The MLB trade deadline has officially passed. There will be no more trades in baseball until the winter. While we didn't have many trades for superstars, contenders made many trades to boost their teams for the playoffs.
Time to grade each team.
AL Central
Chicago White Sox
Departures: Michael Kopech, Eloy Jiménez,Tommy Pham, Erick Fedde, and Paul Dejong
The biggest surprise is that the White Sox didn't blow it all up and trade Garrett Crochet or Luis Robert. Crochet will likely be shut down sometime in September, but why risk an injury? He will most likely be traded in the wintertime. As for Robert, Chicago doesn't see him as a franchise-caliber player who will stick around, but they likely did not move him because of the return they would get back. Chicago did not take the next step to blow it all up at the deadline, and the prospects they got are not great either.
Grade: D+
Cleveland Guardians
Additions: Alex Cobb and Lane Thomas
The Guardians played this deadline beautifully. There wasn't a big market for outfielders or starting pitchers, but the Guardians were able to win the race to Lane Thomas and acquire Alex Cobb in the final minutes before the deadline. Thomas will give Cleveland a middle-of-the-lineup bat, while Cobb will be a much-needed starting pitcher.
Grade: A-
Detroit Tigers
Departures: Jack Flaherty, Andrew Chafin, Mark Canha
Detroit maximized the value of the short-term deals it had on some players. Flaherty was moved to the Dodgers, and L.A. sent back its No. 4 prospect in return. They were also able to move veterans Andrew Chafin and Mark Canha for some good value. The decision to hold on to Tarik Skubbal was a good one. You don't move that kind of pitcher at just 27 years old.
Grade: B+
Kansas City Royals
Additions: Hunter Harvey, Michael Lorenzen, Lucas Erceg, Paul DeJong
Kansas City's plan was simple: load up on pitchers. Lucas Erceg will be an immediate upgrade to the bullpen and should help Kansas City late in games. Dejong is a good option for a middle-of-the-lineup bat and should help the Royals out. Lorenzen will be a huge help to Kansas City's starting pitching. While the pitching was figured out, hitting will still be lackluster for the Royals, as they did nothing to try to fix the outfield.
Grade: B-
Minnesota Twins
Additions: Trevor Richards
As expected, the Minnesota Twins had a very quiet deadline. Trevor Richards' gamble in exchange for a low-level prospect is worth the risk. Though nothing was done to Minnesota's starting rotation, the risk of Richards helping in the bullpen is worth it.
Grade: C+
AL East
Baltimore Orioles
Additions: Gregory Soto, Eloy Jiménez, Trevor Rogers, Zach Eflin, Seranthony Dominguez
This is a big haul for the Orioles as they look to make noise in the playoffs. Zach Eflin will be a great piece for the rotation, and the bullpen's acquisition of Gregory Soto, Trevor Rogers and Seranthony Dominguez will also help. To get Rogers, the Orioles had to part with a top-100 prospect, which is a sign that the organization is in win-now mode. Eloy Jimenez will be a nice addition as well. In the worst-case scenario, he is slotted in as a bench bat during playoff time. Overall, it was a nice haul for Baltimore.
Grade: A-
Boston Red Sox
Additions: Quinn Priester, Lucas Sims
Boston took a flier on former first-round pick Quinn Priester for some starting pitching help. He has potential, but Boston will have to ease him into their rotation. Lucas Sims will be good for the bullpen as Boston tries to make a playoff push. Boston would've liked better to get a veteran starting pitcher, but Priester has potential.
Grade: B
New York Yankees
Additions: Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Mark Leiter Jr.
The Yankees could have done more at the deadline. What a surprise. No, but seriously, when will the Yankees learn? Buying Jazz Chisholm makes sense, and he should fit in nicely, but adding nothing to the bullpen outside of Mark Leiter Jr. does not make sense at all. The Yankees needed a big bullpen piece but could not get it done. The Yankees are not built for playoff baseball, and a big reason for that is the lack of commitment at the trade deadline.
Grade: C+
Tampa Bay Rays
Departures: Randy Arozarena, Amed Rosario, Isaac Paredes, Zach Eflin, Jason Adam
The annual Tampa Bay dumpster sale has finally happened. Tampa Bay was able to trade guys that weren't gonna be here long-term for prospects and big league-ready players. Acquiring Christopher Morel from Chicago was the best move the Rays could've made for Paredes. Morel will slot in as the DH for Tampa Bay, and a change of scenery might be what he needs. Getting good prospect value for Arozerena, Rosario, and Adam will boost the farm system of Tampa Bay. The final move was acquiring CF Dylan Carlson. Carlson has struggled heavily this season, but a change of scenery might be beneficial, and the Rays have done this with players before.
Grade: A-
Toronto Blue Jays
Departures: Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Yusei Kikuchi, Nate Pearson, Yimi Garcia, Danny Jansen, Trevor Richards, Kevin Kiermaier, Justin Turner
This trade deadline was well done by Ross Atkins and the Toronto Blue Jays. They did exactly what they needed to do — trade players with expiring contracts for prospects to bolster the farm system. Mission complete. Acquiring 13 prospects and an MLB player was exactly what Toronto needed to do. Keeping Bichette and Guerrero Jr. was the right choice.
Grade: A+
AL West
Houston Astros
Additions: Yusei Kikuchi, Caleb Ferguson
Though rumored to be going out and getting a first baseman, Houston stayed put and was able to get a starting pitcher and a reliever. Kikuchi was one of the better names on the market and would come in and help the Astros right away. Ferguson will be a reliever out of the bullpen for Houston. It was a solid deadline for a team that didn't need to do much.
Grade: B-
Los Angeles Angels
Departures: Luis Garcia and Carlos Estévez
What are the Angels doing? Not only did they not trade guys on expiring contracts, but the market was not heavy, and teams were desperate for pitching. This deadline comes with Anthony Rendon heading to the IL. and Mike Trout suffering a setback in his injury. It's a bad day for the Los Angeles Angels.
Grade: F
Oakland Athletics
Departures: Paul Blackburn, Lucas Erceg
With progress being made on the field and Mason Miller breaking his pinky finger punching a table, the Oakland Athletics didn't have a firesale like everyone expected them to have. They chose to hang on to Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday and Miller. The only moves they made were trading some bullpen arms to contenders. It’s a little surprising they moved Erceg with the potential he has shown.
Grade: C+
Seattle Mariners
Additions: Justin Turner, Randy Arozarena, Yimi Garcia
The Mariners finally bought at the deadline! The big splash was trading for Randy Arozarena. Arozarena is having a down year but still has the pedigree to be an all-star in this league. Justin Turner is a good buy-low candidate and will be a veteran presence in the locker room. I still think Seattle needs more hitting. They were on the hunt for Yandy Diaz but could not put together a trade. Still, there is an overall improvement to the roster with Arozarena.
Grade: B+
Texas Rangers
Additions: Andrew Chafin and Carson Kelly
This was a weird trade deadline for the Rangers. They traded starter Michael Lorenzen but acquired one of the better relievers on the market, Michael Chafin. They aren't waving the white flag on the season, but they are also not buying either. It is a weird spot they are in. Chafin will help the bullpen, and Kelly gives them another option at catcher.
Grade: B
NL Central
Chicago Cubs
Additions: Isaac Paredes
The Cubs are buying? While I like Paredes as a player and think he will do well in Chicago, it is weird timing for a team that is well out of the playoff picture. Christopher Morel desperately needed a change of scenery, and Paredes is under team control until 2027. It is not a bad move whatsoever, just one I didn't expect the Cubs to make at this time. I thought they would sell off Jameson Taillon to start.
Grade: B-
Cincinnati Reds
Departures: Lucas Sims, Frankie Montas, Austin Slater
There's not much Cincinnati can do but trade short-term guys for some prospects. They did just that. Nothing you can complain about. Cincinnati will just let the young kids play this season. Taking a flier on Ty France is also a good move, as he could offer some upside at the first baseman position.
Grade: B
Milwaukee Brewers
Additions: Frankie Montas and Nick Mears
All pitching for Milwaukee. I think Frankie Montas will be a good addition to the Brewers' pitching staff. While adding a bench bat would have been nice for Milwaukee, the market simply was not there. The question is whether Milwaukee has enough hitting to go deep in the playoffs.
Grade: B
Pittsburgh Pirates
Additions: Bryan De La Cruz, Isiah Kiner-Falefa
The Pirates needed to add a bat at the trade deadline. With the offense struggling all season long and with Pittsburgh having a pitching staff built to win in October, the Pirates put their hope into Bryan De La Cruz and IKF to fix the offensive issues. I like both these players and think they could be good additions to the team, but these aren't needle-moving acquisitions that put this as a threat in the N.L. with hitting. It is a bit underwhelming. The time is now for the Pirates. It's put up or shut up time.
Grades: B-
St. Louis Cardinals
Additions: Erick Fedde, Tommy Pham
The Cardinals did a good job at this deadline of playing to their needs. Erick Fedde was one of the better starting pitching names on the market, and getting back a veteran bat in Tommy Pham is also helpful. The Cardinals were also able to ship off the struggling Dylan Carlson to Tampa Bay.
Grade: A-
NL East
Atlanta Braves
Additions: Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson
Might as well get the gang back together, right? Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson begin their second stints with the Atlanta Braves. Soler was the 2021 World Series MVP and will be a big power bat for Atlanta. Jackson will offer another bullpen arm for the playoffs. Atlanta has been struggling as of late, and hopes are these two come in and play significant impacts for the Braves.
Grade: B+
Miami Marlins
Departures: Bryan De La Cruz, Josh Bell, A.J. Puk, Jazz Chisholm Jr, Tanner Scott, Trevor Rogers, Huascar Brazoban, JT Chargois
The Marlins needed to blow it all up this trade deadline, and they did exactly that. The 13 prospects acquired at the trade deadline give Miami a fresh new farm system. They were able to maximize the value for their top guys, and President of Baseball Operations Peter Bendix must feel optimistic regarding the Marlins' Future.
Grade: A+
New York Mets
Additions: Jesse Winker, Paul Blackburn, Huascar Brazoban, Tyler Zuber
The Mets did exactly what they needed to do: make simple acquisitions at needed positions. Pitching was a big need for New York, and acquiring Blackburn, Brazoban and Zuber is more than enough. Winker is a good buy-low candidate and will be a good piece in the outfield. This was a good deadline for the Mets.
Grade: B+
Philadelphia Phillies
Additions: Seth Johnson, Tanner Banks, Carlos Estévez, Austin Hays
The Phillies had an outstanding trade deadline. They made moves that were needed. Acquiring bullpen help is crucial for a team looking to make a postseason, but acquiring Austin Hays for the outfield was a great move. Though Hays has been struggling this season, he was an all-star last season and will help out Philadelphia's outfield immensely.
Grade: B+
Washington Nationals
Departures: Dylan Floro, Jesse Winker, Lane Thomas
The road goes up for the Washington Nationals. This was most likely the last bit of trading made before they were ready to compete again. Trading guys on expiring contracts was the right move for Washington, and some teams were willing to overpay for a bat. General Manager Mike Rizzo did a good job waiting for the most value for Winker and Thomas.
Grade: A-
NL West
Arizona Diamondbacks
Additions: Josh Bell, Dylan Floro, A.J. Puk
It's business as usual for the Arizona Diamondbacks, as their acquisitions last year were pivotal for the World Series run. This year, they did more of the same, investing in the bullpen. Floro and Puk will add to an already elite bullpen and give manager Torey Lovullo endless options for the playoffs. Picking up Josh Bell is also a great move, given Christian Walker's injury concern.
Grade: A-
Colorado Rockies
Departures: Jalen Beeks and Nick Mears
Did the Rockies forget the trade deadline was this week? Seriously, what was the reason to hang on to all the guys they hung on to? Cal Quantrill, Elias Diaz, Brendan Rodgers and Austin Gomber were all held onto. What was the point of keeping all of these guys? Most of them are expiring deals, and they will just lose them to free agency. They did the same thing with Trevor Story a few years ago and lost him to free agency. It just does not make much sense to me.
Grade: F
Los Angeles Dodgers
Additions: Amed Rosario, Jack Flaherty, Kevin Keirmaier, Michael Kopech, Tommy Edman
The Dodgers were able to address many of their needs by the trade deadline. Jack Flaherty was the best pitching name on the market, and the Dodgers were able to swing a deal for him. Michael Kopech is another option for L.A.'s bullpen. They also acquired Kevin Kerimaier, Tommy Edman and Amed Rosario—three bats that could impact the Dodgers down the line. Keirmaier also has a gold-glove-type defense in the center. He will be used in the playoffs.
Grade: A-
San Diego Padres
Additions: Martín Pérez, Tanner Scott, Byran Hoeing, Jason Adam
Has general manager A.J. Preller lost his mind? Trading four top-10 prospects for bullpen arms shows that the Padres are going for it. Tanner Scott was among the better names on the market, but this is a massive overpay for San Diego. If it works out, no one talks about it. Jason Adam will be a good fit, as he has been one of the best relievers in baseball in the past couple of years. I just feel as if San Diego panicked.
Grade: D+
San Francisco Giants
Departures: Alex Cobb, Jorge Soler, Luke Jackson
No big moves were made here from Farhan Zaidi and the Giants. Trading Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson are just to get off of Jorge Soler's contract. Alex Cobb is a short-term contract that had no business being on the Giants. The Giants keep Blake Snell and Matt Chapman, deciding to stay put and build for 2025.
Grade: B
The trade deadline has passed. In the past six days, 88 prospects were traded to different teams. With September call-ups just a month away, rosters are pretty much set. Now it's time to play ball!
