The MLB trade deadline is in the books, and while there was a blockbuster to end all blockbusters, the players who didn't move may end up being as important as the players who did.
The Nationals traded Juan Soto and Josh Bell to the Padres for a veritable Fountain of Youth, receiving MacKenzie Gore and C.J. Abrams along a slew of prospects. Meanwhile, the Yankees corrected their error in getting Joey Gallo by trading for Andrew Benintendi before Tuesday.
Other big players to move included Luis Castillo, Frankie Montas, and Jose Quintana, not to mention Tyler Mahle and Noah Syndergaard. The Cubs, meanwhile, decided to sit on Willson Contreras and Ian Happ.
The Sporting News provided live analysis and grades for every trade made at this year's deadline. Here's how each team fared.
MLB trade deadline tracker: Live rumors, news, updates
MLB trade deadline 2022: Grading the latest trades
Braves get Raisel Iglesias for a pair of pitchers
Braves get: RHP Raisel Iglesias
Angels get: LHP Tucker Davidson, RHP Jesse Chavez
Grades: Braves -- A | Angels -- D+
Another rather confusing move. The Angels just signed Iglesias to a four-year contract last winter, and they gave him up for two MLB pitchers having less-than-terrific years. Iglesias fills the void left by Smith's departure to Houston, the Braves get another rotational piece in Odorizzi, and the Braves have some insurance for Kenley Jansen.
It's confusing for Los Angeles in that the vision doesn't quite make sense. Why sign Iglesias just to deal him at the last minute of the deadline? This package doesn't seem irresistible.
Blue Jays add to their infield with... Whit Merrifield?
Blue Jays get: IF Whit Merrifield
Royals get: RHP Max Castillo, IF Samad Taylor
Grades: Blue Jays -- C+ | Royals -- B
Even disregarding the vaccination questions, this is a weird fit for Merrifield. Santiago Espinal isn't much of a problem in the Jays order, and what they really could have used was a left-handed bat. They also gave up a top-20 prospect in Taylor for him. This isn't a bad move. Rather, it's a confusing one.
Yankees add defense, lose a left-handed arm
Yankees get: OF Harrison Bader
Cardinals get: LHP Jordan Montgomery
Grades: Yankees -- C- | Cardinals -- B+
The Yankees want to shore up their defensive depth, but they're taking a risk in trading for Bader. It's likely the Yankees want Judge to move back to right field, but Bader may or may not be back this season as he recovers from a foot injury. There's a stipulation from the Cardinals for a PTBNL if that ends up being the case, but the Yankees are in on this year.
For the Cardinals, they're adding another lefty arm behind Quintana who gives them more rotational depth. Given Bader's issues at the plate, it's a solid move for them.
Noah Syndergaard goes to Phillies
Phillies get: RHP Noah Syndergaard
Angels get: OF Mickey Moniak, OF Jadiel Sanchez
Grades: Phillies -- B+ | Angels -- C+
You would think with so many teams needing pitching help, the Angels could do a bit better for Syndergaard, but that doesn't appear to be the case. Syndergaard has been slightly above average when healthy this year, and the Phillies needed another rotational arm. They didn't give up much to get one.
Blue Jays pick up a starter after missing on Noah Syndergaard
Blue Jays get: RHP Mitch White
Dodgers get: TBD
Grades: Inc.
Twins get another reliever in Michael Fulmer
Twins get: RHP Michael Fulmer
Tigers get: RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long
Grades: Twins -- A | Tigers -- D
This trade doesn't exist in a vacuum. The Twins needed pitching help at this deadline, and they added a good starter, a good closer, and now a good setup man. They're quietly doing very well.
On the other side, the Tigers got a decent player for Fulmer. Gipson-Long is pitching well in High-A after struggling in Double-A Wichita, but the Tigers missed their window with dealing Fulmer. This is effectively a throw-in.
Twins get catching prospect Sandy Leon from Guardians for Ian Hamilton
Twins get: C Sandy Leon
Guardians get: RHP Ian Hamilton
Grades: Twins -- B- | Guardians -- C
The Guardians might be able to save Ian Hamilton -- few teams have the track record they do with pitchers -- but Hamilton simply hasn't found a place in any MLB bullpen in three separate stints. It's a meager return for Leon, but they were never going to get much. It was a small, intradivisional deal.
Mariners, Giants complete small deal amidst the hoopla
Mariners get: C Curt Casali
Giants get: RHP Michael Stryffeler
Grades: Mariners -- C | Giants -- C
There's nothing much to say. Cal Raleigh is still the guy in Seattle, it's a depth play for a prospect.
Padres not done yet, acquire Brandon Drury for new No. 6 prospect
Padres get: INF Brandon Drury
Reds get: SS Victor Acosta
Grades: Padres -- B- | Reds -- A-
This is two teams valuing things extremely different. The Padres are selling off their entire farm and the Reds are trying to get as many guys as possible. Furthermore, the Padres have a shortstop indefinitely in Fernando Tatis Jr., so getting Drury for the infield should help assuage not having C.J. Abrams to plug and play anymore. It's a good deal, but their farm system is getting awfully thin.
Twins get another starter from Reds for more starters
Twins get: RHP Tyler Mahle
Reds get: INF Spencer Steer, INF Christian Encarnacion-Strand, LHP Steve Hajjar
Grades: Twins -- A | Reds -- A
The ring of fire around starting pitchers on the market is closing in. The Reds got even more top-30 prospects from other teams for Tyler Mahle after getting four of the Mariners' prospects for Castillo. Their farm system is looking mighty bulky right now, and they have a good history with developing infielders. They're getting two good-ones for Steer and Encarnacion-Strand. Ultimately, a good return for a good pitcher who will help the Twins rotation as they try to win the AL Central.
Mets come alive for a moment, get Darin Ruf from Giants for JD Davis, prospects
Mets get: 1B Darin Ruf
Giants get: 3B JD Davis, LHP Thomas Szapucki, LHP Nick Zwack, RHP Nick Zwack
Grades: Mets -- C+ | Giants -- B+
This is a lot to give up for Darin Ruf if you're the Mets. He'll be a good player to pair with Daniel Vogelbach in a platoon fashion, but to give up this many pitching prospects for Ruf when there are other sluggers available is an interesting choice. Ruf, to his credit, has been very good recently for the Giants. But a five-player trade in which four of them are going for Ruf is always going to be a hard sell.
Phillies also add centerfielder for highly-rated prospect
Phillies get: OF Brandon Marsh
Angels get: C Logan O'Hoppe
Grades: Phillies -- A | Angels -- A
This is, surprisingly, a good trade for both sides. Logan O'Hoppe was already hitting well in Double-A for the Phillies and the Phillies are getting a legitimate centerfielder who has been forced out of position by sharing the field with Mike Trout.
O'Hoppe immediately becomes the best Angels prospect going by MLB Pipeline, and he's already nearly MLB-ready. The Phillies, meanwhile, get Odubel Herrera out of the day-to-day lineup.
Phillies add David Robertson from Cubs amidst outstanding year
Phillies get: RHP David Robertson
Cubs get: RHP Ben Brown
Grades: Phillies -- A | Cubs -- B-
The Cubs must have had their hand forced with regards to David Robertson. They're giving away a reliever having a very good year to the Phillies for one Double-A pitcher in Brown, albeit a guy with a very high ceiling who is pitching well in Double-A. You like to see the teams getting prospects to receive multiple guys, as to a degree pitcher development is a numbers game. But neither side should be devastated by this.
Eric Hosmer still gets traded, Red Sox continue confusing deadline
Red Sox get: 1B Eric Hosmer, 2B Max Ferguson, OF Corey Rosier
Padres get: LHP Jay Groome
Grades: Red Sox -- B | Padres -- C-
As is becoming par for the course for the Red Sox at this deadline, the pieces of the puzzle aren't quite fitting together. After Hosmer declined a trade to the Nationals, the Padres instead sent him to Boston.
The return for the Red Sox isn't bad, and what they're giving up is a big question mark as well. Hosmer is honestly an upgrade at first for Boston, and Ferguson and Rosier are wild card prospects. The Sox are giving up lefty Jay Groome, who has struggled after Tommy John surgery. Ultimately, without the Red Sox eating a ton of money, this is a decent deal for them as they capitalized on a move the Padres had to make.
Yankees offload Joey Gallo for Dodgers' No. 15 prospect
Dodgers get: OF Joey Gallo
Yankees get: RHP Clayton Beeter
Grades: Yankees -- B+ | Dodgers -- B
This is actually more than some might have expected for the Yankees to get for Gallo, specifically anyone in any team's top 20 among prospects, but Beeter's medicals make this a relatively fair trade. He has an extensive injury history, and that was surely considered.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, get an outfielder who can be behind "in case of emergency" glass. Gallo doesn't move the needle much at this deadline, but neither team gave up a lot to get guys with at least a modicum of upside.
Blue Jays bolster bullpen, give high-upside prospect to Marlins
Blue Jays get: RHP Anthony Bass, RHP Zach Pop
Marlins get: SS Jordan Groshans
Grades: Blue Jays -- B+ | Marlins -- B-
Jordan Groshans is an odd case. At his best, he's a top 100 prospect and the Blue Jays develop extremely well. But a myriad of injuries have kept him off the field and he's been in the middle of a down season in Buffalo.
The Blue Jays, however, were able to trade him for two solid relievers in Bass and Pop. Bass in particular has been dominant this year, and Pop -- a Canadian -- has a lot of team control left. This deal isn't particularly bad for either team, but it seems like both could have gotten more for the pieces in play somehow.
San Diego Padres land both Juan Soto and Josh Bell in blockbuster with Nationals
Padres get: OF Juan Soto, 1B Josh Bell
Nationals get: RHP MacKenzie Gore, INF C.J. Abrams, OF Robert Hassell III, OF James Wood, RHP Jarlin Susana, 1B Eric Hosmer
Grades: Padres -- A+ | Nationals -- C-
The big one has finally dropped, with the Nationals offloading Soto and Bell to the Padres for three MLB players and three top-20 prospects.
Gore, Abrams, Hassell, and Wood are the headliners of the Padres being traded out, with Hosmer being a salary dump and Susana being a high-upside pitcher. But at the end of the day, the Padres are getting a 23-year-old superstar with 2.5 years of control and a first baseman who can hit for average without having to take on Patrick Corbin's salary. This is unequivocally a win for A.J. Preller and the Padres, and them managing to land Soto and Hader this deadline is a big move for them.
The Nationals get a lot of potential in the return, but it's only potential until further notice. Hosmer has three player options at $13 million over the next three years. Gore has been good this season. But they likely could have done more to keep Soto. It was always going to hurt them in evaluating this trade.
An important note: This trade is NOT yet official. The Padres are awaiting approval from Hosmer, who has the Nationals included in his 10-team no-trade clause. Should something change, The Sporting News will update accordingly.
UPDATE: Eric Hosmer did not give his approval to be traded, meaning he is not involved in the return. The trade, however, is still going through, according to Jon Heyman.
Orioles reaffirm themselves as sellers, trade All-Star closer
Twins get: RHP Jorge Lopez
Orioles get: RHP Yennier Cano, LHP Cade Povich, RHP Juan Nuñez, LHP Juan Rojas
Grades: Twins -- A | Orioles -- B+
This isn't the Brewers dealing Josh Hader. The Orioles moving off of Lopez now makes sense, even with two more years of arbitration in play. The Twins needed to do something at this deadline with the top of the AL staying busy, but this might not be enough. Emilio Pagan and Jhoan Duran have shared closing duties for Minnesota, so Lopez at least gives them a leg up there.
The Orioles got back quite a bit for Lopez as well. Povich is the top player in the deal, whereas Cano made his MLB debut this year and has shown some good stuff for the Twins. Nuñez and Rojas aren't quite as highly-regarded in Minnesota's system, but the Orioles will try to make something of them all the same.
Braves get an outfielder from Tigers
Braves get: OF Robbie Grossman
Tigers get: RHP Kris Anglin
Grades: Braves -- B- | Tigers -- C+
This trade doesn't do a lot for anyone, but it fits the Braves' M.O. Grossman has been bad for the Tigers this year after a career year in 2021, and the Tigers are getting a 16th round rookie ball player.
For the Braves, this might not end in another Joctober, but it makes sense for them. They like strength in numbers in the outfield. The Tigers, for their part, were going to take what they could for Grossman.
Astros get another reliever from Braves for a starter
Braves get: RHP Jake Odorizzi
Astros get: LHP Will Smith
Grades: Braves -- B+ | Astros -- B-
Another relatively boring trade that addresses needs and is fairly even, the Braves are adding a starting pitcher to a rotation that needed some help from three onward and the Astros are bolstering their bullpen.
Both of these teams do pretty well at getting the most from their arms, but the Braves make out a little better due to their recent history with taking new arms through October. Smith is having a slightly down season by his standards, but the Astros have a good pedigree with bullpen arms.
Cardinals get starter from Pirates, but it comes at a price
Cardinals get: LHP Jose Quintana, RHP Chris Stratton
Pirates get: RHP Johan Oviedo, INF Malcolm Nuñez
Grades: Cardinals -- B+ | Pirates -- A-
This trade fits both teams pretty well. The Cardinals get their starter with Frankie Montas and Luis Castillo off the market in Quintana, and they get Stratton, who is in the midst of a down year but has generally put up decent numbers.
The Pirates, meanwhile, add Oviedo, who has a lot of team control left and is having the best season of his young career, along with the Cardinals' No. 10 prospect Nuñez. All things told, both of these division rivals can walk away from this one somewhat happy.
Red Sox add catcher after trading Vasquez for flailing Diekman
Red Sox get: C Reese McGuire
White Sox get: LHP Jake Diekman
Grades: Red Sox -- B | White Sox -- C+
Another trade that only matters for its context. McGuire and Kevin Plawecki will likely share time behind the dish for the Red Sox, and Jake Diekman has not been good this season. Boston has tried him in the closer role, and he's blown three of four opportunities there.
McGuire isn't exactly a replacement for Vasquez, but he's a left-handed bat for Boston. He may well end up platooning with Plawecki.
Kansas City Royals and Arizona Diamondbacks sneak in a trade
Royals get: RHP Luke Weaver
Diamondbacks get: 3B Emmanuel Rivera
Grades: Royals -- C | Diamondbacks -- C
File this one away under nothing-burger deals. Neither team really made their roster better or worse here, the Royals just wanted to add an arm with another year of arbitration whereas the Diamondbacks get a third baseman with a ton of team control who is very much figuring things out.
It's not a needle-mover.
Red Sox add Tommy Pham for prospects to Reds
Red Sox get: OF Tommy Pham
Reds get: Prospects TBD
Grades: Inc.
In a similar vein, this is trade is confusing for the Sox as well. They add a bat in Pham for prospects, but why are they trading prospects away to pick up a player on a mutual option after trading a player who is on an expiring contract?
There has to be more to this move. The Reds get Pham off the books as well, which is good for them. Any move that adds to their farm system is acceptable for them.
Red Sox trade Christian Vasquez for prospects from Astros
Astros get: C Christian Vasquez
Red Sox get: Prospects TBD
Grades: Inc.
We need to know the return to properly grade a trade like this, but the Astros should make out pretty well. Vasquez is another rental for the Astros, but they're ring chasing this season and, like Mancini's add, it's addition by subtraction -- they're getting Martin Maldonado out of the order.
For the Red Sox, It's another half-measure by Chaim Bloom and his regime. They're selling off contracts, but is now really the time for Boston to be selling?
Astros land their first baseman by wresting Trey Mancini from Orioles
Astros get: 1B Trey Mancini, RHP Jayden Murray
Orioles get: RHP Seth Johnson, RHP Chayce McDermott
Rays get: OF Jose Siri
Grades: Astros: A | Orioles: F | Rays: C
The Astros addressed the Yuli Gurriel problem at first base by trading for first baseman and DH Trey Mancini, and they didn't have to give a lot of up to do it. They traded away Chayce McDermott and Jose Siri to complete a three-team deal with the Orioles and Rays.
In the midst of a playoff chase, the Orioles traded away one of the heart-and-soul pieces of their team in Mancini, whereas the Rays were really more of a tagalong in this deal and got rid of Johnson, who is having Tommy John surgery and will miss all of next year.
MORE: Trey Mancini trade to Astros leaves former Orioles teammates disheartened
Yankees get two-for-one deal on starter and reliever in Montas and Trivino
Yankees get: RHP Frankie Montas, RHP Lou Trivino
Athletics get: LHP Ken Waldichuk, RHP Luis Medina, LHP JP Sears, 2B Cooper Bowman
Grades: Yankees: A- | Athletics: B
Frankly, these weren't the guys Yankees fans wanted. But they could prove to be the ones they need. Ken Waldichuk is the main source consternation for the Yankees to lose, but getting back a front-of-the-rotation arm and a reliever whose stuff isn't nearly as bad as his numbers indicate is good news for the Yankees.
The Athletics feel like they should have gotten more out of this trade than they did, and the fact they didn't shows that the Mariners didn't somehow break the starting pitcher market with what they gave up for Castillo. Perhaps teams are concerned about Montas' longevity, but all things told this doesn't seem like a great trade for Oakland.
MORE: What time is the MLB trade deadline today?
Josh Hader gets moved to Padres in blockbuster trade
Padres get: LHP Josh Hader
Brewers get: LHP Taylor Rogers, LHP Robert Gasser, OF Esteury Ruiz, RHP Dinelson Lamet
Grades: Brewers: B+ | Padres: A-
Sometimes, the biggest trades are the fairest. The Brewers give up ace closer Josh Hader and let Devin Williams officially move into the closing role, and the Padres give up some highly-rated players but no top prospects.
The Brewers got a nice haul back for Hader, including the Padres' closer Taylor Rogers, an outfielder (to supplant an outfielder that desperately needs help) in Esteury Ruiz, and a reliever who they can mold in Dinelson Lamet. They also get the Padres No. 7 prospect in Robert Gasser. The Padres, meanwhile, get a generally consistent closer coming off a bumpy July. If he can right the ship, he could be a key player if they make a deep run this season.
Rays acquire Garrett Cleavinger from Dodgers for German Tapia in space-clearing move for LA
Rays get: LHP Garrett Cleavinger
Dodgers get: OF German Tapia
Grades: Rays: B- | Dodgers: B+
The Dodgers moved reliever Garrett Cleavinger to the Rays for an 18-year-old outfielder who is playing extremely well in the Dominican League. German Tapia has potential for the Dodgers, whereas Cleavinger, who struggled at the MLB level this year, has pitched well in Oklahoma City for the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate. The jury is still out on if Cleavinger is a Quad-A guy, but the Rays tend to get quite a bit out of their arms.
Yankees give up Triple-A arm for breakout reliever from Cubs
Yankees get: RHP Scott Effross
Cubs get: RHP Hayden Wesneski
Grades: Yankees: A | Cubs: B-
The Yankees addressed their bullpen in an understated way Monday, trading for Cubs reliever Scott Effross. Effross is having a breakout season in Chicago, posting an ERA+ of 158 and an ERA of 2.66. He's 1-4 on the year, and has a lot of club control left. It's a great deal for the Yankees. This grade, however, is liable to drop if it's the only one the Yankees make. Effross isn't the answer for the Yankees. He could be a nice complementary piece if they make a bigger deal.
The Cubs, meanwhile, get the Yankees' No. 7 prospect Hayden Wesneski. Wesneski has starter potential on the back end of the rotation, but he could be best-suited as a reliever. The trade is a bit confusing for Chicago, who were enjoying a nice season out of Effross and now get a Triple-A pitcher in return, albeit a highly-graded one.
Rays land an outfield bat while Diamondbacks get a prospect
Rays get: OF David Peralta
Diamondbacks get: C Christian Cerda
Grades: Rays: B+ | Diamondbacks: A-
The Diamondbacks had to thin out their outfield roster heading into the deadline, and they did so with a nice return by trading David Peralta to the Rays for catcher Christian Cerda.
The Rays, conversely, needed another bat in the order. Peralta, a veteran, has 12 home runs on the year and should bring some power to tide over the Rays until they get their key players back in the lineup. Cerda is extremely young and far out from being able to make any kind of MLB impact, so this move makes sense for both teams. He's having a strong season for the Rays at their rookie level affiliate in Florida, but the Rays needed help ASAP.
MORE: Why the Angels aren't dealing two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani
Phillies get another infielder with no offense from Cardinals for back-end bullpen arm
Phillies get: IF Edmundo Sosa
Cardinals get: LHP JoJo Romero
Grades: Phillies: B- | Cardinals: C
These get these grades because they're format compliant. The Phillies added another infielder who doesn't hit well (Sosa has an OPS+ of 49 this year), whereas the Cardinals picked up a reliever in Romero who has hardly seen any MLB action this year. With Johan Camargo in the rotation, it's hard to see what Sosa brings, but this likely just means the Cardinals were shopping Sosa to anyone buying.
Los Angeles Dodgers trade utility player for middle-grade reliever
Dodgers get: RHP Chris Martin
Cubs get: Utility Zach McKinstry
Grades: Dodgers: C+ | Cubs: C
Nothing too crazy to see in this trade. The Dodgers get a middle-of-the-road reliever for bullpen depth and the Cubs get a decent utility man for a player they signed to move at the deadline. Neither team gets a lot better, but neither one gets a lot worse either.
MORE: One move every MLB team should make at trade deadline
Seattle Mariners land Luis Castillo for three of top five prospects
Mariners get: RHP Luis Castillo
Reds get: SS Noelvi Marte, RHP Levi Stoudt, SS Edwin Arroyo, RHP Andrew Moore
Grades: Mariners: B+ | Reds: A
The Seattle Mariners acquired Luis Castillo as they try to end the longest active playoff drought in major North American sports, but they had to give up a haul to do it. Prospects Nos. 1, 3, and 5 are on the way to Cincinnati, as the Reds were able to shore up their farm by dealing Castillo. Ultimately, it's a risk for the Mariners and an investment for the Reds. Good for both teams, probably better long-term for Cincinnati.
Mets and Reds make deal headlined by OF Tyler Naquin
Mets get: OF Tyler Naquin, LHP Phillip Diehl
Reds get: IF Hector Rodriguez, RHP Jose Acuña
Grades: Mets: B- | Reds: C
This grade is almost impossible to evaluate, and it's much worse for the Mets if it's the only deadline move they make (unlikely). Naquin is the only Major League player involved in this deal, and his OPS+ is exactly 100 this year, which puts him at about as average as average gets. He's a decent hitter for power, but part of that is from playing at Great American Ball Park, one of MLB's most hitter-friendly parks. Diehl was effectively a throw-in for the Mets.
As for the Reds, the get two players outside of the Mets' top 30 prospects, per MLB Pipeline. Perhaps one of them turns into something eventually, but this is ultimately a footer trade.
Yankees trade lottery tickets for OF Andrew Benintendi
Yankees get: OF Andrew Benintendi
Royals get: LHP TJ Sikkema, RHP Beck Way, RHP Chandler Champlain
Grades: Yankees: A | Royals: B+
The Yankees' Joey Gallo experiment was an abject failure, so they knew they had to be in on an outfielder at the deadline. As the Juan Soto sweepstakes raged on, New York snuck in and poached Andrew Benintendi from the Royals for three pitching prospects. It's a deal that helps the Yankees this year and should help the Royals as they rebuild for the future, so Sporting News had both teams graded out well for it.