PHOTO USA Today Sports Images The beauty of the MLB trade deadline is that while deals are often judged at face value, some take years to fully appreciate.
When the Los Angeles Dodgers landed right-hander Max Scherzer and shortstop Trea Turner at the 2021 deadline, the early reviews glowed. But that deal did not end up netting a title.
When the Atlanta Braves made what were considered middle-of-the-road moves that same year for outfielders like Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall, Jorge Soler and Eddie Rosario, a title did follow. Rosario led the way in the National League Championship Series, and Soler was the World Series MVP.
Then there are the deals that will go down in lore like the Chicago White Sox making a play for James Shields in 2016. The Padres got right-hander Erik Johnson back in return, and they also received an untested shortstop in the trade: Fernando Tatis Jr.
For now, we can assess the winners and losers from this week’s trade deadline, with the right to review the personnel changes in due time.
WINNERS
RHP Jack Flaherty, Dodgers
When desired pitching targets like Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers and Garrett Crochet of the Chicago White Sox stayed put, Flaherty became the most desired starter on the market. He not only went to a contender, Flaherty landed with his hometown Dodgers. Not long after the move, Flaherty’s mother posted a photo of her toddler son in a Dodgers onesie. When he puts his pants on one leg at a time this week, he will join a rotation that includes Clayton Kershaw. Flaherty was a 16-year-old Dodgers fan when Kershaw was winning his first Cy Young Award in 2011.
San Diego Padres
Jul 11, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher Tanner Scott (66) pitches against the Houston Astros in the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports Nobody said turning heads or making up ground in the standings would come cheap. The Padres created a powerhouse bullpen by adding left-hander Tanner Scott and right-hander Bryan Hoeing at the deadline.
Matched with a move a few days prior for right-hander Jason Adam from the Tampa Bay Rays, it looks as if Padres leads will be tough to overcome. But the moves cost six of their top-12 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline. To celebrate the haul, San Diego went out Tuesday and rallied for a walk-off victory over the rival Dodgers.
Baltimore Orioles
Jul 29, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Zach Eflin (24) throws against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports One major reason the Orioles did not make splashier moves this week is that they fancy themselves contenders for years to come. So while Baltimore had the prospects needed to make bigger moves, the club elected to complement their roster core with solid rotation additions like right-hander Zach Eflin and lefty Trevor Rogers. Baltimore’s flex after the deadline came when they brought top prospect Jackson Holliday back to the major leagues.
Honorable mention: The Mariners needed a spark, and so did Randy Arozarena, making it an ideal match. The Tampa Bay Rays have a postseason spot within reach, yet they have still scrambled their roster, although they are sure to have found some gems because that is what they do. The Phillies added an effective closer (Carlos Estevez) and a solid outfielder (Austin Hays) to the best team in the NL.
LOSERS
Atlanta Braves
Jul 26, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants designated hitter Jorge Soler (2) hits a RBI single during the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports Maybe the discount bin had fewer gems than it did in 2021 because teams see the opportunistic Braves coming now. A deadline reunion with Soler and right-hander Luke Jackson has not quite provided the buzz that perhaps was felt inside the organization.
Atlanta was projected to be an elite team this season, and while injuries have taken a toll, this remains a club with a championship pedigree that failed to get the boost it needed.
Houston Astros
Jun 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet (45) throws the ball against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports How does a historically bad season get worse? The White Sox had one of the most coveted starters on the market in lefty Garrett Crochet. Yet Crochet’s camp let it be known publicly that a deal needed to come with a contract extension from the new club.
The front office was caught off guard and admitted to hurt feelings over how it all played out, and, well, it really is all too much. The assumption is that the club does a trade re-do in the offseason for a player with two more seasons under club control. But it needs a re-do for the decade at this point.
Not-so-honorable mentions: The Cleveland Guardians needed to find innings to replace injured right-hander Shane Bieber and ended up with injured right-hander Alex Cobb. The Tigers had the big fish in Flaherty, the Yankees reportedly had injury concerns, and the Dodgers landed the catch with some expendable prospects. The Arizona Diamondbacks were oh so close to a title last season after a second-half push, but are additions Josh Bell and A.J. Puk enough to create similar energy this year?
