Four teams went big during this trade deadline period as they ramp up their postseason run.

 

The Seattle Mariners, ravaged by the absence of OF Julio Rodriguez, started it all off with the acquisition of Randy Arozarena from the Tampa Bay Rays. Arozarena is having somewhat of an off year but the Mariners are banking his bat comes to life as they battle the surging Houston Astros for the AL West division. The Mariners added a couple of supporting players in RP Yimi Garcia and 1B/3B Justin Turner from the Toronto Blue Jays.

 

The New York Yankees, seeking a bat to protect their explosive heart of the order, obtain the services of dynamic player, Jazz Chisholm Jr, from the Miami Marlins. So far, the acquisition has been explosive as he hit four home runs (2 back-to-back 2 homer games) in his first three games in pinstripes. This toolsy player had been rumored to be on the move for quite some time, as the Marlins are on a rebuilding mode after a very rough start to the season. 

 

Meanwhile, the division-rival Baltimore Orioles didn't stand down as they enhanced their starting pitching with the acquisitions of Zach Eflin (from the intra-division Tampa Bay Rays) and Trevor Rogers (from the rebuilding Miami Marlins) to support ace Corbin Burnes and #2 starter Grayson Rodriguez. In addition, they add a bat in Eloy Jimenez from the Chicago White Sox, in the hopes his offense shows up in a more competitive setting compared to his former environment.

 

The Los Angeles Dodgers got the top starting pitching name available in starter Jack Flaherty from the Detroit Tigers. Flaherty is having a season good enough to attract attention to contenders. Flaherty joins a rotation that has been ravaged by injuries despite comfortably leading the division, despite the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres making moves as they are eyeing the wild-card spots. A Dodgers swoon can turn this division extremely interesting to watch.    

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REUNIONS

A couple of teams made moves that resulted in notable reunions. The beleaguered Atlanta Braves welcomed back OF Jorge Soler and RP Luke Jackson from the San Francisco Giants as they battle for one of the wild-card spots. They welcomed back OF Eddie Rosario after his stint with the Washington Nationals earlier during the season. 

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It seemed a full circle came to roost as OF Tommy Pham returned to where it all started: the St. Louis Cardinals. Pham came from the downtrodden Chicago White Sox in a three-way deal.

 

CERTAIN NAMES NOT MOVED

Throughout the weeks leading up to the trade deadline, players were circulated around the mill as possibilities that can be on the move. With the influx of their top prospects coming up, the Baltimore Orioles made OF Cedric Mullins and 1B Ryan Mountcastle available. The Toronto Blue Jays did a substantial amount of moves, but one name that wasn't moved was 1B/3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr; he was rumored to be a target for the Seattle Mariners. The name of starting pitcher Tarik Skubal was thrown out there; the Detroit Tigers would want a huge offer that would have been hard to turn down. The Chicago White Sox season has been an utter disaster as it was rumored that OF Luis Robert Jr and breakout sensation, SP Garrett Crochet were both made available. Crochet was at one point were linked to the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. That was put to rest the last minute as the young pitcher was demanding an extension. 

 

THE FINAL MOVES ARE SET

All the teams ranked in our power rankings at least made one move. There are teams outside the rankings that made trade deadline moves as well. With no August waiver moves in-play, teams had to make the right moves that may end up determining their season or positioning.