likely to be a lost season. Varsho, Gausman, Bieber, and George Springer are all impending free agents.

Varsho’s performance this year includes a .247/.308/.383 line over 354 plate appearances, with seven home runs. While his strikeout rate has decreased, his defensive metrics have seen a decline compared to last year, where he recorded ten Defensive Runs Saved and nine Outs Above Average in 550 1/3 innings in center field. This season, he has four OAA over 755 2/3 innings, with DRS at par. He is currently making $10.75MM this year.

The Phillies could benefit from Varsho’s presence in center field, a position where Justin Crawford has not fully secured the role. Crawford’s current batting line is .257/.306/.339, with poor defensive metrics. Varsho would represent a clear upgrade, potentially moving Crawford to a fourth outfielder role or to the minors for more consistent playing time.

Potential bullpen additions and financial considerations

Beyond starting pitchers, the Phillies are also looking at Blue Jays relievers. Jeff Hoffman, who previously pitched for the Phillies in 2023 and 2024, is a known quantity. He signed a three-year, $33MM deal with the Blue Jays and has shown good form since June, with a 1.33 ERA, a 32.1% strikeout rate, and an 8.3% walk rate. Unlike some other potential trade pieces, Hoffman is not a rental, as his contract extends through 2027, with an $11MM salary this year and next.

Other relievers the Blue Jays might consider moving include Tyler Rogers, Mason Fluharty, and Spencer Miles. Rogers, who signed a three-year, $37MM deal, is having a good year with a 1.69 ERA. Fluharty, a soft-tossing lefty, could attract interest from teams seeking a cheap southpaw. Miles, a Rule 5 pick, has logged 69 innings with a 3.26 ERA and is controllable for five years after this season, despite a history of injuries.

The Blue Jays are reportedly not willing to trade Louis Varland, who is currently in the closer’s role. Trading some of these players would allow the Blue Jays to acquire prospects and save money, while the Phillies, whose farm system is ranked 29th by Baseball America, would take on additional payroll. Gausman is making $23MM this year, with just under $7MM remaining to be paid out after the deadline.

Source: mlbtraderumors.com