MLB Trade Deadline Review: AL Central Grades

The Major League Baseball trade deadline on Tuesday saw 31 deals made, with clubs getting their last chance to plug holes and improve their chances at making the postseason or to sell and get young prospects from contenders for those on expiring contracts.

In spite of the number of playoff teams being increased this season, the deadline saw teams still in the race for a wildcard spot sticking to their rebuild plan by shipping out key players, while other clubs that should have moved out pending free agents stood pat.

Here is what clubs in the AL Central did before Tuesday’s deadline:

Minnesota Twins

Needs – Starting Pitcher

Additions – Tyler Mahle, Michael Fulmer, Jorge Lopez, Sandy Leon

The Twins needed to bolster their rotation and add to their bullpen with their slim division lead and for the postseason. With the big-name starters gone, Minnesota moved three prospects to Cincinnati for innings-eater Mahle (114 K’s in 104 IP), a righty set-up man in Fulmer from Detroit, and a veteran backup catcher in Leon from Cleveland, but the real prize was Lopez, having a career year (19 saves, 1.68 ERA) and retainable for two more seasons.

Grade – A-

Cleveland Guardians

Needs – Outfield

Additions – None

Moved – Sandy Leon

The Guardians’ presence in the race for the division and the wildcard did not make President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti detour from their methodical and fiscally responsible approach adopted over the last few seasons. Other than dealing backup catcher Leon to the Twins, Cleveland stood pat and will rise or fall with what they have.

Grade – D

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Chicago White Sox

Needs – Depth Starter, Outfield, Catcher

Additions – Jake Diekman

Moved – Reese McGuire

As much as Cleveland has been a surprise, the reigning AL Central winner has been a disappointment, with a record barely over .500 record and an underachieving offense. Chicago is relying more on players already on the roster to perform better down the stretch to make a run for a playoff spot and was fairly quiet at the deadline, adding just lefty reliever Diekman from Boston in exchange for catcher Reese McGuire.

Grade – C-

Detroit Tigers

Moved – Michael Fulmer, Robbie Grossman

The Tigers were expected to be selling anything not nailed down, especially bullpen arms that are a valuable commodity to contenders down the stretch, but Detroit moved only Fulmer to Minnesota and outfielder Grossman to Atlanta for minor league prospects.

Grade – C+

Kansas City Royals

Moved – Andrew Benintendi, Whit Merrifield

The Royals were the first seller to move a big name with the deal sending Benintendi to the Yankees, but the return did not include any of New York’s top prospects. Former All-Star Merrifield has fallen off after hitting over .300 in 2018 and 2019, but Toronto saw value in still someone who still hit and play multiple positions.

Grade – B