The MLB trade deadline passed on Monday, and with nearly everyone still in contention, plenty of teams were on the lookout for helpful additions while also being reluctant to give up too much themselves.
The shortened, 60-game season and expanded 16-team playoffs have kept nearly every team within a few games of a playoff spot with fewer than 30 games left to play. Still, teams are wary of the possibility that COVID-19 could potentially throw a wrench into the conclusion of the season.
Padres Swing for the Fences with Five Deals
The San Diego Padres emerged as the busiest team at the trade deadline. At 21-15, the Padres hold the third-best record in the NL. San Diego came into the year as a solid squad that might normally be fighting for a wild card, but were likely to move into the expanded postseason — the type of club that benefitted most from the change in the playoffs format.
Padres general manager A.J. Preller made five trades ahead of the deadline, picking up eight players (and a player to be named later), while giving away 15.
The biggest move saw San Diego pick up starting pitcher Mike Clevinger from the Cleveland Indians. Clevinger attracted some criticism earlier this season when he violated coronavirus health protocols and, as a result, has only started four games this year. But he’s still been effective, posting a 3.18 ERA in 22.2 innings of work.
San Diego also grabbed Seattle Mariners catcher Austin Nola at the trade deadline. The 30-year-old hit .306 with five homers in 29 games for Seattle, which would represent a major upgrade on offense behind the plate for the Padres.
World Series Odds
- Los Angeles Dodgers: +380
- New York Yankees: +420
- Oakland Athletics: +1000
- Minnesota Twins: +1100
- Tampa Bay Rays: +1100
- Atlanta Braves: +1400
- Houston Astros: +1400
- Chicago Cubs: +1500
- San Diego Padres: +1600
- Chicago White Sox: +1700
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
Those moves, along with the addition of reliever Trevor Rosenthal, will make the Padres a legitimate World Series contender, if not one on the level of the Los Angeles Dodgers or the New York Yankees. FanDuel lists the Padres at +1600 to win the title this year, behind the Dodgers (+380) and Yankees (+420), but among a long list of second-tier contenders who could get hot in the playoffs and make a run.
Marlins Buy and Sell at Trade Deadline
The Miami Marlins put together one of the more interesting 2020 seasons in MLB. From becoming the first team to lose significant time due to COVID-19, to stubbornly remaining in second place in the NL East at 15-15, the Marlins believe they might have a shot at making the postseason, and tried to solidify their roster at the trade deadline.
Miami brought in outfielder Starling Marte from the Diamondbacks, trading pitchers Caleb Smith and Humberto Mejia along with a player to be named later to land the former All-Star. Marte, who joined Arizona this season after spending the first eight years of his career in Pittsburgh, is hitting .311 so far in 2020.
At the same time, the Marlins also acted as a seller at the trade deadline, sending veteran infielder Jonathan Villar to the Blue Jays for a player to be named later. Villar hit .272 for the Marlins and leads the National League in stolen bases so far this year.