For Spencer Arrighetti, the move from Houston to Toronto is about a lot more than changing uniforms.
The Blue Jays landed the right-handed starter from the Astros at Monday’s MLB trade deadline, sending outfielder Daulton Varsho to Houston in the deal. It was a jolt for Arrighetti, who had spent his entire major-league career with the only organization he’d ever known.
That part is what hit hardest. Arrighetti grew up just outside Houston in Katy, Texas, and got the rare chance to start his MLB life with his hometown team. Before the trade, he lived about 20 minutes from Daikin Park, which meant family and friends were there for every one of his starts.
"I had this bubble of supreme comfort," Arrighetti told reporters after the trade. "My family had the luxury of being at every game I pitched here... that's the hardest part."
On Tuesday, he said he had always pictured Houston as the place where he’d settle down and raise a family.
"Houston will always be home. I was a fan of the Astros before they drafted me, and I'll continue to be a fan after the fact," Arrighetti said.
"There's going to be separation anxiety, but I'm excited to represent an entire country."
The deal caught him off guard, especially after he had become an important part of Houston’s rotation before his injury. He also picked up American League Pitcher of the Month honours in May.
Now he heads to a Blue Jays staff that already includes Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, Max Scherzer and .
Toronto won’t see him right away, though. Arrighetti is on the 15-day injured list because of right foot nerve irritation and is expected back sometime in mid-August.
The wait gives the Blue Jays time to circle back to the bigger picture: Arrighetti remains under team control through the end of the 2029 season.
In Other News...
Blue Jays Catching Depth Suddenly Looks More Valuable Than Ever
With catcher prices climbing around the league before the trade deadline, Toronto had a reason to take a close look at its own depth chart. Brandon Valenzuela drew interest as clubs scrambled for help behind the plate, and the market only reinforced how hard it can be to find even a short-term fix at the position. Deals involving the Angels, the Red Sox and other teams underscored the premium on catchers, making Torontos depth look like more than just a nice-to-have.
Alejandro Kirks presence as the Blue Jays long-term catcher helped shape that decision, giving the club a clear answer at the top of the depth chart while allowing it to hold onto Valenzuela. For a team that understands how quickly catching depth can disappear, the choice to keep him was less about standing pat and more about preserving an asset in a market where the demand is obvious and the supply is thin. [Read more 🡒]
Kevin Gausman Just Left Blue Jays Fans With An Emotional Message
Kevin Gausmans exit from Toronto closed one chapter for the Blue Jays, but it did so with a message that landed more like a farewell than a breakup. After being dealt to the Chicago Cubs, Gausman took time to thank the organization and the fans who embraced him, giving the kind of parting note that tends to stick with a clubhouse and a city long after the transaction is filed away.
The right-hander is already moving on to his next stop, with a Cubs debut set for Friday against the Kansas City Royals, yet his words suggested Toronto will not be just another stop on the itinerary. For Blue Jays fans, it leaves the deal feeling a little less final than most, with the emotional part of the story still hanging in the air. [Read more 🡒]