MLB trade grades 2024: Complete analysis for every deal completed on deadline day

How much star power will be dealt ahead of Tuesday's MLB trade deadline is to be determined, but the days leading up to the buzzer have proven that the market is busy.

With Randy Arozarena, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Isaac Paredes, and Erick Fedde among the sought-after names already on the move, more deals are expected to pour in leading up to 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

Just about every contender wants to make a move, or multiple moves, ahead of the stretch run. That doesn't mean every deal is the right one. Some deadline moves in recent years have helped spur championship runs, while even more have flopped.

The Sporting News is handing out grades and analysis for every trade that goes down on deadline day. Follow along below as the deals come in.

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MLB trade grades 2024: Live analysis on every deadline deal

Red Sox make last-minute bullpen addition

• Red Sox get: RP Luis Garcia
• Angels get: OF Matthew Lugo, INF Niko Kavadas, P Ryan Zeferjahn, P Yeferson Vargas
• Grades: Red Sox B- | Angels A

This is probably about as well as the Angels could have done for Garcia. Four players is a nice haul for a rental reliever regardless of who they are. Lugo is the top prospect in the deal and is having a nice year in the minors, while Vargas is a lottery ticket at just 19 years old. Kavadas and Zeferjahn are older with limited upside, but Kavadas at least has mashed in the minors.

Garcia is a fine addition for the Red Sox. He's pitched in October with the Padres and has a 3.64 ERA over the last four seasons. It's just probably not enough to push Boston over the top, considering no major moves were made.

Orioles take flier on Eloy Jimenez

• Orioles get: OF/DH Eloy Jimenez
• White Sox get: RP Trey McGough
• Grades: Orioles B+ | White Sox A-

Jimenez's defensive limitations make him an interesting fit in Baltimore, but the Orioles did clear some room before the deadline and the former top prospect does hit well against left-handed pitchers.

The White Sox likely weren't going to keep Jimenez past this season. McGough doesn't have high upside, as he's a 26-year-old reliever, but his minor-league numbers indicate he could be an option for Chicago's thinned bullpen.

Diamondbacks aim to upgrade bullpen with Dylan Floro

• Diamondbacks get: RP Dylan Floro
• Nationals get: INF Andres Chaparro
• Grades: Diamondbacks A- | Nationals A-

If you take out 2023, Floro has been an above-average relief arm since 2020. The former Marlins closer is a nice pickup for an Arizona team that rode a surprisingly strong bullpen to the World Series last season, while Chaparro's upside is limited but he's raked at triple-A this season and could have an easier path to MLB time with the Nationals.

Orioles, Phillies strike another deal

• Orioles get: RP Gregory Soto
• Phillies get: P Seth Johnson, P Moises Chace
• Grades: Orioles C+ | Phillies A

Soto has a career 4.23 ERA, struggled on Monday night and was expendable after the Phillies acquired Carlos Estevez. Philadelphia did pretty well to get back two arms for him, as Johnson (2.63 ERA in AA) could soon be MLB ready considering he's 25 while Chace's upside is worth the move.

Giants land veteran Mark Canha from Tigers

• Giants get: OF/DH Mark Canha
• Tigers get: P Eric Silva
• Grades: Giants B+ | Tigers C+

The Giants traded Jorge Soler to get out from under his contract, but that doesn't mean they were sellers. Canha allows San Francisco to help replace Soler with far less power but more on-base ability. Silva, meanwhile, has a long way to go and hasn't performed well as a starter or reliever in the minors, but the Tigers were always going to let limited value here.

Rays give Dylan Carlson fresh start

• Rays get: OF Dylan Carlson
• Cardinals get: RP Shawn Armstrong
• Grades: Rays A- | Cardinals A

This isn't how the Cardinals envisioned Carlson's time in St. Louis ending, but there wasn't much they could do at this point other than give him a fresh start. Landing an MLB reliever with decent peripherals despite an ugly ERA and strong 2023 numbers is a nice bonus. For the Rays, why not take a flier on Carlson after trading Arozarena and Paredes? The at-bats are there.

Blue Jays send Kiermaier to Dodgers for one last run

• Dodgers get: OF Kevin Kiermaier
• Blue Jays get: P Ryan Yarbrough
• Grades: Dodgers B- | Blue Jays B+

The Blue Jays got plenty of young talent in other deals and didn't necessarily need to do that here, as they're just doing right by Kiermaier in what is his final season. Kiermaier is low-risk for the Dodgers, but he hasn't hit all season and is purely a defensive upgrade that would hurt the offense if forced to play everyday at any point.

Dodgers bolster rotation with deal for Jack Flaherty

• Dodgers get: SP Jack Flaherty
• Tigers get: C Thayran Liranzo, INF Trey Sweeney
• Grades: Dodgers A | Tigers D

Flaherty is just a rental, but the Tigers couldn't do any better holding out until the last minute. Compared to what the Marlins got for Tanner Scott, this is disappointing. Sweeney doesn't project as a plus hitter at the MLB level, while Liranzo can get on base but has hurt his stock by hitting just .220 this season.

The Dodgers badly needed insurance in the rotation and got it in Flaherty, who has a sub-3 ERA and strong peripherals on the year. Adding Flaherty completely changes the complexion of Los Angeles' deadline.

Blue Jays pickup promising prospect for Isiah Kiner-Falefa

• Pirates get: UTIL Isiah Kiner-Falefa
• Blue Jays get: INF Charles McAdoo
• Grades: Pirates C+ | Blue Jays A

Another Blue Jays trade, another high-upside addition. McAdoo was a 13th-round pick last year, but all he has done in the minors is hit. With a .930 OPS since debuting last year, Toronto will gladly take its chances on the San Jose State product's bat.

If Kiner-Falefa sustains his 2024 production when he returns from the IL, he can be a key piece for the Pirates. Considering how little he hit in 2022 and 2023 and the extreme unlikelihood of any deep Pittsburgh run, it's hard to say giving up McAdoo was worth it.

Pirates add power bat with deal for Bryan De La Cruz

• Pirates get: OF Bryan De La Cruz
• Marlins get: P Jun-Seok Shim, INF Garret Forrester
• Grades: Pirates B+ | Marlins B

De La Cruz doesn't offer much beyond his power, as his defense and on-base ability are poor, but the Pirates shouldn't be concerned about the finer details. They need a power bat, and De La Cruz is under contract through 2027.

The return is risky for Miami, as Shim has only made four professional starts (hasn't pitched in 2024 due to a shoulder injury) and Forrester's sample size is limited as well. If Shim gets healthy, he might be the prize of the deal.

Mets land Huascar Brazoban from Marlins

• Mets get: RP Huascar Brazoban
• Marlins get: INF Wilfredo Lara
• Grades: Twins D | Blue Jays B-

Twins acquire Trevor Richards from Blue Jays

• Twins get: RP Trevor Richards
• Blue Jays get: OF Jay Harry
• Grades: Twins D | Blue Jays B-

There isn't much to see here, as Richards has a rough 5.00 ERA over the last three seasons while Harry has struggled mightily in the minors this season after being drafted in the sixth round a year ago.

If Richards is Minnesota's big move, it will be a colossally disappointing deadline for Derek Falvey.

Mariners continue bullpen makeover with JT Chargois

• Mariners get: RP Andrew Chafin
• Marlins get: P Will Schomberg
• Grades: Mariners B- | Marlins A

The Marlins' nice deadline continues with Schomberg, who has risen from undrafted to a 2.83 ERA across 92 minor-league innings this season. For a mid-tier reliever, that's well worth the move. Chargois' FIP indicates regression is coming from his 1.62 ERA over 15 appearances this year, but the Mariners don't need him to be a high-leverage reliever after adding Yimi Garcia.

Tigers send lefty specialist Andrew Chafin to Rangers

• Rangers get: RP Andrew Chafin
• Tigers get: P Joseph Montalvo, P Chase Lee
• Grades: Rangers C+ | Tigers A

It's a no-risk move for the Tigers, who weren't going anywhere with Chafin and do well to add Montalvo and Lee. Lee could soon make an MLB impact as a reliever and rarely allows home runs, while Montalvo has a career 2.63 minor-league ERA and is just 22. That's a bit of a hefty return from Texas' perspectice.

Padres make splash with deal for Tanner Scott

• Padres get: CL Tanner Scott, RP Bryan Hoeing
• Marlins get: P Robby Snelling, P Adam Mazur, INF Graham Pauley, INF Jay Beshears
• Grades: Padres B | Marlins A-

The Padres went all-in and landed two big relief arms in the deal with Miami, including All-Star closer Tanner Scott. While Scott has been one of the best relievers in baseball over the past year-plus, his FIP indicates he's due for mild regression at some point.

San Diego did give up a major haul, but the Marlins' development system has some work to do. Mazur and Snelling are both in the midst of tough years, while Pauley hasn't hit at any level this season after a strong 2023 in the minors. This is still a great return for Miami just because the odds of one or two pieces hitting in return for a rental reliever is tough to lose, but it's not without risk.

Mets land starter Paul Blackburn in deal with A's

• Mets get: SP Paul Blackburn
• Athletics get: P Kade Morris
• Grades: Mets B | Athletics A-

The A's would have possibly liked to trade Blackburn earlier, in hindsight, before more injuries affected him, but Morris is a promising arm with a 3.51 ERA and 1.21 WHIP at the lower levels of the minors after being drafted last season.

For the Mets, it's hard to call Blackburn anything other than insurance. He doesn't look like much of an upgrade on what they already have in their rotation, but with Kodai Senga injured again, it doesn't hurt to add one more arm.

Royals strike deal for White Sox SS Paul DeJong

• Royals get: SS Paul DeJong
• White Sox get: P Jarold Rosado
• Grades: Royals A- | White Sox A

The White Sox have nothing to play for and didn't need DeJong around any longer given the direction they are headed. Rosado is strictly a reliever, but a 1.85 ERA and one home run allowed over 39 innings at single-A is worth the flier.

DeJong doesn't offer much outside of power, with 18 home runs in 102 games this season, but the Royals badly need power outside of the top of their lineup. The former Cardinals shortstop at least gives them a pinch-hitting option.

Royals add to bullpen with deal for Lucas Erceg

• Royals get: RP Lucas Erceg
• Athletics get: P Mason Barnett, P Will Klein, OF Jared Dickey
• Grades: Royals B- | Athletics A-

Erceg is under team control through 2029, which was the biggest selling point for the Royals. He rarely allows home runs and has an impressive strikeout rate, which are two great assets. To this point, though, Erceg hasn't proven to be a shut-down reliever, which might make this package a bit more valuable than Kansas City would like.

Oakland did well to land Barnett, who has had an up-and-down year in the minors but only allowed five home runs in 114.2 innings last season. Klein could be an MLB-ready reliever, while Dickey is more of a lottery ticket after he was drafted last year. The A's aren't in a position to be worrying about success right now, and these three offer more upside than Erceg long-term.

Guardians take flier on recovering Alex Cobb

• Guardians get: SP Alex Cobb
• Giants get: P Jacob Bresnahan, player to be named later
• Grades: Guardians C+ | Giants A-

On one hand, it's a thrifty move by the Guardians to circumvent the market for higher-end starters and land a pitcher with a track record of reliability who hasn't pitched this season. On the other hand, this kind of bargain-hunting doesn't feel like it's good enough for the Guardians if they want to win the AL.

Bresnahan was only a 13th-round pick a year ago, but he has terrific numbers in rookie ball and has a high ceiling at just 19 years old. For someone who hasn't pitched this year, the Giants will gladly take that.

Diamondbacks land Josh Bell as Christian Walker insurance

• Diamondbacks get: 1B Josh Bell
• Marlins get: Cash considerations
• Grades: Diamondbacks A | Marlins B-

There's no real downside here for the Diamondbacks, aside from having to still pay Bell if he flops. The former Pirates slugger had a brutal first half but is hitting .429 with five home runs over his last seven games and is a viable replacement for Christian Walker if the first baseman misses time with the oblique injury he suffered on Monday.

Orioles send two young bats to Miami for Trevor Rogers

• Orioles get: SP Trevor Rogers
• Marlins get: INF Connor Norby, OF Kyle Stowers
• Grades: Orioles C+ | Marlins A

Rogers has shown some flashes this season, but he hasn't been able to recapture his 2021 magic. With his strikeout rate down and hit rate up, the metrics don't necessarily indicate better days are ahead, but the Orioles already added Zach Eflin and can take their time working with Rogers, who is under contract through 2026.

This is still a hefty price to pay, even if the Orioles can afford it. Norby has an OPS north of .900 in the minors this season and can quickly become an everyday player in Miami while Stowers has flashed impressive power in the minors and should finally see his path to regular at-bats open up with the Marlins. For Rogers, this is about as well as Miami could have done.

Red Sox land Lucas Sims from Reds

• Red Sox get: RP Lucas Sims
• Reds get: P Ovis Portes
• Grades: Red Sox C | Reds A-

The Red Sox coming away with only Lucas Sims, Quinn Priester and Danny Jansen would be a pretty underwhelming deadline. Sims has been a fine piece of the Reds' bullpen for the last two years, though his 4.88 FIP this season indicates regression might be ahead. The Reds didn't have much use for Sims in the final two months of his contract, so picking up a pure lottery ticket in the 19-year-old Bido, who has pitched well in the low levels of the minors this season, is nice work.

Yankees add to bullpen with deal for Mark Leiter Jr.

• Yankees get: RP Mark Leiter Jr.
• Cubs get: INF Ben Cowles, RP Jack Neely
• Grades: Yankees A | Cubs B+

Yankees fans might see Leiter's 4.21 and immediately scoff, but this is a case in which the underlying numbers have to be taken into account. The 31-year-old has a 2.11 FIP and is striking out more than 13 batters per nine innings. Considering the Yankees have done well with relievers in this situation before and Leiter is under contract through 2026, it's hard to have any problem with the deal.

Cowles is having a nice year in double-A with an .848 OPS, and Neely could profile as an MLB reliever, but both are already 24 and don't have extreme upside. For Leiter, that's fine.

Braves bring back Jorge Soler, Luke Jackson

• Braves get: OF Jorge Soler, RP Luke Jackson
• Giants get: RP Tyler Matzek, INF Sabin Ceballos
• Grades: Braves C+ | Giants A-

The story is admittedly great, as the Braves are getting the band back together from 2021. Soler was a huge part of Atlanta's World Series run, and he's shown in recent days that his bat still has some juice. Taking on the entirety of his three-year, $42 million contract is a major risk, though. This isn't the same scenario as 2021, when it wouldn't have mattered if the deal didn't work out. Atlanta is stuck with Soler through 2026, and he just hasn't produced enough in 2024 to make that an exciting prospect.

This is a straight salary dump for the Giants, which is completely fine considering Soler wasn't living up to the deal. Ceballos hasn't hit much in the minors this season, but he was drafted just a year ago and is at least a lottery ticket on top of the salary relif.

Brewers add rotation depth with deal for Frankie Montas

• Brewers get: SP Frankie Montas
• Reds get: P Jakob Junis, OF Joey Wiemer
• Grades: Brewers C+ | Reds D

It's a disappointing end to the Frankie Montas experiment for the Reds. Cincinnati wisely took a flier on the former A's starter after an injury-ravaged 2023 season, but he just hasn't found any consistency and didn't even get the Reds much in return. Junis is a starter-turned-reliever with little long-term upside, while Wiemer is young but hasn't produced at the plate at any level since 2022.

Acquiring Montas didn't require the Brewers to give up much value, but it would be underwhelming if he turns out to be Milwaukee's big rotation addition. With a 5.01 ERA and 4.91 FIP, Montas' trajectory is pointing down and, given his injury history, the Brewers could use a much more reliable arm.

Dodgers re-acquire Amed Rosario

• Dodgers get: INF Amed Rosario
• Rays get: P Michael Flynn
• Grades: Dodgers A | Rays D-

Were the Rays really not able to get anyone with upside for Rosario, who has a .307 AVG in a utility role this season? Flynn is about to turn 28 and has severely underwhelming minor-league numbers as a reliever. It would be better to just take a lottery ticket on an 18-year-old than bank on an admittedly strong development system unlocking something even the Dodgers couldn't in a career minor-leaguer.

For the Dodgers, there isn't any real risk associated with adding Rosario after landing Tommy Edman earlier in the day. He's familiar with the team, makes consistent contact and can play three infield positions. If Edman returns from the IL and other infielders get healthy, they also wouldn't need to feel bad about cutting ties with Rosario.

Astros send surprising haul for Yusei Kikuchi

• Astros get: SP Yusei Kikuchi
• Blue Jays get: P Jake Bloss, OF Joey Loperfido, INF Will Wagner
• Grades: Astros D | Blue Jays A+

The Blue Jays likely didn't waste time saying yes when they received this offer. Bloss, drafted a year ago, has a 1.64 ERA across 13 minor-league starts this season with a sparkling 0.79 WHIP. He's already debuted in the majors and could very well out-pitch Kikuchi the rest of the way, let alone for the next six years.

Loperfido has struggled at the MLB level this season, but he has a career .873 OPS in the minors and has a chance to be a long-term everyday player in Toronto.

Kikuchi's 3.64 FIP indicates better days are ahead after an ugly stretch inflated his ERA to 4.75, but he's never been a top-of-the-rotation arm and is just a rental for an injury-riddled Astros rotation. This is not the kind of package a team should surrender for a pitcher like Kikuchi.

Guardians make rare splash, trade for Lane Thomas

• Guardians get: OF Lane Thomas
• Nationals get: P Alex Clemmey, INF Jose Tena, INF Rafael Ramirez
• Grades: Guardians A | Nationals B-

The Guardians deserve credit for finally getting aggressive and trading for a bat. Thomas might not be the most exciting addition, but a player who hit 28 home runs a year ago and has been a plus hitter for the last two months since returning from the IL is absolutely an upgrade for a top-heavy Cleveland lineup.

Clemmey is the prize for the Nationals, as he was a second-round pick a year ago and just needs to figure out how to limit walks, but Washington likely could have gotten a bit more value if Thomas was traded at last year's deadline.

Cardinals land Erick Fedde in 3-team deal with Dodgers, Cardinals

• Cardinals get: SP Erick Fedde, OF Tommy Pham
• Dodgers get: INF Tommy Edman, RP Michael Kopech
• White Sox get: INF Miguel Vargas, INF Jeral Perez, INF Alexander Albertus
• Grades: Cardinals A | Dodgers B- | White Sox D

The Cardinals only gave up the injured Edman to land a solid starter controlled through 2025 and a reliable veteran bat in Pham. That's a deal they would take every day of the week. The Dodgers still need another move or two, but they're the right kind of team to try to unlock Kopech's potential. Giving up three players for that haul is a bit on the heavy side, but there is no prospect here worth losing sleep over. That's why it's pretty disappointing to see the White Sox walk away with only this kind of return for two solid veterans.

Cubs swing surprise deal for Isaac Paredes

• Cubs get: INF Isaac Paredes
• Rays get: OF Christopher Morel , P Hunter Bigge, P Ty Johnson
• Grades: Cubs A+ | Rays C-

The Cubs aren't buyers, but a deal for a controllable bat that can be near the center of their lineup for the next three seasons isn't about 2024. Paredes hit 33 home runs last season, and he has an OPS just under .800 this season after cooling down from a red-hot start.

Morel can replicate Paredes' power, but he's a replacement-level player unless his contact ability improves dramatically. Bigge isn't much of a loss for the Cubs, while Johnson has swing-and-miss stuff the Rays' development system will hope to harness. For a young, controllable hitter, though, this is a light return.

Yankees acquire Jazz Chisholm Jr. from Marlins

• Yankees get: OF/2B Jazz Chisholm Jr.
• Marlins get: C Agustin Ramirez, INF Jared Serna, INF Abrahan Ramirez
• Grades: Yankees A- | Marlins B+

Chisholm probably isn't going to transform the Yankees' lineup into something it's not, but New York did well to take advantage of a young, controllable hitter on the market even if there is a lengthy injury history. Not only does Chisholm have impressive raw power, but he also comes cheap and plays an exciting brand of baseball that the franchise needs.

Agustin Ramirez is a nice coup for the Marlins and a worthy centerpiece in a deal for a young bat, while Abrahan Ramirez is a worthwhile lottery ticket for Miami after hitting .348 in rookie ball this season.

Mariners make first deadline splash with deal for Randy Arozarena

• Mariners get: OF Randy Arozarena
• Rays get: INF Aidan Smith, P Brody Hopkins, PTBNL
• Grades: Mariners A | Rays C+

There shouldn't be any complaints about the Mariners landing an impressive bat under team control through 2026. Arozarena was about as steady as any hitter in the league from 2021-2023, and he's recovered nicely after an ugly start to 2024. Now on pace for his fourth consecutive season of at least 20 home runs, Arozarena can give a lifeless Seattle lineup some pop down the stretch and beyond.

Smith and Hopkins are both lottery tickets for the Rays. It was surprising to see Tampa walk away without more of a sure thing, as both Smith and Hopkins have looked great in the minors this season, but each was drafted only a year ago and Hopkins has a history of control issues.

For the Mariners, turning fourth- and sixth-round picks into Arozarena after less than a year is a major win.