The Mets and Reds got the trade deadline rolling earlier this week, acquiring aces Marcus Stroman and Trevor Bauer, respectively, but plenty of teams around the league made less-splashy moves to bulk up for a postseason run or plan for the future on the final day.
Unlike other years, there is no waiver period next month, meaning all moves had to be made ahead of the 4 p.m. deadline.
Here’s a look at those moves.
- The Astros added Zack Greinke at the buzzer, but also made one other move to bolster their pitching. They traded outfield prospect Derek Fisher to the Blue Jays, bringing in starter Aaron Sanchez and reliever Joe Biagini in return.
- The Rays seem to be bulking up for a run at the Yankees, acquiring first baseman Jesus Aguilar from the Milwaukee Brewers for pitcher Jake Faria. With the Yankees losing six of their last nine games, the Rays sit 7.5 games behind the Yankees in the division and a half-game behind the Athletics for the Wild Card as of Wednesday afternoon. Now, they add a powerful bat to their lineup.
- The Braves added one of the best relievers on the market in Shane Greene, acquiring him from the Tigers. Greene has a 1.18 ERA and 22 saves this season. They sent prospects Joey Wentz and Travis Demeritte to Detroit.
- The Braves continued their mission to bolster their bullpen, acquiring reliever Mark Melancon from the Giants. The 34-year-old owns a 3.50 ERA through 43 appearances this season. The Braves sent Tristan Beck and Daniel Winkler to San Francisco.
- The Brewers further bolstered their pitching, trading for the Giants’ Drew Pomeranz and Ray Black. Pomeranz owns an ugly 5.68 ERA through 17 starts this season, but looks to be a end-of-the-rotation starter with Jhoulys Chacin and Brandon Woodruff on the IL. The Brewers sent promising minor league infielder Mauricio Dubon, who was hitting .297 with 16 homers and an .809 OPS for Triple-A San Antonio, to San Francisco in return.
- The Nationals overhauled their league-worst bullpen through three separate trades. They acquired right Daniel Hudson from the Blue Jays for righty Kyle Johnson. They added lefty Roenis Elias from the Mariners, parting with righty Elvis Alvarado and lefty Taylor Guilbeau. Finally, they got RHP Hunter Strickland from the Mariners, sending Aaron Fletcher the other way. All four pitchers the Nationals traded away were in the minors.
- The Phillies gave up very little to add outfielder Corey Dickerson from the Pirates. Dickerson is batting .317 with four home runs and 25 RBIs in 43 games this season, and figures to be a regular name in the lineup. Philadelphia sent international bonus money and a player to be named later to Pittsburgh.
- The Dodgers added Jedd Gyorko, who should offer them infield depth, and international cap space. They sent pitchers Tony Cingrani and Jeffrey Abreu to the Cardinals in return.
- The Athletics added Tanner Roark to their rotation, sending minor league outfielder Jameson Hannah to the Reds. Roark is 6-7 with 4.24 ERA this season.
- The Rangers sent minor league pitchers Joe Jarneski and Ray Castro to the White Sox, who sent righty Nate Jones, international slot compensation and cash considerations the other way. The international slot compensation should help them complete their deal with Dominican outfielder Bayron Lora.
- The Cubs traded catcher Martin Maldonado to the Astros, receiving second baseman/outfielder Tony Kemp in return. Both figure to give their teams depth as reserves.
- The Cubs acquired outfielder Nick Castellanos from the Tigers, sending prospects Paul Richman and former first rounder Alex Lange to Detroit.