The 2023 trade deadline came and went without any major surprises or franchise-altering moves. However, there were still winners and losers as teams made moves to position themselves for the remainder of the season.

The Texas Rangers emerged as the biggest winner of the deadline. Despite the Houston Astros’ acquisition of Justin Verlander, the Rangers made several significant additions to their pitching staff. Along with Verlander, they added Jordan Montgomery, Chris Stratton, and Aroldis Chapman. These additions strengthened a first-place team that has excelled in run prevention all season. Additionally, the Rangers acquired defensive specialist Austin Hedges from the Pirates to fill in for injured catcher Jonah Heim. With these moves, the Rangers are well-positioned for a deep postseason run.

On the other hand, the New York Yankees were the biggest loser of the deadline. In a season filled with disappointment, the Yankees failed to make any significant moves to shake things up. They only acquired midlevel reliever Keynan Middleton and fringy combo pitcher Spencer Howard. With no major additions or changes to their roster, the Yankees face the possibility of finishing under .500 for the first time since 1992.

The Arizona Diamondbacks took a measured approach to adding to their roster, as they had a 34% chance at making the postseason. They acquired reliever Paul Sewald and added Jace Peterson to potentially facilitate a trade for Josh Rojas. The Diamondbacks also addressed their need for a right-handed bat by bringing in Tommy Pham. While their additions weren’t absurd, they improved the team without making drastic moves.

The Baltimore Orioles may not have made the big splash many hoped for, but the addition of Jack Flaherty to their rotation made them winners of the deadline. Flaherty brings quality to their pitching staff and will be an intriguing addition to the team as they fight to contend.

In the National League Central, the Chicago Cubs made the top overall player acquisition in Jeimer Candelario. Candelario will provide an upgrade at first and third base, bolstering the Cubs’ offensive production. While the Cubs weren’t overly active, they made a move that improves their chances in the division race.

The Chicago White Sox were recognized as the offloading team that made the most out of their trades. They acquired several top prospects, including Jake Eder, Edgar Quero, Nick Nastrini, Ky Bush, and Korey Lee. While offloading can be disheartening, the White Sox managed to revamp their depth chart and land some promising young talent.

The Los Angeles Angels made a statement when they decided not to trade Shohei Ohtani. They also added several veterans, including Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, C.J. Cron, Randal Grichuk, and Dominic Leone. While the odds may still be against them, these additions open up the possibility of turning their disappointing season into a more exciting one.

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a number of acquisitions, including Amed Rosario, Enrique Hernandez, Lance Lynn, Ryan Yarbrough, and Joe Kelly. While it remains to be seen if these additions make the Dodgers better, they provide proven veteran production. The performance of Lynn, in particular, will be interesting to watch as he transitions to the Dodgers.

The Miami Marlins made moves to strengthen their big league club and bolster their chances at a wild-card push. They traded Jean Segura for Jake Burger, changing the look of their third-base position. Burger’s power brings balance to the lineup, and the Marlins hope it will provide a boost in their quest for a playoff spot.

The Pittsburgh Pirates continued their rebuilding efforts with modest moves at the deadline. They acquired Jackson Wolf, Bailey Falter, and Estuar Suero, adding promising young talent to their pitching staff. While the Pirates are still a work in progress, they are headed in the right direction.

Finally, the St. Louis Cardinals made a collection of trades that brought in incoming talent. Tekoah Roby, Sem Robberse, and Thomas Saggese were among the prospects they acquired. However, the Cardinals still have work to do in addressing their rotation depth and preparing for the retirement of Adam Wainwright.

Overall, the 2023 trade deadline may not have been filled with blockbuster moves, but teams made calculated moves to improve their chances for success. Only time will tell which teams will come out on top and solidify their position in the postseason.