Rangers Trade Josh Smith and Josh Stephan to Blue Jays for Adam Macko

In a notable trade, the Texas Rangers have sent infielder Josh Smith and pitcher Josh Stephan to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for left-handed reliever Adam Macko, according to multiple reports. This move marks a significant shift for the Rangers as they reshape their roster.

Adam Macko, 25, was originally a seventh-round pick by the Seattle Mariners in 2019. After being traded to the Blue Jays following the 2022 season as part of the deal that sent Teoscar Hernandez to Seattle, Macko has spent the current season oscillating between Triple-A and the majors. He has recorded a 4.07 ERA in Triple-A and a 4.91 ERA in the big leagues. Known for his fastball and slider, Macko occasionally employs a changeup and knuckle curve. Although he possesses average velocity, control has been a consistent challenge for him. With this trade, he will have six years of team control remaining after the current season, providing the Rangers with a long-term option in their bullpen.

The trade signifies a bittersweet conclusion to Josh Smith’s tenure with the Rangers. Acquired in the Joey Gallo trade back in 2021, Smith had a rocky start, spending the 2022 and 2023 seasons primarily as a bench player with limited offensive output. However, he experienced a resurgence in 2024 and 2025, posting a .254/.336/.380 slash line and accumulating a 6.4 bWAR over 293 games, despite struggling towards the end of those seasons.

Smith began the 2026 season as the primary second baseman, stepping in for Marcus Semien. Unfortunately, a combination of underperformance, a strained glute, and a bout of viral meningitis while on the injured list led to his demotion, as Ezequiel Duran and Nicky Lopez stepped up in his absence. With two years of arbitration eligibility remaining and a salary of $3.23 million this season, this deal also allows the Rangers to save approximately $1 million on Smith’s remaining salary for 2026, while sidestepping the dilemma of potentially non-tendering him if he doesn’t regain form.

Josh Stephan, the other player involved in the trade, is a Texas native and was signed by the Rangers as an undrafted free agent in 2020. Known for his pitchability, Stephan showed promise in the lower levels but faced challenges in Double-A and Triple-A, which is common for pitchers of his profile. With his upcoming minor league free agency, the Rangers were unlikely to add him to their 40-man roster, making this trade a practical decision.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.