Well, here we are: the final day of madness. At 6 p.m. ET tonight, the MLB trade deadline will pass, and we can look ahead to the pennant and wild-card races that loom. But for now, let’s lean into the chaos.
First, a catch-up: we’ve been keeping tabs on every trade that has happened so far, so if you need a quick reference (including links to all our grades and analysis), here they are:
- Thursday-Saturday
- Sunday
- Monday
Further, if you’re looking for a list of our Top 50 players who could be (some of whom now have been) traded, here’s our deadline Big Board, and for a blow-by-blow trip through the last few days, here’s our live blog.
Now let’s take a look at where each team stands as we slam down the gas pedal and pray for that finish line. In a futile attempt to keep things remotely organized, we’re going to arrange these sections by division, starting with the …
NL West
- Dodgers: Los Angeles added two players with defensive versatility on Monday (Amed Rosario, Tommy Edman) and a back-end reliever (Michael Kopech), but even with the contribution of River Ryan, they could still use another starter before the deadline.
- Padres: They made their big bullpen addition over the weekend (Jason Adam, Rays), but could still use another starter.
- Diamondbacks: Arizona is still right on the verge of a wild-card position, with starters Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez returning sometime in August. That shouldn’t stop them from looking for one more starter, but it might be a governor on how much they’re willing to pay.
- Giants: One of the bigger questions remaining: Will the Giants trade Blake Snell? Two weeks ago, it seemed impossible, but a 15-strikeout performance (albeit against the Rockies) might have come at the right time to catch the interest of a few contenders. As Grant Brisbee postulates, maybe the Giants could be buy-sellers (or sell-buyers). Late-breaking last night: They’ve shipped Jorge Soler to the Braves.
- Rockies: Sellers sell, but now the question is whether they’ll trade guys with more years of control than half-season rentals. The remaining free-agents-to-be on the roster are catcher Elias Díaz, RHP Daniel Bard (out for the year, flexor tendon surgery) and Charlie Blackmon (seems unlikely to be dealt).
Rockies catcher Elias Diáz. (Kyle Ross / USA Today)
NL Central
- Brewers: They addressed the rotation, sorta, with the Frankie Montas trade. Was that enough, or are they still in the market?
- Cardinals: Big winners of a three-way deal on Monday, the Cardinals’loneremaining stated need is a back-end reliever.
- Pirates: Neither of their trades addressed their biggest need: a dependable bat or three. Making matters worse, both Joshua Palacios and Ji-Hwan Bae left Monday’s 5-3 win over Houston with apparent injuries. Further, Jack Suwinski was sent to the minor leagues. Have to expect a move or two today, no?
- Reds:Their relievers are on the market, but so far, they’ve traded Frankie Montas and added Ty France. Given the number of infielders on the Cincinnati roster, does this mean more departures are coming?
- Cubs: The last chip to fall might be Jameson Taillon. The Astros had interest, but if their acquisition of Yusei Kikuchi takes them out of the mix, there are still plenty of teams who need a starter.
NL East
- Phillies: Even after the addition of Carlos Estévez, the Phillies might be looking to put the finishing touches on their bullpen.
- Braves: Late last night, they added a big bat (Jorge Soler) and bullpen help (Luke Jackson) in a trade with the Giants and it looks like good news on Reynaldo López, so perhaps another starter isn’t as big a priority now.
- Mets: New addition Ryne Stanek allowed two home runs in his Mets debut, and lefty Jake Diekman has been designated for assignment. So are the Mets — buying for nowand later — still looking for bullpen help, or do they pursue a starter as they look to the present and future?
- Nationals: After sending Lane Thomas to the Guardians, the Nats still have a few upcoming free agents they could deal today, including Trevor Williams, Dylan Floro, and Joey Gallo (though the latter has an $8 million mutual option for next year).
- Marlins: Believe it or not, there are still players in Miami who could be traded — left-handed reliever Tanner Scott seems the most likely, and first baseman Josh Bell, who was recently placed on waivers, also seems to be on his way out. They’re the last two on the roster due to hit free agency this offseason.
Marlins All-Star Tanner Scott. (Tim Heitman / USA Today)
AL West
- Astros: I can’t get over the price Houston paid for Yusei Kikuchi when — if everyone is healthy — I’m not 100 percent certain he’s even in a postseason starting rotation. My secondary question: Does this take them out of the mix for Jameson Taillon, Jack Flaherty or other still-available starters?
- Mariners: They got Justin Turner to help against left-handed pitching, but given their offensive ineptitude, proximity to a division lead and the injury to Julio Rodríguez, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they added more.
- Rangers: Trading Michael Lorenzen wasn’t an indication that they’re selling; they just had a surplus of starters (once a few guys get healthy). But will they add? Honestly, it feels like Texas might just stand pat today.
- Angels: Per Jim Bowden, the Angels have “a deal in place” for reliever Luis García. Expect them to be busy today, with Taylor Ward, Luis Rengifo, Tyler Andersen and Griffin Canning all possible departures.
- A’s: Mason Miller seems like a long shot to be dealt, but Lucas Erceg might want to keep a go-bag handy. Brent Rooker would be a huge addition for any team that needs a right-handed bat; let’s see if anyone matches up.
AL Central
- Guardians: They grabbed OF Lane Thomas from the Nationals, but the starting pitching needs remain.
- Twins: It’s always a little unnerving for fans when a contending team waits until the last day to make a trade. My guess is the Twins will add starting pitching.
- Royals: They’ve already added Michael Lorenzen and (much earlier) Hunter Harvey. Kansas City isn’t a big-budget team, so fans probably shouldn’t expect abig splash, but after a long stretch of losing seasons, they might add another piece or two to push their way into the postseason.
- Tigers: Jack Flaherty was scratched from his Monday start, but at the time of writing, he has not yet been traded. Expect this entry to age like guacamole.
- White Sox: The sell-off (finally) began on Monday, with the White Sox shipping out Erick Fedde, Tommy Pham and Michael Kopech. Was the return enough? The bigger question: Will Garrett Crochet and Luis Robert Jr. still be with the team by day’s end?
Luis Robert Jr. (Matt Marton / USA Today)
AL East
- Orioles: Per Ken Rosenthal, the Orioles are “… not done. They want to add a reliever, preferably left-handed, a right-handed hitting outfielder to replace Austin Hays and yes, maybe another starting pitcher, according to sources briefed on their plans.”
- Yankees: Juan Soto is excited. Nestor Cortes has heard the rumors, but wants to stay. Now the question in New York is: with needs remaining at starting pitcher, third base and the bullpen — what will they prioritize?
- Red Sox: Quinn Priester is, in fact a starting pitcher, but they’re still in the market, and could still be looking to add a right-handed infield bat.
- Rays: Who’s left to trade? RHP Shawn Armstrong and infielder Brandon Lowe ($10.5 million team option) are the lone upcoming free agents, but as we’ve seen already, that’s not necessarily the metric to use when asking about available Rays. Zack Littell, Pete Fairbanks and Yandy Díaz have all been rumored to still be available.
- Blue Jays:The only remaining question is how big the Blue Jays will go in the sell-off. The return for Yusei Kikuchi might encourage them to dive in on a seller’s market with bigger names like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or Bo Bichette. Or the return for DH Justin Turner might validate a conservative approach. If they don’t go big, upcoming free agents could still be next, including RHP Trevor Richards and OF Kevin Kiermaier. As for needs, they’re looking to beef up their starting pitching depth.
(Top photo of Jack Flaherty: Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images)
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Levi Weaver is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Texas Rangers. He spent two seasons covering the Rangers for WFAA (ABC) and has been a contributor to MLB.com and Baseball Prospectus. Follow Levi on Twitter @ThreeTwoEephus
