The MLB trade deadline is one of the most interesting points of the season. Contending teams attempt to solidify their rosters by adding the necessary pieces they feel will help them contend for a World Series title. Meanwhile, the teams at the other end of the spectrum will move the pieces they feel are expendable in an attempt to add prospects that could help them contend in the future. We looked at the pieces that moved at this year’s deadline and broke down the teams that appear to have improved the most on paper both in the short and long term. Here is a look at the biggest winners from the 2017 MLB Trade Deadline.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers added Yu Darvish, Tony Watson and Tony Cingrani to a roster that has produced the best record in the majors so far this season. Darvish has the potential to solidify the top of the starting rotation behind Clayton Kershaw and ahead of Rich Hill. Meanwhile, Watson and Cingrani add depth to a bullpen that was already solid before the trades. Nobody expected the Dodgers to acquire a star pitcher like Darvish. The fact that they managed to get that deal done alone is enough to put them at the top of this list. Interestingly enough, the Dodgers record for most wins after leading came to an end on Wednesday night as their bullpen blew the game to the Atlanta Braves.
New York Yankees
Yankees GM Brian Cashman deserves a lot of credit for significant improving his roster without having to move Gleyber Torres, Clint Frazier, Chance Adams, Estevan Florial or Justus Sheffield. Sonny Gray provides a potential No. 1 or No. 2 that they desperately needed at the top of their starting rotation. David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle will add even more depth to a solid bullpen. Todd Frazier adds another veteran bat to an already powerful lineup. New York managed to significantly improve without breaking the bank by trading too many top prospects, which makes them deserving of the second spot on this list.
Chicago White Sox
No team in the majors did as much to improve the long-term outlook as the White Sox. Chicago traded Jose Quintana, Todd Frazier, David Robertson, Melky Cabrera, Will Lamb, Anthony Swarzak, Dan Jennings and Tommy Kahnle and acquired Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease, Bryant Flete, Matt Rose, Ryan Cordell, Casey Gillaspie, Ian Clarkin, Tito Polo, Blake Rutherford, Tyler Clippard, A.J. Puckett, Andre Davis and a whole lot of cash. The bounty of prospects they acquired should help them in the long run and they also acquired some veteran pieces that will accelerate the rebuilding process. No team was busier at the deadline than the White Sox and at least on paper they have improved the long-term outlook of the franchise.
Washington Nationals
A terrible bullpen has been the biggest issue for Washington this season. So the Nationals went out and acquired Sean Doolittle, Ryan Madson and Brandon Kintzler to address that issue. None of those pitchers can be considered an elite reliever but the sum of those parts might be enough to help Washington contend for a World Series. The Nationals will likely make Kintzler their closer while turning to Doolittle in a setup role. Madson is a little older but if he can stay healthy then he will help provide even more depth. Washington had to address its bullpen before the deadline. While they didn’t land Zach Britton or Justin Wilson, they did enough to solidify their only major area of concern.
Arizona Diamonbacks
Arizona has been one o the biggest surprises of the year as almost nobody expected them to be a playoff contender this season. The Diamondbacks have exceeded expectations and they added some key pieces at the deadline to help solidify their roster. J.D. Martinez gives them a veteran hitter that can mash against left-handed pitchers. Arizona also acquired David Hernandez and John Ryan Murphy. The Diamondbacks didn’t shock the world the way that the Dodgers did but they did enough to land the final spot on this list.
The MLB season is in full swing, so if you’re looking at betting lines, in-game betting and World Series futures, click here to bet on MLB (or any other sports) at BetDSI!
