The flurry of activity around the trade deadline has now settled, giving teams and fans a clearer picture of their rosters for the remainder of the season. Across the league, competitive teams bolstered their lineups with new talent, while struggling clubs offloaded veteran players to create opportunities for younger prospects.
Every summer, the whirlwind of trades reshapes how players view their futures. The impact of deadline deals can alter a player’s career path significantly, whether they are traded or stay put. Here, we spotlight 10 players to watch following the deadline.
Jesus Sanchez, Houston Astros
While Houston’s headline trade was reuniting with Carlos Correa, acquiring Jesus Sanchez from Miami was also crucial for maintaining their pursuit of another Western division title. With Kyle Tucker gone and star slugger Yordan Alvarez sidelined, Sanchez fills a vital gap as a left-handed power hitter. Though Sanchez struggles against lefty pitchers, his ability to punish right-handers addresses a key Astros need. At 27, Sanchez now faces the challenge of proving he can thrive in a championship-caliber roster.
SP Dustin May, Boston Red Sox
A notable theme this deadline was the scarcity of starting pitchers on the move due to high demand. Boston, seeking controllable starting pitching, settled for adding relievers Stephen Madz and Dustin May rather than a marquee starter. May, who has battled injuries but was one of the ‘ most durable pitchers this year, now has a fresh opportunity with Boston’s pitching staff. With an ERA ranking toward the lower tier among qualified pitchers, May’s performance this stretch will be crucial as he approaches free agency.
SP Cade Horton, Chicago Cubs
Chicago also tried to strengthen its rotation but ended up making minor moves. Instead, rookie Horton, who has shown promise with several scoreless starts recently, remains a key part of their plans. However, his heavy workload jump this year warrants careful management to avoid injury. With veterans returning soon, the Cubs face tough choices on how best to use Horton moving forward.
SP Cam Schlittler, New York Yankees
The Yankees didn’t focus heavily on starting pitching upgrades at the deadline, leaving rotation roles to new, less established arms like rookie Schlittler. At 24, Schlittler’s rise to rotation starter came amid injuries and departures of veteran pitchers. His progression in the coming outings will significantly influence the Yankees’ postseason hopes.
2B Cole Young, Seattle Mariners
Rookies have filled much of the Mariners’ infield recently, with Young becoming the regular second baseman. After a slow adjustment period and a low OPS early on, Young has recently flourished, hitting with power and improved consistency. As a young player on a playoff contender, his ability to contribute quality at-bats will be critical to Seattle’s run.
SP Quinn Priester, Milwaukee Brewers
Although acquired earlier in April, Priester has become a valuable piece for Milwaukee’s rotation, boasting a strong stretch of starts with a 2.45 ERA over 69 innings. Known for an effective cutter and groundball prowess, the 24-year-old righty is a key component in the Brewers’ chase for the NL Central title.
1B/3B Coby Mayo, Baltimore Orioles
With some key players injured or departed, Mayo has the chance to secure a regular role for Baltimore. Despite some concerns about his defensive flexibility and early struggles at the major league level, Mayo has dominated Triple-A and could be poised for a breakout.
SS Brooks Lee, Minnesota Twins
Following Correa’s trade, Lee is set to take over at shortstop full-time for Minnesota. However, his development has been uneven, with struggles both offensively and defensively, placing pressure on him to improve quickly to meet expectations as a core part of the team’s future.
Inf Ronny Mauricio, New York Mets
The Mets debated moving some young infielder assets at the deadline but retained Mauricio, who returned this season from an ACL injury. Mauricio stands out among his peers for his combination of strong defense and offensive upside, potentially making him a key contributor to New York’s quest for their first division title in a decade.
Inf JJ Wetherholt, St. Louis Cardinals
Wetherholt hasn’t yet debuted in MLB but has shined in Triple-A, showing impressive offensive numbers. While the Cardinals traded several pitchers during the deadline, they held onto veteran middle infielders but could soon call up Wetherholt as a promising addition to their core.
Fan Take:
This deadline report highlights how pivotal player development and strategic roster moves are in shaping playoff contenders. Baseball fans should watch these emerging talents closely—they represent the future of the sport and could define team fortunes for years to come.
