This year’s MLB trade deadline was another seller’s market, which yielded some of the best prospect returns we’ve seen in years. Teams like the Diamondbacks, Twins, Athletics and Orioles fared extremely well, stocking up on young talent in exchange for controllable veteran players.
In terms of contending teams, let’s hear it for the Mariners, who landed two big bats — Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor — from Arizona. And A.J. Preller’s Padres, who picked up pitchers Mason Miller and JP Sears from the Athletics and hitters Ryan O’Hearn and Ramón Laureano from the Orioles. And the Phillies and Mets, who had a fascinating battle to acquire relievers, with Philadelphia landing the best available one — Jhoan Duran from the Twins — and New York getting the most bullpen depth with their trades, snagging Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers and Gregory Soto.
Those are just some of the teams that stood out in another wild and wonderful trade season. Now, after another trade deadline featuring plenty of twists and turns, it’s time to hand out grades.
These annual grades are strictly my opinion — nothing more, nothing less. I assign the grades based on how much teams have improved their situation — whether they’re rebuilding, trying to make the playoffs or pushing to win the World Series.
Full disclosure: I’m not a big fan of teams “standing pat,” so rightly or wrongly, I do tend to hold that against them. I’ve always believed there are ways to improve your organization at the trade deadline.
I take into account team needs, positional depth and the available players. I compare what teams did and what they didn’t do, and consider payroll size, the standings and the organization’s goals.
Here are my grades for each of the 30 teams for this year’s trade deadline.
American League East
Baltimore Orioles
Grade: B+
Key takeaways: The Orioles made a lot of good trades and were one of the best overall sellers, getting strong returns — in terms of quality and quantity — for the players they traded. I especially liked the acquisitions of 17-year-old shortstop Wilfri De La Cruz from the Cubs as well as 19-year-old righty Boston Bateman and 20-year-old shortstop Cobb Hightower from the Padres. Now the Orioles should be able to focus on improving their pitching in the offseason, with more payroll flexibility and a stronger farm system from which to deal.
Boston Red Sox
Grade: C-
Key takeaways: Let’s start with the shocking blockbuster in mid-June: I didn’t think the Red Sox got enough in return for Rafael Devers, and believe they should have waited until the trade deadline to make the move, but I also understand they shed his massive contract and have played much better since the trade. At the deadline, I was anticipating they’d trade for an elite starter — like Joe Ryan, MacKenzie Gore or Sandy Alcantara (when at his best) — but none of them were dealt, and Boston ultimately settled on Dustin May, who has a 4.85 ERA. (The Red Sox did attempt to acquire Ryan, as reported by The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey, but weren’t willing to meet the Twins’ asking price for the All-Star.) I just don’t think they did enough to catch the Blue Jays or Yankees.
New York Yankees
Grade: B+
Key takeaways: The Yankees acquired an important high-leverage reliever in David Bednar to bolster the back end of their bullpen, led by Devin Williams and Luke Weaver. They kept adding relievers on deadline day, getting Camilo Doval and Jake Bird, which gives them key bullpen depth for the rest of the year, and, crucially, beyond. (Williams and Weaver are impending free agents, but all three new relievers have at least one more year of team control.) They upgraded at third base with Ryan McMahon, an above-average defender with a left-handed swing that’s meant for Yankee Stadium. They also added useful bench players in Austin Slater, an outfielder who hits left-handed pitching well (.859 OPS), and infielders Amed Rosario and José Caballero, who give them positional flexibility. They did have to pay the prospect price to get Bednar, one of the best-available relievers, but so did everyone else shopping in that aisle.
A two-time All-Star, David Bednar has a 2.37 ERA and 17 saves this season. (Justin K. Aller / Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Rays
Grade: B-
Key takeaways: The Rays’ deadline had some buying and selling and, oh yes, catching. They traded veteran catcher Danny Jansen to the Brewers and then acquired Nick Fortes, an experienced catcher, from the Marlins. Finally, they landed a player who could be their long-term future catcher, Hunter Feduccia, from the Dodgers, in a three-team deal that also involved the Reds. They decided to not trade some of their veterans such as second baseman Brandon Lowe and DH/1B Yandy Díaz, but did ship starter Zack Littell to the Reds in the three-way swap. However, they also were buyers, landing Adrian Houser to upgrade their rotation depth and Griffin Jax, who has two more years of team control, to improve the bullpen. It was a balanced approach.
Toronto Blue Jays
Grade: B
Key takeaways: The Blue Jays made the best under-the-radar trade of the deadline, landing righty Shane Bieber in a deal with the Guardians. Bieber, who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, has impressed in his rehab outings and could become a significant factor in the postseason, giving the Jays a potential ace for the rest of this year if he can regain his past form. I also thought they made fair deals with Baltimore to get Seranthony Domínguez and with the Twins to get Louis Varland, two hard-throwing righties, to fortify their bullpen.
American League Central
Chicago White Sox
Grade: D
Key takeaways: Sometime the best “trades” are the ones you don’t make — that’s what the White Sox are hoping is the case with center fielder Luis Robert Jr., whom they will now not only keep for the rest of the season, but also will pick up his $20 million club option for next year with the idea of trying to trade him in the offseason or perhaps at next year’s deadline. They just couldn’t find anyone to meet their asking price on Robert, whose trade value has been in decline for a while.
Cleveland Guardians
Grade: C
Key takeaways: The Guardians’ trade deadline ambitions took a huge blow when MLB placed their closer, Emmanuel Clase, on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of a sports betting investigation. Cleveland was planning to trade Clase, who has three more years of team control, but instead they were sidelined and missed out on an opportunity to get a significant return, like the Twins received from the Phillies in the Jhoan Duran deal. The Guardians did acquire righty Khal Stephen, a solid pitching prospect, from Toronto in the Shane Bieber trade, but they didn’t do enough to improve their offense for the rest of this year, and more importantly, next year.
Detroit Tigers
Grade: B
Key takeaways: The Tigers added two back-of-the-rotation starters in Chris Paddack and Charlie Morton. They picked up a group of veteran relievers to improve their bullpen depth, highlighted by former Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan, along with Paul Sewald (shoulder strain), who won’t be off the injured list until September, plus Rafael Montero, Codi Heuer and Randy Dobnak. However, they arguably didn’t land an impact high-leverage reliever for October playoff games and failed to add the right-handed hitter they needed. The Tigers improved their pitching depth for the regular season, but I wonder if going for higher quality and less quantity would have been better.
Kansas City Royals
Grade: B
Key takeaways: The Royals decided to buy, not sell despite having ground to make up in the wild-card race. (Entering Friday, they are 3 1/2 games out of the final AL wild-card spot.) Their best deadline move was extending Lugo, their most consistent starter over the past couple of years. In addition, I liked their decision to trade catcher Freddy Fermin, which netted two solid pitchers from the Padres, a deal the Royals could make because they have two more top catching prospects waiting in the wings. They also added three veteran outfielders in Mike Yastrzemski, Adam Frazier and Randal Grichuk, which helps them around the edges of the roster. However, they failed to acquire an impact bat for left field and to add much power to their lineup, two key needs. I give them credit for going for it, but they needed more.
Minnesota Twins
Grade: B
Key takeaways: The Twins did an excellent job of selling, especially with their return for Jhoan Duran. Mick Abel, 23, has a chance to develop into a top-of-the-rotation starter once his command and control improve, and Eduardo Tait, 18, is one of the best power-hitting catching prospects in the game. They were able to shed a lot of payroll while also adding significant talent to the farm system, which sets the organization up for future success and its eventual sale. (The Pohlad family, longtime owners of the club, have been exploring a sale since last year.) If you’re going to sell at the deadline, you might as well go all-in, and that’s basically what the Twins did, trading their entire bullpen and the face of their franchise in Carlos Correa, along with others. They ended up keeping righty Joe Ryan after listening to teams’ offers. However, this was (almost) everything must go, as the Twins pushed the reset button.
The Twins acquired 2020 first-round pick Mick Abel and catching prospect Eduardo Tait in the Jhoan Duran trade. (Hunter Martin / Getty Images)
American League West
Athletics
Grade: B+
Key takeaways: The Athletics acquired the top prospect who was traded at the deadline: Leo De Vries, whom Keith Law ranked No. 13 in baseball in his most-recent list. The 18-year-old shortstop is currently at High A but should develop into a star and be major-league ready around when the Athletics are moving into their next permanent home, in Las Vegas, in three years. In their blockbuster deal with the Padres, the A’s also acquired pitching prospect Braden Nett, who should develop into a mid-rotation starter. Although they’re back in last place, the A’s continue to build and are going in the right direction as an organization.
Houston Astros
Grade: B-
Key takeaways: The Astros’ reunion with Carlos Correa is special and as long as he can stay healthy for the remainder of his contract, then this could be a shrewd pickup. However, I’m concerned about the injury risk — now and in future years. The Twins agreed to pay $30 million of the $96 million guaranteed to Correa over the next three seasons, but it’s still a gamble for Houston. I liked the pickup of Jesús Sánchez, who gives the Astros the left-handed bat they were seeking, and I appreciate the depth move for Ramón Urías in case Correa gets hurt. However, I also wanted the Astros to land a No. 3-type starter to slot behind Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown in their rotation for the playoffs — no dice.
Los Angeles Angels
Grade: D
Key takeaways: The Angels once again kept the baseball world guessing, and surprised me when they opted to buy instead of sell. They added righty Luis García and lefty Andrew Chafin, two veteran relievers who improve their bullpen depth. OK, fine. But the Angels just never seem to take advantage of trade deadlines to improve their future, which is disappointing. Closer Kenley Jansen and outfielder Taylor Ward could have been dealt for solid returns. Nope! Once again, they missed an opportunity to build for the coming years. As for this season, the Angels enter Friday 4 1/2 games out of the final AL wild-card spot. I just don’t see this team leapfrogging five teams in the wild card race, nor finishing ahead of the Mariners, Rangers and Astros in the division.
Seattle Mariners
Grade: A
Key takeaways: The Mariners were huge trade deadline winners, filling their most significant team needs on the infield corners by acquiring first baseman Josh Naylor and third baseman Eugenio Suárez from the Diamondbacks in separate deals — and to land the pair, they didn’t even have to give up their very best prospects. With Suárez joining Cal Raleigh, Seattle has a chance to have the first duo of hitters with 50 homers in a season apiece since 1961, when Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris did it for the Yankees. The Mariners also bolstered their bullpen with lefty Caleb Ferguson, who ranks in the 97th percentile or higher in hard-hit rate, barrel percentage and average exit velocity. Jerry Dipoto was under some pressure at this deadline, and he delivered. In my opinion, the Mariners are now the favorites to win the AL West and they have a real shot to win that elusive first World Series in franchise history.
The Mariners boosted their lineup by adding Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor. (Rick Scuteri / Imagn Images)
Texas Rangers
Grade: B+
Key takeaways: The Rangers managed to improve one of the best pitching staffs in baseball — they lead the majors in team ERA — in both key areas. They added Merrill Kelly, one of the game’s most consistent starters in recent years, to their rotation. They also added important balance and depth to the bullpen with lefty Danny Coulombe and righty Phil Maton. The Rangers tried to acquire a higher-leverage reliever, but weren’t able to in a competitive trade market. They also could have used another right-handed hitter for the bench. But all in all, they had a solid deadline.
National League East
Atlanta Braves
Grade: D
Key takeaways: The Braves didn’t make any significant trades to improve their team for 2026 and beyond. They were unable to trade DH Marcell Ozuna, who has 10-and-5 rights, and despite the strong market for relievers, they ended up retaining Raisel Iglesias. They were able to add three veteran pitchers to help them get through the regular season and avoid rushing pitching prospects to majors if their staff suffers even more injuries in August or September. However, it was disappointing that the Braves couldn’t make any moves to begin to improve their 2026 team.
Miami Marlins
Grade: C-
Key takeaways: The Marlins made solid trades with the Astros and Rays but weren’t able to take advantage of the seller’s market to get what they wanted for Sandy Alcantara or Edward Cabrera. They held onto their back-end relievers as well. However, sometimes the best trades are the ones you don’t make. Since the Marlins weren’t offered what they considered to be fair value for their starters, they did the right thing by keeping them. They can always trade them in the offseason or at next year’s trade deadline. Alcantara has two more years of team control and Cabrera has three.
New York Mets
Grade: A-
Key takeaways: Among the contending teams, the Mets did the best job of building bullpen depth, adding three former closers in Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers and Gregory Soto, who collectively bring a wide variety of deliveries, arm angles and stuff. Incorporating the trio into the bullpen should allow the Mets to shorten games and better set up their closer, Edwin Díaz. The Mets weren’t able to add length to their rotation, but they made up for it by emphasizing the bullpen. I also liked their decision to trade three minor-league relievers for center fielder Cedric Mullins, who despite his low batting average, is still a 20-homer, 20-steals player and a strong defender. Mullins, and his high energy, will fit nicely in the Mets’ clubhouse.
Ryan Helsley, the 2024 NL Reliever of the Year, was part of the Mets’ bullpen haul at the deadline. (Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies
Grade: A-
Key takeaways: The Phillies landed the best-available closer, Jhoan Duran, who is also controllable through 2027. Getting a high-leverage reliever addressed their biggest need. However, they were forced to part with two top prospects, Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait, due to the competitive market. The Phillies also improved their bullpen depth and experience by signing free-agent reliever Dave Robertson to a one-year deal that will pay him approximately $5.5 million on a pro-rated, one-year, $16 million contract. They acquired Harrison Bader, an above-average defensive outfielder who can play center and left. He has a 111 OPS+ this season. I would have liked to see the Phillies get a better right-handed bat than Bader, like Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox, but when the prospect ask from the White Sox became too high, I understand why they settled on Bader, who will be a plus defensively and on the bases.
Washington Nationals
Grade: C
Key takeaways: The Nationals traded away three relievers, a starter, a utility player and a solid fourth outfielder for six pitching prospects and three position player prospects. They did what they had to do in moving several veteran players on expiring contracts. Their returns were solid but not spectacular. They listened to inquiries on MacKenzie Gore, but when they did not receive an offer to their liking, they decided to stand pat and revisit possibly trading him in the offseason.
National League Central
Chicago Cubs
Grade: C
Key takeaways: The best move the Cubs made was extending president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer to a multiyear contract, but their trade deadline activity was underwhelming. I did love the Willi Castro pickup because of his positional flexibility, but I thought they overpaid for reliever Andrew Kittredge and starter Michael Soroka. I expected the Cubs to go all-in for an impact starting pitcher, but it didn’t happen. Instead, they just improved around the edges.
Cincinnati Reds
Grade: B
Key takeaways: The Reds improved their infield defense significantly with the addition of Ke’Bryan Hayes, who is in line for another Gold Glove Award, leading all third basemen with 16 Defensive Runs Saved. However, they also had to commit to his contract through 2029 at an average annual value of $7.5 million, and took on injury risk given his back issues over the years. His defense is superb, but his hitting has been brutal; he’s carrying a 61 OPS+ on the season. The Reds added to their starting pitching depth, getting Zack Littell (3.58 ERA over 22 starts). They also added a power bat in outfielder Miguel Andujar, who crushes left-handed pitching and is more of a platoon-type player.
Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a three-run homer in his first game with the Reds. (Jason Mowry / Getty Images)
Milwaukee Brewers
Grade: C+
Key takeaways: The Brewers’ trade deadline was a bit underwhelming in terms of actual moves. They acquired a solid defensive catcher in Danny Jansen, a more than solid reliever in Shelby Miller and speedy extra outfielder in Brandon Lockridge. I would have liked to see the Brewers improve the offense on the left side of their infield, but at the end of the day, they enter August in a strong position. The promotion of Jacob Misiorowski (June 12) and the reinstatement of Brandon Woodruff from the injured list (July 6) outweigh any trade they could have made at the deadline. Those righties give Milwaukee two additional aces to go with Freddy Peralta. I still believe the Brewers are the team to beat in the NL Central due to the potential dominance of the top of their rotation.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Grade: B-
Key takeaways: The Pirates were able significantly reduce their future financial exposure with the trades of David Bednar, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Adam Fraizer, Taylor Rogers and Caleb Ferguson. In particular, I liked the decision to shed the Hayes contract — he is making $7 million this year and is owed an average of $7.5 million over the next four years — because his bat has just never come around. Beyond that, the Pirates got solid returns in most of the deals, highlighted by Rafael Flores, the prospect centerpiece of the Bednar trade, who should develop into their long-term answer at catcher. He has slashed .279/.351/.475 this season with 16 homers between Double A and Triple A.
St. Louis Cardinals
Grade: C+
Key takeaways: The Cardinals ended up selling, trading away closer Ryan Helsley, swingman Steven Matz and starter Erick Fedde (the latter for cash considerations). The three-player return for Hesley was solid considering he’s an impending free agent who has taken a step back after a stellar 2024 season. Batters are hitting .406 and slugging .522 against his four-seamer. This was the Cardinals’ last trade deadline under president of baseball operations John Mozeliak, who has worked in the club’s front office for nearly three decades. Chaim Bloom will take over baseball operations after this season, and Mozeliak has set him up with flexibility and a clean slate to put his mark on the team.
National League West
Arizona Diamondbacks
Grade: B
Key takeaways: The Diamondbacks did a nice job in getting five solid prospects from the Mariners for Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor, but I was disappointed they weren’t able to land any of Seattle’s very best prospects with those big bats. However, I give the D-Backs credit for selling, emphasizing quantity in the trade returns, improving their farm system’s depth considerably, and putting themselves in a much better position for the offseason. Because Zac Gallen’s trade value had dipped due to his down year (5.60 ERA in 22 starts), they couldn’t move him; instead, they can extend him the qualifying offer and, if declines, take the draft pick compensation if he signs elsewhere. (And, if he accepts the QO, they can try to get him back to his Cy Young-caliber form. Bottom line, by selling their impending free agents, the D-Backs did the right thing for their organizational future.
Colorado Rockies
Grade: B-
Key takeaways: I gave the Rockies a “D” last year after yet another quiet Colorado trade deadline, in a seller’s market no less. This year, I thought they fared better. They had a solid deadline and took advantage of this seller’s market to acquire four prospects, including three pitchers from the Yankees for Ryan McMahon and Jake Bird, whom they traded to New York in separate deals. This time, the Rockies understood the assignment and got done what they could.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Grade: B+
Key takeaways: The Dodgers decided to both buy and sell at the deadline, acquiring a solid fourth outfielder in Alex Call (119 OPS+) and a veteran reliever in Brock Stewart (2.38 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) who should significantly help their bullpen down the stretch. The trade for Stewart could become one of the best under-the-radar deals of the deadline. I also really liked their pickup of Call because he’s a plus defender with speed and is controllable through 2029. The Dodgers also sold in an effort to build up their farm system, and I liked those moves as well. They always seem to win three-team trades, and I thought they did it again with the acquisitions of High-A lefty Adam Serwinowski and Triple-A righty Paul Gervase, who came over from the Reds and Rays, respectively, in the three-way deal.
San Diego Padres
Grade: A
Key takeaways: The Padres put themselves in a strong position to not only catch the Dodgers in the NL West — they’re only three games back — but also to again be legitimate candidates to reach the World Series. Pairing Mason Miller with Robert Suarez at the back of the bullpen gives the Padres the best 1-2 punch in the sport. Add in All-Stars Adrian Morejon and Jason Adam as well as Jeremiah Estrada, you have a ridiculous bullpen that could be potent in the playoffs. Ramón Laureano and Ryan O’Hearn give the Padres the two bats they were looking to acquire at the deadline, and Freddy Fermin is a big upgrade at catcher. It’s official: From now on, A.J. Preller should be considered the king of the trade deadline.
It’s Miller time in San Diego. (Ed Zurga / Getty Images)
San Francisco Giants
Grade: A-
Key takeaways: The Giants landed one of the five “A” grades (an A-minus technically) in part for landing DH Rafael Devers from the Red Sox on June 15 without giving up their top prospects. Even though they haven’t played well since, it was a phenomenal, lopsided trade, which I think will help them for years to come. During the week leading into the deadline, they decided to be all-in sellers and did an excellent job — so much so, I thought they came out on top in every trade they made. The Giants have reloaded their farm system, gotten younger and put themselves in a stronger position to add in the offseason. Kudos to Buster Posey on crushing his first trade deadline as president of baseball operations.
(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Stephen Maturen, Mark Blinch, Sam Hodde / Getty Images)
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