⚾ Winners and Losers of the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline (So Far)

2 days ago

Grandpa Pulse’s take on which teams just boosted their October odds—and which ones sat on their hands.
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🔥 Here Is How Trade Deadline Is Shaping Up

The 2025 MLB trade deadline is here, and the clock is ticking. Some clubs made power moves to beef up for October, while others stared at the standings and blinked.

This year’s deadline has featured fewer blockbuster names, but plenty of aggressive mid-tier moves that could shape the postseason picture.

Here’s who won, who whiffed, and one sneaky team to watch down the stretch.

✅ Winners

🧨 1. Philadelphia Phillies

Trade: Acquired Paul Sewald (RHP, closer) from Arizona and Whit Merrifield (utility) from Toronto.
Why it matters: Sewald solidifies the back end of the bullpen—something the Phillies desperately needed. Merrifield adds playoff experience and contact hitting for key moments.
Bottom line: Already scary. Now October-tuned.

🔥 2. Seattle Mariners

Trade: Picked up Eduardo Rodriguez (LHP) from Detroit for two prospects.
Why it matters: The Mariners’ young rotation now adds a playoff-tested veteran. Rodriguez slots in as a #2 or #3, giving them a legit postseason staff.
Bottom line: Understated, but surgical. Seattle wants in.

💪 3. St. Louis Cardinals

Trade: Added Brent Rooker (OF/DH) from Oakland and Jose Cuas (RHP) from KC.
Why it matters: Rooker brings power from the right side, and Cuas is a strikeout machine when hot. The Cardinals are on a 7–3 tear and could surge into the Wild Card mix.
Bottom line: Smart buyers at the right moment.

❌ Losers

💸 1. New York Mets

Moves: Traded away Mark Canha but made no meaningful additions.
Why it matters: The Mets have one of the league’s highest payrolls, but seem paralyzed. No clear direction. The fan base is beyond frustrated.
Bottom line: Stuck in limbo again.

🤯 2. San Diego Padres

Trade: Traded a mid-level prospect for a rental middle reliever.
Why it matters: They needed a power bat or rotation help. Instead, they tinkered. The worst place to be is “kinda trying.”
Bottom line: Still confused about who they are.

😴 3. Minnesota Twins

Moves: None.
Why it matters: The AL Central is within reach, but the Twins didn’t address their slumping offense or their shaky 6th–7th inning arms.
Bottom line: Inaction = regression.

🃏 Wildcard Watch: Detroit Tigers

Trade: Acquired Reynaldo López (RHP) from the White Sox for a minor league infielder.
Why it matters: López is a flamethrower with postseason experience. The Tigers’ bullpen is no longer a disaster, and their starters are young and fearless.
Bottom line: If someone ahead of them collapses, Detroit could sneak in.

📊 Trending Trades Snapshot

Team	Key Addition(s)	Purpose	Grade
Phillies	Paul Sewald, Whit Merrifield	Bullpen + Utility	A
Mariners	Eduardo Rodriguez	Rotation depth	A-
Cardinals	Brent Rooker, Jose Cuas	Power + K rate boost	B+
Padres	Rental RP (unnamed)	Marginal help	C-
Mets	Traded Canha, no buys	Shrug emoji vibes	D
Tigers	Reynaldo López	Bullpen upgrade	B

🧓 Grandpa’s Final Word

The Phillies and Mariners made practical moves without mortgaging the future. The Mets and Twins? Not even trying. In August, you either get hot or get humbled—and these trades might be the difference between champagne or collapse. The pulse of the playoffs just got a little wilder.

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