Did your team make a crucial move at the MLB Trade Deadline? With the huge flurry of moves that took place over the last couple of days, it's quite possible. The Braves, Dodgers, Yankees, Mariners, Cardinals, and Astros all came up with key acquisitions in their respective quests to win now.
On the other hand, the Rays, Jays, and White Sox were all massive sellers. Read our full recap here to find out which teams were the biggest winners and the most disappointing losers.
The Boys in Pinstripes have had their fair share of struggles this season. After starting out red-hot, they've endured two massive funks that resulted in them losing the AL East lead to the Orioles.
New York is only a half-game back, but Brian Cashman wasn't going to sit back and do nothing. The Yanks desperately needed another productive bat in their lineup to complement Juan Soto and Aaron Judge.
They got their man in Jazz Chisholm, even though they had to ship 3 prospects to Miami. Chisholm has already hit 4 homers in in just 3 games for the Yanks. Cashman is looking pretty smart!
Look, I get that Houston wants to win big and win now. With sluggers like Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, and Alex Bregman in their lineup, this Astros team could make a deep playoff run. That said, I think they gave up way too much for Kikuchi.
The 33-year-old lefty has a nice K-rate, but he's really struggled over his last 3 starts. Kikuchi has given up 16 earned runs to Texas, Detroit, and Arizona in that span. That doesn't sound too appetizing, especially for a guy that'll end up being a 3 month rental.
Though Kikuchi will give Houston plenty of innings, they had to give up 3 pretty decent prospects to Toronto to get him. The 'Stros may live to regret giving up Jake Bloss, who's a 23-year power pitcher with excellent stuff.
You have to admire how Tampa Bay runs their franchise. The Rays put out a competitive on-the-field product most of the time, even though they have one of the AL's lowest payrolls. A lot of Tampa's success can be attributed to how well they stockpile prospects.
This year was no different. Even though the Rays underperformed, they brought in a whole slew of young talent at the deadline. Sure, the losses of Randy Arozarena and Issac Parades will sting. However, I think Christopher Morel can be a star and the Rays will have him under contract until 2029.
Tampa also got two bonafide flame-throwers from the Cubs: Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson. Bigge hits 99 on the gun with relative ease and Johnson has a slider that's already big-league level nasty. The Rays also received OF Aidan Smith and RHP Brody Hopkins from the Mariners.
Atlanta is hoping to rekindle some of its 2021 World Series magic, as they brought back Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson from San Fran. Soler was a key piece of the Braves' title run, as he was named World Series MVP after Atlanta edged out Houston.
Soler brings some much-needed pop to a Bravos lineup that has struggled most of 2024. Jackson gives some added depth to Atlanta's bullpen. The Giants received LHP Tyler Matzek and 3B prospect Sabin Ceballos in the deal. The loss of Matzek hurts, but he hasn't looked right since undergoing Tommy John surgery almost 2 years ago.
Everyone and their Mama knew that Seattle needed some offense, but are Randy Arozarena and Justin Turner really the answers? Arozarena has good power, but he strikes out a ton and is only batting .219. The last thing this M's lineup needed was another strikeout-prone guy.
Turner is still a decent contact hitter, but will he really move the needle at almost 40 years old? Seattle had to give up a pretty decent prospect in RJ Schreck to get him. Schreck is a good outfielder out of Vandy that has the potential to be a solid Major League hitter.
Seattle also lost another fine prospect, Aidan Smith, to get Arozarena. The 20-year-old has the rare combination of speed and power that most scouts covet. All in all, I'd say Seattle swung and missed at the trade deadline.
The Dodgers may have blown a 5 run lead to the Padres last night, but there's still plenty of good vibes going on in the City of Angels. That's because the Boys in Blue landed ace starter Jack Flaherty just before the MLB trade deadline expired.
LA had to give up two top-tier prospects to get their man, but it appears to be well worth it. Flaherty brings some much needed stability to a rotation that's been decimnated by injuries this season.
LA also has something to prove after being ousted by Arizona in the playoffs last year. Flaherty, a 28-year-old California native, ranks among the best in baseball in K-rate, whiff rate, and walk rate. This may only be a rental, but it could pay off in a big way for the Dodgers.