Still, the mass movement of players in teams’ last chances to deal with one another before hunkering down for the stretch drive and playoffs significantly recast several rosters, largely in areas like the bullpen.
The last big domino to fall could have a significant impact: The Dodgers acquired Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty shortly before the deadline, giving the NL West behemoths a crucial boost to a rotation decimated by injuries.
Yet more often it was bulk buys. The wild-card hopeful New York Mets imported six players during deadline days, four of them relievers. The crosstown Yankees did their big maneuvers earlier, snagging dynamic Jazz Chisholm on Sunday before just beating the deadline by snagging a pair of relievers, notably Enyel De Los Santos from San Diego.
And he was available because the Padres made the biggest bullpen splash of the day, sending four prospects – including three of their consensus top six – to Miami for lefty reliever Tanner Scott, who will pair with closer Robert Suarez and others to give the Padres a daunting late-inning look.
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Now, there’s nothing left to do but hunker down for the stretch drive.
– Gabe Lacques
MLB trade deadline winners and losers
Now that the teams have turned over their cards, we’ve learned who’s serious about playing deep into October, who’s content going home in September, and who was bluffing all along.
Winners
San Diego Padres
Philadelphia Phillies
Tampa Bay Rays
Losers
Chicago White Sox
New York Yankees
Minnesota Twins
Read USA TODAY MLB insider Bob Nightengale’s full trade deadline analysis
Jack Flaherty trade adds to Dodgers rotation
For the second consecutive year, Jack Flaherty was dealt to a contending team at the trade deadline. This time around, he should have a far bigger impact on his new squad.
Flaherty was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Los Angeles Dodgers minutes before Monday’s 6 ET deadline, giving the National League powerhouse a crucial weapon for their tattered rotation.
Flaherty will join Tyler Glasnow at the front of their rotation, with hopes that, come playoff time, veterans Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw will be healthy and youngsters Gavin Stone and River Ryan will still be viable options. For now, though, the addition of Flaherty is a significant sign of relief for the Dodgers, who enter Tuesday’s play with a 6 ½-game lead in the National League West.
– Gabe Lacques
Huascar Brazoban trade bolsters Mets bullpen
The Mets are acquiring right-handed reliever Huascar Brazoban from the Marlins.
The 34-year-old Brazoban, who has made 20 appearances for the Marlins this season, has tallied a 2.93 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP and 34 strikeouts in 30⅔ innings. The Marlins signed him to a minor-league deal back in 2022, and he would be under team control through the 2028 season.
— Andrew Tredinnick, Bergen Record
Phillies get Tanner Scott, trade Gregory Soto to Orioles
The Philadelphia Phillies modified their bullpen by acquiring left-hander Tanner Banks from the Chicago White Sox and sending fellow lefty Gregory Soto to the Baltimore Orioles.
Banks, 32, is 2-2 with a 4.13 ERA across 41 appearances (one start) for the White Sox this season. He has converted two out of six save opportunities and tallied 55 strikeouts against 15 walks over 48 innings. The southpaw is especially effective against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .184 average and a .492 OPS this season.
– Field Level Media
Eloy Jiménez trade gives Orioles another bat
Baltimore got the right-handed bat it wanted, trading for Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jiménez just ahead of the deadline.
A former top prospect, Jiménez hit 31 home runs as a rookie in 2019 and won a Silver Slugger in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, but injuries have limited him to 324 games over the past four seasons.
Tanner Scott trade makes Padres bullpen even scarier
The San Diego Padres, perhaps the most aggressive of any contender, struck again Tuesday before the trade deadline by acquiring Miami Marlins left-handed closer Tanner Scott and right-handed pitcher Bryan Hoening.
The return was a doozy: The Marlins are receiving three of the Padres’ top six prospects according to Baseball American’s latest prospect rankings, and four overall.
The Marlins are receiving Robby Snelling, Adam Mazur, Graham Pauley and Jay Beshears.
– Bob Nightengale
Paul Blackburn trade gives Mets another starter
Suddenly in serious pursuit of a playoff spot, the Mets made a move to beef up their rotation, acquiring starting pitcher Paul Blackburn from the Oakland Athletics.
Blackburn, 30, has been limited to just nine starts this season after missing multiple months with a foot injury. In those appearances, he holds an ERA of 4.41 over 51 innings. In eight years in Oakland, Blackburn has a 4.83 career ERA.
– Bergen Record
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Bryan De La Cruz to Pirates in separate deals
With an eye on a playoff push, the Pittsburgh Pirates added two new bats ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
The Pirates announced a deal acquiring utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for prospect Charles McAdoo. The club also landed outfielder Bryan De La Cruz from the Miami Marlins.
In Kiner-Falefa, the Pirates are getting a player who has appeared as a second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, outfielder and emergency pitcher this season alone. The 29-year-old is batting a career-best .292 with seven home runs and 33 RBIs in 82 games in his first season with Toronto.
– Field Level Media
Shawn Armstrong to Cardinals for Dylan Carlson
The St. Louis Cardinals sent former top outfield prospect Dylan Carlson to the Tampa Bay Rays for right-handed pitcher Shawn Armstrong, the teams announced Tuesday.
Carlson, 25, was a highly touted first-round draft pick by St. Louis in 2016, but his numbers have declined since he batted a career-best .266 with 18 home runs over 149 games in 2021. He has hit .225 with 13 homers and 80 RBIs in 263 games since.
After missing the start of the 2024 season with a shoulder injury, Carlson was batting just .198 with no home runs and 11 RBIs in 59 games.
– Field Level Media
Alex Cobb trade upgrades Guardians rotation
The San Francisco Giants’ rare starter surplus became the Cleveland Guardians’ gain. Now we’ll see if Alex Cobb is the final answer to Cleveland’s rotation shortfall.
The Giants traded Cobb to the Guardians on Tuesday in exchange for minor league pitcher Jacob Bresnahan and a player to be named. Cobb, 36, has not pitched this season after offseason hip surgery, though he has made six rehab starts. A blister problem has sidetracked his return, but he should be available to the Guardians in short order.
With Logan Webb, Blake Snell, Robbie Ray, Kyle Harrison and Hayden Birdsong, the Giants had enough to fill a rotation that’s coming on strong. In Cobb the Guardians get a veteran right-hander who was an All-Star in 2023 and a steady veteran presence to fill out a rotation that counts Tanner Bibee and Ben Lively as its most reliable arms.
– Gabe Lacques
Royals get Paul DeJong, Lucas Erceg in deadline deals
Rare buyers at the MLB trade deadline, the Kansas City Royals acquired shortstop Paul DeJong from the Chicago White Sox and right-handed reliever Lucas Erceg from the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday.
DeJong is switching dugouts Tuesday afternoon before the Royals’ game at Chicago. He’ll leave the club with the worst record in baseball to join an American League Central and wild-card contender.DeJong, who turns 31 on Friday, was in his first season with the White Sox, batting .228 with a team-high 18 home runs and 41 RBIs.
Erceg, 29, sports a 3.68 ERA with a 2-3 record and three saves through 38 appearances for Oakland in his second big-league season. Since debuting last year, he is 6-7 with a 4.32 ERA in 88 contests.
– Field Level Media
Andrew Chafin trade sends LHP to Rangers
The Tigers agreed to trade left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin to the Rangers. Chafin has a 3.16 ERA with 16 walks and 50 strikeouts across 37 innings in 41 relief appearances in the 2024 season. He signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract last December with the Tigers, which included a $6.5 million club option for 2025.
The club option means the Rangers can keep Chafin for the 2025 season.
Chafin, an 11-year MLB veteran, has been the best pitcher in the Tigers’ bullpen in 2024. It was his second stint with the Tigers, the first happening in 2022. He has also played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers.
– Detroit Free Press
Trevor Rogers to Orioles at steep cost
Dipping into their second tier of major league-ready prospects, the Baltimore Orioles traded for their second starting pitcher in five days, acquiring left-hander Trevor Rogers from the Miami Marlins.
In exchange, the Marlins will receive Connor Norby – who started at second base for the Orioles on Monday – and lefty-hitting outfielder Kyle Stowers, who debuted in 2022 but has been blocked from the big league club with the emergence of Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad.
But this is a deal for now, and the cost for a pitcher with a 2-9 record and a 4.53 ERA indicates how high the prices are.
– Gabe Lacques
Caleb Ferguson trade: Yankees send reliever to Astros
The Yankees are trading relief pitcher Caleb Ferguson to the Houston Astros for a minor-league player and international player pool money. The move comes after New York acquired reliever Mark Leiter Jr. in a trade with the Chicago Cubs, as a player need to be moved to make room on the 40-man roster.
In 42 appearances with the Yankees this season, Ferguson, 28, 4.27 ERA over 33.1 innings. He posted 41 strikeouts on the year, and came over to New York in a trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason.
– Bergen Record
Lucas Sims to Red Sox in trade with Reds
For the second consecutive day, the Cincinnati Reds dealt an established veteran who’s in the final year of his contract.
The Reds traded setup reliever Lucas Sims to the Boston Red Sox leading up to Tuesday’s trade deadline. Sims, the only player on the Reds who had appeared in a playoff game with the organization, now joins a contender. In return, the Reds acquired Low-A pitcher Ovis Portes. Sims, who was the longest-tenured Red, has a 3.57 ERA in 43 appearances this year.
– Charlie Goldsmith, Cincinnati Enquirer
Mark Leiter traded to Yankees
The Yankees bolstered their bullpen Tuesday afternoon, trading for Cubs right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. The 33-year-old had a 4.21 ERA in 39 appearances with the Cubs after pitching 69 games with a 3.50 ERA in 2023. The Cubs will receive infielder Ben Cowles and right-hander Jack Neely in the deal.
Mets rumors: Better trade deadline vibes than 2023
After selling off last season, this year’s Mets have put themselves in a position to add some more intriguing pieces with a 56-50 record and currently holding a National League wild card spot.
‘I think for the most part I think everyone’s really excited because we’re playing winning baseball,’ Pete Alonso said. ‘We’ve put ourselves in a really good position. In order to feel comfortable at the deadline, you got to be in a winning position. We’ve earned that. We’ve put ourselves in that position and we’ve done a great job bouncing back.’
– Andrew Tredinnick, Bergen Record
Blake Snell rumors
The Giants are 53-55 and four games back in the NL wild-card race.
After early-season struggles, Snell has been dominant in July with a 0.75 ERA (2 ER) and 30 strikeouts in 24 innings across four starts.
Aroldis Chapman rumors: Pirates manager expects to keep reliever
Aroldis Chapman was traded last July, ultimately helping the Texas Rangers win their first World Series, but Pirates manager Derek Shelton thinks the left-handed reliever’s current team will hold on to him at the deadline.
“I expect Aroldis Chapman will be a Pirate tomorrow,’ Shelton told 93.7 FM the Fan in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
Biggest holes for contenders to fill
That’s what Major League Baseball teams face Tuesday as the hours and then minutes tick down to the 6 p.m. ET trade deadline. The agita has only been compounded by a market heavily tilted toward sellers, as contenders are paying premium prospect price for a limited supply of reinforcements.
As the clock drags toward Tuesday evening, a look at the biggest unfilled needs from the top contenders as GMs get set to put their pencils down and see if they aced the test come dinnertime:
Cleveland Guardians: Starting pitcher
New York Yankees: Reliever
Baltimore Orioles: Starting pitcher
Los Angeles Dodgers: Starting pitcher
– Gabe Lacques
Frankie Montas trade shows reality for Reds
The music was pulsing in the Cincinnati Reds’ clubhouse on Monday night after a win over the Chicago Cubs, and the lights were flashing. The Reds were supposed to be celebrating.
Instead, the reality set in that the Reds were a below .500 team that probably isn’t making the playoffs this year. The Reds traded Opening Day starter Frankie Montas to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Joey Wiemer and reliever Jakob Junis.
“It’s tough, especially to (have him traded to) an in-division rival that’s winning (the division). I’ve been around a lot of trades,” Reds second baseman Jonathan India said. “This is a tough one. We’re going to face him next week now. That’s a part of it, I guess. It’s the trade deadline. That stuff happens. It’s not our call. We go with it and have to win tomorrow.”
– Charlie Goldsmith, Cincinnati Enquirer
World Series MVP Jorge Soler returns to Atlanta
Atlanta acquired outfielder Jorge Soler, their 2021 World Series MVP, along with veteran reliever Luke Jackson, for reliever Tyler Matzek and minor-league infielder Sabin Ceballos in a trade with the Giants.
The key to the deal? Cash.
Atlanta is picking up every penny of the contracts, paying in excess of $30 million. They will owe Soler $13 million in 2025 and $13 million in 2026, while Jackson has a $7 million club option or a $2 million buyout. They also owe Soler and Jackson about $5 million for the remainder of this season.
– Bob Nightengale
Dodgers, Cardinals upgrade in three-way deal with White Sox
The St. Louis Cardinals got their veteran starter and outfielder for their playoff run, the Los Angeles Dodgers got their utility infielder and veteran reliever for their World Series championship run, and the Chicago White Sox got an infielder and valued prospects for the future.
Just like that, a rare three-way trade was consummated Monday with the Dodgers still trying to make more moves before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. deadline
The Cardinals, who have been seeking another veteran starter for months, landed Erick Fedde and White Sox outfielder Tommy Pham, who was originally drafted by St. Louis in 2006.
The Dodgers got Cardinals utilityman Tommy Edman, who has not played yet this season because of offseason wrist surgery and a sprained ankle, along with struggling reliever Michael Kopech. The White Sox received Dodgers infielder Miguel Vargas and Dodger prospects Alexander Albertus and Jeral Perez.
– Bob Nightengale
Brewers get Frankie Montas from NL Central rival
Scouring the market for an arm to solidify the rotation and pitch important innings, the Milwaukee Brewers swung a trade with the Cincinnati Reds for Frankie Montas on Monday night.
In return, the Brewers reportedly are sending outfielder Joey Wiemer and pitcher Jakob Junis to the Reds.
Montas, 31, has made 19 starts this year for the Reds while on a one-year, $16 million contract and owns a 5.01 earned run average with 78 strikeouts in 93 ⅓ innings.
– Curt Hogg, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Jack Flaherty scratched as trade rumors swirl
The Tigers scratched Jack Flaherty from Monday’s start against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park.
‘It’s not my decisions to make,’ Flaherty said before Monday’s game, sharing he hasn’t spoken to president of baseball operations Scott Harris. ‘I pitch when I’m told to pitch.’
The Tigers have discussed a Flaherty trade with several teams.
‘I’m not on the phone, so I don’t know what comes of it,’ manager A.J. Hinch said before Monday’s game. ‘I do know this time of year is pretty stressful, and putting him on the mound tonight felt like the wrong thing to do for him and for us.’
– Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press
Astros get Yusei Kikuchi
The Houston Astros acquired left-hander Yusei Kikuchi from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, adding a veteran pitcher to their rotation.
Toronto received right-hander Jake Bloss, outfielder Joey Loperfido and minor league infielder Will Wagner.
Bloss was scratched from his scheduled start against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday before news of the trade broke. Fellow right-hander Tayler Scott got the nod instead.
Kikuchi, 33, went 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA across 22 starts with the Blue Jays this season.
Royals improve rotation with Michael Lorenzen trade
The Kansas City Royals acquired right-hander Michael Lorenzen from the Texas Rangers on Monday in exchange for left-hander Walter Pennington.
Lorenzen, 32, is 5-6 with a 3.81 ERA in 19 games (18 starts) in his first season with the Rangers.
An All-Star last season, Lorenzen threw a no-hitter for Philadelphia against Washington on Aug. 9, 2023. He signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with Texas on March 22.
– Field Level Media
Guardians trade for Lane Thomas
The Washington Nationals dealt outfielder Lane Thomas to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for three prospects on Monday.
Cleveland sent left-hander Alex Clemmey and infielders Rafael Ramirez Jr. and Jose Tena to Washington to acquire the sixth-year right fielder, who is under club control through next season.
Thomas, 28, is batting .253 with eight home runs, 40 RBIs and a career-high 28 stolen bases through 77 games for the Nationals this season.
– Field Level Media
Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm already making impact after trade
On his second day as a Yankee, Jazz Chisholm collected another set of firsts.
Chisholm collected his first home run with his new team in Monday night’s second inning at Citizens Bank Park, where he was making his first career start at third base.
In the ninth, Chisholm added a second home run – this one coming against backup catcher Garrett Stubbs – in the Yankees’ 14-4 blowout win against the Phillies before 44,289 fans.
– Pete Caldera, Bergen Record
Mariners add Justin Turner
The Seattle Mariners acquired Justin Turner from the Toronto Blue Jays for minor league outfielder RJ Schreck on Monday. Turner, 39, brings a veteran presence with vast postseason experience, including a World Series championship with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020.
The two-time All-Star is batting .257 this season, including Monday when he singled in his lone at-bat against the host Baltimore Orioles and later was replaced in the batting order by Addison Barger.
Turner has six home runs and 31 RBIs in 90 games in his first season with Toronto, who signed him as a free agent to a one-year, $13 million deal.
Dodgers get Amed Rosario from Rays
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario from the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday for minor league right-hander Michael Flynn.
Rosario finished the 2023 season with the Dodgers after being acquired from the Cleveland Guardians for right-hander Noah Syndergaard and cash. He batted .256 with three homers and 18 RBIs in 48 games for Los Angeles last year.
Rosario, 28, was batting .307 with two homers and 26 RBIs in 76 games with the Rays this season.
– Field Level Media