There were a few themes to the 2024 MLB trade deadline, which came and went Tuesday.
With no clear-cut stud players available, such as in 2022 when Juan Soto went from the Washington Nationals to the San Diego Padres in a true blockbuster, there figured to be a lot of teams battling for some of the top talent that was out there.
You could say that where some of the key pieces landed wasn’t too unexpected. It didn’t feel like any one team made moves that significantly altered a division race. Teams in or near playoff positions mostly bolstered their rosters—some more than others—while those not expecting to make the postseason gave up players they could do without before regrouping in the offseason. Some teams had their carcass picked clean. We’re looking at you, Miami Marlins. More than one-third of the players on the Marlins’ 26-player roster a week ago are now with other teams, most of them sent packing Tuesday.
One thing that was missing was the big-time prospects being moved in order to get a star-quality player to make a postseason run. None of the players on Baseball America’s Top 100 list—which had been revised just Friday following the draft and before the deadline—were dealt. None. Meanwhile, the Marlins’ freshly painted top 30 looks nothing like it did a few days ago. The Marlins did pretty well for themselves in acquiring 15 players that Baseball America immediately put into that revised top 30.
Sure, there were questionable moves. Did the Houston Astros really have to give up that much prospect capital to rent a left-hander Yusei Kikuchi for two months? The Toronto Blue Jays must have driven a hard bargain.
And much like the Marlins, the Tampa Bay Rays decided to shed talent. Only this is the Rays, not the bargain-basement Marlins. Everyone says that when the Rays call you for a trade, you should hang up because you are going to come out on the losing end of their proposal. The Rays at this year’s deadline put on a masterclass on how to retool an underperforming contender. Even though they were a seller, the Rays came out a winner with the players they received.
Enough of me blathering. Without further adieu, here is my third annual trade deadline review.
Records for each team are entering Tuesday’s play to demonstrate where each team stood before the deadline. All prospect rankings are via Baseball America. Team names in parentheses are teams player came from or went to. Deals involving players designated for assignment are not included. All trades have taken place since Thursday.
NL East
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (65-41, first place)
Key additions: RHP Carlos Estévez (Angels), OF Austin Hays (Orioles), LHP Tanner Banks (White Sox), RHP Seth Johnson (Orioles’ No. 12 prospect), RHP Moises Chace (Orioles No. 24 prospect).
Key losses: RHP Seranthony Domínguez (Orioles), OF Cristian Pache (Orioles), LHP Gregory Soto (Orioles), RHP George Klassen (Angels, No. 5 prospect), LHP Samuel Aldegheri (Angels, No. 7 prospect), SS William Bergolla (White Sox, No. 10 prospect).
What it means: The team that entered Tuesday with the best record in MLB didn’t do a whole lot, but maybe it didn’t need to. The Phillies tinkered in the bullpen by adding Estevez and Banks, while shipping out Dominguez and Soto. The hopeful upgrade cost the Phils three top-10 prospects, two of which made big moves up the rankings this summer.
ATLANTA (56-49, 8½ games behind, No. 1 NL wild card)
Key additions: OF Jorge Soler (Giants), RHP Luke Jackson (Giants).
Key losses: LHP Tyler Matzek (Giants), 3B Sabin Ceballos (Giants, No. 26 prospect).
What it means: For a team that has had as many significant injuries as Atlanta has this season, there was not much done. Only one deal and it was a reunion with Soler and Jackson, two key members of the 2021 World Series championship team. Soler was MVP of that World Series and is under contract for another two years, while Jackson will again be a key piece to the bullpen. But was there more to be done?
NEW YORK METS (56-50, 9 GB, No. 2 NL wild card)
Key additions: RHP Ryne Stanek (Mariners), OF Jesse Winker (Nationals), RHP Paul Blackburn (A’s), RHP Tyler Zuber (Rays), RHP Huascar Brazoban (Marlins), LHP Nicolas Carreno (Pirates, unranked).
Key losses: RHP Tyler Stuart (Nationals, No. 23 prospect), OF Rhylan Thomas (Mariners, unranked), RHP Kade Morris (A’s, No. 26 prospect), RHP Paul Gervase (Rays, unranked), SS Wilfredo Lara (Marlins, unranked).
What it means: In his first trade deadline with the Mets, president of baseball operations David Stearns kept to the mantra of wanting to go for it in 2025. This while the team has surprisingly put itself in a playoff position with a recent run of good play. The bullpen was fortified with three new arms, Blackburn will join the rotation and Winker could surprise. Blackburn only recently returned from a stress fracture in one of his feet, making four starts.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS (49-58, 16½ GB)
Key additions: RHP Tyler Stuart (Mets’ No. 23 prospect), LHP Alex Clemmey (Guardians’ No. 7 prospect), SS Rafael Ramirez Jr. (Guardians’ No. 20 prospect), SS José Tena (Guardians’ No. 28 prospect), 3B Andrés Chaparro (Diamondbacks, unranked).
Key losses: OF Jesse Winker (Mets), OF Lane Thomas (Guardians), RHP Dylan Floro (Diamondbacks).
What it means: Clemmey was a particularly good add and should be part of the future in Washington.
MIAMI MARLINS (39-67, 26 GB)
Key additions: 1B-3B Deyvison De Los Santos (Diamondbacks’ No. 8 prospect), CF Andrew Pintar (D’backs’ No. 21 prospect), 2B-SS Jared Serna (Yankees’ No. 11 prospect, C Agustyn Ramirez (Yankees’ No. 3 prospect), IF-OF Abrahan Ramirez (unranked), 2B-OF Connor Norby (Orioles’ No. 7 prospect), OF Kyle Stowers (Orioles, unranked), RHP Will Schomberg (Mariners, unranked), LHP Robby Snelling (Marlins, No. 3 prospect), RHP Adam Mazur (Marlins, No. 4 prospect), 3B Graham Pauley (Marlins, No. 6 prospect), 2B Jay Beshears (Marlins, No. 29 prospect), RHP Jun-Seok Shim (Pirates’ No. 28 prospect), IF-OF Garrett Forrester (Marlins, unranked), SS Wilfredo Lara (Mets, unranked).
Key losses: LHP Tanner Scott (Padres), RHP Bryan Hoeing (Padres), LHP Trevor Rogers (Orioles), LHP A.J. Puk (Diamondbacks), CF-2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Yankees), 1B Josh Bell (Diamondbacks), RHP JT Chargois (Mariners), OF Bryan De La Cruz (Pirates), RHP Huascar Brazoban (Mets).
What it means: Where to start? The team looks drastically different than it did just Monday as seven players off the major-league roster were dealt Tuesday alone. That made it nine in the last handful of days. Could the Marlins have gotten more from the Orioles for Rogers? Feels like it, although they did get quality prospects in Norby and Stowers. But the Fish also got what appears to be a good haul from the Padres for Scott and Hoeing. Bell was unloaded just for cash.
NL Central
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (61-45, first place)
Key additions: RHP Frankie Montas (Reds), RHP Nick Mears (Rockies).
Key losses: RHP Jakob Junis (Reds), OF Joey Wiemer (Reds, unranked), RHP Yujanyer Herrera (Rockies, No. 28 prospect), RHP Bradley Blalock (Rockies, unranked).
What it means: Montas will become the 17th starting pitcher the Brewers will use this season. Will the offense still be fine without OF Christian Yelich, who could be done for the season? In addition to Montas, the rotation did get a boost with Joe Ross returning from the injured list Tuesday. Also, All-Star closer Devin Williams made his season debut Sunday, although Trevor MeGill went on the injured list.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (54-52, 7 GB)
Key additions: OF Bryan De La Cruz (Marlins), IF Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Blue Jays), LHP Jalen Beeks (Rockies), 2B Nick Yorke (Red Sox’s No. 16 prospect), OF-2B Billy Cook (Orioles, unranked), LHP Ronaldys Jimenez (Padres, unranked).
Key losses: LHP Martín Pérez (Padres), RHP Quinn Priester (Red Sox, unranked), LHP Luis Peralta (Rockies, No. 24 prospect), RHP Jun-Seok Shim (Marlins, No. 28 prospect), IF-OF Garrett Forrester (Marlins, unranked), 3B-OF Charles McAdoo (Blue Jays, No. 12 prospect), RHP Patrick Reilly (Orioles, No. 8 prospect).
What it means: The Pirates are making a playoff push! We will call that the Paul Skenes effect. De La Cruz will add power to the lineup, while Kiner-Falefa can fill in at least temporarily at second base after Nick Gonzales‘ groin injury. Kiner-Falefa is under contract for 2025, too.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (54-52, 7 GB)
Key additions: RHP Erick Fedde (White Sox), OF Tommy Pham (White Sox), RHP Shawn Armstrong (Rays).
Key losses: 2B-OF Tommy Edman (Dodgers), OF Dylan Carlson (Rays), RHP Oliver Gonzalez (Dodgers, unranked).
What it means: The rotation has been better this season with the additions of Sonny Gray, Kyle Gibson, and Lance Lynn, but the back end hasn’t been great. Fedde will fix that. But that will be significant if an offense that struggles to score doesn’t figure out a way to be better. Pham and his .266/.330/.380 slash line could help a bit. It certainly did in his first game Tuesday as he hit a grand slam.
CINCINNATI REDS (51-55, 10 GB)
Key additions: RHP Jakob Junis (Brewers), OF Joey Wiemer (Brewers, unranked), RHP Ovis Portes (Red Sox’s No. 29 prospect).
Key losses: RHP Frankie Montas (Brewers), RHP Lucas Sims (Red Sox), OF Austin Slater (Orioles), SS Livan Soto (Orioles, unranked).
What it means: The Reds’ hopes of challenging for a playoff spot after finishing two games shy in 2023 haven’t materialized. This will be a big offseason for Cincy.
CHICAGO CUBS (51-47, 11 GB)
Key additions: 3B Isaac Paredes (Rays), RHP Nate Pearson (Blue Jays), RHP Jack Neely (Yankees’ No. 20 prospect), IF Ben Cowles (Yankees, unranked).
Key losses: IF-OF Christopher Morel (Rays), RHP Mark Leiter Jr. (Yankees), RHP Tyler Bigge (Rays, unranked), RHP Ty Johnson (Rays, unranked).
OF Yohendrick Pinango (Blue Jays, No. 17 prospect), SS Josh Rivera (Blue Jays, unranked).
What it means: A preseason of positivity never materialized into regular-season results, leading the Cubs to declare themselves sellers before the trade deadline. The surprising change in managers hasn’t paid off the way the Cubs hoped.
NL West
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (63-44, first place)
Key additions: RHP Jack Flaherty (Tigers), OF Kevin Kiermaier (Blue Jays), RHP Michael Kopech (White Sox), IF-OF Amed Rosario (Rays), 2B-OF Tommy Edman (Cardinals), RHP Oliver Gonzalez (Cardinals, unranked).
Key losses: LHP Ryan Yarbrough (Blue Jays), SS Miguel Vargas (White Sox), 2B-3B Alexander Albertus (White Sox, No. 16 prospect), 2B Jeral Perez (White Sox, No. 18 prospect), RHP Mike Flynn (Rays, unranked), C-1B Thayron Liranzo (Tigers, No. 3 prospect) and SS Trey Sweeney (Tigers, No. 28 prospect).
What it means: MLB’s biggest spender made the biggest move with Flaherty, who was born and raised in the L.A. area. Flaherty, who is having his best season since finishing fourth in the NL Cy Young voting in 2019, will pair with Tyler Glasnow at the top of the rotation and should stabilize the starting five as the Dodgers head to the postseason. Flaherty’s addition also offsets any concern over LHP Clayton Kershaw’s health over the final two months and the uncertain status of RHP Walker Buehler, currently on a rehab assignment. Rosario, acquired for the second straight trade deadline, and Edman, who has been on the injured list all season since having wrist surgery in October and then tweaking an ankle during a rehab assignment, provide positional versatility. Kopech deepens the bullpen.
SAN DIEGO PADRES (57-51, 6½, No. 3 NL wild card)
Key additions: LHP Tanner Scott (Marlins), RHP Bryan Hoeing (Padres), RHP Jason Adam (Rays), LHP Martín Pérez (Pirates), OF Brandon Lockridge (Yankees, unranked).
Key losses: RHP Enyel De Los Santos (Yankees), RHP Thomas Balboni Jr. (Yankees, unranked), RHP Dylan Lesko (Rays, No. 5 prospect), C JD Gonzalez (Rays, No. 8 prospect), OF Homer Bush Jr. (Rays, No. 12 prospect), LHP Robby Snelling (Marlins, No. 3 prospect), RHP Adam Mazur (Marlins, No. 4 prospect), 3B Graham Pauley (Marlins, No. 6 prospect), 2B Jay Beshears (Marlins, No. 29 prospect), LHP Ronaldys Jimenez (Pirates, unranked).
What it means: Prospects be damned! The Padres dealt five of their top eight prospects to remake their bullpen with Scott, Hoeing, and Adam. Perez is a rotation security blanket with Joe Musgrove on the IL, Yu Darvish away from the team addressing a personal issue and Matt Waldron and Michael King already surpassing the most innings they have pitched in a season.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (56-51, 7 GB)
Key additions: LHP A.J. Puk (Marlins), 1B Josh Bell (Marlins), RHP Dylan Floro (Nationals).
Key losses: 1B-3B Deyvison De Los Santos (Marlins, No. 8), CF Andrew Pintar (Marlins, No. 21), 3B Andrés Chaparro (Nationals, unranked).
What it means: The defending NL champions addressed the bullpen with Puk and Floro. Puk has been fantastic since moving back to the bullpen after a bad stint as a starter to begin the season. Before the trade, Puk had a 2.08 ERA in 30⅓ innings and held opponents to a .159 batting average. Bell, acquired just for cash, is insurance for Christian Walker, who went on the IL Tuesday with oblique tightness.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (53-55, 10½ GB)
Key additions: LHP Tyler Matzek (Atlanta), 1B-OF Mark Canha (Tigers), 3B Sabin Ceballos (Atlanta’s No. 26 prospect), LHP Jacob Bresnahan (Guardians, unranked).
Key losses: OF Jorge Soler (Atlanta), RHP Luke Jackson (Atlanta), RHP Alex Cobb (Guardians), RHP Eric Silva (Tigers, No. 25 prospect).
What it means: If you are scratching your head after the Giants’ performance at the deadline, you aren’t the only one. The Giants basically gave Soler and Jackson to Atlanta, although Matzek could return to action in September. Soler was signed to a three-year, $42 million contract before the season, but had just 13 homers. This all felt like Farhan Zaidi clearing payroll to regroup this offseason even if the team is just outside of the NL wild-card picture entering the final two months.
COLORADO ROCKIES (38-69, 25 GB)
Key additions: RHP Yujanyer Herrera (Brewers’ No. 28 prospect), RHP Bradley Blalock (Brewers, unranked), LHP Luis Peralta (Rockies, No. 24 prospect).
Key losses: RHP Nick Mears (Brewers), LHP Jalen Beeks (Pirates).
What it means: We continue to say this: Do the Rockies even care?
AL East
BALTIMORE ORIOLES (63-44, first place)
Key additions: RHP Zach Eflin (Rays), LHP Trevor Rogers (Marlins), OF Eloy Jiménez (White Sox), RHP Seranthony Domínguez (Phillies), OF Cristian Pache (Phillies), LHP Gregory Soto (Phillies), OF Austin Slater (Reds), SS Livan Soto (Reds, unranked), RHP Patrick Reilly (Pirates’ No. 8 prospect).
Key losses: OF Austin Hays (Phillies), IF-OF Mac Horvath (Rays, No. 13 prospect), RHP Jackson Baumeister (Rays, No. 18 prospect), OF Matthew Etzel (unranked), 2B-OF Connor Norby (Marlins, No. 7 prospect), OF Kyle Stowers (Marlins, unranked), SS Trey McGough (White Sox, unranked), OF-2B Billy Cook (Pirates, unranked), RHP Seth Johnson (Phillies, No. 12 prospect), RHP Moises Chace (Orioles No. 24 prospect).
What it means: The additions of Eflin and Rogers were terrific for an Orioles team in need of a rotation upgrade following a rash of injuries. But the other moves are a bit baffling. They acquired two relievers the Phillies didn’t need anymore (Dominguez and Soto) in separate deals. Jimenez has tremendous potential but has been nagged by injuries, having missed 44 games this season, 42 in 2023, 78 in 2022 and 106 in 2021. Perhaps a change of scenery will reinvigorate Jimenez as the White Sox have the worst record in MLB this season, including separate 14- and 15-game losing streaks entering Tuesday.
NEW YORK YANKEES (63-45, ½ GB, No. 1 AL wild card)
Key additions: CF-2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Marlins), RHP Mark Leiter Jr. (Cubs), RHP Enyel De Los Santos (Yankees), RHP Thomas Balboni Jr. (Yankees, unranked), RHP Kelly Austin (Astros, unranked).
Key losses: LHP Caleb Ferguson (Astros), 2B-SS Jared Serna (Marlins, No. 11 prospect, C Agustyn Ramirez (Marlins, No. 3 prospect), IF-OF Abrahan Ramirez (Marlins, unranked), RHP Jack Neely (Cubs, No. 20 prospect), IF Ben Cowles (Cubs, unranked).
What it means: After a brief slump, the Yankees are seemingly back on track and Chisholm could help provide the emotional edge the stoic franchise needs to get back to the World Series. Leiter joining the bullpen is the only other move the Yankees made. Should they have done more? They reportedly were close to acquiring Flaherty from the Tigers, but balked at the deal due to medical concerns.
BOSTON RED SOX (56-49, 6 GB)
Key additions: C Danny Jansen (Blue Jays), RHP Lucas Sims (Reds), RHP Luis Garcia (Angels), RHP Quinn Priester (Pirates, unranked).
Key losses: SS Eddinson Paulino (Blue Jays, No. 18 prospect), 3B-SS Cutter Coffey (unranked), RHP Gilberto Batista (unranked), 2B Nick Yorke (Pirates, No. 16 prospect), RHP Ovis Portes (Reds, No. 29 prospect), SS-OF Matthew Lugo (Angels, No. 23 prospect), RHP Ryan Zeferjahn (Angels, unranked), RHP Yeferson Vargas (Angels, unranked), 1B Niko Kavadas (Angels, unranked).
What it means: Sitting on the cusp of a playoff spot, the Red Sox mainly stood pat aside from adding a couple of relievers. But maybe that will be enough to support a good offense and solid rotation. The bullpen ERA ranks 17th in MLB.
TAMPA BAY RAYS (54-52, 8½ GB)
Key additions: IF-OF Christopher Morel (Cubs), OF Dylan Carlson (Cardinals), RHP Tyler Bigge (Cubs, unranked), RHP Ty Johnson (Cubs, unranked), OF Aiden Smith (Mariners’ No. 14 prospect), RHP Brody Hopkins (Mariners’ No. 15 prospect), IF-OF Mac Horvath (Orioles’ No. 13 prospect), RHP Jackson Baumeister (Orioles’ No. 18 prospect), OF Matthew Etzel (unranked), RHP Dylan Lesko (Padres’ No. 5 prospect), C JD Gonzalez (Padres’ No. 8 prospect), OF Homer Bush Jr. (Padres’ No. 12 prospect), RHP Mike Flynn (Dodgers, unranked), RHP Paul Gervase (Mets, unranked).
Key losses: OF Randy Arozarena (Mariners), RHP Zach Eflin (Orioles), RHP Jason Adam (Padres), 3B Isaac Paredes (Cubs), IF-OF Amed Rosario (Dodgers), RHP Tyler Zuber (Mets), RHP Shawn Armstrong (Cardinals).
What it means: The writing has been on the wall since early this season. The Rays did not have the same magic of 2023, when they started 13-0 and led the division for much of the season. The low-budget Rays have made the playoffs the last five seasons, including losing the 2020 World Series, so a stumble was inevitable. That forced the hard decision to part with Arozarena and Eflin. But the Rays, as they often do, are a deadline winner despite subtracting a substantial number of players from the major-league roster. Morel and Carlson, in particular, could be more productive immediately in their new home.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (50-57, 13 GB)
Key additions: LHP Ryan Yarbrough (Dodgers), RHP Jake Bloss (Astros’ No. 2 prospect), OF Joey Loperfido (Astros’ No. 5 prospect), 3B Will Wagner (Astros’ No. 19 prospect), OF Jonatan Clase (Mariners’ No. 13 prospect), C Jacob Sharp (Mariners, unranked), OF Yohendrick Pinango (Cubs’ No. 17 prospect), SS Josh Rivera (Cubs, unranked), SS Eddinson Paulino (Red Sox’s No. 18 prospect), 3B-SS Cutter Coffey (Red Sox, unranked), RHP Gilberto Batista (Red Sox, unranked), OF RJ Schreck (Mariners, unranked), 2B Jay Harry (Twins, unranked), 3B-OF Charles McAdoo (Pirates’ No. 12 prospect).
Key losses: LHP Yusei Kikuchi (Astros), RHP Yimi García (Mariners), C Danny Jansen (Red Sox), 1B-3B Justin Turner (Mariners), RHP Trevor Richards (Twins), IF Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Pirates), OF Kevin Kiermaier (Dodgers).
What it means: Amid a disappointing season in a tough division, the Jays became sellers. It was the right move and set up an important offseason for Canada’s team. Toronto did pull off the biggest heist, as the Jays coerced a very good haul of prospects from the Astros in exchange for two months of Kikuchi, who is a free agent after the season. Similar to the Rays, the Jays seemed to execute the trade deadline pretty well considering their situation.
AL Central
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS (64-62, first place)
Key additions: RHP Alex Cobb (Giants), OF Lane Thomas (Nationals).
Key losses: LHP Alex Clemmey (Nationals, No. 7 prospect), SS Rafael Ramirez Jr. (Nationals, No. 20 prospect), SS José Tena (Nationals, No. 28 prospect), LHP Jacob Bresnahan (Giants, unranked).
What it means: Did you know the Guardians have the second-best record in MLB? Probably not. But whatever new manager Stephen Vogt has the players believing in, it is working. As usual, pitching has been key. Cobb, a 2023 All-Star, has yet to pitch this season following hip surgery and then right shoulder irritation. Cobb was expected to debut over the weekend but didn’t due to a blister that popped up in his final rehab appearance. He will get one more rehab start before joining the Guardians’ rotation. Thomas could be a boost to an offense that has been much better this season.
MINNESOTA TWINS (58-47, 5½, No. 2 AL wild card)
Key additions: RHP Trevor Richards (Blue Jays).
Key losses: 2B Jay Harry (Blue Jays, unranked).
What it means: The Twins were the last team of the 30 in MLB to pull off a trade in the final days before the deadline, acquiring journeyman Richards with about 90 minutes left.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS (58-49, 6½ GB, No. 3 AL wild card)
Key additions: RHP Michael Lorenzen (Rangers), RHP Lucas Erceg (A’s), SS Paul DeJong (White Sox).
Key losses: LHP Walter Pennington (Rangers, unranked), RHP Mason Barnett (A’s, No. 11 prospect), RHP Will Klein (A’s, No. 16 prospect), OF Jared Dickey (A’s, unranked), RHP Jarold Rosado (White Sox, unranked).
What it means: The Royals are also going for it, but are in a better spot than their NL counterpart the Pirates. Lorenzen was going to be the odd man out in the Texas rotation with others returning from injury, while Erceg slots into a late-inning role for a Royals bullpen that has not been too good.
DETROIT TIGERS (52-56, 13 GB)
Key additions: C Liam Hicks (Rangers, No. 30 prospect), RHP Tyler Owens (Rangers, unranked), RHP Joseph Montalvo (Rangers’ No. 19 prospect), RHP Chase Lee (Rangers, unranked), C-1B Thayron Liranzo (Dodgers’ No. 3 prospect) and SS Trey Sweeney (Dodgers’ No. 28 prospect), RHP Eric Silva (Giants’ No. 25 prospect).
Key losses: RHP Jack Flaherty (Dodgers), C Carson Kelly (Rangers), LHP Andrew Chafin (Rangers), 1B-OF Mark Canha (Giants).
What it means: Having entered the season with hopes of being a contender, things haven’t worked out for the Tigers. Not quite ready for prime time, they sold off Flaherty for a solid return, but did hold on to Tarik Skubal, an AL Cy Young candidate. More work, especially on the hitter side, will need to be done this offseason.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (27-82, 38½ GB)
Key additions: SS Miguel Vargas (Dodgers), 2B-3B Alexander Albertus (Dodgers’ No. 16 prospect), 2B Jeral Perez (Dodgers’ No. 18 prospect), RHP Jarold Rosado (Royals, unranked), SS Trey McGough (Orioles, unranked), SS William Bergolla (Phillies’ No. 10 prospect).
Key losses: RHP Erick Fedde (Cardinals), OF Eloy Jiménez (Orioles), OF Tommy Pham (Cardinals), SS Paul DeJong (Royals), LHP Tanner Banks (Phillies).
What it means: Questions have already been popping up about whether general manager Chris Getz was outsmarted in the Fedde trade, which ended up being a three-team deal with the Cardinals and Dodgers. Getz landed three young players but gave up Fedde to the Cardinals and Kopech to the Dodgers. Fedde alone could have netted that haul, especially considering what the Blue Jays got for Kikuchi. The fiasco with Garrett Crochet also doesn’t bode well for what is happening with the White Sox.
AL West
HOUSTON ASTROS (55-51, tied for first place)
Key additions: LHP Yusei Kikuchi (Blue Jays), LHP Caleb Ferguson (Yankees).
Key losses: RHP Jake Bloss (Blue Jays, No. 2 prospect), OF Joey Loperfido (Blue Jays, No. 5 prospect), 3B Will Wagner (Blue Jays, No. 19 prospect), RHP Kelly Austin (Yankees, unranked).
What it means: If the Astros go on to win the World Series and Kikuchi plays a pivotal role, it could be worth the price paid. But two top-five prospects as well as No. 19 for two regular-season months of the left-hander? That is steep and probably an overpay. It also likely caused other front offices to raise the ante on the starting pitchers they were dangling.
SEATTLE MARINERS (56-52, tied for first place)
Key additions: OF Randy Arozarena (Rays), 1B-3B Justin Turner (Blue Jays), RHP JT Chargois (Marlins), OF Rhylan Thomas (Mets’ No. 30 prospect).
Key losses: RHP Ryne Stanek (Mets), OF Aiden Smith (Rays, No. 14 prospect), RHP Brody Hopkins (Rays, No. 15 prospect), OF Jonatan Clase (Blue Jays, No. 13 prospect), C Jacob Sharp (Blue Jays, unranked), OF RJ Schreck (Blue Jays, unranked), RHP Will Schomberg (Marlins, unranked).
What it means: You knew general manager Jerry DiPoto was going to take at least one big swing at this trade deadline. Arozarena would appear to be a solution for a Mariners offense that is near the bottom of MLB in runs scored. His energy will also fit in well alongside Julio Rodríguez and the rest of the Mariners’ vibe. Turner could provide some of the intangibles, such as leadership.
TEXAS RANGERS (52-55, 3½ GB)
Key additions: C Carson Kelly (Tigers), LHP Andrew Chafin (Tigers), LHP Walter Pennington (Royals, unranked).
Key losses: RHP Michael Lorenzen, C Liam Hicks (Tigers, No. 30 prospect), RHP Tyler Owens (Tigers, unranked), RHP Joseph Montalvo (Tigers, No. 19 prospect), RHP Chase Lee (Tigers, unranked).
What it means: The defending World Series champs weren’t as active as some thought they might be, but that could be because of what they expect to have returning soon. With Cody Bradford having just returned from injury and Tyler Mahle about to—and Jacob deGrom a possibility in the next month or so—Lorenzen was going to be squeezed out. Will that be enough to push the Rangers back into the playoffs?
LOS ANGELES ANGELS (46-60, 9 GB)
Key additions: RHP George Klassen (Phillies’ No. 5 prospect), LHP Samuel Aldegheri (Phillies’ No. 7 prospect), SS-OF Matthew Lugo (Red Sox’s No. 23 prospect), RHP Ryan Zeferjahn (Red Sox, unranked), RHP Yeferson Vargas (Red Sox, unranked), 1B Niko Kavadas (Red Sox, unranked).
Key losses: RHP Carlos Estévez (Phillies), RHP Luis Garcia (Red Sox).
What it means: Two trades by the Angels didn’t feel like enough. They did get a very good return from the Phillies for Estevez and pretty good from the Red Sox for Garcia. But there were other pieces the Angels could have spun off with this season again going nowhere.
OAKLAND A’S (44-64, 12 GB)
Key additions: RHP Mason Barnett (Royals’ No. 11 prospect), RHP Will Klein (Royals’ No. 16 prospect), OF Jared Dickey (Royals, unranked), RHP Kade Morris (Mets’ No. 26 prospect).
Key losses: RHP Lucas Erceg (Royals), RHP Paul Blackburn (Mets).
What it means: Erceg’s emergence as a dominant late-inning reliever paid dividends when the A’s were able to get two top-16 prospects from the Royals. It doesn’t mean a whole lot at the moment for the A’s, who have just two months left in their Oakland era.