2026 MLB trade deadline awards: Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, more
According to sources: Despite their celebrity acquisition, the Los Angeles Dodgers haven’t clinched the World Series … simply but.
This turned out to be a a lot more fascinating 2026 Major League Baseball trade deadline than we anticipated, with each staff in playoff competition making not less than one transfer — and often a number of strikes — to enhance their rosters. OK, possibly not the Detroit Tigers or Baltimore Orioles, who determined to give up on their declining playoff probabilities and trade away the 2 greatest names.
As ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote in his awards last year: Nobody does a deadline like baseball. And this one was one of the fascinating in years, even when it featured only one huge celebrity who was traded.
With quite a lot of anticipated offers, in addition to some more shocking ones, let’s have some enjoyable and hand out some awards within the wake of this 12 months’s deadline.
Cone principally created the fashionable trade deadline — effectively, more precisely, it was two Cone trades that led to the concept that each staff within the playoff race ought to look to make not less than semi-significant additions on the deadline. In 1992, Cone went from the New York Mets to the Toronto Blue Jays and helped them win the World Series. In 1995, he went from the Blue Jays (who had reacquired him in an earlier trade) to the New York Yankees and helped the Yankees attain the playoffs for the primary time since 1981 (after which re-signed with the Yankees and helped them win the World Series in 1996).
Skubal, because the reigning two-time Cy Young winner, goes down as one of many all-time rentals. Here are the highest 5 since Cone — pitchers solely, and solely contemplating these heading to free company (so no Justin Verlander in 2017, for instance):
1998: Randy Johnson, Seattle Mariners to Houston Astros. Johnson went 10-1 for the Astros, however they misplaced within the National League Division Series to the Padres.
2008: CC Sabathia, Cleveland to Milwaukee Brewers. Sabathia went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA, together with seven full video games in 17 begins, however the Brewers dropped the NLDS to the Philadelphia Phillies.
2010: Cliff Lee, Mariners to Texas Rangers. The 2008 Cy Young winner went simply 4-6 with a 3.98 ERA with Texas however did assist the Rangers attain the World Series, which they misplaced to the San Francisco Giants; he had three wins within the first two rounds of the playoffs.
2014: Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox to Athletics. Lester went 6-4 with a 2.35 ERA for the A’s after which began the one-game wild card in opposition to the Kansas City Royals. The A’s led 7-3 within the eighth inning, however Lester drained and the Royals ultimately received in 12 innings.
2021: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals to Dodgers. In 11 begins for the Dodgers, Mad Max went 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA. He got here up with a drained arm earlier than the National League Championship Series, nonetheless, and the Dodgers misplaced to the Atlanta Braves in six video games, with Scherzer making only one begin.
So, there you go, baseball followers. Five leases … and no World Series titles. Heck, throw in David Price to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015 (he went 9-1 with a 2.30 ERA however the Jays misplaced the American League Championship Series to the Royals) or Zack Greinke to the Los Angeles Angels in 2012 (they did not even make the playoffs). That’s 0-for-7 for the aces. Maybe you wish to embrace Johnny Cueto, who was considered as an ace when he was traded to the Royals in 2015 however went 4-7 with a 4.76 ERA and wasn’t their No. 1 starter within the playoffs. They did win the World Series, so if we stretch the definition a bit to incorporate him, that is 1-for-8.
The Philippe Petit Risk-Taking Award: Craig Breslow, Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox entered deadline day in third place within the American League East, 5 video games behind the Tampa Bay Rays and 2½ video games behind the Yankees. Usually, it is the groups already in first place who swing greatest on the trade deadline, trying to put the ending touches on a staff headed to the playoffs. The Red Sox do seem headed to the postseason, however on Monday morning their odds of profitable the division had been slightly below 11%, in response to FanGraphs.
Instead of taking a cautious method, Breslow went all-in, one thing few basic managers do on this period of prizing prospects like cherished household heirlooms, taking dangers the way in which Petit would throughout his infamous high-wire walks. Breslow had already traded rookie pitcher Connelly Early for Curtis Mead, a deal most thought the Red Sox overpaid on. Then he traded three of his prime 5 prospects for Adley Rutschman — trying to improve the catcher place, the place the Red Sox ranked twenty fifth in OPS — which is a stunning deal contemplating Rutschman has been on the injured listing 3 times this season and has only a year-plus of staff management. Then, Breslow traded former prime prospect Marcelo Mayer to the Giants for lefty reliever Erik Miller.
“I do think with the position that our team is in right now, the opportunity that we believe we have in front of us, it warranted being aggressive and meaningfully improving our outlook, and we’re hopeful that we did that today,” Breslow instructed reporters after the deadline.
Yes, the Red Sox had pitching depth to deal from, however going again to final offseason, the Sox have traded away Early, Kyle Harrison, Shane Drohan, Hunter Dobbins, Richard Fitts, Luis Perales and now Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon. (Breslow did get Jake Bennett again in one of many offers.) That’s an unimaginable quantity of main league and prospect pitching depth to trade away in a brief time period. It’s in all probability the mentality anticipated of a former participant: Win now, fear later. We’ll see whether or not it pays off.
The Anti-Sam Presti Award: Scott Harris, Detroit Tigers
Presti is the overall supervisor of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who constructed the 2025 NBA champions and all the time appears one step forward of the remainder of the league. Look at what he did this offseason, after the Thunder misplaced within the Western Conference finals to the San Antonio Spurs. First, he traded Luguentz Dort to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-way deal. A key under-the-radar facet to the trade: The Spurs personal Atlanta’s first-round choose in 2027, so buying and selling Dort to the Hawks ought to make Atlanta higher whereas thus hurting the Spurs’ draft place. Presti then signed ahead Spencer Jones of the Denver Nuggets — one other Western Conference rival — and whereas the Nuggets matched the provide, it meant the Nuggets’ projected tax penalty would enhance by $32 million until they shed cash (and gamers) in different trades.
Presti is concurrently trying to enhance the Thunder whereas additionally hurting his rivals. Meanwhile, Harris, Detroit’s president of baseball operations, traded Skubal, his greatest participant, whereas sitting simply 2½ video games out of a wild card spot with 50 video games nonetheless to play. Not solely did he trade Skubal — however he traded him to the Dodgers. Does Harris have an obligation to assist defend the remainder of the league from the Dodgers? Of course not. Could returning prospects Zyhir Hope and River Ryan make this an enormous win for the Tigers sooner or later? Yes. Should one other staff have stepped up and beat the Dodgers’ provide? We want.
Harris defined his rationale in buying and selling away Skubal to reporters, saying that it did not make sense to maintain the present group of Tigers collectively: “I don’t think, based on the way that we played over the first 112 games, that it made sense to do that. And so, once I came to peace with the answer to those questions being no, I thought it was in the best interest of this organization to make the trades that we made this week.”
Harris additionally traded Casey Mize, who had a decrease ERA with the Tigers this season than Skubal, to the San Diego Padres. At least he traded each gamers out of the American League. Still, it is protected to say: Nobody in MLB is enjoying a three-dimensional entrance workplace like Presti.
The A.J. Preller Award for Screw It, Trade the Prospects: A.J. Preller, San Diego Padres
Last 12 months, Preller traded Leo De Vries, one of many prime prospects in baseball, for reliever Mason Miller. The Padres went on to make the playoffs however misplaced within the wild-card sequence. This 12 months, the Padres went on a run heading into deadline day, squashing rumors of a potential Miller trade, and as a substitute dealt for Mize and Robbie Ray, two of the highest beginning pitchers accessible, to assist a determined rotation.
Included in these trades: No. 2 prospect Kash Mayfield, No. 7 Miguel Mendez and No. 11 Joniel Hernandez. One of the weakest farm programs simply bought weaker, however Preller had a easy rationalization.
“We’re trying to win,” he instructed reporters on a convention name. “We don’t apologize for it. We’re trying to win championships. We’re trying to get to the postseason and do it year after year.”
It’s a refreshing method, or not less than a distinct one in an period of groupthink, particularly contemplating groups resembling Detroit and Baltimore had been able not all that completely different from San Diego and determined to punt. Preller goes for it. The rotation now has three professional playoff starters in Michael King, Mize and Ray, plus a seasoned playoff pitcher in Walker Buehler. Throw within the terrifying Miller-led bullpen and the Padres have a staff constructed to win low-scoring playoff video games. They cannot outscore the Dodgers, however possibly they’ll outpitch them.
The We Made the Team Better however the Fans are Still Upset Award: New York Yankees
With Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger on the IL, the Yankees wanted some energy. They acquired Luis García Jr., who was solely main the National League in slugging share and is below staff management for one more season.
They additionally wanted a right-handed batter, they usually acquired Heliot Ramos, who has a lifetime OPS of .847 in opposition to left-handed pitching and is below staff management by means of 2029.
They did this with out buying and selling away any of their prime prospects, resembling George Lombard Jr. (who was called up on Tuesday as Anthony Volpe was optioned to Triple-A) or Dax Kilby or Elmer Rodriguez or Carlos Lagrange.
“One of our first areas of need was to try to upgrade the offense in any way, shape or form while waiting for important players to come back off the IL,” basic supervisor Brian Cashman instructed reporters. “Ramos crushes left-handed pitching, García crushes right-handed pitching … [manager] Aaron Boone has a better chance to match up than he did yesterday.”
Well completed, Cashman.
Or not. Because, you see, Yankees followers wished a catcher on the deadline, as if the franchise might merely snap its fingers and purchase Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson or Jorge Posada. Then once more, let’s be good right here and lower Yankees followers some slack: It has been 17 years since they’ve received a World Series.
The Phillies acquired Luis Arraez from the Giants, and since he stated on the All-Star Game that he solely needs to play second base, the Phillies plan to shift Bryson Stott to 3rd base (he has performed 15 innings there within the majors), Alec Bohm to first base (he has performed 136 video games there) and, extremely, Bryce Harper to the outfield so Arraez can slot in at second.
Kudos to Harper for texting president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski the night time earlier than the trade deadline that he would be willing to move off first base, however Harper final performed the outfield for eight video games in 2022, and he final performed often there in 2021 — when he ranked 96th out of 100 proper fielders in Statcast’s fielding vary runs saved. Five years later, you possibly can’t anticipate him to be higher on the market.
Now think about that the Phillies already ranked final within the majors in defensive runs saved. (Only Colorado has allowed a better batting common on balls in play.) They have made themselves worse at second base, the place Stott was enjoying Gold Glove-level protection this season, and virtually definitely worse within the outfield. Cue Georges Bizet’s “Les Toreadors.”
Speaking of the Bad News Bears and an outfielder who carried the staff, does J-Rod personal a bike and smoke cigarettes, like Kelly Leak did within the film? He may begin if he finally ends up being flanked by Randy Arozarena and Taylor Ward within the outfield. The Mariners made a much-needed offensive addition in getting Ward from Baltimore, however they will want to determine the right way to configure their outfield.
Arozarena enjoying in left subject this season has been an journey — and never in a great way. He’s within the sixteenth percentile in Statcast’s outs above common. Ward, additionally a left fielder, has been somewhat higher, rating within the forty second percentile, so he in all probability strikes to proper subject, however he hasn’t performed there since 2022. Or possibly Dominic Canzone, not precisely a Gold Glove candidate himself, performs proper. (He has been the first designated hitter.)
When unsure, Julio, go after the ball within the outfield.
A 12 months after coming within an inch of a World Series title, the Blue Jays determined to spin issues ahead to 2027 in an fascinating approach. They traded would-be free brokers Kevin Gausman (Chicago Cubs) and Daulton Varsho (Astros), that are typical deadline strikes. But additionally they traded prime No. 2 prospect Arjun Nimmala (and two others) for Angels starter Jose Soriano, who’s controllable by means of 2028. Toronto traded Jeff Hoffman to the Minnesota Twins for 3 prospects and Adam Macko to the Rangers for infielder Josh Smith. For some motive, the Jays additionally acquired impending free agent pitcher Jameson Taillon, who leads Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in house runs, 25 (given up) to 6 (hit).
It’s rebuilding with out tearing issues down. It’s looking forward to 2027 with out fully chucking up the sponge for 2026. The Blue Jays can envision a rotation in 2027 with Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, Soriano, Cody Ponce, Spencer Arrighetti and hopefully Jose Berrios. It was a artistic method to fixing the rotation. The offense will must be addressed within the offseason, however the Blue Jays put themselves in place to be more aggressive subsequent 12 months.
The This Year Isn’t Last Year Award: Minnesota Twins
Remember the Twins’ deadline final 12 months? They traded Jhoan Duran, Carlos Correa, Griffin Jax, Louis Varland, Harrison Bader, Willi Castro, Ty France, Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew and Tony Oliva in an all-time day of roster dumping.
They might have completed one thing comparable this 12 months. They might have traded Joe Ryan and Ryan Jeffers and Trevor Larnach and gotten some very good prospects in return. But they did not. Instead, they added. Nothing too huge, however not less than they’re attempting somewhat: They bought relievers Jeff Hoffman and A.J. Minter and starter Dean Kremer. Hoffman and Minter ought to assist a bullpen that has ranked within the backside third in ERA within the majors this season.
Of course, the irritating half right here is that the Twins entered the 12 months with a bullpen that clearly projected as one of many weakest within the league. It has primarily been fully overhauled since Opening Day. Maybe if the pen had been higher addressed within the offseason, the Twins could be main the division as a substitute of hoping their deadline strikes did not come too late.
The strikes will add about $8 million in payroll for the remainder of the season. No, that is hardly the Dodgers in motion, however for the Twins, it is a uncommon choice so as to add some wage as a substitute of pinching pennies.
Nice job, Twins … however not as good because the Guardians, who added All-Star left-hander Foster Griffin, first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, outfielder Jo Adell and reliever Craig Yoho. Hey, possibly groups do wish to beat the Dodgers!
In honor of the Guardians making some vital strikes on the trade deadline, we’re even creating this particular AL Central award only for them. Place it on the shelf proper subsequent to that 1948 World Series trophy.
OK, that was an inexpensive dig there. These strikes may truly assist. Griffin’s 3.5 WAR was the very best of any participant traded on the deadline. Lowe ought to be an improve at first base or DH, two positions the place the Guardians rank within the backside third of the majors in OPS. Adell is a low-OBP proper fielder however has some energy and has crushed lefties with a .910 OPS. Yoho is the form of reliever the Guardians will in all probability flip right into a high-leverage arm. They even bought Blake Perkins as a defensive alternative/pinch-running specialist. That’s a wonderful day of transacting.
The This Doesn’t Look Like 2021 Award: Atlanta Braves
Let’s see right here … Tyler Mahle, Brent Suter, Lane Thomas, Bailey Falter, Duncan Davitt, Tyler Uberstine. Yep, that was the Braves’ 2026 deadline haul — a far cry from basic supervisor Alex Anthopoulos’ notorious sequence of offers in 2021 that introduced in Jorge Soler, Joc Pederson, Eddie Rosario and Adam Duvall, resulting in a World Series title. (Rosario was the NLCS MVP and Soler the World Series MVP.)
So, what occurred? The Braves definitely might have used a starter with a greater rest-of-season projection than Mahle, or an outfielder with higher numbers than Thomas.
With a skinny farm system, it looks like Anthopoulos did not wish to pull off an even bigger deal that may have concerned certainly one of his prime prospects.
“A couple of years in the past, we might have gotten one of many elite starters within the sport, however Drake Baldwin would have been going out the door,” Anthopoulos instructed reporters. “That’s not to say those are easy decisions. You’d like to get deals done. But there’s certain asks you say yes to, and those are the deals that you do. And there’s certain ones you say no to.”
With a cushty lead within the NL East, there wasn’t essentially a motive to do something dangerous, however Atlanta’s rotation lacks a robust No. 2 starter behind Chris Sale.
The Breaking Up the Worst Team Money Could Buy Award: New York Mets
Gone: Clay Holmes
Gone: Luke Weaver
Gone: Freddy Peralta
Gone: Brooks Raley
Gone: Huascar Brazoban
Gone: A.J. Minter
Still right here: Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, Marcus Semien, Mark Vientos, Kodai Senga, Devin Williams, Sean Manaea and Luis Robert Jr.
That group of eight gamers is making a mixed $161.8 million in 2026 and had produced minus-4.9 WAR as of deadline day. Heck, throw in Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor, and also you’re paying $257 million — more than the Opening Day payrolls of all however 4 different groups — and you are still in destructive WAR.
Also gone: Mets followers’ pleasure.
