All non-waiver trades have been completed as of today. Some teams made a bigger splash compared to others, so we take a look at the Winners And Losers of this year’s MLB trade deadline.
Winners
Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers acquired the best starting pitcher on the Market in Yu Darvish for a reasonable haul in return. The Dodgers were already the best team in the major leagues with 74 wins. Once Clayton Kershaw returns, the team is going to have the best 1-2 punch in the major leagues potentially. Darvish is having the worst season in his career but is a four time All Star.
Now, the team’s rotation features Kershaw, Darvish, Rich Hill, Hunakunto Maeda, Alex Wood, and Brandon McCarthy. The best team in baseball got even better.
New York Yankees: Remember when the Yankees would be one of the headliners at the trade deadline? The Yankees are back once they acquired Sonny Gray from the Oakland Athletics and Jaime Garcia from the Minnesota Twins. With the team in first place by 0.5 games, the Yankees are going to do their best in holding off the Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. Gray is going to provide the Yankees a top pitcher for a couple of years. Plus, the Yankees didn’t even have to give up Gleyber Torres, or Clint Frazier.
Chicago Cubs: The Cubs had major needs to fill in starting pitching, a reliever, and backup catcher.
They go out and acquire Jose Quintana, Justin Wilson, and Alex Avila. Quintana and Wilson are going to be with the team next season. The Cubs have dug deep into the farm system, while the team is 14-3 since the All Star break. The Cubs are hopeful to make another World Series run as they upgraded the National League’s second best bullpen.
Chicago White Sox: The White Sox managed to deal Chris Sale, Quintana, David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle, Todd Frazier, Anthony Swarzak, Dan Jennings, and Melky Cabrera in less than a year. The team has nine prospects in the top 100 according to MLB.com. The White Sox wanted to rebuild. They chose a path and might have a bright future because of it.
Losers
Baltimore Orioles: You mean to tell us that the team held on to Zach Britton, and made a trade for Jeremy Hellickson and Tim Beckham? The Orioles ended up being buyers at the deadline despite being out of playoff contention. Maybe the Orioles no something we don’t know, but at 50-54, it would be a true shocker if they turned things around.
Houston Astros: What were the Astros thinking? Lance McCullers Jr. has an earned run average over nine and was placed on the disabled list on Monday. Dallas Keuchel lasted three innings in his return from the disabled list. Just because the team is running away with the division, it doesn’t mean they will run away in the postseason. The Astros have a deep farm system but didn’t want to give up pieces of the future for Darvish, Gray, or Lance Lynn.
