World Series-winning teams tend to have something in common: they almost always make a notable move at the trade deadline. In the case of last year’s champion, they made two. The Rangers likely wouldn’t have won the World Series if not for Jordan Montgomery, who came over to Texas after Max Scherzer was acquired from the Mets.
This year’s contenders, Rangers included after a recent resurgence, all lined up to make moves ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, with the Mariners’ acquisition of Randy Arozarena breaking the seal five days before the buzzer.
Some of the biggest names in trade talks didn’t get moved, which isn’t unusual, but plenty of contenders feel they upgraded ahead of the final stretch of the regular season.
Who actually won the trade deadline? Here’s a look at the biggest winners and losers from the flurry of deals.
MORE: Grading every trade made ahead of MLB deadline
MLB trade deadline winners and losers
Winners
Marlins
The Marlins saw Jazz Chisholm Jr., Tanner Scott, A.J. Puk, Josh Bell, and Trevor Rogers go, among others, from an already doomed team. The long-term outlook of the franchise is much better as a result.
Deyvison De Los Santos was an excellent pickup for Puk, even if he can’t sustain his unreal minor-league production, while Agustin Ramirez, the headliner of the Chisholm deal, profiles as a long-term minor-leaguer.
Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers are both potential everyday players in return for Rogers, with Norby tearing up the Orioles’ system this season. The return for Scott is risky, as all four players come with question marks, especially Robby Snelling and Adam Mazur, but getting four young pieces for two relievers is something to be proud of, as at least one should hit.
The Marlins have had a tough season all around, but they did what they had to do at the deadline to take a step closer to relevance.
Blue Jays
Blue Jays fans should be thankful their team fell below mediocrity this season and forced Ross Atkins’ hand. The decision to sell brought back some real talent for players who weren’t going to be a part of Toronto’s future anyway.
Getting Jake Bloss and Joey Loperfido for a struggling Yusei Kikuchi was a coup, with both ready to contribute right now, while Jonatan Clase is an intriguing project at the plate in return for Yimi Garcia. Getting Charles McAdoo, who has done nothing but hit since he was drafted last year, for two months of Isiah Kiner-Falefa was another big win.
The Blue Jays entered 2024 stuck in purgatory, and they still might be. At the very least, there is something for fans to hold onto after the deadline
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Chisholm wasn’t playing the position he wanted on a directionless team that was never going to do the best job of marketing his exciting style of play. That all changed with a trade to the Yankees, where Chisholm can get the spotlight he needs to build his brand while not dealing with the pressure of being a potential face of a franchise.
Chisholm is moving back to the infield in New York and appears to already be having fun after blasting two home runs in his second game as a Yankee. Finally healthy and on a contender, the next two years in the Bronx could set up Chisholm for a nice payday.
Mariners
The Mariners were criticized in the offseason when they admitted their target was to win 87 games each year, and rightfully so. To their credit, though, they were aggressive when they needed to be at this deadline.
Seattle added a long-term cornerstone of the lineup in Randy Arozarena, plus a much-needed contact bat in Justin Turner (albeit an aging one). Yimi Garcia and JT Chargois should shore up the bullpen.
The Mariners have a starting rotation that can compete with anyone in October. They had to at least give this group a fighting chance, and they did that by beefing up the lineup and the rotation.
MORE: Follow along with every MLB trade deadline deal
Losers
Rays
The Rays probably didn’t have to trade a bevy of players under contract beyond 2024, but this is the way they operate. It would be justifiable if the organization received an influx of talent from the moves. The return, however, was pretty underwhelming.
Tampa didn’t get much value back for Isaac Paredes, landing a replacement-level power hitter in Christopher Morel plus two pitchers with questionable upside. The Rays went all-in on upside in return for Randy Arozarena, taking a chance on two 2023 draft picks who have performed well in limited time in the minors, but most teams would want more of a sure thing in return for a controllable, impressive bat.
The Amed Rosario deal netted the Rays a 27-year-old career minor-leaguer with no upside. Tampa did do better with the Jason Adam and Zach Eflin deals, if only because the two trades landed six total players, including a promising arm in Dylan Lesko.
The Rays traded more value than the Marlins did for about half the return. They might be trusting their admittedly strong development system a bit too much.
Astros
The American League looks pretty wide open with the Orioles and Yankees hitting rough patches in July. Why not take advantage if you’re the Astros? Adding Yusei Kikuchi for the next two months in exchange for a huge haul isn’t inspiring by any means.
Jake Bloss had a tough first three MLB starts, but his minor-league production indicates he might very well be a better option than Kikuchi at a fraction of the cost. Loperfido likewise could have a bright future after showcasing impressive power in the minors.
Yes, Kikuchi has better underlying numbers than his 4.75 ERA indicates, but he’s never been a top-of-the-rotation starter and shouldn’t have been the crown jewel of the Astros’ deadline.
Red Sox
Alex Cora’s decision to sign an extension with the Red Sox was supposed to signal that Boston is moving away from its complacency and committing to adding talent. It hasn’t happened yet.
The Red Sox treated the trade deadline like a championship-worthy team that just needed a few minor upgrades, adding a project in Quinn Priester and two middle-inning (ideally) relief arms in Luis Garcia and Lucas Sims. Backup catcher Danny Jansen was the other addition, while James Paxton was also acquired after being designated for assignment.
If Boston wants to make a run in October, a more aggressive move needed to be made. The bullpen is more stable than it was a few days ago, but no deal moves the needle if the Red Sox are serious about catching up to the Orioles and Yankees.
Twins
The Twins’ big move was adding reliever Trevor Richards, who has an even 5.00 ERA over his last three seasons with the Blue Jays. When you get out-maneuvered by the low-spending Guardians, who at least added Lane Thomas and Alex Cobb, you didn’t have the right approach.
Minnesota is nine game over .500 and just got Royce Lewis back from the IL. Why settle for what you have when you have a great chance to return to the postseason? Twins fans have a right to be disappointed with Derek Falvey and the front office.
