It was a fun MLB trade deadline. Tarik Skubal was moved, as expected, to the team everybody but Dodgers fans were hoping he wouldn’t be. The Orioles and Red Sox combined for an in-division blockbuster trade that sent Adley Rutschman to Boston for three of their top five prospects.
While some moves might look great now, nothing will be determined until October at the earliest. Some teams — the Cubs, Dodgers, Rays, Red Sox — were more aggressive than others — Yankees, Brewers — but there were still some twists, such as the Pirates and Twins being buyers, and the Angels finally selling pieces off.
Which contenders did the best? You can have your opinions now, but that won’t actually be determined until October, if they all make it. Interestingly, the Blue Jays strategically toed the line between buying and selling as they look to compete next season.
More often than not, role players have a key impact on a team in the postseason. Think of Jordan Montgomery and the Rangers’ 2023 run, or the impact Jorge Soler and Eddie Rosario had on Atlanta’s 2021 run. 2024 trade deadline acquisition Tommy Edman not only helped propel them to a World Series, but is still an important figure in their lineup today.
Skubal and Rutschman might generate the most dialogue, but there is at least one lesser-known player that will be critical to the October storylines.
Records for each team are entering Monday’s play to demonstrate where each team stood before the deadline. All prospect rankings are via Baseball America, but remember that each team values prospects differently, and each team’s farm systems differ in strength. Team names in parentheses are teams the player came from or went to, with the prospect ranking relative to the player’s ranking in their original team’s Top 30. Deals involving players designated for assignment are not included. All trades have taken place since Thursday of last week.
AL East
TAMPA BAY RAYS (65-46, first place)
Key additions: RHP Freddy Peralta (Mets), C Liam Hicks (Marlins), RHP Tyler Wells (Orioles), OF Jack Suwinski (Dodgers)
Key losses: OF Aidan Smith (Mets, No. 15 Prospect), RHP Gary Gill Hill (Mets, No. 27 Prospect), INF Émilien Pitre (Mets, Unranked Prospect), INF Adrian Santana (Marlins, Unranked Prospect), INF Brayden Taylor (Marlins, Unranked Prospect), RHP Jacob Kisting (Marlins, Unranked Prospect), RHP Michael Forret (Orioles, No. 8 Prospect), C Hunter Feduccia (Dodgers), RHP Jacob Kmatz (Dodgers, Unranked Prospect)
What it means: The Rays added to a rotation that already featured Drew Rasmussen, Nick Martinez, and Shane McClanahan with a low-risk, high-reward arm in Freddy Peralta. Liam Hicks should be their catcher for the foreseeable future, and Tyler Wells isn’t a free agent until 2028. The Rays had one of the best farm systems in the sport before the deadline, and that shouldn’t change despite these additions.
NEW YORK YANKEES (63-49, second place, 2½ games behind, No. 1 wild card)
Key additions: C Omar Alfonzo (Pirates, No. 28 Prospect), OF Luis Cruz (Pirates, Unranked Prospect), IF Luis García Jr. (Nationals), OF Heliot Ramos (Giants)
Key losses: RHP Camilo Doval (Pirates), RHP Jake Bird (Nationals), RHP Jack Cebert (Nationals, No. 11 Prospect), RHP Ben Grable (Nationals, No. 19 Prospect), RHP Yovanny Cruz (Nationals, No. 24 Prospect), LHP Henry Lalane (Giants, No. 5 Prospect), INF Kaeden Kent (Giants, No. 14 Prospect)
What it means: The Yankees entered the deadline needing a RHB, at least one reliever, and a catcher (that was ideally also a RHB). While they did get arguably the best bat (Luis García Jr.) available at the deadline for a reasonable price, and they did get a RHB OF in Heliot Ramos (who won’t be a Free Agent until 2030), they didn’t do enough.
BOSTON RED SOX (60-51, third place, 5 games behind, No. 2 wild card)
Key additions: IF Curtis Mead (Nationals), C Adley Rutschman (Orioles), C Jake Rogers (Orioles), LHP Erik Miller (Giants), OF Carlos Gutierrez (Giants, No. 24 Prospect), OF Eli White (Atlanta)
Key losses: LHP Connelly Early (Nationals), RHP Anthony Eyanson (Orioles, No.2 Prospect), RHP Kyson Witherspoon (Orioles, No. 3 Prospect), OF Enddy Azocar (Orioles, No. 5 Prospect), C Carlos Narváez (Orioles), INF Marcelo Mayer (Giants), RHP Tyler Uberstine (Atlanta, No. 19 Prospect)
What it means: Rollercoaster is the first thing that comes to mind when evaluating the Sox’s deadline. They acquired a much-needed RHB in Curtis Mead, albeit for a steep price in the controllable Connelly Early. They then shocked everybody, sending their 2nd, 3rd, and 5th prospects for Adley Rutschman, who was in the midst of his best season since 2023 before hitting the IL, just to trade an ex-top 15 prospect Marcelo Mayer after just 114 MLB games for a reliever with electric stuff but struggles to find the zone, plus an outfield prospect that might be blocked. Adley is a strong addition; Mead should help the lineup once he returns, but giving up on Mayer so quickly is interesting.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES (54-58, fourth place, 11½ games behind, 2½ GB wild card)
Key additions: OF Jhomnardo Reyes (Twins, No. 12 Prospect), RHP Brock Moore (Mariners, No. 24 Prospect), RHP Alex Hoppe (Mariners), RHP Harrison Kreiling (Mariners, Unranked Prospect), RHP Anthony Eyanson (Red Sox, No.2 Prospect), RHP Kyson Witherspoon (Red Sox, No. 3 Prospect), OF Enddy Azocar (Red Sox, No. 5 Prospect), C Carlos Narváez (Red Sox), RHP Michael Forret (Rays, No. 8 Prospect)
Key losses: LHP Dean Kremer (Twins), OF Taylor Ward (Mariners), C Adley Rutschman (Red Sox), C Jake Rogers (Red Sox), RHP Tyler Wells (Rays)
What it means: The Orioles have been lacking in the starting pitching department, and addressed that in a major way on Monday. Eyanson is a consensus top 100 prospect, Witherspoon was a first-round pick last year, and Forret could make his debut later this season and was a top 10 prospect in a loaded Rays farm system. While losing Adley is a tough pill to swallow for the fanbase, the return was too good to pass up.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (52-60, last place, 13½ games behind, 4½ GB wild card)
Key additions: INF Ty Southisene (Cubs, No. 10 Prospect), OF Brett Bateman (Cubs, Unranked Prospect), RHP José Soriano (Angels), UTIL Josh Smith (Rangers), RHP Josh Stephan (Rangers, Unranked Prospect), RHP Spencer Arrighetti (Astros), LHP Dasan Hill (Twins, No. 8 Prospect), RHP John Klein (Twins, No. 29 Prospect), INF Dameury Pena (Twins, Unranked Prospect)
Key losses: RHP Kevin Gausman (Cubs), INF Arjun Nimmala (Angels, No. 1 Prospect), OF Eddie Micheletti (Angels, Unranked Prospect), RHP Angel Rivero (Angels, Unranked Prospect), LHP Adam Macko (Rangers), OF Daulton Varsho (Astros), RHP Jeff Hoffman
What it means: The Blue Jays did a good job strategically selling and buying as they look to compete next year. Soriano will slide into Gausman’s spot in the rotation and has flashed electric stuff this season. They flipped an impending free agent in Daulton Varsho for 4+ years of Spencer Arrighetti, and despite Jeff Hoffman’s struggles this season, they were still able to net a top 10 prospect and two other players from the Twins. Nimmala is a tough prospect to let go of, but he’s at least a year and a half away, and the Blue Jays are looking to compete next season.
AL Central
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (59-52, first place)
Key additions: RHP Luis Castillo (Mariners), RHP Huascar Brazobán (Mets), OF Brenton Doyle (Rockies), C Joey Bart (Atlanta)
Key losses: RHP Seranthony Domínguez (Mariners), C Boston Smith (Mariners, Unranked Prospect), OF Nolan Jones (Mariners), RHP Gabe Davis (Mets, No. 20 Prospect), RHP Zach Franklin (Mets, Unranked Prospect), RHP Mason Adams (Rockies, No. 18 Prospect), INF Carlos Vielma (Rockies, Unranked Prospect), RHP Duncan Davitt (Atlanta)
What it means: The White Sox needed starting pitching, and they looked to a Mariners team with a surplus and acquired Castillo to help strengthen a rotation with question marks after Sean Burke and Davis Martin. Bart should join a catcher rotation that is the worst offensively in the sport per wRC+, Doyle and Tristan Peters could form one of the best defensive outfield duos in the sport, and Brazobán can replace Dominguez’s spot in the bullpen.
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS (57-56, second place, 3 games behind, No. 3 Wild Card)
Key additions: OF Jo Adell (Angels), LHP Foster Griffin (Nationals), INF Nathaniel Lowe (Reds)
Key losses: C Jacob Cozart (Angels, No. 17 Prospect), LHP Will Dion (Nationals, Unranked Prospect), LHP Josh Hartle (Nationals, Unranked Prospect), LHP Kendeglys Virguez (Nationals, Unranked Prospect, OF Nick Mitchell (Nationals, Unranked Prospect), RHP Alejandro Rivera (Reds, No. 30 Prospect)
What it means: The Guardians were able to acquire Foster Griffin via quantity, sending four prospects outside their top 30 for the breakout pitcher. Griffin should immediately slide behind Gavin Williams and Parker Messick in the Guardians rotation. Lowe should replace the struggling Kyle Manzardo at first base, and Jo Adell could potentially be a nice platoon partner with Chase DeLauter when he’s not DH-ing
MINNESOTA TWINS (56-57, third place, 4 games behind, 1 GB wild card)
Key additions: LHP A.J. Minter (Mets), LHP Dean Kremer (Orioles), RHP Jeff Hoffman (Blue Jays)
Key losses: INF Bruin Agbayani (Mets, Unranked Prospect), INF Billy Amick (Mets, Unranked Prospect), OF Jhomnardo Reyes (Orioles, No. 12 Prospect), LHP Dasan Hill (Blue Jays, No. 8 Prospect), RHP John Klein (Blue Jays, No. 29 Prospect), INF Dameury Pena (Blue Jays, Unranked Prospect)
What it means: Twins ownership wants to make the postseason and be competitive. They showed that by holding on to Ryan Jeffers and adding Minter and Hoffman to the bullpen, and Kremer to the rotation. It would’ve been easy for the Twins to justify selling, but instead they added to their pitching staff with the 5th-worst ERA in the sport. It’s a step in the right direction for the organization.
DETROIT TIGERS (54-58, fourth place, 5½ games behind, 2½ GB wild card)
Key additions: OF Zyhir Hope (Dodgers, No. 6 Prospect), RHP River Ryan (Dodgers, No. 9 Prospect), Brady Smith (Dodgers, No. 27 Prospect), LHP Kash Mayfield (Padres, No. 3 Prospect), LHP Jackson Wolf (Padres, Unranked Prospect)
Key losses: LHP Tarik Skubal (Dodgers), RHP Casey Mize (Padres), INF Gage Workman (Padres)
What it means: Getting two top 100 prospects (Hope, Ryan) for 2+ months of a player is always good. However, it’s fair to wonder if the Tigers could’ve driven up the price by waiting until deadline day to see if the Brewers, Rays, Yankees, etc., would’ve upped their offer. Ryan is old for a prospect but has electric stuff and should be in the rotation sometime this season, while Hope has massive power in AA. The Tigers followed up the Skubal trade with a buzzer-beating trade with the Padres that sent Casey Mize, who’s been good but has battled injuries and another year of control, for their No. 3 Prospect, who has only pitched in A+ so far in his career.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS (46-67, last place, 14 games behind, 11 GB wild card)
Key additions: LHP Carter Holton (Atlanta, No. 30 prospect), RHP Lucas Braun (Atlanta, No. 18 prospect), RHP Carlos Duran (Dodgers, Unranked Prospect)
Key losses: OF Lane Thomas (Atlanta), LHP Bailey Falter (Atlanta), LHP Kris Bubic (Dodgers)
What it means: Holding on to both Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo feels like a missed opportunity. They were able to trade Kris Bubic, who’s on the IL, but they should’ve been more active in a seller’s market.
AL West
HOUSTON ASTROS (58-55, first place)
Key additions: OF Daulton Varsho (Blue Jays)
Key losses: RHP Spencer Arrighetti (Blue Jays)
What it means: The Astros needed a center fielder, and they got a good one in Varsho. He’s not replicating the success he had last season, but he’s a major improvement over Taylor Trammell, Brice Matthews, and Jake Meyers. Giving up Arrighetti for a few months of Varsho is a hefty price, though.
TEXAS RANGERS (55-57, second place, 2½ games behind, 1½ GB wild card)
Key additions: C Logan O’Hoppe (Angels), RHP Chase Silseth (Angels), LHP Adam Macko (Blue Jays)
Key losses: INF Angel Arredondo (Rangers, Unranked Prospect), UTIL Josh Smith (Blue Jays), RHP Josh Stephan (Blue Jays, Unranked Prospect)
What it means: The Rangers’ deadline could’ve been a lot more impactful as Jacob deGrom declined to waive his no-trade clause. The Rangers were able to add a struggling catcher with upside in O’Hoppe as well as a fine reliever in Silseth for a prospect outside of their top 30 but overall, it wasn’t a notable deadline,
SEATTLE MARINERS (55-58, third place, 3 games behind, 2 GB wild card)
Key additions: RHP Seranthony Domínguez (White Sox), C Boston Smith (White Sox, Unranked Prospect), OF Nolan Jones (White Sox), OF Taylor Ward (Orioles)
Key losses: RHP Luis Castillo (White Sox), RHP Brock Moore (Orioles, No. 24 Prospect), RHP Alex Hoppe (Orioles), RHP Harrison Kreiling (Orioles, Unranked Prospect)
What it means: The Mariners needed to make room for their elite pitching prospect Kade Anderson, so it was expected they would trade one of their starters. The fact that they were able to trade Castillo and his contract over the other options is a win in and of itself. Dominguez gives them another electric arm in the bullpen, and Ward is quietly on pace for a ~3 fWAR season.
ATHLETICS (45-67, fourth place, 12½ games behind, 11½ GB wild card)
Key additions: RHP Seth Johnson (Athletics, Unranked Prospect)
Key losses: OF Colby Thomas (Athletics)
What it means: The Athletics‘ major trade chips either underperformed — Jeffrey Springs, Jeff McNeil — or battled injuries — Luis Severino — leading to a quiet deadline.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS (43-69, last place, 14½ games behind, 13½ GB wild card)
Key additions: INF Angel Arredondo (Rangers, Unranked Prospect), INF Arjun Nimmala (Blue Jays, No. 1 Prospect), OF Eddie Micheletti (Blue Jays, Unranked Prospect), RHP Angel Rivero (Blue Jays, Unranked Prospect), C Jacob Cozart (Guardians, No. 17 Prospect), C/DH Moisés Ballesteros (Cubs, Pre-season No. 1 Prospect, currently Unranked), RHP Mason McGwire (Cubs, No. 20 Prospect), INF Nacho Alvarez Jr. Jr. (Atlanta, Unranked Prospect), RHP Kyle Robinson (Pirates, Unranked Prospect)
Key losses: C Logan O’Hoppe (Rangers), RHP Chase Silseth (Rangers), RHP José Soriano (Blue Jays), OF Jo Adell (Guardians), RHP Ryan Zeferjahn (Cubs), LHP Brent Suter (Atlanta), RHP Kirby Yates (Pirates)
What it means: The Angels finally sold! Not only did they sell, but they also got a strong return! They received the Cubs’ ex-top prospect in Ballesteros, the Blue Jays’ top prospect in Nimmala, as well as intriguing prospects in McGwire and Cozart. Yes, they didn’t trade Neto or Detmers, but there was a time when they never would’ve traded Soriano, Adell, etc.
NL East
ATLANTA (67-45, first place)
Key additions: OF Lane Thomas (Royals), LHP Bailey Falter (Royals), RHP Tyler Mahle (Giants), LHP Brent Suter (Angels), RHP Duncan Davitt (White Sox), RHP Tyler Uberstine (Red Sox, No. 19 Prospect)
Key losses: LHP Carter Holton (Royals, No. 30 prospect), RHP Lucas Braun (Royals, No. 18 prospect), RHP Anthony Molina (Giants), INF Nacho Alvarez Jr. (Angels, Unranked Prospect), C Joey Bart (White Sox), OF Eli White (Red Sox)
What it means: Lane Thomas should replace Eli White as Atlanta continues to attempt to fill the void in their outfield left by the Profar suspension. They added a solid floor, low-ceiling arm in Mahle and could potentially use Falter to help them get to October.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (59-53, second place, 8 games behind, tied for No. 2 wild card)
Key additions: LHP Brooks Raley (Mets), INF Luis Arraez (Giants), RHP Caleb Kilian (Giants, Unranked Prospect), OF Colby Thomas (Athletics)
Key losses: RHP Luke Gabrysh (Mets, Unranked Prospect), OF John Spikerman (Mets, Unranked Prospect), RHP Ramon Marquez (Giants, No. 4 Prospect), RHP Marty Gair (Giants, Unranked Prospect), RHP Seth Johnson (Athletics, Unranked Prospect)
What it means: The Phillies gave up their 4th best prospect to acquire Luiz Arraez and potentially (hopefully?) solve their 5th spot in the rotation as Caleb Kilian is an option. Arraez is having his best defensive year, but the Phillies defense will be interesting to follow as they re-shuffle their positioning to accommodate Arraez’s addition. Raley will provide some much-needed help to a bullpen that’s been taxed this season as well.
MIAMI MARLINS (58-55, third place, 9½ games behind, 1½ GB wild card)
Key additions: INF Adrian Santana (Rays, Unranked Prospect), INF Brayden Taylor (Rays, Unranked Prospect), RHP Jacob Kisting (Rays, Unranked Prospect), INF Jonathon Long (Cubs, No. 16 Prospect), RHP Jace Beck (Cubs, No. 28 Prospect), RHP Victor Vodnik (Rockies), INF Hyun Seung Lee (Pirates, Unranked Prospect), RHP Brandan Bidois (Pirates, Unranked Prospect), OF Brian Sanchez (Pirates, Unranked Prospect)
Key losses: C Liam Hicks (Rays), RHP Braxton Garrett (Cubs), INF Connor Norby (Rockies), RHP Aiden May (Rockies, Unranked Prospect), RHP Lake Bachar (Pirates)
What it means: The Marlins opted not to trade Sandy Alcantara or Pete Fairbanks, and attempted to toe the line between buying and selling. They traded Liam Hicks to the Rays for a trio of prospects that might’ve found themselves in other teams’ top 30s, traded Braxton Garrett to the Cubs for two of their top 30 prospects, and replaced Lake Bachar with Victor Vodnik, whose K% is abnormally low this season. It is a step in the right direction that the Marlins did not trade Otto Lopez, Xavier Edwards, or Kyle Stowers.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS (55-58, fourth place, 12½ games behind, 4½ GB wild card)
Key additions: LHP Connelly Early (Red Sox), RHP Jake Bird (Yankees), RHP Jack Cebert (Yankees, No. 11 Prospect), RHP Ben Grable (Yankees, No. 19 Prospect), RHP Yovanny Cruz (Yankees, No. 24 Prospect), LHP Will Dion (Guardians, Unranked Prospect) LHP Josh Hartle (Guardians, Unranked Prospect), LHP Kendeglys Virguez (Guardians, Unranked Prospect, OF Nick Mitchell (Guardians, Unranked Prospect)
Key losses: INF Curtis Mead (Red Sox), INF Luis García Jr. (Yankees), LHP Foster Griffin (Guardians)
What it means: The Nationals front office has no qualms with adding via quantity rather than quality. Between the offseason MacKenzie Gore trade and now the Luis García Jr. and Foster Griffin trades, the Nats were fine with receiving numerous players rather than fewer higher-rated ones. Connelly Early should be a nice addition to the rotation, and the Nationals desperately needed bullpen help, which they should be able to address with some of their returns from their deadline deals.
NEW YORK METS (47-66, last place, 20½ games behind, 12½ GB wild card)
Key additions: INF Bruin Agbayani (Twins, Unranked Prospect), INF Billy Amick (Twins, Unranked Prospect), OF Aidan Smith (Rays, No. 15 Prospect), RHP Gary Gill Hill (Rays, No. 27 Prospect), INF Émilien Pitre (Rays, Unranked Prospect), RHP Luke Gabrysh (Phillies, Unranked Prospect), OF John Spikerman (Phillies, Unranked Prospect), RHP Gabe Davis (White Sox, No. 20 Prospect), RHP Zach Franklin (White Sox, Unranked Prospect), INF Sammy Stafura (Pirates, No. 25 Prospect), INF Jefferson Rojas (Cubs, No. 2 Prospect)
Key losses: LHP A.J. Minter (Twins), RHP Freddy Peralta (Rays), LHP Brooks Raley (Phillies), RHP Huascar Brazobán (White Sox), RHP Luke Weaver (Pirates), RHP Clay Holmes (Cubs), OF Tyrone Taylor (Cubs)
What it means: The Mets almost completed the firesale, opting to hold on to Luis Robert Jr. but trading everyone else they could. Their best move was trading Clay Holmes and Tyrone Taylor for the Cubs No. 2 prospect, Jefferson Rojas, who could potentially contribute next season. The Mets still have plenty of decisions to make this offseason regarding their roster, but they’ve reloaded their farm system to give themselves more options and flexibility.
NL Central
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (69-42, first place)
Key additions: RHP Dustin May (Cardinals), LHP JoJo Romero (Cardinals), RHP Antonio Senzatela (Rockies)
Key losses: OF Alexander Frias (Cardinals, No. 8 Prospect), OF Josiah Ragsdale (Cardinals, No. 22 Prospect), INF Juan Martinez (Rockies, Unranked Prospect), LHP Mark Manfredi (Rockies, Unranked Prospect)
What it means: While they missed out on Skubal, Dustin May has been phenomenal this season and immediately makes the pitching staff better. Romero and Senzatela will improve the pen and help them shorten games. The additions from the Cardinals did come with a steep cost, but their deep farm system can withstand the price.
CHICAGO CUBS (63-49, second place, 6½ games behind, No. 1 wild card)
Key additions: RHP Kevin Gausman (Blue Jays), RHP Braxton Garrett (Marlins), RHP Ryan Zeferjahn (Angels), RHP Clay Holmes (Mets), OF Tyrone Taylor (Mets)
Key losses: INF Ty Southisene (Blue Jays, No. 10 Prospect), OF Brett Bateman (Blue Jays, Unranked Prospect), INF Jonathon Long (Marlins, No. 16 Prospect), RHP Jace Beck (Marlins, No. 28 Prospect), C/DH Moisés Ballesteros (Angels, Pre-season No. 1 Prospect, currently Unranked), RHP Mason McGwire (Angels, No. 20 Prospect), INF Jefferson Rojas (Mets, No. 2 Prospect)
What it means: The Cubs are going for it, and have added four starting pitchers when considering the previously acquired David Peterson. They parted with their No. 2 Prospect for Holmes (who should thrive in front of their defense) and Taylor, who paired with PCA will cover so much of the outfield. Gausman should be exceptional for them as well and will provide some much-needed stability in their rotation.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (56-57, third place, 14 games behind, 3½ GB wild card)
Key additions: RHP Camilo Doval (Yankees), RHP Luke Weaver (Mets), RHP Lake Bachar (Marlins), RHP Kirby Yates (Angels)
Key losses: C Omar Alfonzo (Yankees, No. 28 Prospect), OF Luis Cruz (Yankees, Unranked Prospect), INF Sammy Stafura (Mets, No. 25 Prospect), INF Hyun Seung Lee (Marlins, Unranked Prospect), RHP Brandan Bidois (Marlins, Unranked Prospect), OF Brian Sanchez (Marlins, Unranked Prospect), RHP Kyle Robinson (Angels, Unranked Prospect)
What it means: The Pirates shrewdly added to their bullpen as their offense has been one of the best in the sport since June 1st, and their rotation features Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, and Braxton Ashcraft. Doval has struggled to throw strikes, but Weaver has been phenomenal for the Mets this season and has another year of control. Bachar and Yates didn’t cost them a single top 30 prospect as well. It was great seeing the Pirates buy given their current roster.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (55-57, fourth place, 14½ games behind, 4 GB wild card)
Key additions: OF Alexander Frias (Brewers, No. 8 Prospect), OF Josiah Ragsdale (Brewers, No. 22 Prospect), RHP Daniel Eagen (Diamondbacks, No. 13 Prospect), LHP Sandro Santana (Diamondbacks, Unranked Prospect)
Key losses: RHP Dustin May (Brewers), LHP JoJo Romero (Brewers), OF Lars Nootbaar (Diamondbacks)
What it means: The return for May and Romero alone was a massive win. Frias hits the ball incredibly hard, and Ragsdale has been elite offensively across A+ and AA this season, slugging .581 while swiping 31 bases. Eagen is an intriguing arm who has a 29.2% K rate in AA this season across 20 starts.
CINCINNATI REDS (53-58, last place, 16 games behind, 5½ GB wild card)
Key additions: RHP Alejandro Rivera (Guardians, No. 30 Prospect)
Key losses: INF Nathaniel Lowe (Guardians)
What it means: Sal Stewart is the Reds’ long-term first baseman, so moving on from Lowe makes a ton of sense.
NL West
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (69-43, first place)
Key additions: LHP Tarik Skubal (Tigers), LHP Kris Bubic (Royals), C Hunter Feduccia (Rays), RHP Jacob Kmatz (Rays, Unranked Prospect)
Key losses: OF Zyhir Hope (Tigers, No. 6 Prospect), RHP River Ryan (Tigers, No. 9 Prospect), Brady Smith (Tigers, No. 27 Prospect), RHP Carlos Duran (Royals, Unranked Prospect), OF Jack Suwinski (Rays)
What it means: The Dodgers did what they do, and added the best player available by trading for Tarik Skubal. They were already the best team in the league on paper, and found a way to get even better as they look to three-peat. Kris Bubic gives them a low-risk arm to help them keep everyone fresh for October, assuming he returns from the 60-day IL.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (59-53, second place, 10 games behind, tied for No. 2 wild card)
Key additions: OF Lars Nootbaar (Cardinals)
Key losses: RHP Daniel Eagen (Cardinals, No. 13 Prospect), LHP Sandro Santana (Cardinals, Unranked Prospect)
What it means: A relatively quiet deadline for the Diamondbacks, who traded for Lars Nootbaar near the buzzer. Nootbaar should immediately slide into the Diamondbacks outfield as he is an improvement over Max Kepler.
SAN DIEGO PADRES (58-54, third place, 11 games behind, 1 GB wild card)
Key additions: LHP Robbie Ray (Giants), RHP Casey Mize (Tigers), INF Gage Workman (Tigers)
Key losses: RHP Miguel Mendez (Giants, No. 10 Prospect), INF Joniel Hernandez (Giants, No. 21 Prospect), LHP Kash Mayfield (Tigers, No. 3 Prospect), LHP Jackson Wolf (Tigers, Unranked Prospect)
What it means: The Padres decided to hold onto Mason Miller as well as set-up man Adrian Morejon, and instead added two pitchers that should immediately improve their starting rotation. While it cost them two of their top-10 prospects, they can not rely on Griffin Canning, Walker Buehler, Lucas Giolito, JP Sears, or Germán Márquez if they want to make the playoffs. Ray and Mize are massive improvements over two of those options.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (47-65, fourth place, 22 games behind, 12 GB wild card)
Key additions: RHP Anthony Molina (Atlanta), RHP Ramon Marquez (Phillies, No. 4 Prospect), RHP Marty Gair (Phillies, Unranked Prospect), RHP Miguel Mendez (Padres, No. 10 Prospect), INF Joniel Hernandez (Padres, No. 21 Prospect), INF Marcelo Mayer (Red Sox), LHP Henry Lalane (Yankees, No. 5 Prospect), INF Kaeden Kent (Yankees, No. 14 Prospect)
Key losses: RHP Tyler Mahle (Atlanta), INF Luis Arraez (Phillies), RHP Caleb Kilian (Phillies), LHP Robbie Ray (Padres), LHP Erik Miller (Red Sox), OF Carlos Gutierrez (Red Sox, No. 24 Prospect), OF Heliot Ramos (Yankees)
What it means: While the Giants weren’t able to move the big-money players Buster Posey was hoping to move, they still had a strong deadline. Ramon Marquez is a strong return for a few months of Luis Arraez, and Posey flipped an outfielder with power and swing-and-miss for two top-15 prospects from the Yankees. The highlight of the deadline however, is turning LHP Erik Miller, who excels at missing bats but struggles with command, as well as OF prospect Carlos Gutierrez, for the ex-top-15 prospect Marcelo Mayer. Mayer’s struggled both on the field and with injuries, but he still hasn’t played a full season’s worth of games yet and will benefit from consistent playing time.
COLORADO ROCKIES (45-67, last place, 24 games behind, 14 GB wild card)
Key additions: RHP Mason Adams (White Sox, No. 18 Prospect), INF Carlos Vielma (White Sox, Unranked Prospect), INF Connor Norby (Marlins), RHP Aiden May (Marlins, Unranked Prospect), INF Juan Martinez (Brewers, Unranked Prospect), LHP Mark Manfredi (Brewers, Unranked Prospect)
Key losses: OF Brenton Doyle (White Sox), RHP Victor Vodnik (Marlins), RHP Antonio Senzatela (Brewers)
What it means: Notably, the Rockies did not trade Mickey Moniak, and the reason became clear after the deadline passed, as he appears to have agreed to a two-year extension. The Rockies did hold on to Hunter Goodman as well, but he appears to be a player to build around, given he will not be a free agent until after the 2029 season. Norby should be an immediate upgrade to the Rockies infield, and Mason Adams has 5 pitches matching the expanded pitch mix the Rockies are seeking under Paul DePodesta.
