As always, the trade deadline consumed the headlines last week. From blockbuster moves to buzzer-beating transactions, all eyes were on the trades, less so the games. This recap covers in-game and off-field action from July 27-August 2.
AL West Hot: Mariners load up After falling short of the playoffs in the last two years by one game, the Mariners are determined to not repeat history. In separate trades, Seattle added former Diamondbacks hitting duo Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez. Naylor’s .288/.355/.440
slash line provides an offensive boost from a position that at best batted .243 and slugged .330. Suárez’s reunion was well-received by Mariners fans, as the veteran third baseman’s .575 slugging percentage and 36 home runs are a welcome addition to a team whose lineup needs more pop.
Geno's back and already making an impact pic.twitter.com/nzvvIbTPCU
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) August 1, 2025
Not: Athletics lose their closer
In a blockbuster trade with the Padres, the Athletics parted ways with the one and only Mason Miller. Miller was an All-Star last year and took fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting. With a 3.66 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 20 saves, Miller’s departure will be noticeable. Although watching the biggest star on the team leave for another California team stings, the Athletics at least get shortstop Leo De Vries, MLB’s No. 4 prospect overall, to cushion the blow.
AL Central
Hot: Seth Lugo gets paid
After nearly a decade of being a reliable pitcher Lugo finally cashed in. The Royals signed Lugo to a two-year, $46 million extension, which includes a $17 million club option in 2028. Lugo’s current three-year, $45 million pact with Kansas City had been his highest-paying contract, and no one deserves it more in the Kansas City rotation than him. His ERA and WHIP have hovered around 3.00 and 1.10 in the last two years, and his presence as the No. 1 pitcher in Kansas City hasn’t wavered. Congrats, Lugo, you’ve earned it.
Lugo's locking in!
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 28, 2025
We have agreed to terms with RHP Seth Lugo on a two-year contract extension, with a vesting option for 2028! pic.twitter.com/bEjRcnYX8o
Not: Twins part ways with their elite closer
Minnesota finally decided it was time to tap out of the division race, after a second straight non-competitive season. Two days after sending Chris Paddack packing for Detroit, the Twins parlayed a trade with the Phillies for Jhoan Duran. With a 2.3 WAR and a 2.01 ERA, Duran has only allowed 13 runs across 49 ⅓ innings. To ease the pain, the Twins received MLB’s No. 56 and No. 92 prospects, Eduardo Tait and Mick Abel. As painful as it is for Twins fans, selling was the right decision.
AL East
Hot: Blue Jays prepare for October
Toronto isn’t messing around this season. After extending Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for 14 years, the Blue Jays made two big moves at the trade deadline. They acquired Louis Varland and Seranthony Domínguez, Ty France, and former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber. Equipped with a fully-stocked rotation and bullpen, this is Toronto’s year to win the division.
That's my Bieby, he’s iconic @ShaneBieber19 pic.twitter.com/3pLXC9h2Ho
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 2, 2025
Not: Baltimore admits defeat
The Orioles accepted their failure this year after four months that haven’t broken their way. Baltimore said goodbye to several big-name veterans, including Charlie Morton, Ryan O’Hearn, Andrew Kittredge, and even long-time Oriole Cedric Mullins. The only thing working for this battered team for the remainder of the season, and likely next year, is its young hitters. Baltimore faces another rebuild if it doesn’t get its act together quickly.
NL West
Hot: Rox stun the Pirates in epic rally
Colorado staged a comeback for the ages to capture their 29th win. Down 9-1 in the first inning, the Rockies scored in five of their remaining eight innings to storm back. Their lineup acquired 22 hits, four home runs, and even a triple in their marathon of a rally. Pittsburgh was projected to win the game until the very last batter, when Brenton Doyle’s walk-off, two-run blast finally ended the four-hour feat. This summary can’t possibly do the game justice, so do yourselves a favor and watch the game highlights.
BRENTON DOYLE pic.twitter.com/Mv8cTIUcXx
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) August 2, 2025
Not: San Francisco cashes in
A six-game losing streak pushed the 55-55 Giants to become last-minute sellers at the deadline. San Francisco chose to tap out of the playoff races this year by dealing All-Star closer Camilo Doval and outfielder Mike Yastrzemski as the trade deadline came down to its final minutes. Doval (3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 15 saves) contributed heavily to San Francisco’s stellar bullpen, and Yastrzemski (.231/.330/.355) is a strong defender known for his contact hitting. Ever since Rafael Devers came to the Bay Area, things haven’t gone as planned for the Giants.
NL Central
Hot: The Reds go shopping
The Reds made an unexpected splash at the deadline by acquiring two big names. Cincinnati improved their infield and bolstered their rotation by adding Ke’Bryan Hayes and Zack Littell. Hayes is a two-time Gold Glover who offers the Reds a defensive upgrade over Santiago Espinal. Littell’s 3.72 ERA and 1.11 WHIP are the best since he transitioned from the bullpen to rotation in 2023. Although they’re 7 ½ games back from first-place Milwaukee, Cincinnati refuses to go down this year without a fight.
Welcome to Cincinnati, Ke'Bryan‼️ pic.twitter.com/5CxG29Cf22
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 30, 2025
Not: Pirates say goodbye to several fixtures
Pittsburgh treated the trade deadline like a store holding an everything-must-go sale. No one was safe, as pitchers, relievers and position players were generously dealt to competing teams. Relievers David Bednar and Taylor Rogers, starter Bailey Falter, and most surprising of all third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes were the biggest names traded by the Bucs. With a handful of memorable names remaining, Pittsburgh has some identity-searching to do.
NL East
Hot: Marlins stand up to Yanks in thrilling walk-off
Something was in the air on August 1, because the Rox weren’t the only team to capture a wild, come-from-behind win. The Marlins punished the Yankees bullpen, putting up nine hits and nine runs against newly-acquired Jake Bird, David Bednar, and Camilo Doval. Agustín Ramírez got revenge on his former team by dealing the final blow with a fielder’s choice dribbler down the first-base line to score Xavier Edwards. The win is even sweeter knowing the Marlins’ payroll is 78% lower than the Yankees’.
Down 5 runs in the 7th
— MLB (@MLB) August 2, 2025
Down 2 runs in the 9th
The @Marlins fight their way to an utterly astounding #walkoff victory! pic.twitter.com/z7JX6rK6D9
Not: Austin Riley earns another golden sombrero
Atlanta’s third baseman was not on the mark last week, earning his third golden sombrero this year against the Reds in a 3-2 loss to Cincinnati, bringing his slash line to .143/.172/.393 in the last six games. His 28.5% strikeout percentage is a touch high, and his 127 whiffs so far put him on track to endure his worst strikeout season of his career. It’s very likely that Riley earns a fourth golden sombrero before the end of the season.
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