June 2, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hays (21) runs to first base during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-USA TODAY Sports The MLB trade deadline hasn’t even arrived yet, and there’s already been a deal between clubs that could meet in the World Series and another between teams that might not even make it to October.
There are no hard and fast rules here, and there is no way to predict success with 100 percent certainty when it comes to personnel trades, only the recognition of a need and a well-informed estimate of a player’s future value.
As for championship contenders, the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays have made big trades so far, while the Tampa Bay Rays have been busy sellers without completely ruling out a playoff spot.
Ranking the best deals closed before the 2024 deadline so far:
Phillies acquire: outfielder Austin Hays. Orioles acquire: right-handed pitcher Seranthony Dominguez, outfielder Cristian Pache
The real judge of this deal may be the World Series, if both teams continue on their current path. The Phillies have managed to improve their outfield slightly and have done so thanks to one strong point: their bullpen. Hays still appears in line for a part-time role and an insurance policy in case of injury or unforeseen struggles elsewhere. Dominguez gives the Orioles a powerful arm with 15 games of playoff experience, while Pache has 18.
Phillies: C
Orioles: B-
Orioles acquire: right-handed pitcher Zach Eflin. Rays acquire: outfielder Matthew Etzel, right-handed pitcher Jackson Baumeister, infielder/outfielder Mac Horvath
June 22, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zach Eflin (24) throws a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports It makes sense that the two most active teams at the trade deadline would agree to a deal. In need of help getting started, the Orioles know as well as anyone that you can never have enough starting pitchers and they find a good one in Eflin, who has a 4.09 ERA in 19 starts after a 3.50 ERA in 31 starts last season.
In the Orioles’ theme, Eflin has 11 games of playoff experience. The Rays may be sacrificing their playoff hopes this year, but did they really have a team that could survive the postseason frenzy? Now, their near future looks extremely bright.
Orioles: B
Rays: B+
Yankees acquire: OF/INF Jazz Chisholm Jr. Marlins acquire: C Agustin Ramirez, INF Abrahan Ramirez, INF Jared Serna
Jazz Chisholm Jr. was traded from the Miami Marlins to the New York Yankees. Photo source: AP After a slump that began in mid-June, the Yankees found a player in Chisholm who can be dynamic on offense at times and will provide versatility on defense. Chisholm doesn’t hit free agency until 2027, so he’s a smart move, but he comes at a price. The Marlins now have a legitimate catcher of the future in Agustin Ramirez.
Yankees: B
Marlins: A
Mariners acquire: Randy Arozarena. Rays acquire: Outfielder Aidan Smith, RHP Brody Hopkins, PTBNL relief pitcher
July 20, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) watches his two-run home run against the New York Yankees during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports The Mariners are running out of steam quickly, so adding a young player who has been elite at times and has had a playoff run was a prudent move.
Arozarena will help an offense that needs a boost and could be poised for a boost in a season that hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. When the Rays make moves, pay close attention to the pitchers they draft. Hopkins is a former sixth-round pick who has a 2.90 ERA in 18 starts at Class A Modesto. Smith projects as a speedy center fielder with solid power.
Sailors: A-
Rays: B
Cubs acquire: Isaac Paredes, infielder. Rays acquire: Christopher Morel, infielder, Hunter Bigge, infielder, Ty Johnson
July 28, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Isaac Paredes (17) recovers a ground ball during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports The Cubs have a lot of work to do to clinch a wild-card spot, so they’ve managed to get some serious work done off the field. Paredes is a solid upgrade over Morel, though his 16 home runs and .793 OPS don’t quite match his numbers from last season. Morel has 18 home runs but a .676 OPS, down from his .821 mark last season.
If Morel finishes strong and Bigge and Johnson deliver, the Rays will have succeeded in the trade market again. For now, the Cubs have improved.
Cubs: B+
Rays: B-
Padres acquire: right-handed pitcher Jason Adam. Rays acquire: right-handed pitcher Dylan Lesko, outfielder Homer Bush Jr., catcher J.D. Gonzalez
June 14, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jason Adam (47) pitches against the Atlanta Braves in the eighth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports The Padres not only solidified their wild-card status, they also improved their chances of catching the injury-plagued Dodgers for the division title. Adam bolsters a bullpen that could use a boost at this point. But kudos to the Rays for signing three players with serious potential and doing it for a reliever.
Parents: B
Rays A-
Phillies acquire: Right-handed pitcher Carlos Estevez. Angels acquire: Right-handed pitcher George Klassen, Left-handed pitcher Samuel Andegheri
May 20, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Carlos Estevez (53) throws a pitch against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports From an All-Star last season to a 2.39 ERA this year, Estevez has totaled 51 combined saves for the Angels since the start of 2023. And he could end up being the closer in Philadelphia, even among a solid group of relievers.
The Angels knew Estevez likely wouldn’t be back next season, so landing two of the Phillies’ top pitching prospects was a no-brainer.
Phillies: B+
Angels: A