The 2025 MLB trade deadline did not disappoint. In what became a 24-hour storm of deals, contenders across the league made their moves. With playoff races tightening, teams shelled out prospects and cash to lock in impact talent.
Here are the biggest winners from this year’s deadline:
Seattle Mariners Land Eugenio Suárez, Finally Fix Third Base
The Mariners came into July with a gaping hole at the hot corner. Now? They’ve filled it with a sledgehammer. In a pair of trades with Arizona, Seattle acquired Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez, but it’s Suárez who gives them the firepower they’ve been missing.
Seattle’s third basemen had combined for a .664 OPS and five home runs. Suárez, meanwhile, arrives with a .895 OPS, 36 homers, and a 143 wRC+ — a monstrous upgrade. Add in Naylor’s pop, and suddenly the Mariners’ offense, already top 10 in OPS, has serious bite. With Cal Raleigh having a career year, Seattle just might be ready to make a run in the AL West.
Padres Solve Left Field Disaster With Laureano & O’Hearn
San Diego’s left field production has been bottom-of-the-barrel all year — 29th in WAR, 28th in OPS. So what did they do? They smashed the gas and added Ramón Laureano and Ryan O’Hearn from Baltimore.
Laureano is having a monster year: .884 OPS, 15 HRs, 144 wRC+. Even if there’s some regression coming, he’s miles ahead of what the Padres have rolled out so far. O’Hearn adds even more lineup depth. With Machado, Tatís Jr., Arráez, Bogaerts, and rising star Jackson Merrill, this lineup is now dangerous top to bottom — and Laureano’s cheap 2026 option gives this deal long-term value.
Mets Build a Bullpen Fortress Behind Edwin Díaz
While the Mets also addressed center field with Cedric Mullins, their biggest deadline win was a bullpen overhaul. The Mets added Tyler Rogers, Ryan Helsley, and Gregory Soto — forming what may be the nastiest bridge to a closer in the National League.
- Rogers: 1.80 ERA, 0.86 WHIP
- Helsley: 2024 NL Reliever of the Year, now a setup man
- Soto: Stuff > Stats, with an xERA of 3.32 and elite barrel suppression
Add that to a rejuvenated Edwin Díaz, and Citi Field might start hearing “Narco” blaring a lot more often. The Mets are back in the fight.
Phillies Get a Game-Closer in Jhoan Durán
The Phillies’ bullpen has been a sore spot, ranking 24th in ERA with 17 blown saves. No more. Philly landed the best available closer not named Mason Miller in Jhoan Durán — a flamethrower who now gives them a dominant anchor.
Jhoan Durán:
- 2.01 ERA, 100.2 mph avg fastball, .221 BAA on his splitter
- 16 saves in 18 chances
The Phillies paid the price in prospects, but they had to. Now, Strahm, Kerkering, and Banks can slide into lower-leverage roles and get back to doing damage before the ninth inning.
Yankees Reload Bullpen, Add Bednar, Doval, and Bird
The Yankees made noise — and not just on offense. Yes, they added Ryan McMahon, Austin Slater, José Caballero, and Amed Rosario, but their bullpen makeover stole the show.
The Bronx Bombers snagged:
- David Bednar: Perfect 17-for-17 in saves, 2.37 ERA
- Camilo Doval: 3.09 ERA, nasty slider
- Jake Bird: High upside, despite a rough ERA — his xERA is a much better 3.59
New York’s bullpen ERA was 20th before the deadline. Now? They’ve got multiple options with closer stuff — and Boone confirmed Devin Williams stays in the ninth, meaning Bednar and Doval could become the league’s scariest setup duo.
If you’re a fan in Seattle, San Diego, New York (either borough), or Philly, it’s time to get loud. These teams went into the deadline with problems and came out with weapons. Whether it’s firepower at the plate or filth in the bullpen, these contenders are now all-in — and October just got a lot more interesting.
