2026 MLB Trade Deadline Winners and Losers
The 2026 MLB trade deadline has come and gone, and with it, a flurry of deals that will shape the course of the season. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the winners and losers of the trade deadline, and what it means for the teams involved.
Winner: The Dodgers
The Dodgers were the big winners of the trade deadline, adding reigning two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal to their rotation. Skubal joins a team that is already loaded with talent, and his presence will only make them stronger.
The Dodgers needed rotation help, and they went out and got the best available starter. Skubal is a necessity more than a luxury, and his addition will give the Dodgers a significant boost in the postseason.
Skubal’s move from a team fighting for its postseason life to a team trying to three-peat is a win-win for both him and the Dodgers. He gets to pitch for a World Series contender and prove himself on the biggest stage ahead of free agency.
Loser: The Brewers
The Brewers were the big losers of the trade deadline, failing to land Tarik Skubal despite being in the mix. The Brewers’ deadline haul, which included Codi Heuer, Dustin May, Bo Naylor, JoJo Romero, and Antonio Senzatela, was good, but it wasn’t enough to keep up with the Dodgers.
The Brewers are in the most prosperous era in franchise history, but they seem to be satisfied with the status quo. They took baby steps toward their goal of winning the World Series, but great big leaps were available.
Winner: The Red Sox
The Red Sox were the big winners of the trade deadline, landing Adley Rutschman in a stunning move. Rutschman is on the injured list with a wrist issue, but he has begun baseball activities and isn’t too far away.
Rutschman improves the Red Sox defensively and lengthens and diversifies their lineup. He’s a genuine shocker, and his addition will give the Red Sox a significant boost in the postseason.
Loser: The Yankees
The Yankees were the big losers of the trade deadline, failing to meet their needs despite going into the deadline with three obvious needs: righty-hitting catcher, righty-hitting outfielder, and bullpen help.
The Yankees got just one of those things, Heliot Ramos, a righty-hitting outfielder. They also brought in slugger Luis García Jr., who will help their slumbering offense, but he only exacerbates their lefty heaviness issue.
Winner: The Cubs
The Cubs were the big winners of the trade deadline, adding sinker specialist Clay Holmes and Kevin Gausman to their rotation. Holmes and Gausman give the Cubs sorely needed rotation help and are both big market and postseason battle-tested veterans.
The Cubs’ deadline haul was a success, and their addition of Holmes and Gausman will give them a significant boost in the postseason.
Loser: Orioles and Tigers
The Orioles and Tigers were the big losers of the trade deadline, selling off two star players despite being in the wild-card hunt. The Orioles subtracted Adley Rutschman, Taylor Ward, Tyler Wells, and Dean Kremer, while the Tigers traded Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize.
MLB’s competitive balance problem is not the Dodgers buying up all the best players. It’s the teams fighting for a postseason berth deciding to play for next year, again and again.
Winner: The Giants and Mets
The Giants and Mets were the big winners of the trade deadline, enjoying the seller’s market and reaping the rewards. The Giants turned Luis Arraez, Caleb Kilian, Heliot Ramos, Robbie Ray, Tyler Mahle, and Erik Miller into six prospects and post-hype youngster Marcelo Mayer.
The Mets turned Clay Holmes, Freddy Peralta, Luke Weaver, Huascar Brazobán, A.J. Minter, Brooks Raley, and Tyrone Taylor into 11 (!) prospects. In Weaver’s case, the Mets paid a big chunk of his contract to get the prospect they wanted (shortstop Sammy Stafura).
Loser: Mike Trout
Mike Trout is a loser of the trade deadline, sticking around as the Angels rebuild (again). The Angels sold hard at the trade deadline, turning José Soriano, Jo Adell, Brent Suter, Ryan Zeferjahn, Kirby Yates, Chase Silseth, and Logan O’Hoppe into nine prospects, including the highly regarded Arjun Nimmala.
Is that what Mike Trout, who turns 35 later this week, wants at this point in his career? Maybe it is. He’s stuck with the Angels this long. Perhaps the deadline activity is what pushes him over the edge and makes him rethink his no-trade clause, though.
