Daulton Varsho gets emotional on his time with Toronto Blue Jays after trade

There were bound to be changes to the Toronto Blue Jays roster at Monday's MLB trade deadline, but few players had it harder than Daulton Varsho.

The 30-year-old outfielder was dealt to the Houston Astros on Monday afternoon in exchange for starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti — the very team the Blue Jays happened to be playing that night.

According to MLB.com reporter Keegan Matheson, Varsho was in the batting cage getting ready for the game when he was called into manager John Schneider's office and informed he had been traded.

From there, he packed up his belongings, switched locker rooms, and just a few hours later was back on the field at Daikan Park, this time wearing an Astros uniform against his former team.

Daulton Varsho enters the home clubhouse at Daikin Park pic.twitter.com/V6KY0UBkHO

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 3, 2026

Varsho met with reporters ahead of Monday's game to discuss the trade, and things quickly turned emotional when he began reflecting on his time as a Blue Jay.

"I obviously wish those guys the best. I really care for a lot of them — especially the coaches... It's hard," said a choked-up Varsho.

"I think everybody in that room thought we could make a run at some point. Overall, we were playing better baseball; it's just unfortunate it just didn't happen." 

“I obviously wish those guys the best, because I do care for a lot of those guys.”

Daulton Varsho reflects on his time with the Blue Jays following his trade to the Astros. pic.twitter.com/ssznbnhtKs

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 3, 2026

Varsho also revealed he broke down in tears with former teammates Kevin Gausman and George Springer on the flight to Houston on Sunday night.

"All the memories were flooding in. It was emotional, but at the end of the day, it's a business," he said.

Toronto reached Monday's deadline with a 52-60 record, sitting four games out of an American League Wild Card spot and 13.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.

Varsho was one of four Blue Jays moved before the 2026 MLB trade deadline. Gausman was traded to the Chicago Cubs for two prospects, former closer Jeff Hoffman was dealt to the Minnesota Twins, and left-handed reliever Adam Macko was sent to the Texas Rangers.

Varsho was in the final year of his contract with Toronto and is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season. In 99 games with the Blue Jays this year, he hit .243 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs.