The MLB trade deadline is always one of the most unexpected parts of the season. While Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani defied expectations by staying put, there are some clear winners and losers of the trade deadline.
Winners
Los Angeles Dodgers
While the Dodgers didn’t go out and make superstar acquisitions like they had done in previous years, they made moves to help their pursuit of another National League West division title.
The reunion with Kiké Hernández brings more versatility to the roster and fills in a void in the infield, especially with the demotion of rookie Miguel Vargas earlier this month. Along with that, the acquisitions of Joe Kelly and Lance Lynn bring much needed pitching depth to a rotation that suffers from nagging injuries.
Lastly, trading for more depth in the infield, the Dodgers picked up Amed Rosario in exchange for a struggling Noah Syndergaard in a one-for-one deal, hailed by many as a risk-free move.
Texas Rangers
In spite of the season-ending injury to Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi to the 15-day injured list, the Rangers supported their rotation by acquiring Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery.
They join a rotation already featuring starters like Jon Gray, Dane Dunning, Andrew Heaney and Martín Pérez. With the Rangers at the top of a competitive American League West division, they emerge from the trade deadline as one of the favorites to win the American League.
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox capitalized off of its disappointing season by selling off pending free agents and most of the pitching depth. They acquired top prospects Edgar Quero and Ky Bush from the Angels in exchange for Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López, and dealt Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly to the other L.A. team.
Other players they parted ways with include Kendall Graveman, Keynan Middleton and Jake Burger. While they weren’t able to offload Tim Anderson and Yasmani Grandal, they were able to revamp their farm system that was ranked 26th heading into the season.
Losers
New York Yankees
The Yankees are currently 56-52 and sit last in a competitive American League East division. Amid a season filled with injuries and a lack of success, the only moves they made were trading for Keynan Middleton and Spencer Howard.
Despite having the second-highest payroll in the MLB, the only moves the Yankees made were to bolster their bullpen. With such a strange lack of urgency leading up to the trade deadline, don’t be shocked if Brian Cashman is on the hot seat come the offseason.
San Francisco Giants
For a team with gauging holes due to a mix of injuries and struggles, the Giants disappointed for a deadline President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi claimed to be “aggressive.” San Francisco only added A.J. Pollock and Mark Mathias.
While the addition of Pollock brings much needed depth to the outfield, especially with the recent injury to Mike Yastrzemski, the team now has no choice but to put more confidence in rookies like Luis Matos, Casey Schmitt and Tristan Beck to step up and fill in the holes in the roster.
Cincinnati Reds
The division-leading Reds were very quiet at the trade deadline, with their singular move being the acquisition of southpaw Sam Moll. While most of their team is structured around their young core including Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer and Matt McLain, the trade deadline indicates the Reds are doubling down on this core to carry them to their first division title since 2012.
The main question moving forward will be with their starting rotation., With reinforcements in Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo expected to return soon. It will be hard for the team to keep up with the Brewers and the Cubs who are one and four games back from first, respectively.
