The MLB trade deadline has passed, and while there was a splash that would not be topped by any other, the athletes who failed to move may end up being just as crucial as those who did.
The Nationals sent Juan Soto and Josh Bell to the Padres in exchange for MacKenzie Gore and C.J. Abrams, as well as a plethora of prospects. Meanwhile, the Yankees made amends for their mistake in acquiring Joey Gallo by trading for Andrew Benintendi before Tuesday.
Other notable departures included Luis Castillo, Frankie Montas, and Jose Quintana, as well as Tyler Mahle and Noah Syndergaard. Meanwhile, the Cubs elected to reserve Willson Contreras and Ian Happ.
Winners
San Diego Padres
The trade deadline’s golden jewel, Juan Soto, who is under contract until 2024, was acquired by general manager A.J. Preller after going all-in. Even though it cost a pretty penny to get the 23-year-old outfielder, the Padres now have a legitimate superstar to bolster their lineup.
Perhaps more importantly, they were able to keep him from signing with their NL West rivals, the Dodgers. Following Taylor Rogers’ recent problems, the Padres also recruited Brandon Drury, a versatile player, and Josh Hader as their new closer.
New York Yankees
The Yankees were able to address deficiencies in their left field (Andrew Benintendi), the rotation (Frankie Montas), and the bullpen (Scott Effross, Lou Trivino). without giving up any of their best prospects. While giving away JP Sears, Ken Wadichuk, Hayden Wesneski, Luis Medina, T.J. Sikkema, Beck Way, and Chandler Champlain, they were able to retain Anthony Volpe, Oswald Peraza, Jasson Dominguez, and Austin Wells.
Additionally, struggling Joey Gallo was able to be traded for pitching prospect Clayton Beeter by GM Brian Cashman. The Yankees then pulled off a last-second coup on Tuesday, trading Jordan Montgomery for Harrison Bader, a capable center fielder who is presently sidelined due to injury.
Minnesota Twins
Pitching was a need for the Twins, and it was met. Minnesota has the depth to address its biggest weakness thanks to starter Tyler Mahle, relievers Jorge López and Michael Fulmer, and a starting rotation.
They’ve been the top team in a weak division all season by default. They now appear to be much closer to being a team that is truly good. Additionally, the Guardians and White Sox seldom played at all, which increased the significance of the Twins’ changes.
Losers
Chicago White Sox
To say the White Sox’s season has not gone as planned would be an understatement. However, there is still plenty of talent on this team, and they are only three games out of first place in the AL Central at .500. They might have viewed this as an opportunity to make a move. Instead, they sat quietly, watching the Twins draw away.
Chicago Cubs
There’s an argument to be made for keeping Ian Happ. But what about retaining Happ and Willson Contreras? When there should have been numerous teams interested in acquiring a catcher? When it was so evident he was departing that he received a standing ovation in his ostensibly final game at Wrigley Field?
Perhaps they were not receiving exactly what they desired in trade negotiations. However, they should have attempted to obtain something.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles found themselves in an unexpectedly difficult situation. There was little expectation that they would begin to win this season. But, after five years of losing, they found their footing a little early, and they approached the deadline only two-and-a-half games off of the final wild-card spot.
Mike Elias, the general manager, would never depart from his strategy to try and improve such a low playoff seed. But the options weren’t “go all in” or “sell as much as possible.” There’s a middle ground there. Instead, they decided to trade López, their All-Star closer, and Trey Mancini, the franchise’s star player and an upcoming free agent.
