The 2021 trade deadline in MLB was legendary, full of action, rumors, and shocking transactions.
Buyers were buyers and sellers, well, sold (well, everyone but the Colorado Rockies.)
These are the three MLB teams that look to have benefited the most from their transactions.
3. Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox would probably have won the American League Central even if they didn’t add anyone at the trade deadline.
However, they knew the competition this year, for them, isn’t in the AL Central: it’s in the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and Houston Astros.
Since Nick Madrigal injured his hamstring, they have had a void at second base, which they filled before the deadline by making a trade with the Cleveland Indians.
They brought in Cesar Hernandez (18 home runs, .740 OPS), who is an average offensive second baseman with a very good glove, making him a fine regular.
The biggest deal of the deadline for Chicago, though, was bringing closer Craig Kimbrel (0.47 ERA this year) from their cross-town rivals, the Chicago Cubs.
They had to send Madrigal, and another reliever, Codi Heuer, but they are forming baseball’s best 1-2 punch in the bullpen with Kimbrel and Liam Hendriks.
Overall, the White Sox look much, much more dangerous.
2. New York Yankees
The Yankees managed to greatly improve their roster without sacrificing any of their top prospects.
They added two bonafide sluggers in Joey Gallo (25 homers) and Anthony Rizzo, plus starter Andrew Heaney and relievers Clay Holmes and Joely Rodriguez without dealing any relevant major league pieces, just relievers Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson, plus a bunch of good, but not elite prospects.
They held on to Jasson Dominguez, Deivi Garcia, Clarke Schmidt, Yoendrys Gomez, Anthony Volpe, Oswald Peraza, Luis Gil, Luis Medina, and other top young players in the minors, and got their men.
Perhaps the Yankees could have brought in a higher-caliber starter, or another top reliever, but they patched their roster and are already starting to make up some of the ground they lost earlier in the season.
Rizzo and Gallo will help balance the righty-heavy Yankees lineup, and Rodriguez and Holmes are groundball machines who will contribute to the bullpen.
Not only did the #Yankees balance their lineup by acquiring two power lefty bats, but they also strengthened their overall defense. Gallo and Rizzo should make huge differences both at the plate and in the field. Major upgrades. Their playoff odds have undoubtedly improved.
— Tom Hanslin (@TomHanslin) July 29, 2021
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Before making the most influential move of the deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers had already landed Danny Duffy, a useful lefty who, while injured, could eventually contribute when he is back to full health.
But the night before deadline day was legendary for the franchise.
The Dodgers agreed to trade pitcher Josiah Gray, catcher Keibert Ruiz, and two other prospects to the Washington Nationals in exchange for ace Max Scherzer and shortstop Trea Turner, two of the very best players in the game.
From DC to LA.
Welcome to the best coast, Max Scherzer and Trea Turner! pic.twitter.com/HTd1kV6stA
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 30, 2021
Turner is an all-around star, with great defense, excellent wheels (21 stolen bases), fantastic contact ability (.322 average), and very nice power (18 homers.)
Scherzer needs no introduction: he is a durable ace who is having a fantastic year, with a 2.76 ERA in 111 frames.
Yes, Gray and Ruiz are both top-50 prospects, but that’s the price to pay to win now.
And boy, do the Dodgers look like the team to beat in MLB with those two additions.
NEXT: Why Trading Jose Berrios Ultimately Made Sense For Twins