293 games, 23 home runs and 23 stolen bases over two seasons explain why Toronto is willing to bet on Josh Smith despite a difficult 2026. The Blue Jays acquired the 28-year-old utility player and right-handed pitching prospect Josh Stephan from the Texas Rangers for left-hander Adam Macko. The deal gives Toronto a flexible position player with two more years of arbitration control and another upper-minors starter for its depth chart.
The Story at a Glance
Toronto sent Macko to Texas and received Smith plus Stephan, according to announcements reported by MLB Trade Rumors. Smith is the most established player in the exchange. He was an everyday utility option for Texas in 2024 and 2025, appearing across the diamond and producing a combined .254/.336/.380 batting line with a 107 wRC+.
The move is a classic buy-low bet. Smith has hit .213/.299/.272 with one home run in 154 major-league plate appearances this season after a right glute strain, wrist inflammation and viral meningitis interrupted his year. Toronto can evaluate him through the final months of 2026 before deciding whether to tender him a contract through arbitration.
How the Story Developed
Smith joined Texas in the 2021 Joey Gallo trade and initially worked as a frequently used bench player. His role expanded in 2024 and 2025, when he played 293 games, hit 23 homers, stole 23 bases and was credited by FanGraphs with 4.7 wins above replacement. He also won a Silver Slugger in 2024 after batting .258 with 13 homers, 62 RBIs and 11 steals.
The 2026 season changed his standing. A glute strain sent him to the injured list in May, and he was hospitalized with viral meningitis while sidelined. After returning in mid-June, he struggled to regain his previous form and was optioned to Triple-A more than once.
Texas, meanwhile, had a clearer short-term need for left-handed bullpen depth. Macko has a 4.91 ERA with 23 strikeouts and 10 walks in 22 major-league innings, along with a 4.07 ERA in Triple-A. The Rangers can use him in the majors or keep him at Round Rock, where he was optioned after the deal became official.
Key People and Details
Smith brings left-handed hitting and unusual defensive range. He has started at every position except catcher and has worked at all four infield spots as well as the outfield. That flexibility gives Toronto several ways to use him if his bat rebounds.
Stephan, 24, is expected to join the Triple-A Buffalo rotation. In 2026, he made 19 starts and two relief appearances for Round Rock, posting a 5.44 ERA with 97 strikeouts and 31 walks across 101 innings. Reports describe him as a strike-thrower whose slider is his strongest pitch, though his overall results in the Pacific Coast League have been uneven.
- Arbitration
- A salary-setting process for eligible players who remain under team control.
- Minor-league option
- A roster mechanism that allows a club to send a player to the minors without exposing him to waivers.
- Non-tender
- A decision not to offer an arbitration-eligible player a contract for the next season.
Reaction and Response
The reporting around the deal frames Toronto's side as a rebound wager rather than a guaranteed upgrade. Smith's 2024 and 2025 production shows a useful ceiling, while his 2026 numbers explain why Texas was prepared to move him. For the Rangers, Macko offers an inexpensive left-handed relief option during a postseason race.
There is also a local angle in Macko's departure. The Slovak-born pitcher was raised in Vauxhall, Alberta, and debuted for Toronto this season. His Blue Jays tenure ends after 22 appearances, including one start, and a 2-0 record.
What to Watch
The first question is where Toronto assigns Smith. He has remaining minor-league options, so the club can keep him in Triple-A while evaluating his health and performance. A return to the majors would likely depend on whether he begins reaching base closer to his 2024 and 2025 levels.
The second decision comes after the season. Smith is earning about $3.225 million in 2026 and can be retained through arbitration for two more years. Toronto must decide whether his versatility and past production justify a new contract, while Stephan's progress in Buffalo will determine whether the trade also adds usable rotation depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did the Blue Jays acquire for Adam Macko?
Toronto acquired utility infielder Josh Smith and right-handed pitching prospect Josh Stephan from the Texas Rangers.
Why did the Rangers trade Josh Smith?
Smith lost playing time during an injury-marred 2026 season and had been optioned to Triple-A. Texas also wanted another left-handed bullpen option.
What can Josh Smith add to Toronto?
He offers a left-handed bat, experience across the infield and outfield, and a track record of above-average overall production in 2024 and 2025.
Where will Josh Stephan pitch?
Reports indicate the 24-year-old is likely to join the Triple-A Buffalo rotation.
What happens next with Smith's contract?
Toronto can evaluate him through the rest of 2026, then decide whether to offer him an arbitration contract for 2027.