Deadline evaluations for each MLB team: Yankees and Mets gear up for crunch phase, Padres pull off major moves, Red Sox falter in acquisitions
The 2025 Major League Baseball trade deadline saw a flurry of activity, with several notable moves made by teams looking to bolster their rosters and make a push for the postseason. Here's a breakdown of some of the most significant trades and their impact on the teams involved.
The Oakland Athletics made a bold move during their rebuild, trading a stud reliever and a marginal starter for a potential superstar shortstop. This could prove to be a master stroke, as the acquisition of this shortstop could solidify their infield for years to come.
The Philadelphia Phillies addressed their own center field issues by acquiring lockdown closer Jhoan Duran, while also improving their bullpen. The New York Mets, too, drastically upgraded their bullpen and center field situation, making them a formidable force in the National League.
The Seattle Mariners were the biggest winners of the deadline, acquiring power hitter Eugenio Suárez and first baseman Josh Naylor to significantly upgrade their offense. These moves earned the Mariners a B+ grade for their acquisitions. The Arizona Diamondbacks, after a disappointing season, traded walk-year contributors such as Suárez and Merrill Kelly, receiving solid returns and earning a B grade overall, although they struggled to move some players like Zac Gallen.
The Atlanta Braves, on the other hand, graded poorly with a D, mainly because their acquisitions (e.g., Erick Fedde and Tyler Kinley) were uninspiring, and they failed to trade away pending free agents.
Numerous relief pitchers changed teams, including closers Mason Miller (Padres), Jhoan Duran (Twins), David Bednar (Yankees), and Ryan Helsley (Mets), highlighting a trend toward bolstering bullpens rather than securing difference-making starters or outfielders.
Other notable moves include the New York Yankees acquiring position players Austin Slater, Amed Rosario, Jose Caballero, and Ryan McMahon, as well as relievers David Bednar, Jake Bird, and Camilo Doval. However, they still needed starting pitching to compete with the best teams in the American League.
The Chicago White Sox dealt Austin Slater and Adrian Houser for quality returns, but failed to turn a player as talented as Luis Robert Jr. with just two club options left on his contract into anything. The Pittsburgh Pirates did not sell high on starting pitcher Mitch Keller and failed to move three veterans who are pending free agents.
The Miami Marlins, despite being expected sellers, did not trade ace Sandy Alcantara, while the Arizona Diamondbacks received a solid but unspectacular return for slugging third baseman Eugenio Suarez in a trade with the Mariners.
The Houston Astros got back Carlos Correa in a blockbuster move, in addition to grabbing infielder Ramón Urías and outfielder Jesús Sánchez, but did not get a starting pitcher. The Seattle Mariners added two big offensive weapons in Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor, but could use more bullpen depth outside of adding Caleb Ferguson.
The Toronto Blue Jays made depth moves, but their potential home run is acquiring ace starter Shane Bieber, who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery. The Washington Nationals wisely resisted the urge to trade MacKenzie Gore.
The Los Angeles Dodgers made a strong targeted strike for their troubled outfield by acquiring Alex Call, while the Milwaukee Brewers fortified their bullpen with Shelby Miller and improved catcher depth by acquiring Danny Jansen.
The Los Angeles Angels, despite being four games out of a playoff spot, only acquired relievers Luis García and Andrew Chafin, infielder Oswaldo Peraza, and did not significantly improve their roster. The Tampa Bay Rays added Adrian Houser to the rotation and potential bullpen ace Griffin Jax, but did not go all out or significantly improve their roster.
The Colorado Rockies shipped off Ryan McMahon and a pair of relievers for reasonable returns, while the Kansas City Royals added needed outfield and pitching depth, but their moves were just of the hole-filling variety. The Baltimore Orioles, despite going through a rebuild from 2018-21 and being sellers in 2022, failed to make the playoffs and are sellers again.
The Detroit Tigers made depth additions of starting pitchers Charlie Morton and Chris Paddack, relievers Kyle Finnegan and Rafael Montero, but their moves felt a little light given their circumstances. The San Francisco Giants got a respectable return from the Mets for Tyler Rogers and sent closer Camilo Doval to the Yankees for four prospects.
The San Diego Padres acquired All-Star first baseman/DH Ryan O'Hearn, outfielder Ramon Laureano, catcher Freddy Fermin, and flame-throwing closer Mason Miller. The St. Louis Cardinals moved their three-walk year relievers for solid returns, while the Atlanta Braves were unable to trade away any of their pending free agents like Marcell Ozuna and Raisel Iglesias.
The Minnesota Twins, at 5 ½ games out of a playoff berth, kept arguably their biggest trade chip, Joe Ryan, instead of gutting the team. The Texas Rangers added Merrill Kelly to the rotation and bullpen depth with Phil Maton and Danny Coulombe, but they could use more help at the DH spot.
The Chicago Cubs, despite being in a heated struggle for first place in the NL Central, made moves that only improve them at the margins. The Boston Red Sox made only two deals, acquiring below-average starting pitcher Dustin May and long reliever Steven Matz, without getting a frontline starter, a big bat, or a needle-mover in the late innings.
The Cincinnati Reds acquired Ke'Bryan Hayes, a slick fielder at third base, but did not significantly improve their offensive attack. Overall, the 2025 trade market was active and impactful, with teams like the Mariners and Padres going "all in" for the stretch run, while others like the Red Sox fell flat in their efforts.
- MLB fans bet on the impact of the Oakland Athletics' acquisition of a potential superstar shortstop, hoping it will secure their postseason spot.
- The Philadelphia Phillies' and New York Mets' bets on improved bullpens and center field situations could pay off, making them stronger contenders in the National League.
- The Seattle Mariners' win in the betting market is their acquisition of power hitter Eugenio Suárez and first baseman Josh Naylor, potentially improving their chances in the MLB season.
- The Arizona Diamondbacks' disappointing season may have led to a B grade in baseball betting, but their trades of walk-year contributors still earned them solid returns.
- The Atlanta Braves failed to impress in the trade deadline, grading poorly with a D, and sports pundits are questioning their betting potential for the postseason.
- The New York Yankees' acquisition of position players and relievers may not be enough to compete with the best teams in the American League, leaving their MLB betting odds under debate.
