1 Word to Describe Every MLB Team After the 2024 Trade Deadline
Tim KellyAugust 2, 20241 Word to Describe Every MLB Team After the 2024 Trade Deadline0 of 10
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Major League Baseball’s trade deadline came and went Tuesday. Here’s a look at some of the biggest names to move.
– IF/OF Jazz Chisholm Jr. traded from Miami Marlins to New York Yankees
– LF Randy Arozarena traded from Tampa Bay Rays to Seattle Mariners
– Reliever Carlos EstĂ©vez traded from Los Angeles Angels to Philadelphia Phillies
– Reliever Tanner Scott traded from Marlins to San Diego Padres
– RHP Zach Eflin traded from Rays to Baltimore Orioles
– RHP Jack Flaherty traded from Detroit Tigers to Los Angeles Dodgers
With a slew of big names in new places, here’s one word to describe each team post-trade deadline.
Stayin’ Alive1 of 10
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Arizona Diamondbacks: Dangerous
Losing Christian Walker to an oblique strain is unfortunate, but the Diamondbacks added A.J. Puk, Josh Bell and Dylan Floro prior to the deadline. They went 17-8 in July, a month where Corbin Carroll posted an .822 OPS. If Walker, Merrill Kelly and Eduardo RodrĂguez all return healthy, the Snakes will be very much alive.
Atlanta Braves: Alive
Speaking of alive, the Braves have lost Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider for the year, with Ozzie Albies Michael Harris II and Max Fried currently with them on the IL. When you factor in that Matt Olson, Austin Riley and Sean Murphy have disappointed this year, you’d think 2024 would be a lost cause. Yet, the Braves brought back former World Series MVP Jorge Soler at the trade deadline, and find themselves in control of the top wild-card spot in the NL and still within striking distance of a struggling Philadelphia Phillies team in the NL East. It would be a mistake to count out the six-time defending NL East Champions.
MLB @MLBJACKSON HOLLIDAY!
His first big league homer is a grand slam! pic.twitter.com/UhYSrT2MiQ
Baltimore Orioles: Deeper
Whether General Manager Mike Elias did enough to take advantage of what may be the club’s lone year with ace Corbin Burnes remains to be seen, but the O’s are definitely even better after an active deadline. Granted, both Seranthony DomĂguez and Gregory Soto were struggling with the Phillies, but each has great stuff and postseason experience. Eflin gives the Orioles another postseason starter, one who also has pitched in October before. Still, the biggest deadline addition for Baltimore will likely be baseball’s No. 1 overall prospect Jackson Holliday, who hit a grand slam in his first game since being recalled.
And You Say Chi City? 2 of 10
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Boston Red Sox: Overachievers
Led by breakout seasons from center fielder Jarren Duran and RHP Tanner Houck — along with the continued excellence of third baseman Rafael Devers — the Red Sox are in wild-card contention in the AL. Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow made some minor additions prior to the deadline, adding catcher Danny Jansen, LHP James Paxton and reliever Luis GarcĂa. At the very least, it’s been a much more fun season for the Red Sox than anticipated.
Chicago Cubs: Purgatory
The Cubs made a good move to acquire Isaac Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays, and were wise not to seriously listen to trade inquiries on ace Justin Steele. But they remain in last place in the NL Central, and short of a recommitment from ownership on spending like a major-market team, it’s unclear why the Cubs will be any better than a middling club in 2025.
Daryl Van Schouwen @CST_soxvanGarrett Crochet this morning. Still a White Sox. pic.twitter.com/ymNGuqyILR
Chicago White Sox: Disaster
For those of you scoring at home, the White Sox are challenging the 2003 Detroit Tigers, who went 43-119, for the worst single-season record in a 162-game season. And the consensus is general manager Chris Getz didn’t do well in the three-team trade that sent RHP Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham to the St. Louis Cardinals. The White Sox also elected to keep their two most intriguing trade candidates: center fielder Luis Robert Jr. and LHP Garrett Crochet. Both had complicated trade candidacies, but should have been dealt in a seller’s market. Come this offseason, both Robert and Crochet will still have durability concerns, but they’ll be available for one less playoff run to interested suitors.
The Three C’s 3 of 10
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Cincinnati Reds: Disappointing
The Reds were a trendy pick to emerge as the NL Central winners before the season. Instead, they’ve been hit hard with injuries this year—including being without infielder Matt McLain for the full season—and didn’t get the bounce-back they hoped for from RHP Frankie Montas. The Reds dealt Montas to the Brewers, but seemingly missed a chance to capitalize on the value of a resurgent Jonathan India. Frankly, a team with a +35 run differential should be better than 52-56.
Cleveland Guardians: Intriguing
Was adding Alex Cobb—who has yet to pitch this year as he recovers from hip surgery last October—enough to improve a starting rotation currently led by Tanner Bibee and Ben Lively? Probably not. But man, the rest of the roster is really good. Emmanuel Clase, Hunter Gaddis, Cade Smith and Tim Herrin headline a bullpen that has essentially made it a lock the Guardians will win if they have a lead after six innings. And Lane Thomas was a nice addition to a lineup where JosĂ© RamĂrez, Steven Kwan, David Fry and Josh Naylor are all having excellent seasons.
Rob Friedman @PitchingNinjaYo Emmanuel Clase, that 3 pitch sequence is just mean. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/cDXAmkc7lA
Colorado Rockies: Directionless
Not only did the Rockies decide to keep third baseman Ryan McMahon and RHP Cal Quantrill, but they also held on to 33-year-old Elias DĂaz and 34-year-old Jacob Stallings, two catchers in contract years that likely don’t have futures with the team. They’ll probably re-sign Charlie Blackmon to a one-year deal in the offseason and continue to rely on the beauty of Coors Field to attract fans to watch a team that hasn’t been worth a damn in more than half a decade.
‘I Guess We’ll Never Know’ 4 of 10
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Detroit Tigers: Singular
Short of getting the aforementioned Holliday in return, it made no sense for the Tigers to seriously consider trading ace Tarik Skubal. Not only do the Tigers have Skubal for two more seasons before he can become a free agent, but the 27-year-old’s pursuit of the AL Cy Young Award is really the only reason to watch the Tigers the rest of this season. With MLB-best marks in ERA (2.35) and ERA+ (181), Skubal is at the forefront of the race. Maybe if he wins the Tigers will celebrate by spending in free agency and surrounding him with a competitive team.
Houston Astros: Unrelenting
When the Astros stormed back to win the AL West last year, third baseman Alex Bregman put his own twist on Kanye West’s iconic “I guess we’ll never know” grammy speech. It’s been a disappointing contract year for Bregman in 2024, but slugger Yordan Alvarez, RHP Ronel Blanco and second baseman Jose Altuve have helped the Astros to dig out of an early hole. If RHP Justin Verlander and right fielder Kyle Tucker return healthy in the second half, the Astros may wind up winning yet another AL West title.
Houston Astros @astrosI guess we’ll never know 🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/86jCyYO8d8
Kansas City Royals: Fun
A year after winning just 56 games, the Royals currently find themselves in a tie for the second wild-card spot in the AL. Perhaps they are too reliant on the quartet of RHP Seth Lugo, LHP Cole Ragans, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and catcher Salvador Perez, but it’s helped to produce the best season in nearly a decade. It would be a massive accomplishment for general manager J.J. Picollo, manager Matt Quatraro and the Royals organization to go from a mess a season ago to the playoffs this year. Being on pace to snap an eight-year postseason drought makes them one of the best stories of the 2024 campaign.
They Not Like Us5 of 10
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Los Angeles Angels: Uncommitted
General Manager Perry Minasian seemingly did well in the trade package he received from the Phillies for reliever Carlos EstĂ©vez, but then failed to further capitalize on a seller’s market by trading infielder Luis Rengifo or outfielder Taylor Ward. With both center fielder Mike Trout and third baseman Anthony Rendon perpetually on the injured list, it feels like this is a team that should have long since committed to a full-on rebuild. Instead, they’re doing whatever this is.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Pressure
One of these teams on this slide isn’t like the other two. But with that comes as much pressure as is on any team in the sport. Even though he’s only DHing this year, Shohei Ohtani might run away with the NL MVP. The Dodgers are going to get back INF/OF Mookie Betts from a left hand fracture well before the postseason, and he’ll rejoin a lineup that also includes first baseman Freddie Freeman, outfielder Teoscar Hernández and catcher Will Smith. The biggest question comes with their pitching, which added Jack Flaherty prior to the trade deadline, but has serious questions remaining on whether Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Bobby Miller and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be healthy and/or effective in October. Still, anything short of a World Series will be disappointing.
Miami Marlins @MarlinsToday’s Lineup.
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⏰: 12:10 PM ET pic.twitter.com/6Fl2Whze1C
Miami Marlins: Nondescript
The Marlins are without star pitchers Sandy Alcántara and Eury Pérez for the season. They traded away two-time batting champion Luis Arráez in May. It was clear President of Baseball Operations Peter Bendix was going to tear this club down and rebuild it in his image. Bendix seemingly did really well with the return he got from the Orioles for LHP Trevor Rogers—who would have been an offseason non-tender candidate—but this is going to be one of the most nondescript baseball teams in MLB history for the remainder of the season after also trading away Jazz Chisholm Jr., Tanner Scott, Bryan Hoeing, Josh Bell, A.J. Puk, Bryan De La Cruz and J.T. Chargois prior to the deadline.
Smooth Jazz6 of 10
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Milwaukee Brewers: Persistent
It feels like we’ve been waiting for the Brewers to hit a wall all season, and it hasn’t come. They bought low on Montas, which could be a shrewd move considering how little experience their starting rotation has behind Freddy Peralta. Closer Devin Williams also recently made his season debut, returning to a bullpen that should be one of the best in the NL once Trevor Megill and Bryan Hudson come back from the injured list. Ultimately, Milwaukee’s campaign may come down to whether former NL MVP Christian Yelich is able to successfully rehab his lower back inflammation and avoid season-ending surgery.
Minnesota Twins: Sneaky
Not only are the Twins currently tied for the second wild-card spot in the junior circuit, but they aren’t entirely out of the AL Central race as they chase the Guardians. Minnesota had a relatively quiet deadline, adding RHP Trevor Richards in a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. But oft-injured infielder Royce Lewis recently returned from the IL, and RHP Pablo LĂłpez posted a 3.90 ERA in July, quite the improvement over what he did in April-June. If center fielder Byron Buxton also heats up, internal improvements could make the Twins a tough out in the postseason.
Andrew Marchand @AndrewMarchandRickie Ricardo is gaining some momentum in Yankees post-Sterling radio booth pic.twitter.com/JG5IbETfeF
New York Yankees: Jazzy
As Jazz Chisholm Jr. clubbed four home runs in two games at Citizens Bank Park this week, Yankees radio voice Rickie Ricardo provided some John Sterling-esque soundbites, referring to the electric INF/OF as both “Smooth Jazz” and “a Bronx Bomber from the Bahamas.” Call him what you want, Chisholm is a mega talent that’s finally out of Miami. Could he be the third star in Aaron Boone’s lineup that alleviates some of the pressure on Aaron Judge and Juan Soto? It sure looks like it early on.
‘Superstars Got to Show Up’7 of 10
Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
New York Mets: OMG
The Mets season has bordered on disaster a few times, but first-year manager Carlos Mendoza has steadied the ship when needed. Francisco Lindor is a quiet NL MVP candidate, while Mark Vientos, J.D. Martinez, Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Sean Manaea and Luis Severino have all had productive seasons. Edwin DĂaz and Jeff McNeil each turned their campaigns around in July, while veteran Jose Iglesias—you may know him better by his stage name, “Candelita”— has been a positive influence on the field and in the clubhouse. The Mets are very much in the NL wild-card race.
SNY Mets @SNY_MetsOMG! Candelita (Jose Iglesias) shut down Citi Field with a performance of his new song ‘OMG!’ 🎵 pic.twitter.com/PUpLv3NJBP
Oakland Athletics: Fishy
The conversation here should be about a budding core with DH Brent Rooker, outfielders Lawrence Butler and JJ Bleday and closer Mason Miller. But instead the final two months of the season will seemingly mark the end of the organization’s time in Oakland, with owner John Fisher ripping the club away from the city it’s called home since 1969 for a possible future in Las Vegas that includes what will be at least a three-year detour in Sacramento. It’s embarrassing that the sport has allowed Fisher to operate unchecked.
Philadelphia Phillies: Frozen
The Phillies added relievers Carlos EstĂ©vez and Tanner Banks, along with outfielder Austin Hays prior to the trade deadline. Ultimately, though, Bryce Harper was right when he said “the superstars got to show up.” That refers largely to him, as he hit just .149 in July after previously winning NL Player of the Month in May and June. But the Phillies also need All-Star lefty Ranger Suárez to get healthy, and for shortstop Trea Turner and reliever JosĂ© Alvarado to get back on track after recent struggles. While it’s not time to panic, the Phillies are 3-9 since the All-Star Break and went 10-14 in July. They need to, in Harper’s words, “cowboy up.”
The Jolly Paul8 of 10
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Pittsburgh Pirates: Raised
With the starting-pitching trio of Paul Skenes, Jared Jones and Mitch Keller, the Jolly Roger has already been raised 55 times this season. Pittsburgh has a chance to not only post their first winning record since 2018, but to reach the postseason for the first time since 2015. Whether or not acquiring Bryan De La Cruz and Isiah Kiner-Falefa gives the Pirates enough offense to go on a run over the final two months of the season, it’s encouraging to see Pittsburgh trying to reach the postseason.
San Diego Padres: Relevant
You can question whether Padres President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller is capable of building a coherent team, as opposed to just assembling talent. But one thing is for sure, Preller keeps the Padres more in the conversation than they ever were before he arrived. This trade season was no different, as Preller acquired relievers Tanner Scott, Bryan Hoeing and Jason Adam. San Diego is 9-2 since the All-Star Break, and still has the returns of right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. and RHP Joe Musgrove to look forward to.
San Francisco Giants: Pink
Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi learned under two Hall of Fame-level executives in Billy Beane and Andrew Friedman, but outside of a Cinderella season in 2021, hasn’t been able to replicate the success of his two mentors. The Giants are under .500, and still have the same lack of superstars as when he arrived in November of 2018. A year after manager Gabe Kapler was dismissed, you wonder whether Zaidi will receive a pink slip from San Francisco ownership in the coming months.
The Randy Man Can9 of 10
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Seattle Mariners: Questionable
President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto completed one of the biggest deals of the trade season, landing outfielder Randy Arozarena from the Tampa Bay Rays. It was a much-needed addition for a lineup that’s been one of the worst in the league this season. But was adding Arozarena and Justin Turner—while hoping that Julio RodrĂguez and J.P. Crawford get better results when they return from the IL—enough to take advantage of a World Series-caliber rotation? That’s fair to wonder.
St. Louis Cardinals: Competitive
Give the Cardinals credit, they seemed destined early in the season to be sellers. Instead, President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak added prior to the deadline—acquiring RHP Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham—with his club in the midst of both the NL Central and NL wild-card races. With an ancient starting rotation and diminishing returns from third baseman Nolan Arenado and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, the Cardinals may have to consider a retool in the offseason. But for at least another summer, they are competing.
MLB @MLBChristopher Morel with @RaysBaseball:
2 games, 2 homers đź’Ş pic.twitter.com/eJXNG6FLK5
Tampa Bay Rays: Smart
It’s true, a major-market fanbase wouldn’t have accepted the Rays being one of the biggest sellers in baseball when they are less than five games out of a wild-card spot. But President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander was able to take advantage of a seller’s market by moving the aforementioned Arozarena, third baseman Isaac Paredas, RHP Zach Eflin and reliever Jason Adam. The Rays acquired two high-upside players whose development had stalled a bit in outfielder Dylan Carlson and DH/INF Christopher Morel. Tampa Bay also landed two right-handed pitchers that are now top-10 prospects in their system in Dylan Lesko and Brody Hopkins.
A Blue World10 of 10
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Texas Rangers: Lurking
The Rangers are a team that bought and sold at the deadline, trading away RHP Michael Lorenzen to the Royals, but adding reliever Andrew Chafin in a deal with the Tigers. Texas’ success in the second half was always going to come down to internal improvements, or lack thereof. Josh Jung is back after missing most of the season with a right wrist fracture, while RHP Jacob deGrom, RHP Tyler Mahle, LHP Jon Gray and outfielder Evan Carter could all return in the second half. Will the defending World Series Champions have enough to sneak into the playoffs?
Toronto Blue Jays: Delusional
Blue Jays General Manager Ross Atkins got a massive return for LHP Yusei Kikuchi—a rental with a 4.75 ERA this year—from the Houston Astros, but failed to further take advantage of a seller’s market. Surely, teams would have loved to trade for righties Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman, both of whom are under contract beyond this season. Meanwhile, it’s unclear what the plan with first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette is. If there isn’t a belief that they will be able to reach long-term deals with them, why wouldn’t Toronto have maximized the return for one or both, given that 2025 will be a contract year?
Jays Journal @JaysJournalAccording to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Bo Bichette has told people close to him that he “would welcome a trade” from the #BlueJays. Feels like this is not going to end well.
https://t.co/T7H5EUZC99
Washington Nationals: Upcoming
The Nationals moved veteran outfielders Jesse Winker and Lane Thomas, but held onto closer Kyle Finnegan. With James Wood having graduated to the majors and No. 2 prospect Dylan Crews perhaps not far behind, the Nationals may have felt like they had a surplus of talent in the outfield. Veteran reliever Dylan Floro was traded to the Diamondbacks, but he was a rental. Holding onto Finnegan—who has 28 saves and was an All-Star this season—may be an indication that President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo believes the team has a chance to compete for the playoffs in 2025.
