MLB Trade Deadline: Winners and Losers

The trade deadline is one of my favorite days of the baseball year; it’s filled with excitement and disappointment. Legends on Deck breaks down the 2016 Trade Deadline with winners and losers.

WINNERS

Icon Sportswire via AP Images

Chicago Cubs

Do we let the rest of the year play out? Or do we just hand over the 2016 World Series to the Cubs? Aroldis Chapman has put them over the edge. They are the far frontrunners not only in the National League Central, but they’re the favorites all throughout Major League Baseball.

New York Yankees

Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller, Carlos Beltran and Ivan Nova… GONE. The Yankees made themselves the biggest sellers in baseball other than the Padres, but the Yankees really turned their farm system around. The Yankees went from one of the lower end farm organizations to easily a top three. It’s unbelievable what Brian Cashman accomplished. The Yankees will continue to sell this offseason  and are looking to not just make the playoffs but to start over and build a dynasty.

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers are the American League’s Chicago Cubs. The offense is loaded after the acquisitions of Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Beltran. Picture this line-up: Jurickson Profar (LF), Ian Desmond (CF), Carlos Beltran (DH), Adrian Beltre (3B), Rougned Odor (2B), Jonathan Lucroy (C), Mitch Moreland (1B), Elvis Andrus (SS), Nomar Mazara (RF). That’s lethal. The Rangers versus the Cubs in the World Series seems like a given.

Cleveland Indians

The Indians could’ve been the Texas Rangers. A deal was set in place to acquire Lucroy but Lucroy vetoed the trade by using his no-trade-clause to Cleveland and will now play in Arlington. The Indians still made a big splash by picking up Andrew Miller from the Yankees. Can the Indians accept the baton from the Cavaliers and bring a second title to “Believeland”?

Washington Nationals

The Nats fell short of Andrew Miller, but turned it around and picked up Mark Melancon from Pittsburgh– without giving up one of his top prospects. The Nats needed someone to replace Jonathan Papelbon. Papelbon’s on his way out. He’s losing the closer role so the Nats made a move to replace him.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Brewers, Miami Marlins, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers

LOSERS

Christopher Evans/ Boston Herald

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox made plenty of moves before the deadline, but when the day of the deadline struck Boston was silent. They made minor pick ups with Drew Pomeranz and Aaron Hill. But since Pomeranz joined the Sox, he’s struggled mightily. Boston failed to make a power move and acquire a “Chris Sale-caliber” player, now they remain in that AL East race where it’s unknown who will really move on to play in October.

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves picked up Matt Kemp from San Diego for Hector Olivera. Why Atlanta felt the need to take on that massive contract for a declining player is still mind boggling. The Braves may have the best farm system in the league so maybe its a front office ploy for jersey sales while many unproven stars are being called up.

New York Mets

The Mets acquired Jay Bruce from Cincinnati but gave up top prospect Dilson Herrera in the process. If the Mets are truly making a push this year, then they definitely made the wrong move. Why the Mets gave up a heavy chunk of change for an outfielder that they don’t desperately need. They lost out on the Jonathan Lucroy sweepstakes, or couldn’t make a move to solidify first, third and bullpen.

For more on the Mets giving up Herrera, click here.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays were in desperate need of a starter and some bullpen help. They didn’t do much besides acquire an offensive bat like Melvin Upton, Jr. The offense for the Jays is already stacked so this wasn’t really needed. Although it helps, they didn’t fill their needs.

Baltimore Orioles

Yet another AL East team finds themselves on the “Loser” board. The Baltimore Orioles, like the Jays and the Sox, could have made a push to solidify themselves in the division. The small move in Wade Miley did make them better, but not good enough to be a favorite for the division crown. They lost out on Rich Hill and other proven pitchers.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals

Steven Cardona

Steven Cardona currently works for the Tampa Bay Rays in their baseball operations department. Much of his past experience focused on player personnel, departmental administration, research and development. Prior to joining the Rays, Steven worked for the Miami Marlins and the New York Mets. The Naples, Florida native graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s of science in Business Management.