The Toronto Blue Jays landed Jose Soriano at the deadline, but they nearly flipped him again just as quickly.
On August 3rd, Toronto acquired Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for top prospect Arjun Nimmala and two other players. Almost immediately, other teams started calling to try to get him.
According to The Athletic, the Minnesota Twins called Toronto about Soriano, offering a package built around infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper, the organization's No. 3 prospect.
Toronto wanted more, though, making clear the only way it would continue listening was if Minnesota included top pitching prospect Riley Quick as a second piece.
"The teams were clearly unable to line up," the report read, "when, one source said, Toronto made it clear the only way they would even consider listening further is if the Twins included top pitching prospect Riley Quick as the second piece in a multi-player package."
The Chicago Cubs also called about Soriano, though the details of that offer weren't revealed.
Why holding onto Soriano looks smart in hindsight
Ultimately, Toronto turned down Minnesota's offer and kept Soriano on the roster for the rest of the season.
Soriano still has two more years of team control remaining beyond this season, giving Toronto no real urgency to flip him again so soon after acquiring him in the first place.
That decision looks especially wise now. Trey Yesavage went down with a meniscus injury just days after the trade deadline, and losing Soriano too would have left a massive hole in this rotation.
Soriano sits at a 3.37 ERA this season, and Toronto pitching coach Pete Walker reportedly believes there's even more upside to unlock, a real statement given Soriano was already one of the better pitchers in baseball during his time with a struggling Angels team.
Landing with a stronger defense, better catchers and improved coaching in Toronto could set Soriano up for his own first All-Star nod, the same path Dylan Cease, sitting at a 2.41 ERA, just took this season.
It's a bit like turning down a quick flip on a house you just bought, betting the property's actually worth even more once you finish the renovations yourself.
Does Toronto's asking price for Soriano suggest real confidence in his long-term value, or does it simply reflect smart leverage in a conversation that was never seriously going anywhere?
Are you glad the Blue Jays turned down the Twins' offer for Jose Soriano?
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