3 winners and 3 losers at the MLB Trade Deadline

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The MLB Trade Deadline has come and gone. For the most part, teams have their rosters set as they look to clinch a playoff berth, with waiver claims and injuries the only moves left to make. For rebuilding teams, prospects have been brought in, carrying with them the hope of a better future.

While the future is down the road, and even those trades that make perfect sense may not pan out, there is the desire to figure out which teams won and lost at the deadline. In some cases, that is easy to determine. In others, that may take years as prospects develop. Grades can change over time. But that is a concern for then.

The MLB Trade Deadline has come and gone. Let’s take a look at three winners and three losers from the past few days.

3 winners and three losers from the MLB Trade Deadline

Winner – New York Yankees

The Yankees had already started their checklist early when they acquired Andrew Benintendi towards the end of July. They they added a pair of relievers and Frankie Montas on August 1, filling the remaining holes on their roster.

But they saved the best for last. Not only was Joey Gallo traded, but they actually received a decent prospect in return by landing Clayton Beeter. This was a case of addition by subtraction and a fitting capstone to an impressive showing at the deadline.

Loser – Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies did nothing at the MLB Trade Deadline last year. This year, they extended a 37 year old closer by handing him a two year contract worth $19 million. And that was it.

One would think that the Rockies would learn their lesson from 2021. And they did have pieces that were of interest this year. But this is the same team that thinks they can contend despite all the evidence staring them in the face. Nothing they do makes sense at this point as the Rockies live in a world far removed from reality. And we can probably use this exact same blurb next year as well.

Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner – San Diego Padres

The Padres made up for their disappointment at the MLB Trade Deadline last year in a major way. After watching Max Scherzer slip away at the last minute, they dropped a pair of nuclear bombs.

First, the Padres made one of the most surprising trades of the deadline when they acquired Josh Hader from the Brewers, adding the most dominant closer in the game to their roster. Then, they emptied the farm to bring in Juan Soto and Josh Bell, shoring up their lineup. Getting rid of Eric Hosmer and bringing in a backup catcher, as well as utility man Brandon Drury, was just the icing on the cake.

The Padres needed to improve their roster to truly have a chance at a championship. It is clearly World Series or Bust now.

Loser – Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers did add some pieces, bringing in Trevor Rosenthal, Matt Bush, and Taylor Rogers to fortify the bullpen. Dinelson Lamet is an intriguing arm provided he can stay healthy. And they did add a pair of solid prospects as well. Their return certainly was not terrible.

It is the fact that the Brewers gave up Josh Hader that made them one of the losers of the deadline. Yes, they made several moves to improve the bullpen, but Hader is the best closer in the game. He went through a similar clod stretch last year at the trade deadline, only to dominate again immediately afterwards. Maybe, just maybe, those trade rumors were the problem.

The Brewers said they had to trade Hader to keep their window open for the foreseeable future. However, for a team that has never won a championship, getting that first title matters even more.

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner – Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies are baseball’s version of Groundhog Day – every year, they have the exact same problems, and every year, they fail to fix them no matter how hard they try.

As expected, the Phillies went into the deadline with those same issues. They needed a center fielder, help in the bullpen, and another starting pitcher. They acquired those pieces by landing Brandon Marsh, Noah Syndergaard, and David Robertson.

Even more important, the Phillies added by subtracting. Odubel Herrera, who is almost as beloved as mosquitoes and the average politician, is out the door. Jeurys Familia, who has been napalm on the mound, followed soon after. Just getting rid of that duo would be a victory, but adding the pieces needed for a playoff push made it even better.

Loser – Baltimore Orioles

On one hand, you have to give the Orioles credit for sticking to their plan and looking to the future. On the other hand, they made a pair of trades that may have gutted the morale of the team.

It makes sense to trade Trey Mancini and Jorge Lopez from a strictly numbers standpoint. Mancini is an impending free agent and Lopez is having a career year. At the same time, the Orioles have been that plucky team that could and are on the vestiges of a playoff push. Even adding a relatively minor piece would have sent a huge message to the team and could make an impact for years to come.

dark. Next. A closer look at the Nationals' return for Juan Soto, Josh Bell

The Orioles had a chance to be a major surprise in the final two months. Instead, they listened to the formula, which could prove to be a mistake.

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