MLB Trade Deadline: Ranking the 7 Most improved Teams

Yahoo

5 days ago

The 2025 MLB trade deadline could go down as one of the most memorable ever, and it was certainly one of the busiest in years. While some playoff contenders (Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs) were quiet, others seized the opportunity presented by an active market to make some big additions for the stretch run.
Let's dive into our list of the teams that improved the most at the MLB trade deadline. Of note, we're ranking MLB teams based on how much they improved. Stay tuned for our MLB power rankings at the start of next week for the latest rankings of the best MLB teams moving forward.
1. San Diego Padres
The most aggressive general managers in baseball made it an entertaining MLB trade deadline. You can certainly make the case that president of baseball operations A.J. Preller was overaggressive, especially since the Mason Miller and JP Sears trade cost elite prospect Leodalis De Vries. What we see is a Padres bullpen that already had the lowest ERA (2.97) in baseball, adding an All-Star closer that allows San Diego to throw out Jeremiah Estrada, Jason Adam, Adrian Morejon, Robert Suarez and Miller to shine in October. Sears (4.95 ERA) is a gamble, but just look at what San Diego did with Nick Pivetta (2.81 ERA and 0.99 WHIP).
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On top of that, the Padres' lineup also improved significantly. All-Star Ryan O'Hearn (.837 OPS) takes over as the designated hitter, where San Diego previously ranked 28th in OPS (.648). Ramon Laureano slides into left field, a spot that also ranked 28th in OPS (.626) entering the MLB trade deadline. On top of that, Freddy Fermin gives San Diego a quality defensive catcher.
2. Seattle Mariners
Entering play on July 24, the Seattle Mariners ranked 10th in runs scored (470) and eighth in OPS (.735). That's despite the fact that the team's first basemen ranked 22nd in OPS (.670) and its third basemen ranked 25th (.619). Josh Naylor (.795 OPS) and Eugenio Suarez (.895 OPS) are game-changing additions for Seattle. Yes, acquiring both came at the cost of some of the Mariners' top prospects, but Jerry DiPoto saw glaring needs and addressed them with the best hitters available at each position. Seattle even added to its bullpen, acquiring Caleb Ferguson (.583 OPS allowed to opponents). Just an A-grade summer for the Mariners' front office.
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3. Houston Astros
Following the season-ending injury to Isaac Paredes, we highlighted Ramón Urías as a possible target for the Houston Astros to fill the void at third base ahead of the MLB trade deadline. They acquired the versatile infielder, but now he is expected to serve as a utility player for a team that desperately needs one. Urías is very good defensively (74th percentile Fielding Run Value) and could rebound offensively to his pre-2025 levels (.732 OPS from 2021 to 2024). Just as important, Houston added the left-handed bat it sorely needed with Yordan Alvarez sidelined. Jesús Sánchez (.740 OPS) isn't an All-Star, but he is arbitration-eligible through 2027 and has a 93rd percentile bat speed and 87th percentile average exit velocity, which indicate upside.
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Of course, there is also the reunion with Carlos Correa. Third base is absolutely a better fit for the 30-year-old at this stage of his career. Although he remains a massive injury risk, returning to Houston could help him approach the form we saw last season (.905 OPS) better than his production for Minnesota this year (.704 OPS).
4. New York Yankees
The New York Yankees wanted to acquire starting pitching, but the market for starters with multiple years of contract control evidently chased every club away. So, Brian Cashman pivoted to turning the Yankees bullpen into a juggernaut. All-Star closer David Bednar is the standout addition, especially since he recorded a 0.39 ERA in his final 23.1 innings with Pittsburgh. Supporting Bednar will be Camilo Doval (3.09 ERA) and ake Bird (26.3% strikeout rate). That creates an exceptional Yankees bullpen. Now for New York's other additions. Ryan McMahon filled the void at third base and Cashman brought in quality infield depth with Jose Caballero and Amed Rosario.
5. New York Mets
The New York Mets certainly liked Luis Robert Jr., but not at the asking price set by the Chicago White Sox. So, the club rightfully pivoted to veteran Cedric Mullins. A free agent to be, Mullins adds more left-handed power (15 home runs and a .738 OPS) to the Mets lineup. He's a good complement to partner in a platoon with Tyrone Taylor, especially since Taylor will likely come in late in games as a defensive replacement.
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New York also made sure to strengthen its bullpen. Ryan Helsley has had his ups and downs this year but is coming off a strong July with a 1.29 ERA. He now functions as a setup man for Edwin Díaz. To pair with Helsley, the Mets added Tyler Rogers (1.80 ERA and 0.86 WHIP). Both acquisitions have pushed Gregory Soto (.523 OPS allowed to left-handed hitters) into a role he's more suited for.
6. Philadelphia Phillies
It's not often that teams beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in a bidding war, but that's precisely what the Philadelphia Phillies accomplished with the acquisition of Jhoan Duran. Not only is he one of the best closers in baseball, but he's also under team control through the 2027 campaign. Philadelphia finally has its lights-out arm in the 9th inning for years to come.
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We also really like the acquisition of Harrison Bader. The 31-year-old is having his best year at the plate (.778 OPS) since 2021 and that's just added value to his outstanding defense in center field. Acquiring Bader could mean that Brandon Marsh moves to left field, finally pushing Max Kepler (.655 OPS) out of the Phillies lineup.
7. Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays vowed to be aggressive at the MLB trade deadline, and gambling on Shane Bieber is precisely that. Bieber, now 30, won the AL Cy Young Award in 2020 but has been hampered by arm issues in recent seasons, including Tommy John surgery in April 2024. Although nearing the end of his rehab assignment, pitching in minor league rehab outings with promising strikeout numbers, there is still uncertainty about how effective he will be once he takes the mound for Toronto.
Even if Bieber is not great, the Blue Jays have improved their bullpen moving forward. They added right-hander Seranthony Domínguez, who boasts a 1.05 ERA in his last 25.2 innings, and southpaw Louis Varland, who sports a 2.02 ERA and is not arbitration-eligible until 2028, providing much-needed left-handed relief depth.
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