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RHP Juaron Watts-Brown (Photo/Tom DiPace)

In the midst of a dream season, the Blue Jays made an aggressive trade within the AL East on Tuesday, acquiring righthanded reliever Seranthony Dominguez and cash from the Orioles for righthanded pitching prospect Juaron Watts-Brown. Toronto currently sits atop the AL East at 63-45, the best record in the American League and the second-best record in baseball behind the Milwaukee Brewers. 

The Orioles are headed in a different direction this season. They’ve dealt with injury, slumping stars and a subpar rotation in 2025. The Orioles are nine games under .500 and look likely to sell off any players on expiring contracts.

ORIOLES RECEIVE

Juaron Watts-Brown, RHP
Age: 23

After a breakout redshirt freshman season at Long Beach, Watts-Brown transferred to Oklahoma State before being selected by the Blue Jays in the third round of the 2023 draft and signing for $1 million. He showed swing-and-miss stuff in his pro debut in 2024, but a lack of command hindered his performance across both Class A levels.

In 2025, Watts-Brown returned to High-A Vancouver where he showed improved command and locations. Watts-Brown continued to perform well in Double-A New Hampshire after a late-May promotion, pitching to a 3.48 ERA, with a 24% strikeout rate and a 11.8% walk rate. Watts-Brown mixes a four-seam fastball in the 93-94 mph range, a slider, curveball and changeup. His slider is his best pitch and a key to his arsenal. He has the upside of a potential No. 5 starter who could provide value in a bullpen because of his fastball-slider combination.

BLUE JAYS RECEIVE

Seranthony Dominguez, RHP
Age: 30

A contender has acquired Dominguez for the second consecutive trade deadline. Signed by the Phillies in 2012 out of the Dominican Republic, Dominguez debuted with Philadelphia in 2018 working as the team’s closer. Dominguez missed time in 2019 before he had Tommy John surgery in 2020. Dominguez returned to action late in 2021 and has been a reliable high-leverage reliever over the last four seasons. The Orioles acquired Dominguez last July for outfielder Austin Hays. Dominguez has had at least 15 saves+holds in each of the last four seasons and will immediately fill a high-leverage role in Toronto’s middling bullpen, which will benefit by adding a former closer to the mix.