The trade deadline has come and gone, and the Dodgers whiffed on two high-profile pitchers, getting outbid for right-hander Justin Verlander and having left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez block a trade to Los Angeles.
Rodriguez, who has a stellar 2.95 ERA over 15 starts with the Detroit Tigers this season, invoked his 10-team, no-trade clause, putting the brakes on a deal that otherwise was agreed upon. He cited family reasons for declining to play on the West Coast.
“It’s a hard dynamic, always, to work out a trade,” Dodgers president Andrew Friedman said.
Rarely is anything static in baseball, and the trade deadline was proof. A short hot streak turned the Cubs from sellers to buyers. The Mets, with the highest payroll in MLB, plunged into full sale mode. So did the Cardinals and White Sox, teams that began the season with championship hopes.
Meanwhile, the Rangers and Rays stockpiled ammo for the postseason. The Marlins were as much a surprise buyer as the Angels, who are making a valiant (foolish?) attempt to reach the playoffs by keeping two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and trading top prospects for veterans.
The Orioles seemingly channeled their famously cautious former general manager, Pat Gillick, by standing pat until acquiring former Studio City Harvard-Westlake High star Jack Flaherty from the St. Louis Cardinals shortly before the deadline.
Teams made trades until 3 p.m. Pacific time. Why has the deadline lipped into August when historically it was July 31 at 1 p.m. PT? Commissioner Rob Manfred now can set the deadline any time from July 28 to Aug. 3 to avoid conflicting with games.
With the deadline in the rear-view mirror, all the deals are here, in reverse chronological order and with breezy analysis, updated as they happened:
Andrew Friedman says the Dodgers want to win a World Series, but Dylan Hernández argues Friedman’s trade deadline actions suggest otherwise.
Dodgers acquire Ryan Yarbrough LHP from the Royals for Devin Mann IF and Derlin Figueroa IF
It’s something of a consolation prize after missing on several high-profile starting pitchers, but the Dodgers shored up their rotation minutes before the deadline. Yarbrough has been a swingman throughout his six-year career with the Royals, making 66 starts in 141 appearances. He is arbitration-eligible in 2024 and will become a free agent in 2025.
Mann, 26, can play any infield or outfield position and has shown decent power since signing with the Dodgers in 2018. Figueroa, 19, signed at age 17 out of the Dominican Republic and is batting .237 in the rookie league.
Angels acquire Dominic Leone RHP from the Mets for Jeremiah Jackson IF
The Angels gave up promising minor league infielder Jackson minutes before the deadline to reel in one more bullpen piece — Leone, a reliever who will be playing for his eighth team in 10 seasons. He posted a 4.40 ERA in 31 appearances with the Mets this season.
Arte Moreno and the Angels are destroying their chances of challenging for a title any time soon because they’ll probably lose Shohei Ohtani in free agency.
Marlins acquire Josh Bell 1B from the Guardians for Jean Segura 2B and Kahlil Watson IF
Miami continued to make moves, bringing in the power-hitting Bell in exchange for veteran Segura and former first-round pick Watson, who at age 20 hasn’t proven he can hit in the minor leagues.
Yankees acquire Keynan Middleton RHP from the White Sox for Juan Carela RHP
The Yankees didn’t do much except bring in former Angels reliever Middleton for hard-throwing Dominican Carela, who has averaged 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings in the minors.
The Orioles acquire Jack Flaherty RHP from the Cardinals for Cesar Prieto IF and Drew Rom RHP
Flaherty was aggressively shopped by the Cardinals, who conducted a deadline fire sale. He’ll join an Orioles team full of young, confident players who expect to make a strong postseason run.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts knows all about the trade deadline. In 2004, the Dodgers shipped him to the Boston Red Sox, where he won a World Series title.
Dodgers send Phil Bickford RHP and Adam Kolarek LHP to the Mets for cash.
Bickford and Kolarek had no future in the Dodgers bullpen after L.A. traded for relievers, so the team unloaded both for cash.
Rangers acquire Austin Hedges C from the Pirates for international bonus space
Rangers starting catcher Jonah Heim is out for a few weeks because of an injury, so Hedges provides insurance.
Diamondbacks acquire Tommy Pham OF from the Mets for Jeremy Rodriguez IF
Pham overcame a slow start to put up solid numbers this season. Rodriguez, 17, signed out of the Dominican Republic for $1.25 million during the spring.
Marlins acquire Jake Burger INF from the White Sox for Jake Eder LHP
Burger brings an all-or-nothing power bat to Miami. He’s hit 25 home runs this season and 34 in 500 career at-bats, but is batting only .214. Eder is a left-handed starter from Vanderbilt who has averaged 12 strikeouts per nine innings in two minor league seasons.
Brewers acquire Andrew Chafin LHP from the Diamondbacks for Peter Strzelecki RHP
Milwaukee added a veteran left-handed reliever in Chafin, who has spent seven of his 11 seasons with the Diamondbacks. His latest stint in Arizona, though, lasted slightly more than half a season. Strzelecki, 28, made his MLB debut last season. He pitched in 36 games for the Brewers this year but spent July with triple-A Nashville.
Phillies acquire Michael Lorenzen RHP from the Tigers for Hao-Yu Lee IF
Lorenzen had been shopped for days, and after Verlander came off the market, it was obvious Lorenzen — a reliable starter having a solid season — likely would be next. Lee, 20, is a speedy, versatile infielder from Taiwan who is holding his own at high-A ball against mostly players two to three years older.
After failing to trade for Justin Verlander, the Dodgers agreed to a deal with the Detroit Tigers for Eduardo Rodriguez, only to have the left-hander invoke his no-trade clause.
Astros acquire Justin Verlander RHP from the Mets for Drew Gilbert OF and Ryan Clifford 1B/OF
The Dodgers missed again on Verlander. The future Hall-of-Fame starter chose the Mets over them during the offseason, and those dastardly Astros outbid them at the deadline. Yes, he’s 40, but Verlander has won his last three starts and his 3.15 ERA is better than his lifetime mark of 3.24. The acquisition puts the Astros in position to repeat as World Series champions.
He didn’t come cheaply for the Astros. Gilbert, 22, was a first-round pick out of Tennessee in 2022 and already holding his own in double-A. Clifford, 20, was drafted out of high school in 2022 and already is tearing up high-A pitching.
Padres acquire Rich Hill LHP and Ji Man Choi 1B from the Pirates for Jackson Wolf LHP, Estuar Suero OF and Alfonso Rivas 1B
The Padres retreated from sell mode after sweeping the Rangers and traded for Hill, at 43 the oldest MLB player, and Choi, who has been hot since missing nearly three months with an Achilles strain.
Wolf, who has excellent breaking pitches, made his MLB debut July 22 and could slip immediately into the Pirates’ rotation.
Nolan Arenado will not be traded to the Dodgers or anyone else ahead of Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline, a St. Louis Cardinals team executive says.
Blue Jays acquire Paul DeJong SS and cash from Cardinals for Matt Svanson RHP
Just as they did by trading for Jordan Hicks when closer Jordan Romano went on the injured list, the Blue Jays turned to the Cardinals when shortstop Bo Bichette suffered a knee injury. DeJong is a good-field, decent-bat shortstop in the last year of a contract that includes club options the next two seasons. Swanson has been an effective reliever in high class A this season.
Rockies acquire Justin Bruihl LHP from Dodgers for cash
With the Dodgers remaking their bullpen at the deadline, Bruihl was expendable and was designated for assignment July 28. Colorado needed a left-handed arm after trading Brad Hand to Atlanta.
Braves acquire Brad Hand LHP from Rockies for Alec Barger RHP
Hand, who will play for his seventh team in four years, dominates left-handed batters and has a closer’s pedigree, so maybe the Braves can chalk up his 4.54 ERA to pitching at Coors Field. Barger is a double-A reliever.
In the last five weeks, the Angels have made several moves to improve their roster and, they hope, show Shohei Ohtani that they are serious about winning.
Royals acquire Tucker Davidson LHP from the Angels for cash
Davidson was designated for assignment July 27 after posting an ERA of 6.54 in 18 relief appearances, so getting a modest sum of cash for him was a win for the Angels.
Rays acquire Adrian Sampson RHP and Manuel Rodríguez RHP from Cubs for Josh Roberson RHP
This is a case of two teams in buy mode exchanging minor league pitchers who haven’t performed well. The old change-of-scenery theory gets another test.
Diamondbacks acquire Jace Peterson 2B/3B and cash from the Athletics for Chad Patrick RHP
Peterson, 33, is the working definition of a journeyman, with Arizona about to become his seventh team in 10 seasons. The left-handed hitter should platoon at third base until Evan Longoria recovers from a back injury. Patrick is a double-A starter with a plus slider.
Reds acquire Sam Moll LHP and international pool money from the Athletics for Joe Boyle RHP
The Reds were able to find something slightly savory from the carcass of the woebegone A’s, marginally improving their bullpen with the addition of Moll, a slider specialist who is tough on left-handed hitters. Boyle, a fifth-round pick in 2020 currently in double-A, is an extremely hard thrower with suspect command.
Cubs acquire Jose Cuas RHP from the Royals for Nelson Velázquez OF
Cuas is another middling middle reliever whose stock is at an all-time high as contenders stockpile bullpens. Velázquez has impressive numbers at triple-A and likely will get an opportunity with Kansas City to determine whether he is a bona fide big league hitter or a four-A career minor leaguer.
Giants acquire AJ Pollock OF, Mark Mathias UT and cash from the Mariners for player to be named or cash
A nothing deal except that it’s the seventh trade between the Mariners and Giants since opening day 2022. Pollock’s numbers indicate he’s over the hill, and Mathias doesn’t move the needle either. The Mariners eventually will get a minor leaguer in return, and likely not a very promising one.
Cubs acquire Jeimer Candelario 3B from the Nationals for Kevin Made SS and D.J. Herz LHP
The Cubs are Candelario’s original team, having traded him six years ago to the Tigers. He established himself then faded in Detroit and was non-tendered ahead of his last arbitration season. The Nationals signed him for one year, Candelario’s .823 OPS made him a trade target, and the Cubs’ recent resurgence flipped them from sellers to buyers. Candelario: Sold!
Brewers acquire Mark Canha OF/1B and cash from the Mets for Justin Jarvis RHP
The Mets will pay the $3.5 million remaining on Canha’s salary to unload him and accept in return Jarvis, who might be close to major league ready although his minor league numbers aren’t eye-popping. Canha is what scouts call a professional hitter, giving the Brewers a second low-budget bat this week to go along with Carlos Santana.
Mariners acquire Dominic Canzone 1B/OF, Ryan Bliss INF and Josh Rojas INF from the Diamondbacks for Paul Sewald RHP
Sewald, 33, posted an ERA under 3.00 in 172 appearances over the last three years that also produced 52 saves. That’s the kind of reliable relief work the Diamondbacks need to continue to compete in the NL West. The cost was fairly steep, however. Canzone is one of the hottest bats in the minor leagues with a 1.062 OPS, and Bliss is a speedy fireplug on the rise.
Rays acquire Aaron Civale RHP from the Guardians for Kyle Manzardo 1B
The always-savvy Rays and the usually-savvy Guardians swapped players with value, need for need. Civale has been arguably Cleveland’s most effective starter, and he gives the pitching-rich Rays another arm as they seek their first World Series title. Manzardo, a second-round pick out of Washington State in 2021, has exceptional bat-to-ball skills and developing power.
Randal Grichuk, acquired by the Angels on Sunday, is one of three players who hit home runs in a 4-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves.
Angels acquire Randal Grichuk OF and C.J. Cron 1B from the Rockies for Jake Madden RHP and Mason Albright LHP
Grichuk and Cron need no introduction around Angel Stadium. Grichuk was drafted by the Angels one pick ahead of Mike Trout in 2009 and Cron’s potent bat steadied the Angels’ lineup from 2014 to 2017. They will serve as emergency reinforcements to a lineup ravaged by injuries that continues to include Shohei Ohtani. Madden, a fourth-round pick in 2022, is struggling in rookie ball; Albright, 20, was enjoying a solid year at class-A Inland Empire.
Braves acquire Nicky Lopez IF from the Royals for Taylor Hearn LHP
This trade didn’t register on the wow meter. Lopez batted .300 in 565 plate appearances in 2021 but has devolved into a light-hitting utility player. Presumably he’ll give Braves infielders breathers as they gear up for the playoffs. The Royals must see something in Hearn the Braves and Rangers didn’t — Texas cut him a week ago.
Rangers acquire Jordan Montgomery LHP and Chris Stratton RHP from the Cardinals for Thomas Saggese IF, Tekoah Roby RHP and John King LHP.
The Rangers are stocking up and the Cardinals are cleaning house, creating a natural match. But did St. Louis get enough for Montgomery, a consistent left-handed starter, and Stratton, a reliable bullpen piece? Both are free agents after this season.
Roby is projected as a mid-rotation starter who along with the acquisitions of Sem Robberse and Adam Klofenstein from Toronto help replenish a dearth of starting pitching in the farm system. Saggese is an undersized infielder who has hit well through double-A. King gives St. Louis an immediate left-handed bullpen option.
Blue Jays acquire Jordan Hicks RHP from the Cardinals for Sem Robberse RPH and Adam Kloffenstein RHP
Taking a chance on Hicks’ electric but inconsistent arm was necessary for Toronto, which is gunning for the playoffs amid the uncertain health of closer Jordan Romano. Hicks’ average fastball velocity is 101 mph, but his walk rate is 5.2 per nine innings. He also tends to enter games with a lead and leave with a deficit: His won-loss record is 1-6 this season and 9-18 in his career.
Robberse, 21, and Kloffenstein, 22, are double-A starters whose upside is mid-rotation big leaguers.
It’s strange to see one of the most hard-throwing executives in baseball get torched during the trade deadline, but, make no mistake: Friedman’s aura has been lit up.
Rangers acquire Max Scherzer RHP from Mets for Luisangel Acuña IF/OF and cash
If the Rangers go deep into the playoffs with Scherzer at the front of the rotation, this will be chalked up as a win. If the Mets clear enough payroll to land Ohtani in the offseason,this will be part of that equation.
Acuña isn’t a bad oh-by-the-way guy either. The brother of Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr., he was the Rangers’ No. 3 prospect, a shortstop who can run and hit.
Scherzer, 39, still has the arsenal and the will, but remember how he faded in October for the Dodgers in 2021 and for the Mets in a wild-card loss last season.
Astros acquire Kendall Graveman RHP from the White Sox for Korey Lee C
Graveman was an Astros trade deadline pickup in 2021 and pitched well enough that the White Sox signed him to a three-year, $24-million contract. The Astros again traded for him, adding to an already solid bullpen a veteran who can pitch in a variety of roles.
Lee, a first-round pick out of Cal in 2019, hit 25 home runs in triple-A last season and is batting .283 this season. Not bad output for a catcher, and not a bad return for the White Sox.
Lance Lynn, acquired Friday by the Dodgers, had some of the worst pitching numbers in the majors with the Chicago White Sox. He aims for an L.A. turnaround.
Dodgers acquire Lance Lynn RHP and Joe Kelly RHP from the White Sox for Nick Nastrini RHP, Jordan Leasure RHP and Trayce Thompson OF
The Dodgers desperately need the Lynn of nearly any year except this one, an innings eater with a .600 winning percentage and ERA well south of 4.00. Inexplicably, his ERA ballooned to 6.47 with the White Sox even though he’s striking out a career-high 11 batters per nine innings. Kelly and his famed Astros pouty face are back to the delight of Dodgers fans, and he replaced Phil Bickford in the bullpen.
Nastrini possesses upside, but he and Leasure were just faces in the crowd of talented Dodgers minor league pitchers. Thompson, a revelation last year, inexplicably forgot how to hit and was expendable.
Marlins acquire David Robertson RHP from the Mets for Marco Vargas IF and Ronald Hernandez C
The trade that triggered Scherzer to ask to be traded was the Mets selling reliable veteran reliever Robertson for two extremely young prospects, thereby signaling they’d unfurled the white flag. Robertson has slipped directly into the closer role in Miami.
Vargas, 18, and Hernandez, 19, have displayed knacks for reaching base in rookie ball but face long roads to reach the big leagues.
Brewers acquire Carlos Santana 1B from the Pirates for Jhonny Severino SS
Out with the old, in with the new for Pittsburgh; the opposite is true for Milwaukee. The Brewers needed a designated hitter, and they hope the switch-hitting Santana, 37, has something left in his bat. Severino, 18, was regarded highly enough to secure a $1.23-million signing bonus out of the Dominican Republic.
Angels acquire Lucas Giolito RHP and Reynaldo López RHP from the White Sox for Edgar Quero C and Ky Bush LHP
This deal provided proof that the Angels weren’t trading Ohtani. Giolito was a coveted target and López a veteran reliever. Quero, one of the better catching prospects in baseball, and Bush, a tall left-hander, were considered two of the few top prospects in the Angels farm system. So you might say the Angels bet the farm that they’ll make the playoffs and somehow retain Ohtani.
Acquired from the Boston Red Sox, Kiké Hernández knows he’s “not in any position to be asking for playing time” because of his struggles this season but looks forward to helping the team with whom he won a title.
Dodgers acquire Amed Rosario SS from the Guardians for Noah Syndergaard RHP and cash to pay the difference in remaining salary
With Kiké Hernández already back in the fold, why would the Dodgers acquire Rosario, who possesses a similar skill set and similar deficiencies? Perhaps because neither player is a sure thing to contribute significantly down the stretch, although both have the potential to do so. The odds are better that one out of two will provide upside rather than one out of one. Also, Rosario was all but given to the Dodgers, who had no plans of letting the disappointing Syndergaard take the mound again.
Dodgers acquire Kiké Hernández IF/OF from the Red Sox for Nick Robertson RHP and Justin Hagenman RHP
See the trade for Rosario above. Plus, Hernández is popular in L.A. and comfortable in the clubhouse. He used to hit the occasional clutch home run. If he can do that again, he should be worth Robertson, who wasn’t effective in nine appearances for the Dodgers this season, and Hagenman, who slowly ascended through the Dodgers’ farm system and at age 25 pitched reasonably well in relief at triple-A Oklahoma City this season.
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