The 2025 MLB season saw the Baltimore Orioles undergo a significant trade period, with one deal standing out: the trade of Seranthony Domínguez to the Toronto Blue Jays. This move not only impacted the Blue Jays’ bullpen as they chased a World Series title but also brought a promising pitching prospect, Juaron Watts-Brown, to the Orioles’ organization. As the 2025 season concludes, it’s time to analyze the trade’s implications for both teams and assess the potential future impact of Watts-Brown in Baltimore. This article delves into Domínguez’s performance in Toronto, Watts-Brown’s progress within the Orioles’ system, and the overall success of this pivotal trade.
Domínguez’s journey from a volatile reliever in Baltimore to a potential World Series champion with Toronto is a compelling narrative. The Orioles, in turn, hope Watts-Brown will develop into a key player for their future success. This review will explore the factors that led to the trade, the immediate impact on both clubs, and what the future holds for the players involved.
Seranthony Domínguez’s Time with the Orioles
Seranthony Domínguez’s tenure with the Baltimore Orioles was marked by inconsistency and flashes of brilliance. Acquired from the Phillies at the 2024 trade deadline, he initially stepped into the closer role following Craig Kimbrel’s release. Domínguez demonstrated his potential during his first 15 appearances, boasting a 2.57 ERA and 17 strikeouts over 14 innings. However, a tendency to allow home runs slightly tarnished his early success.
His performance dipped towards the end of the 2024 regular season, with his ERA climbing to 6.23 in his final 10 appearances. Walks and home runs became recurring issues, leading to him losing the closer role. Despite two scoreless playoff appearances, Domínguez, like the rest of the Orioles, left something to be desired. This inconsistency carried into the 2025 season, where periods of dominance were interspersed with struggles on the mound.
Notably, Domínguez’s season took a turn for the better in June 2025 when he began heavily utilizing a newly developed splitter. This adjustment proved pivotal, as his ERA from June 1st until his trade on July 29th plummeted to 1.33, with 28 strikeouts in 20.1 innings and a .211 opponent average. The splitter became his primary secondary pitch, holding opponents to a mere .107 average.
These fluctuations ultimately led to the Orioles trading Domínguez to the Toronto Blue Jays in a unique situation during a doubleheader. Despite the volatility, his potential and recent improvements made him a valuable asset, fetching a promising prospect in return.
The Trade: Juaron Watts-Brown Arrives in Baltimore
The trade that sent Seranthony Domínguez to Toronto was a straight swap, with the Orioles acquiring 23-year-old right-handed pitching prospect Juaron Watts-Brown. A former 3rd-round pick from the 2023 draft, Watts-Brown is known for his exceptional slider and possesses the potential to become an MLB starter with four above-average pitches. This acquisition was considered one of the Orioles’ best returns from their 2025 trade deadline deals.
Watts-Brown quickly made an impact in the Orioles’ system, dominating in seven appearances with the Baysox after the trade. He held opponents to a .159 average, posting a 0.91 WHIP and racking up 43 strikeouts over 35.1 innings. By the end of the season, MLB.com ranked Watts-Brown as Baltimore’s No. 13 prospect and the second-highest rated prospect acquired at the 2025 deadline.
Watts-Brown’s arrival adds depth to the Orioles’ pitching pipeline, joining other promising prospects such as Michael Forret, Trey Gibson, and Nestor German. He is expected to compete for a debut in 2026, offering the Orioles a potential long-term asset in their pitching rotation.
“Juaron has impressed us since day one,” said Orioles GM Mike Elias in a post-season interview. “His slider is filthy, and he’s got the mentality we look for in a future starter. We’re excited to see what he can do.”
Domínguez’s Impact on the Blue Jays
Since joining the Toronto Blue Jays, Seranthony Domínguez has become a reliable setup man for closer Jeff Hoffman. In 24 regular-season appearances, Domínguez recorded 25 strikeouts in 21 innings, posting a 3.00 ERA and holding opponents to a .169 average. A key improvement was reducing his HR/9 rate from 0.9 with the Orioles to 0.4 with the Blue Jays.
Domínguez has maintained a solid performance during the Blue Jays’ playoff run, with a 3.60 ERA in 10 appearances. However, he has been prone to giving up inopportune home runs. He allowed a grand slam to Eugenio Suarez in Game 5 of the ALCS and a game-tying home run to Shohei Ohtani in the World Series, the latter prompting Orioles legend Jim Palmer to express his frustration on social media.
Despite these setbacks, Domínguez’s contributions have helped the Blue Jays reach the cusp of a World Series title. His ability to strike out batters and limit hits has been crucial in high-pressure situations. Although his tenure with the Orioles was inconsistent, he has found a more stable role in Toronto, contributing to their postseason success.
“Seranthony has been a great addition to our bullpen,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “He’s got the stuff to get big outs, and he’s not afraid of the moment.”
Juaron Watts-Brown: A Glimpse into the Future
Juaron Watts-Brown represents the potential future for the Baltimore Orioles’ pitching staff. His impressive performance in the minors after the trade has solidified his status as a top prospect. With a dominant slider and the potential for four above-average pitches, he has the tools to become a valuable asset in the Orioles’ rotation.
His ability to rack up strikeouts and limit hits in the minors is a promising sign for his future in the majors. As he continues to develop and refine his skills, Watts-Brown could become a key component of the Orioles’ pitching staff for years to come.
Watts-Brown’s journey to the majors will be closely watched by Orioles fans, who are eager to see if he can live up to his potential. His development will be crucial for the Orioles as they continue to build a competitive team. He’ll be competing with players like Michael Forret, Trey Gibson and Nestor German to be the first pitching prospect to debut in 2026.
“I’m just focused on getting better every day,” said Watts-Brown in a recent interview. “I want to contribute to this team any way I can, and I’m excited for the opportunity.”
Final Thoughts
The Seranthony Domínguez trade was a significant move for both the Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays. Domínguez’s journey from an inconsistent reliever in Baltimore to a potential World Series champion with Toronto highlights the unpredictable nature of baseball. While his time with the Orioles was marked by volatility, his improved performance in Toronto has made him a valuable asset for the Blue Jays.
For the Orioles, the acquisition of Juaron Watts-Brown represents a glimpse into the future. His potential as a starting pitcher makes him a valuable prospect. His development will be crucial as the Orioles continue to build a competitive team.
Whether Domínguez wins a World Series ring or Watts-Brown develops into a star, this trade will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the 2025 season. The Orioles hope Watts-Brown will develop into a key player for their future success. The success of this trade will ultimately be measured by the contributions of both players to their respective teams.
In the end, Domínguez will not be remembered as anything other than another volatile reliever in the Orioles’ pen. And yet, he still stands to be the first player to be an Oriole and win a championship in the same season since Trey Mancini in 2022. Or, if we’re lucky, he’ll be remembered as the player traded to acquire future Orioles star, Juaron Watts-Brown.
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