The MLB trade deadline has come once again, a yearly moment where teams aim to improve their prospects either this season or looking ahead.
So, who benefited, who didn’t, and who remained unchanged?
Review all transactions and assess each team’s trade deadline performance.
—Jump to your team using the links below—
American League
Toronto Blue Jays: B-
Movements include acquiring prospect Cal Stephan and starting pitcher Shane Bieber from Cleveland, trading for Minnesota’s Louis Burland and first baseman Thailand France, and a swap involving Will Wagner and catcher Brandon Valenzuela. The Bieber trade shows promise despite injury concerns, potentially becoming a game changer if he can regain his form. However, the Jays missed capitalizing fully on their recent momentum and could have done more to strengthen their playoff push.
New York Yankees: A-
They bolstered their bullpen by adding relievers Jake Bird, David Bednar, and Camilo Doval, revamped their bench by acquiring Austin Slater and Jose Caballero, and made a few other trades. Though they avoided pursuing starting pitchers due to costs, these moves fortify key weak spots, setting them up well for both this season and beyond.
Boston Red Sox: F
Boston’s trade window was dull, only adding reliever Stephen Mads and starter Dustin May, failing to address bigger roster issues. With recent moves signaling a rebuild, the front office’s dismissive attitude towards fan frustration has drawn heavy criticism.
Tampa Bay Rays: C
The Rays exchanged players like Taj Bradley and got Adrian Houser, participated in a three-team deal, and traded catcher Danny Jansen. Known for their savvy but conservative approach, Tampa Bay’s moves were modest and raised questions if they’re overthinking things to their own detriment.
Baltimore Orioles: B+
Baltimore traded away expiring contracts and added prospects without losing many future assets. While largely a selling deadline, GM Mike Elias managed to balance short-term returns with preserving ingredients for a competitive 2026 squad.
Detroit Tigers: D
Despite being in contention, the Tigers showed little urgency, making mostly minor reliever pickups like Paul Sewald and Rafael Montero without bold moves to strengthen for a deep playoff run.
Cleveland Guardians: B
They traded star Shane Bieber but retained key players like outfielder Stephen Kwan, maintaining stability despite organizational challenges off the field.
Kansas City Royals: C
The Royals extended pitcher Seslugo and made a few minor acquisitions but continue struggling with injuries and inconsistency.
Minnesota Twins: F
Their extensive roster overhaul, including trading away cornerstone Jose Correa, signals a full sell-off and a bleak outlook for the near future.
Chicago White Sox: C
The White Sox made small moves, holding onto core players like Luis Robert Jr. and adding prospects while maintaining team potential.
Houston Astros: A-
The Astros made bold additions, including reacquiring Correa and adding Ramon Urias, signaling a strong ‘go for it’ stance with a potent lineup.
Seattle Mariners: A-
Seattle strengthened their offense significantly, acquiring key players to complement stars like Julio Rodriguez, making arguably their best offseason moves in decades.
Texas Rangers: C
The Rangers added depth to their already strong pitching but still lack the offensive spark needed to ensure postseason success.
Los Angeles Angels: C-
The Angels made minor trades, adding prospects but showing little evidence of a serious push for playoffs, reflecting an uncertain future.
Athletics: A
The Athletics made smart moves by trading established relievers for promising prospects, fitting their rebuilding timeline and investing in future stars.
National League
New York Mets: A-
The Mets added several valuable bullpen arms and upgraded center field, addressing urgent team needs without sacrificing top prospects.
Philadelphia Phillies: B
Philadelphia strengthened their bullpen but missed chances to add major offensive firepower, leaving some fans wanting more.
Miami Marlins: B+
The Marlins remained quiet but steady, making pragmatic trades that align with their long-term competitive plans.
Atlanta Braves: F+
The Braves barely made an impact, failing to adequately address key roster weaknesses, leaving their playoff hopes in jeopardy.
Washington Nationals: B
Washington’s interim management made several savvy acquisitions, improving their bullpen and rebuilding the team’s future potential.
Milwaukee Brewers: D+
Despite a high playoff probability, Milwaukee’s small trades missed an opportunity to enhance a solid team for a deep postseason run.
Chicago Cubs: C+
The Cubs made some useful additions but remained relatively passive despite holding strong playoff odds.
Cincinnati Reds: B
The Reds made balanced moves, including a notable defense upgrade, positioning themselves well without mortgaging the future.
St. Louis Cardinals: B-
The Cardinals had a basic deadline, moving some rentals without advancing their long-term prospects significantly.
Pittsburgh Pirates: F+
The Pirates failed to capitalize on their free agents’ value and showed limited urgency to improve their struggling roster.
Los Angeles : C
The defending champions made few moves, adding some depth but missing a chance to aggressively address pitching challenges.
San Diego Padres: B
The Padres disregarded models to make bold trades, enhancing their bullpen and offense for a potential October run.
San Francisco Giants: C-
San Francisco’s quiet deadline contrasts sharply with earlier bold moves, disappointing fans as the team’s fortunes dipped.
Arizona Diamondbacks: B+
The Diamondbacks went fully into sell mode, signaling a rebuild focused on a strong 2026 and beyond.
Colorado Rockies: B
The Rockies, typically inactive, surprised by engaging in trades amid a tough season, embracing a more active front office approach.
Fan Take: This trade deadline is a pivotal moment for baseball fans as it reveals which teams are serious contenders and which are planning long-term rebuilds. These moves not only reshape playoff races but also shape the future landscape of the sport, maintaining excitement and unpredictability.
