The recent MLB trade deadline was filled with activity, but according to one American League executive, the impact of the trades made may not be as significant as one would think. Despite the flurry of transactions leading up to the deadline, the executive questioned whether any of them would truly make a big difference in the league.
Only two All-Stars were traded this year, with pitcher Tanner Scott moving from the Miami Marlins to the San Diego Padres, and Isaac Parades being sent to the Chicago Cubs from the Tampa Bay Rays. While these trades may not have been headline-grabbing, they did provide some teams with valuable assets for the future.
Although few teams acquired major game-changers, sellers like the Marlins and Rays were able to leverage their top players into promising prospects. Even though these teams may not be in playoff contention, they were able to strengthen their farm systems by trading away key players.
On the other hand, some World Series contenders did make moves to bolster their rosters for the postseason. The New York Yankees, for example, acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Marlins. Chisholm wasted no time making an impact, hitting four home runs in his first four games with the Yankees, all resulting in wins for the team.
While the trade deadline may not have produced any blockbuster deals, the true effects of these trades may not be felt until later in the season and during the playoffs. It will be interesting to see which teams come out on top as a result of their deadline moves and which ones may regret not making more significant changes. The rest of the regular season and postseason will ultimately determine the real winners and losers of this year’s trade deadline.
