Joshua Doering

MLB Trade Deadline Winners and Losers

By Joshua Doering

As the MLB’s non-waiver trade deadline has come and gone, it’s time to see what teams helped their chances of making a deep run in October and what teams missed out.

Winners-

Chicago Cubs:

The Cubs were able to add flamethrowing closer Aroldis Chapman without giving up any pieces that figure into their future plans. While that move will grab the headlines, the additions of Mike Montgomery and Joe Smith also add depth to the bullpen. Combined with Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon, the Cubs have gained the ability to shorten games.

Texas Rangers:

The Rangers once again made a big splash at the deadline, adding outfielder Carlos Beltran, catcher Jonathan Lucroy, and reliever Jeremy Jeffress. Beltran and Lucroy will be massive improvements at positions where the Rangers have struggled at this season. Lucroy also is one of the better gamecallers, which figures to help the Rangers’ pitching staff. Jeffress will provide some stability to a bullpen that has struggled at times.

Cleveland Indians:

The Indians are all-in. They had their trade for Lucroy blocked by his no-trade clause but moved on quickly and acquired Andrew Miller, one of the hottest commodities on the market, from the Yankees. While they gave up a good deal to get him, this move makes the Indians a real World Series contender.

New York Yankees:

Brian Cashman finally won out and the Yankees sold just about every valuable asset they had. In return, they got eight of the top 100 prospects in all of baseball. The Yankees have never been “sellers” in recent memory. Being in fourth place in the AL East, their hopes for a postseason appearance were slim. They made the right choice and got pieces that will make their future brighter.

Losers-

Baltimore Orioles:

For a team that held a slight lead in a tightly contested division, the Orioles’ deadline was far from inspiring. Their starting rotation has struggled all season. To solve this problem, they got Wade Miley, whose E.R.A. is almost as bad as their current starters. It would be surprising if he made any significant impact. They could have done much better.

Detroit Tigers:

A great run as of late has put the Tigers in the thick of the wild card race. They lack the prospects to make a big move, they had been linked to multiple starters that could’ve been added to the back end of their rotation. Adding just one reliable starter would have gone a long way to keeping them in the hunt; they failed to do so.

Boston Red Sox:

After making the deal for Drew Pomeranz, the Red Sox seemed primed to make another big deal and separate from the pack in the AL East. However, that deal never materialized. There apparently were discussions with the White Sox regarding Chris Sale. The Red Sox may be a little better than before but an opportunity was missed.