Following the MLB trade deadline, we now have a clearer picture of the potential postseason roster, with the Baltimore Orioles ranking first in the American League (AL) due to significant improvements in their pitching line. The New York Yankees hold the first AL wild card, benefiting from the addition of Jazz Chisholm and Mark Leiter Jr. to their roster. Despite questionable choices, the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners are tied for first in the AL West, thanks to their offensive prowess and smart trade deals, respectively.
In the fifth and sixth spots in the AL are the Cleveland Guardians and Boston Red Sox. The Guardians successfully addressed their roster weaknesses through strategic trades, while the Red Sox made good moves but remained in a challenging position vis-à-vis their AL East rivals. At the bottom of the AL are the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals. Despite some roster shortcomings, both teams managed to stay in the playoff contention.
The National League (NL) scenario sees the Philadelphia Phillies in first place, thanks to their acquisition of Carlos Estevez and Austin Hays. The Los Angeles Dodgers managed to land Jack Flaherty, arguably the best available starting pitcher, boosting their rotation considerably. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves only made one trade, but are still poised to give a strong performance in October.
The San Diego Padres significantly improved their roster by acquiring Dylan Cease, Luis Arraez, Tanner Scott, and Jason Adam over the year, whilst the Arizona Diamondbacks remain steadfast contenders, making essential acquisitions despite their current struggle for a wild-card spot. On the other hand, the New York Mets made quiet but crucial signings, setting them on a potential surprise run to the postseason.
The St. Louis Cardinals managed to get Tommy Pham and Erick Fedde without losing a single prospect, accruing substantial depth. However, their pitch rotation leaves much to be desired. Lastly, while the Milwaukee Brewers still hold the top spot in the NL Central, their trade decisions have not quelled concerns about their long-term prospects. The Pittsburgh Pirates have also made worthy additions, but the lack of a strong attack could hinder their postseason aspirations.
With these assessments, the final post-trade-deadline picture becomes clear – some teams have strengthened their line-ups with shrewd trades, whilst others still have significant gaps that need to be filled. The road to the postseason will undoubtedly be an intriguing and competitive one, given the stakes and the caliber of the teams vying for a place.
