Major League Baseball's trade deadline analysis: Padres secure significant acquisitions, Yankees, Mets, Phillies strengthen rosters, while Tigers refrain from significant moves
MLB Trade Deadline Recap: Winners and Losers
The 2025 MLB trade deadline has passed, and several teams have made bold moves to strengthen their rosters. Here's a look at some of the key winners and losers from this year's deadline.
Winners
The San Diego Padres made a blockbuster trade, acquiring closer Mason Miller and outfielder Ramón Laureano from the Athletics. They also added depth with DH Ryan O'Hearn, significantly boosting their roster despite giving up top prospects like Leo De Vries. A.J. Preller, the Padres' GM, pulled off a shrewd deal that has been hailed as a masterstroke.
The Houston Astros re-acquired Carlos Correa, their former franchise savior, from the Twins. The Astros are subsidizing a significant portion of Correa's remaining contract, a risky but significant move to bolster their team. Correa's trade to the Astros has been a great storyline for Astros fans and provides the team with much-needed offense due to injuries.
The Philadelphia Phillies improved their bullpen by acquiring Jhoan Durán, who is expected to assume the closer role and increase his value in a competitive team environment. The Phillies also signed free agent David Robertson to further strengthen their bullpen.
Losers
The Minnesota Twins offloaded salary but weakened their roster while heavily subsidizing Correa's contract. This move has been criticized as short-sighted, as the Twins may struggle to compete in the future.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were seen as losers for their minimal activity at the deadline. Despite a poor July record and a shrinking division lead, the Dodgers failed to make major impactful trades.
The New York Mets made several short-term acquisitions, including Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers, and Cedric Mullins. However, these players are likely to hit free agency after the year, which has been criticized as shortsighted. The Mets also lost some prized prospects like Blade Tidwell in their push to acquire short-term talent.
Other Notable Moves
The Mariners improved their offense by acquiring first baseman Josh Naylor and third baseman Eugenio Suárez in separate trades. The Rays added Griffin Jax (Twins) to their bullpen, while the Blue Jays added Seranthony Domínguez (Orioles) and Louie Varland (Twins) to their relief crew.
The Tigers added several relievers to their bullpen, including Kyle Finnegan, Codi Heuer, Rafael Montero, and Paul Sewald. However, their bullpen still seems to be struggling, and they did not pick up any significant help for their struggling bullpen. The Tigers also added Charlie Morton as a rotation piece.
The Yankees added David Bednar (Pirates), Jake Bird (Rockies), and Camilo Doval (Giants) to their bullpen. The Giants and the Orioles lost several key players to other teams, including Tyler Rogers, Gregory Soto, and Louie Varland.
One player who could benefit from a change of scenery is JP Sears, who was traded from Sutter Health Park in Sacramento to Petco Park in San Diego. Moving from Sacramento to San Diego could really enhance Sears' performance and his career moving forward.
In summary, the Padres, Astros, and Phillies came out as primary winners through bold moves to strengthen their rosters, while the Twins, Dodgers, and to some extent the Mets were losers due to either weakening their depth or lack of significant upgrades. The Tigers and the Giants also seem to be struggling, while the Yankees have made several key additions to their bullpen.
- After the 2025 MLB trade deadline, the San Diego Padres, with their acquisition of Mason Miller, Ramón Laureano, Ryan O'Hearn, and the addition of JP Sears, have significantly bolstered their roster and been hailed as winners.
- The Houston Astros, in re-acquiring Carlos Correa, a former franchise savior, have boosted their team's offense, providing an intriguing storyline for fans, despite the financial risk.
- The Philadelphia Phillies have strengthened their bullpen by acquiring Jhoan Durán and signing David Robertson, moves that may prove crucial in their upcoming games.
- Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins, who heavily subsidized Correa's contract and offloaded salary, have faced criticism for a short-sighted strategy that may affect their future competitiveness.
- The Los Angeles Dodgers, in comparison, were seen as losers due to their inactivity at the deadline, failing to make impactful trades despite a poor July record and a shrinking division lead.
