While we won't be able to fully assess who won and who lost this MLB Trade Deadline until October, we can still open things up for debate by holding up the three teams we feel did the best - and the three teams that did the worst - to help their chances for this stretch run and beyond. Here's who we think won and lost the trade deadline:
WINNERS
Texas Rangers
Texas came in at the last hour and made two ground-breaking moves. While pitching was their biggest need, the Rangers weren't able to acquire anyone they wanted - so they doubled-down on offense. Getting Carlos Beltran from the Yankees gave them another outfield bat (and someone who can play DH), and that would've been good enough by itself to put Texas in that category.
However, their addition of Jonathan Lucroy makes them the winners of the day. Not only is he another big bat, but he is also widely phrased for his game-managing and framing abilities behind the plate - something the Rangers think will help their pitching staff.
With these two additions, Texas is set up well to make a World Series run.
Chicago did acquire reliever Joe Smith from the Angels on deadline day, but they really make this list because of Aroldis Chapman. The Cubs got him from the Yankees last week, and he has already been making a big impact for them. Chicago may have liked to add another starter, but their bullpen is now one of the better units in the majors - something that will help them in a big way come October.
If the Yankees gave you a player, then apparently you'll land on this list. Cleveland got the closer they wanted in Andrew Miller, giving arguably the AL's best team even more firepower. They also had a deal in place to acquire Lucroy, but after he used his no-trade clause to veto the deal, they got outfielder Brandon Guyer to give their lineup some depth. For a team that didn't need to do a whole lot, the Indians certainly fixed several of their few weaknesses.
LOSERS
Houston Astros
The Astros were already losing ground on the Rangers in the division, and after failing to do anything at the deadline, Houston virtually has no chance to win the division and will be lucky to pull out a wild card spot. Almost every other contender in the AL made a move (or several moves) to improve - except for Houston. Look for that to make itself evident over the course of the next few months.
Miami is another team in contention that really failed to do anything. You'd think that since the Marlins are finally contending after several dismal years, they'd try to swing for the fences. They did try to add a few pieces, but none of the players they targeted were game-changers - and they weren't able to land any of them, opting to hold onto all of their prospects instead. While that may end up paying dividends for Miami down the road at some point (when they might not be as good), it certainly doesn't help them now.
Chicago was in position to sell and give the rebuild a major boost, but opted to keep all of their pieces instead. The White Sox floated star pitcher Chris Sale in trade rumors, but ultimately decided that they didn't want to get rid of him. Their second starter, Jose Quintana, was also made available for trade, yet they kept him as well.
The White Sox could've gotten a plethora of young prospects back for both that could turn them into World Series contenders in the future, but instead opted to keep those players for now. One (or both) of those pitchers are likely to be dealt this offseason, in which case all they've done is take opportunities away for Chicago's young pitchers to develop.
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