The MLB trade deadline has come and gone, leaving many fans wondering why their favorite teams didn’t make bigger moves. While some big names like Tarik Skubal, Garrett Crochet, and Blake Snell stayed put, there were still 60 trades made in the final six days, with 32 on Tuesday alone.
However, the quality of players moved during the deadline was not as high as in previous years. The best starting pitcher traded was Jack Flaherty, and the best relievers were Tanner Scott and Carlos Estévez. The best hitters traded were Jazz Chisholm Jr., Randy Arozarena, and Isaac Paredes.
One of the reasons for the lack of blockbuster trades this year is the shift in trade dynamics caused by the expanded playoffs in 2022. With more teams in contention for the postseason, fewer teams are willing to be sellers. This means that there are fewer impact players available for trade.
Despite the lack of marquee names moving teams, there were still some notable trades. The Tampa Bay Rays and the Miami Marlins each made 10 trades, with the Marlins adding 11 prospects to their top 30 list. The Chicago Cubs’ trade for Isaac Paredes and the three-team deal involving the Dodgers, Cardinals, and White Sox were also significant.
Even high-revenue teams like the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox struggled to fill their needs. The Yankees were left without a starting pitcher, while the Red Sox failed to acquire a right-handed hitting middle infielder and a starting pitcher in addition to James Paxton.
Overall, many teams were left wanting more at the deadline. The Pittsburgh Pirates made modest upgrades, the Cleveland Guardians and Milwaukee Brewers added starting pitchers with high ERAs, and the San Francisco Giants only added Mark Canha while subtracting Jorge Soler.
While some teams made big moves, like the Padres trading 12 prospects from their top 20 list, others played it safe or were unable to make significant upgrades. The deadline prices reflected the limited supply of impact players available.
In the end, fans should cut their general managers some slack this year. The lack of quality players on the market made it difficult for teams to make big moves. The true impact of the trades made at the deadline will only be known in the coming weeks and months.