MLB Starting Nine: Trade Deadline Edition

The MLB Trade Deadline is officially in the rearview mirror and it's time to assess how the contenders did as the season winds down to the final 60 games. Here is how the top teams stack up after the deadline:

#1. Philadelphia Phillies 65-42 (+250/+500) - The Phillies helped themselves with depth at the deadline. They added outfielder Austin Hayes to give them a righthanded bat with experience and gave themselves more options in the pen by picking up Carlos Estevez from the Angels. He could step into a closer role or be used in high-leverage situations. Grade: B

#2. Baltimore Orioles 64-44 (+360/+750) - The Orioles picked up starter Zach Eflin to add to their starting rotation, a righty and lefty reliever combo in Serathony Dominguez and southpaw Gregory Soto and then finished off the deadline by adding DH/OF Eloy Jimenez from the White Sox. Did they do enough to address their bullpen issues? Hard to say but Jimenez certainly adds more pop to an already potent lineup. Grade: B-

#3. LA Dodgers 63-45 (+160/+330) - The Dodgers went less for the big splash this year than they did addressing key needs. The Dodgers fortified their infield depth with the additions of Rosario and Edman. They added outfield insurance by picking up defensive-minded Kevin Kiermaier and a potential difference-maker in the bullpen, Michael Kopech. Then, the Dodgers did make somewhat of a splash on Tuesday with the trade for Tigers righty Jack Flaherty. Flaherty has shown plus stuff this season with the return of his swing-and-miss stuff. The Dodgers have done their best not to be left short in the rotation this postseason. Grade: A-

#4. New York Yankees 64-45 (+255/+550) - The Yankees were relatively quiet after picking up Jazz Chisholm Jr from the Marlins. They did add Al Leiter Jr. to use in their pen but this team could probably have used a starter, especially with Cole’s dip in velocity and his scratch from yesterday’s start. Chisholm started with four home runs in two games but his weak defense and questionable clubhouse character could eventually be an issue. Grade: C+

#5. Cleveland Guardians 65-42 (+450/+1100) - The Guardians added another arm to their rotation by picking up right-handed starter Alex Cobb from the Giants. The best addition, however, is the trade for outfielder Lane Thomas of the Nationals. Thomas’ overall numbers are down this season but he’s been playing well as of late and provides speed and pop for the Guardians from the right side of the plate. Grade: B

#6. Milwaukee Brewers 61-46 (+850/+2000) - The Brewers addressed their needs in the starting rotation by adding Aaron Civale a few weeks ago and then Frankie Montas of the Reds yesterday. Are they better? Hard to say given that Civale and Montas both have the makeup of fourth and fifth starters. Montas has the most playoff upside but neither is a difference maker. Christian Yellich’s back injury could alter the rest of their season if he is unable to get on the field. Grade: C

#7. Minnesota Twins 58-48 (+700/1600) - The Twins nearly stayed put at the deadline before finally adding RHP Trever Richards from the Blue Jays to give them bullpen depth. Hardly the kind of earth-shattering trade that fills the fanbase with confidence. This team could have used a starting pitcher. Grade: D

#8. Seattle Mariners 57-52 (+1200/+2800) - Mariners fans can’t fault their team for trying. The Mariners have the best rotation in baseball and one that is built for the playoffs. They did not, however, have a playoff-caliber lineup. The Mariners went out and added veterans Justin Turner and Randy Arozarena to bolster their everyday lineup. The Mariners then added two bullpen pieces in Yimi Garcia and JT Chargois. Grade: B+

#9. Atlanta Braves 57-49 (+600/+1200) - The Braves decided against paying big for a starting pitcher, instead adding a piece for their lineup and bullpen in a deal with the Giants that netted former Braves World Series MVP Jorge Solar and another former Brave from that 2021 World Series team, reliever Luke Jackson. Should the Braves have added a starting pitcher? Grade: B-

Best of the Rest:

Houston 55-52 (+700/+1200) - The Astros are right there in the AL West Division and are in the hunt for a wildcard spot as well. The late addition of starter Yusei Kikuchi from the Blue Jays could fortify the Astros’ inconsistent rotation. Surprisingly, the Astros did not go for a power bat to play first base. Grade: B-

KC 59-49 (+1500/+4500) - The Royals did what they could with a low budget. The team added pitching help in starter Mike Lorenzen from the Rangers and some infield depth and power in Paul DeJong of the White Sox. Grade: B

San Diego 58-51 (+1300/+3000) - The Padres got hot at the right time and their improved play convinced management to get active. Along with the eventual returns of starting pitchers Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish and RF Fernando Tatis Jr., the Padres brought in help in the form of Marlins closer Tanner Scott and Rays relief specialist Jason Adams. The Padres’ bullpen went from mediocre to top ten with those two moves. Grade: A-

Arizona 57-51 (+1900/+4000) - The defending National League Champs are very much in the playoff hunt and made two solid moves at the deadline. They added a reliable closer in AJ Puk of the Marlins and followed that up with another deal with Miami, netting Josh Bell to provide immediate help with 1B Christian Walker heading to the IL. Grade: B+

Boston 56-50 (+2800/+6000) - The Red Sox have made a late surge to get themselves back in the playoff picture and addressed some pitching issues as well as adding a RH bat at the deadline. Boston brought in James Paxton from the Dodgers, returning to the team after signing with the Dodgers this offseason. Boston traded for catcher Dan Jansen of the Jays and he can provide some right-handed pop off the bench. On the final day of the deadline, Boston traded for relievers Luis Garcia and Lucas Sims. Both can provide help to an overworked and struggling Boston bullpen. Grade: C

New York Mets 57-50 (+2000/+5000) - The Mets were likely content to chalk this up as a rebuilding year before a burst at the end of the first half got the team back in the playoff picture. They responded by adding hard-throwing reliever Ryne Stanek and outfielder Jesse Winker, who is good insurance if Sterling Marte doesn’t come back. When starter Senga went down for the season with a calf injury, the Mets suddenly needed a starter and they flew under the radar with the trade for Paul Blackburn out of Oakland. Grade: B+

St. Louis 55-52 (+3500/+8000) - The Cardinals moves at the deadline felt like the moves of a team that isn’t quite sure if they’re in it or out of it in the NL playoff picture. The Cardinals added Tommy Pham to give them depth in the outfield and a power right-handed bat and starter Erick Fedde to give them more starting rotation depth. Pham and Fedde both feel like plan B additions but time will tell. Grade: C

Pittsburgh 55-52 (+7000/+11,000) - The Pirates have a chance to make a late run at the NL Central Division title with arguably the most talented starting rotation arms in the NL. Rookie sensation Paul Skens along with Mitch Keller and soon-to-be returning Jared Jones gives the Pirates as good a 1-2-3 rotation as there is in the NL. Then throw in the stellar work of Ortiz since converting to a starter and the Pirates have something going on. The Pirates made some critical trades yesterday, adding Isiah Kiner-Falefa to serve as a second baseman with Nick Gonzalez likely out and Bryan De La Cruz to give their lineup increased pop. Grade: B+

*All odds courtesy of Draftkings.com

By Mark Ruelle