Photo Credit: mlb.com

Over the last few seasons, the addition of the extra playoff spots has led to fewer teams selling at the deadline, resulting in fewer players traded and more teams buying to make a postseason push.

2025 was a very different story, as several surprising narratives emerged, including the San Francisco Giants’ sale, the LA Angels’ acquisition, and the massive struggles of the Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves.

Many notable trades occurred over the last few days, as several elite relievers were moved to other teams and star slugger Eugenio Suarez returned to Seattle.

However, many rumored players also ended up staying with their current teams, such as Sandy Alcantara, Steven Kwan, and Dylan Cease

Down below, I will rank the three winners of the trade deadline, who they acquired, and how their moves benefited their team/season as a whole.

1. New York Yankees

Acquisitions: 3B Ryan McMahon, 2B/OF Amed Rosario, SS/OF Jose Caballero, OF Austin Slater, RP Camilo Doval, RP Jake Bird, RP David Bednar

The Yankees had a good, yet underwhelming, start to the deadline, as Brian Cashman focused on offensive depth instead of any major moves.

Amed Rosario (.307 BA) and Austin Slater (5 HR) both rake against left-handed pitching, while providing depth in the OF and middle infield spots.

Trading for McMahon significantly improved the team’s 3B situation, as he has a low BA (.222), but provides solid pop (16 HR, 40 RBI) and excellent defense (5 OAA) at the hot corner.

Heading into Thursday, the Yankees had two positions left to target: the bullpen and starting rotation. The bullpen struggled massively in July, as the team had a league-worst 5.27 ERA due to injuries and ineffectiveness.

This led to Brian Cashman acquiring Jake Bird (Rockies), and elite closers Camilo Doval (Giants) and David Bednar (Pirates).

Bednar and Doval have proven themselves as top relievers in the game, but they get wild at times and can lose command of the strike zone, which was shown in the team’s collapse against the Marlins.

Overall, Cashman and the Yankees did an excellent job at the deadline, as the front office worked hard to improve the team and push the Yankees into the playoffs after a rough July!

Photo Credit: www.northjersey.com

2. New York Mets

Acquisitions: RP Gregory Soto, RP Tyler Rogers, RP Ryan Helsley, CF Cedric Mullins Similar to the cross-rival Yankees, David Stearns and the Mets also walked into the trade deadline with two needs: bullpen and center field.

The team had a massive hole in CF, as Tyrone Taylor (.199 BA, 2 HR) was horrific offensively, and Jose Siri continues to have no timetable for a return.

Since the target Harrison Bader went to the Phillies and the White Sox’s price on Luis Robert Jr. was too high, Stearns elected to acquire Cedric Mullins to provide a spark at the bottom of the team’s lineup.

A big reason why Mullins was a great addition is his ability to hit left-handed pitching. The Mets are a bottom-5 team against LHP (.658 OPS), while Mullins is excellent against LHP (.298 BA, 3 HR).

In addition, Mullins provides power and speed (15 HR, 16 SB), which will help the team in important games!

For the bullpen, Stearns focused on acquiring another LHP (Gregory Soto) and bolstering the bridge towards Edwin Diaz through Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley

Rogers has been one of the most consistent arms over the last six seasons (2.68 ERA), while Helsley has emerged as a dominant closer with triple-digit heat and a devastating slider.

The only negative part is that Helsley, Mullins, and Rogers are all rentals, meaning that the Mets have entered win-now mode!

3. San Diego Padres

Acquisitions: 1B/OF Ryan O’Hearn, OF Ramon Laureano, C Freddy Fermin, SP Nestor Cortes, SP JP Sears, RP Mason Miller

Padres general manager A.J. Preller had another very busy deadline, as the team significantly improved in several areas.

Trading for Mason Miller and JP Sears came at a hefty price (#3 MLB prospect Leo De Vries, 3 prospects), but it was worth it, as a change of scenery may help Sears, and Miller is one of the youngest closers in the MLB!

In addition, Miller won’t be a free agent until 2030, which gives the Padres plenty of time to sign him to a long-term deal, which also strengthens their bullpen for the foreseeable future with star closer Robert Suarez.

Preller also upgraded the offense, as Freddy Fermin (.259 BA, 3 HR), Ramon Laureano (.291 BA, 16 HR), and Ryan O’Hearn (.278 BA, 13 HR) all strengthened the team’s lineup!