MLB’s trade deadline may not have provided the frenzied wheeling and dealing that last year’s period did surrounding Juan Soto — but it certainly did its best.
The Mets led the way as baseball’s largest sellers, sending away two future Hall-of-Fame aces as they pivot in an entirely new direction.
On the other side of New York, the Yankees have left plenty puzzled with general manager Brian Cashman’s philosophy of basically standing pat — a strategy that might have just doomed the Bronx Bombers as they look to keep up in the American League playoff picture.
From Queens to the Bronx, and everywhere else across the MLB landscape, here is how we marked each squad’s trade deadline.
2023 MLB Trade Deadline Grades
AL East
Baltimore Orioles: There was a hope that the upstart, surprising Orioles would make a big splash to indicate that they’re going all in on a season in which they shockingly hold the AL East lead. But the plan stays the same in Baltimore as they did little to fill the few holes they have. In need of a pitcher, they went out and got Jack Flaherty from the St. Louis Cardinals — a move that still leaves plenty to be desired. Grade: C
Tampa Bay Rays: The pickup of Aaron Civale from the Cleveland Guardians bolsters Tampa Bay’s pitching staff as they try to keep up with Baltimore. His numbers have been solid, going 5-2 with a 2.34 ERA this season, but his strikeout rate is down, his walk rate is up, and so is his average exit velocity. He won’t have the benefit of seeing a lot of weak American League Central opponents anymore. Grade: B-
Toronto Blue Jays: Toronto was proactive in potentially addressing Bo Bichette’s time on the injured list by getting Paul De Jong, which was a solid pickup. They’ll hope that Jordan Hicks can provide a boost to the bullpen, too. But an inability to add a starting pitcher when the rotation has been suspect is a glaring omission. Grade: C+
Boston Red Sox: If anyone can get Luis Urias back on…
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