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Grading the biggest deals from MLB trade deadline
The MLB trade deadline passed without many blockbuster moves, but there was no shortage of surprising deals. Here are grades for the biggest deals made:
(All statistics and records are through Monday's games.)
Mariners execute blockbuster deal to acquire OF Randy Arozarena
Full trade: Seattle acquires Arozarena from Tampa Bay for outfielder Aidan Smith, RHP Brody Hopkins and a player to be named.
Mariners grade: A
After blowing a double-digit lead in the American League West standings, the Mariners desperately needed to upgrade a lineup that ranks last in batting average (.218) and 28th in runs (419). Seattle succeeded in doing so — while strengthening its roster — by landing a former postseason hero in Arozarena, who is under team control through 2026.
Although Arozarena is having a down year by his standards, he's batting .296 with eight home runs and 19 RBI over his 47 games, providing optimism that he can be the difference-maker Seattle needs.
Rays grade: C+
On the surface, Tampa Bay's return for Arozarena might appear to be underwhelming, but keep in mind that the team typically wins more trades than it loses thanks to its stellar scouting department.
Hopkins and Smith, a pair of 2023 draft picks, have impressed this season and are ranked as Tampa Bay's 7th- and 13th-best prospects, respectively. Hopkins has a 2.90 ERA in 18 starts this season with 95 strikeouts, whereas Smith is slashing .284/.402/.470 with nine homers, 42 RBI and 28 steals.
Yankees make a splash for outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Full trade: New York acquires Chisholm from Miami for catcher Agustin Ramirez and infielders Jared Serna and Abrahan Ramirez.
Yankees grade: B+
The Yankees needed a spark to get their season on track and may have found it in Chisholm. He is an average hitter (.251/.325/.420 with 15 homers, 53 RBI and 23 stolen bases this season) but instantly improves a lineup that only has five players with a wRC+ above 100.
Chisholm's flare and charisma will give New York a boost, and his dynamic base-running ability should provide a new dimension for a team that ranks 29th in stolen bases (44).
Marlins grade: A-
The Marlins didn't receive any top-100 prospects for Chisholm but still managed to substantially bolster their relatively weak farm system.
According to MLB Pipeline, Ramirez and Serna are already ranked Miami's No. 5 and No. 8 prospects, respectively, and the former could end up being a long-term fixture behind home plate. In 87 games in Double-A and Triple-A this season, Ramirez has a slash line of .269/.358/.504 with 20 home runs and 69 RBI.
Cubs snag third baseman Isaac Paredes in stunning move
Full trade: Chicago acquires Paredes from Tampa Bay for third baseman Christopher Morel and RHPs Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson.
Cubs grade: B+
Cubs president Jed Hoyer wasn't kidding when he told reporters last week that he could use the trade deadline to prepare for the future. However, many assumed that meant Chicago would be sellers at the deadline, not buyers.
Even though the Cubs will still likely miss the playoffs, they capitalized on an opportunity to upgrade at third base, bringing in Paredes, a 25-year-old All-Star. His defense isn't particularly strong, but since the start of last season, Paredes' 134 wRC+ ranks third among primary third basemen.
Rays grade: B-
Morel (.199 batting average) isn't nearly as productive as Paredes, but his impressive raw power could be worth gambling on, especially for the Rays, a team known for its player development. Nonetheless, even if Morel can't take the next step in Tampa Bay, the Rays received two intriguing pitchers, including Bigge, who has had an uptick in his velocity this season.
Bigge has only pitched 3.1 innings in the majors, posting a 2.70 ERA, but the hard-throwing right-hander has the potential to become an effective replacement for Jason Adam, whom the Rays sent to San Diego.
Padres shore up the bullpen, landing RHP Jason Adam
Full trade: San Diego acquires Adam from Tampa Bay for RHP Dylan Lesko, outfielder Homer Bush Jr. and catcher J.D. Gonzalez.
Padres grade: B
The always-aggressive Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller pulled off yet another major deal that involved cutting ties with substantial prospect capital. Although this trade could be considered an overpay for San Diego, it netted a needed setup man in Adam, who's under team control through the 2026 season.
In 47 games this season, Adams has held opponents to a .161 batting average and posted a 2.49 ERA and 0.894 WHIP, the 17th lowest among qualified relievers.
Rays grade: B+
While Adam is a significant addition, the Padres could come to regret this deal if Lesko (6.46 ERA in High-A this season), in particular, pans out.
Lesko was considered the top prep arm in the 2022 MLB Draft before he underwent Tommy John surgery, which still affected him to begin this season. It wouldn't be surprising if Lesko becomes the next successful Rays reclamation project.
Phillies win the RHP Carlos Estevez sweepstakes
Full trade: Philadelphia acquires Estevez from the Los Angeles Angels for RHP George Klassen and LHP Samuel Aldegheri.
Phillies grade: B+
Even with Jeff Hoffman (1.02 ERA) and Matt Strahm (1.80 ERA) enjoying All-Star seasons, Philadelphia needed to add another high-leverage arm, given that Jose Alvarado has a 5.50 ERA since June 1.
In turn, the Phillies paid a steep price to land Estevez, who was in high demand from several contending teams. Estevez had a sluggish start to 2024, but he is one of the best relievers in baseball over the past two months and hasn't allowed a run over his past 18 innings.
Angels grade: A-
Los Angeles capitalized on the impending free agent Estevez's trade value and netted a package that ESPN's David Schoenfield believes is a better return than Tampa Bay received for Arozarena.
According to Baseball America's rankings, Klassen and Aldegheri were Philadelphia's No. 5 and No. 7 prospects. Klassen, a 2023 sixth-round pick with a 1.97 ERA in 14 Single-A and High-A starts, is the headliner in this deal and could become an important piece of the rotation.
Cardinals, Dodgers and White Sox execute massive three-team trade
Full trade: Cardinals acquire RHP Erick Fedde, outfielder Tommy Pham and a player to be named or cash. Dodgers acquire utilityman Tommy Edman and RHPs Michael Kopech and Oliver Gonzalez. White Sox acquire infielders Miguel Vargas and Jeral Perez, outfielder Alexander Albertus and a player to be named or cash.
Cardinals grade: A
Considering the astronomical prices starting pitchers went for, coupled with the fact that Edman hasn’t played this season, St. Louis' move for Fedde (3.11 ERA) could be the best pitching trade of the deadline value-wise.
Fedde is by no means an ace, but he should greatly improve a rotation that ranks 23rd in the majors in ERA (4.44). Adding the veteran bat Pham (102 wRC+) could also pay major dividends come playoff time if the Cardinals reach the postseason.
Dodgers grade: B
As mentioned, Edman hasn't played this season after undergoing wrist surgery in the offseason and later suffering a sprained ankle, though he could return to action soon.
With the versatility he provides, Edman — who has slashed .259/.313/.395 with 37 home runs and 89 stolen bases over his past three seasons — could be an important contributor for the Dodgers down the stretch. Kopech only has a 4.74 ERA this season, but the change of scenery could do wonders for him.
White Sox grade: C-
Given the return it received, Chicago might have been better off trading Fedde, Kopech and Pham in separate deals. Vargas, a 24-year-old with an uninspiring 80 OPS+ for his career, has upside, but he'll need consistent playing time before it's clear whether he can be an impactful major leaguer.
On the other hand, Perez and Albertus — the White Sox's 13th- and 14th-ranked prospects — are likely no more than lottery tickets.
Padres add to their already formidable bullpen, bringing in LHP Tanner Scott
Full trade: San Diego acquires Scott and RHP Bryan Hoeing from Miami in exchange for LHP Robby Snelling, RHP Adam Mazur, utilityman Graham Pauley and infielder Jay Beshears
Padres grade: B
Preller had one final trade-deadline surprise up his sleeve, paying a hefty price to land Scott, the most sought-after rental reliever on the market. In 44 games this season, Scott has posted a 1.18 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 18 saves while holding opposing hitters to a .123 batting average, the lowest mark among qualified relievers.
It's fair to say that San Diego vastly overpaid to land Scott, but if the team's season culminates in a World Series win, this move will be worth the price.
Marlins grade: B+
The Scott deal solidified the Marlins as the biggest winners of the 2024 trade deadline, as they netted three of San Diego's top five prospects.
Snelling, a former first-rounder, is the most notable prospect in this deal, and Miami will hope he can return to 2023 form (1.82 ERA over 22 starts) after posting a 6.01 ERA to begin this season. Mazur (7.49 ERA) and Pauley (.125 batting average) haven't shown any flashes in the majors, but perhaps they can develop into a quality back-end starter and fourth outfielder, respectively, in the future.
Dodgers pull off last-minute deal to acquire RHP Jack Flaherty
Full trade: Los Angeles Dodgers acquires Flaherty from Detroit in exchange for catcher Thayron Liranzo and shortstop Trey Sweeney.
Dodgers grade: A-
At a trade deadline that saw several teams grossly overpay for starting pitching, leave it to the Dodgers to land a high-profile arm for a rather modest price. Flaherty was undoubtedly the top rental starter available and could be the final piece Los Angeles needs to get over the hump in the postseason.
In 18 starts this season, Flaherty has posted a 2.95 ERA and a career-low 0.956 WHIP with 133 strikeouts, the 15th-most in the majors.
Tigers grade: C+
Detroit held out as long as it could to raise Flaherty's price, only to net Los Angeles' Nos. 8 and 22 prospects. Even so, the switch-hitting catcher Liranzo, who hit 24 home runs in 2023, has plenty of power, though his .220/.344/.356 slash line this season does raise some concerns.
Sweeney, a 2021 first-round pick by the New York Yankees, isn't a particularly exciting prospect, but he should be ready to make an impact at the major league level next season.
More must-reads:
- Pirates add offensive help in trades with Marlins and Blue Jays
- Guardians taking significant gamble with Alex Cobb
- The '250-strikeout MLB seasons' quiz
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