MLB’s Greatest Deadline Trades, Re-Ranked: Are the Tigers, Padres Glad?

The Padres, Royals, and Phillies must be thrilled with their MLB commerce deadline strikes. 

The Cubs and Yankees? Not a lot. 

Whereas we are able to’t predict how the stretch run and postseason will unfold, we do have a good pattern measurement now to guage which strikes we’d have undervalued and which look a bit extra suspect than initially anticipated. 

Perhaps Ryan Helsley (0-3, 10.38 ERA for the Mets) will get again on monitor down the stretch. Perhaps Camilo Doval (0-1, 5.79 ERA for the Yankees) will assist a deep playoff run within the Bronx. 

Quite a lot of time stays for the gamers who’ve gotten off to gradual begins of their new spots, particularly for individuals who have been imagined to symbolize vital bullpen upgrades — to finish the yr on a excessive be aware. Till then, these are the 15 additions that look one of the best proper now. 

(Be aware: Solely gamers who have been traded within the final two weeks of July have been included — sorry, Rafael Devers. All stats are as of Thursday, Aug. 28.)

1) Padres purchase OF Ramon Laureano, 1B/DH Ryan O’Hearn

Laureano in SD: .315/.370/.598, 6 HR, 17 R, 20 RBI, 1 SB, 0.6 fWAR, 0.6 bWAR O’Hearn in SD: .269/.367/.448, 3 HR, 11 R, 10 RBI, 0.4 fWAR, 0.4 bWAR 

The Padres traded six prospects to the Orioles to make this occur, so the transfer was clearly a giant deal on the time for a San Diego squad that desperately wanted to discover a solution to lengthen its lineup and improve in left subject. And but, it nonetheless feels prefer it didn’t get the eye it deserved. O’Hearn was an All-Star in Baltimore, whereas Laureano was hitting 44% above league common on the deadline. They’ve each continued to rake for a Padres group that’s now outfitted to compete for a division title, largely due to this transfer. 

By OPS, Laureano (.968) and O’Hearn (.815) have been two of the Padres’ 4 finest hitters for the reason that deadline, and no participant who moved on the deadline has knocked in additional runs than Laureano (20), whose presence is all of the extra vital with Jackson Merrill nursing an ankle harm. The Padres are 15-10 in August, and their offense has already scored extra runs this month than any earlier month this season.

2) Astros purchase SS/3B Carlos Correa

Correa in HOU: .319/.385/.447, 3 HR, 12 R, 12 RBI, 0.9 fWAR, 1.0 bWAR

(Picture by Houston Astros/Getty Photos)

Correa’s final full season in Houston was in 2021, when he was a 26-year-old All-Star, a 7-WAR participant and a Gold Glove Award-winning shortstop. The previous couple of years in Minnesota had yielded a way more unstable model of the previous Astros star. Correa was a under league-average hitter in 2023, an All-Star in 2024 who hit 53% above league common however missed half the season to harm, after which once more a barely under league common hitter within the first half this season with the Twins. However a return to Houston, the place he determined to waive his no-trade clause, appears to have rejuvenated Correa, who has an .831 OPS whereas transitioning admirably to 3rd base with Isaac Paredes out. If the Astros can maintain off the Mariners within the division, it seems like Correa will likely be a major purpose why. 

3) Blue Jays purchase SP Shane Bieber

Bieber in TOR: 1 GS, 6 IP, 1-0, 1.50 ERA, 0.33 WHIP, 9 Okay, 0 BB, 0.2 fWAR, 0.3 bWAR

(Picture by Megan Briggs/Getty Photos)

We’ll get a greater thought Friday night time how actual Bieber’s debut efficiency with Toronto was when he makes his second begin together with his new membership, nevertheless it definitely regarded legit. The beginning pitching market by no means materialized on the deadline, with the asking costs too excessive to see frontline arms akin to MacKenzie Gore, Joe Ryan and Edward Cabrera transfer. Many contending groups in want of starters would possibly remorse their inaction…or no less than remorse not doing what the Blue Jays did, taking a flier on Bieber, who was within the late levels of his return from Tommy John surgical procedure on the time. He has solely made one begin, however he regarded like prime Bieber, who may very well be a significant asset come October for a Toronto rotation that ranks twentieth in ERA. 

4) Tigers purchase RP Kyle Finnegan

Finnegan in DET: 10 G, 11.2 IP, 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.43 WHIP, 15 Okay, 2 BB, 4/4 SV, 0.6 fWAR, 0.9 bWAR  

(Picture by Matt Krohn/Getty Photos)

It appeared just like the Tigers determined to make use of the deadline to make strikes on the margins slightly than discover an impression piece. And but in a market that noticed a plethora of elite closers change fingers, no high-leverage reliever has carried out higher than Finnegan, who has seen his strikeout charge double in his transfer from Washington to Detroit, the place he has considerably elevated the utilization of a splitter that has been nearly untouchable. The pitch is answerable for 13 of his 15 strikeouts for the reason that transfer, and he has not allowed a run in 10 appearances.

5) Padres purchase RP Mason Miller

Miller in SD: 10 G, 10 IP, 0-0, 1.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 18 Okay, 5 BB, 1/2 SV, 0.3 fWAR, 0.5 bWAR 

 Picture by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Photos)

It break the bank, with the Padres parting with certainly one of baseball’s high prospects in shortstop Leo De Vries together with three pitching prospects, however this isn’t about grading who gained or misplaced the deal — it’s concerning the impression of the participant they acquired, and that participant has the very best strikeout charge amongst all MLB relievers since he entered the league two years in the past. He has gotten proper again to it in San Diego with an MLB-best 47.4 Okay% in August. The Padres didn’t want him the way in which the Phillies wanted Jhoan Duran — Miller is ceding a lot of the ninth-inning alternatives to nearer Robert Suarez — however he turns an already formidable bullpen in San Diego into an absolute drive and offers supervisor Mike Shildt a plethora of late-inning choices. 

6) Phillies purchase RP Jhoan Duran

Duran in PHI: 10 G, 7.2 IP, 0-2, 2.35 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 9 Okay, 0 BB, 7/8 SV, 0.5 fWAR, 0.2 bWAR 

(Picture by Mitchell Leff/Getty Photos)

By his first seven scoreless appearances in Philadelphia, Duran regarded just like the lockdown nearer the Phillies have wanted and one of the best midseason pickup in MLB. He allowed simply two hits and secured every of his seven save alternatives in that point. Over his final three appearances, although, he has allowed eight hits and three runs (two earned), together with 4 straight hits to the Mets on Tuesday with out recording an out. Is that this only a blip? Perhaps some lingering results of the comebacker off his foot two weeks in the past? So long as he’s wholesome, I count on to see extra of what he demonstrated proper when he arrived. He will likely be a significant piece for Philadelphia down the stretch. 

7) Mariners purchase 1B Josh Naylor

Naylor in SEA: .267/.319/.457, 5 HR, 16 R, 14 RBI, 11 SB, 0.7 fWAR, 1.1 bWAR 

(Picture by Alika Jenner/Getty Photos)

That stolen base complete shouldn’t be a typo: Naylor, who had by no means swiped greater than 10 baggage in a full season earlier than this yr, has already stolen 11 in 29 video games in Seattle (and had 11 in Arizona earlier than the commerce). That has helped enhance his worth, however the enhanced manufacturing the Mariners are getting from him with the bat is lots precious in its personal proper. He’s already the group’s chief in WAR at first base this yr. 

8) Royals purchase OF Mike Yastrzemski

Yastrzemski in KC: .260/.356/.603, 6 HR, 18 R, 12 RBI, 1.1 fWAR, 1.2 bWAR 

(Picture by Daniel Bartel/Getty Photos)

This deal snuck in on the buzzer, nevertheless it didn’t generate a ton of buzz on the time. It ought to now. Yastrzemski not often has to face lefties — he’s 1-for-8 towards them as a Royal, although that one hit is a house run — however he has an OPS over 1.000 towards righties since becoming a member of Kansas Metropolis, and it’s time to be aware of what he’s doing. He’s slugging over .600 for the reason that transfer, has an equal variety of walks (12) and strikeouts (12), and has given the Royals the outfield pop their lineup has wanted. He’s a giant purpose why the Kansas Metropolis offense has scored extra runs in August than any earlier month this season. 

9) Yankees purchase RP David Bednar

Bednar in NYY: 10 G, 11.1 IP, 2-0, 3.18 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 19 Okay, 5 BB, 3/6 SV, 0.4 WAR,  0.2 bWAR  

(Picture by Dustin Satloff/Getty Photos)

It began on the improper foot, with Bednar among the many trio of recent Yankees additions to break down of their New York debut. Since then, although, he’s been nice, placing out 17 batters with solely two runs and three hits allowed in his final 9 outings, although he has solely transformed half of his six save alternatives together with his new membership. 

10) Phillies purchase OF Harrison Bader

Bader in PHI: .313/.397/.493, 2 HR, 11 R, 6 RBI, 0.4 fWAR, 0.8 bWAR 

(Picture by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)

Bader, who’s quietly having fun with a profession yr, is giving the Phillies greater than only a plus defender in middle. When you take away the minimums, Kyle Schwarber (.956) is the one participant with a better OPS on the Phillies than Bader (.890). 

11) Reds purchase OF/DH Miguel Andujar

Andujar in CIN: .339/.413/.589, 3 HR, 11 R, 12 RBI, 0.4 fWAR, 0.5 bWAR 

(Picture by Jason Mowry/Getty Photos)

His offensive numbers since becoming a member of Cincinnati are eye-popping — he’s certainly one of 15 batters this month with an OPS of 1.000 or larger in no less than 50 plate appearances — and it solely value the Reds one lower-level prospect to amass him. The issue is he might by no means get an opportunity to contribute for them in October. Andujar has been held again a bit these days coping with a lingering quad situation, which is simply too unhealthy for a Reds group that basically might have used extra of his bat whereas getting swept by the Dodgers this week and falling farther behind (4 video games again now) within the wild-card race. 

12) Mariners purchase 3B Eugenio Suárez

Suárez in SEA: .189/.260/.433, 6 HR, 14 R, 17 RBI, 3 SB, 0.3 fWAR, 0.0 bWAR 

(Picture by Mollie Handkins/MLB Pictures by way of Getty Photos)

The highest energy menace available on the market is beginning to warmth up. After a painfully gradual begin in Seattle, he has 4 dwelling runs in his final seven video games. That is beginning to appear to be what the Mariners signed up for. 

13) Royals purchase SP Ryan Bergert

Bergert in KC: 5 GS, 28.1 IP, 2.54 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 25 Okay, 8 BB, 0.3 WAR, 0.8 bWAR 

14) Rangers purchase SP Merrill Kelly

Kelly in TEX: 5 GS, 29 IP, 1-1, 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 26 Okay, 8 BB, 0.3 WAR, 0.3 bWAR 

We’re grouping these collectively contemplating their eerily related numbers beteween Berget and Kelly. However Bergert will get the sting in rating right here by permitting two earned runs fewer of their 5 begins. The Bergert deal labored out for each events, because the Padres received an improve behind the dish in Freddy Fermin whereas the Royals received a remarkably constant depth piece within the rotation: Bergert has additionally gone no less than 5 innings whereas permitting not more than two runs in every of his 5 begins in Kansas Metropolis. 

15) Royals purchase UTIL Adam Frazier

Frazier in KC: .302/.339/.425, 2 HR, 14 R, 15 RBI, 0.6 fWAR, 0.7 bWAR 

(Picture by Michael Reaves/Getty Photos)

His numbers are inflated in comparison with a lot of the deadline provides contemplating he was added two weeks earlier than the deadline, however we’re going to incorporate him right here. He has been a precious and versatile piece, enjoying all around the diamond whereas hitting over .300 in Kansas Metropolis. Frazier is certainly one of 5 gamers on the Royals roster hitting above league common this yr, which makes him stand out extra. 

Honorable Mentions: Padres SP Nestor Cortes, Tigers SP Charlie Morton, Yankees UTIL José Caballero

Rowan Kavner is an MLB author for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand lined the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved again to the West Coast in 2014. Comply with him on X at @RowanKavner.

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