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Biggest MLB Trade Deadline Steals And Blockbusters Of The 21st Century
Desperation makes for great baseball drama. With Monday’s trade deadline fast approaching, contenders are ready to mortgage their futures for a ring and a single blockbuster deal could shift the balance of power overnight. July’s trade deadline is baseball’s ultimate high-stakes gamble. Over the years, some moves have delivered World Series MVPs, while others fell short and left teams with nothing to show for the blue-chip prospects they traded away. Here are the 10 most impactful MLB Trade Deadline deals since 2000: The Rangers swung for the fences at the 2010 deadline. They traded Justin Smoak, Blake Beavan, Josh Lueke, Matthew Lawson and $2.25 million in cash to the Seattle Mariners for Lee and Mark Lowe. Lee proved to be the ultimate missing piece for the Rangers, leading them to its first World Series appearance in franchise history. The Impact Lee was everything the Rangers traded for and more. He tore through the American League playoffs, posting three double-digit strikeout starts and putting on an absolute clinic with a 1.26 ERA and 3-0 record. The Rangers lost the World Series to the San Francisco Giants in five games, but Lee’s heroic postseason run won’t ever be forgotten. The Houston Astros pulled off one of the unique trade deadline deals in recent memory through a three-team blockbuster. The Astros acquired Beltrán in the deal, while the Kansas City Royals landed a pair of prospects in John Buck, Mike Wood, and Mark Teahen. The Oakland Athletics rounded out the deal by acquiring Octavio Dotel. The Impact Beltrán’s impact was short-lived with the Astros. He played well during the playoffs, hitting eight home runs during their playoff run, but he ended up leaving just a few months later in free agency after signing a seven-year, $119 million deal with the New York Mets. Still, it wasn’t the last time fans would see him in an Astros uniform. Beltrán returned to the Astros more than a decade later and helped them win their first-ever World Series in 2017 when they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sabathia is viewed as one of the more underrated starting arms acquired at the deadline in history. The Brewers traded Matt LaPorta, Zach Jackson, Rob Bryson, and Michael Brantley to the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) for Sabathia. Even with Sabathia being a true rental, his impact goes well beyond the stat sheet. The Impact After the Brewers traded for Sabathia, he went on an absolute clinic on the mound, posting an 11-2 record and 1.64 ERA in 17 starts. He also pitched seven complete games and three shutouts, while throwing a complete game against the Chicago Cubs in game 162. With that win, the Brewers ended a 26-year postseason drought to secure a National League Wild Card spot. Most relievers have a limited impact on a postseason run, but trading for Aroldis Chapman was a game-changer for the Chicago Cubs. By sending Adam Warren, Gleyber Torres, Billy McKinney and Rashad Crawford to the New York Yankees. With the deadline deal, the Cubs got the elite closer they desperately needed to win their first World Series for the first time in 108 years. The Impact The Cubs already had the best record in baseball, but his playoff pedigree was unmatched with how well he was able to close games. He ended the playoff run with a 2-0 record and 3.45 ERA, but he also recorded four saves and threw 15.2 innings. Chapman pitched multiple innings during his appearances and fought through severe fatigue from manager Joe Maddon to help secure the World Series win. He will forever go down as one of the key reasons the Cubs slayed the Curse of the Billy Goat. Soto has been traded multiple times, but the return that the Washington Nationals received for him might never be seen again. The Padres were able to land Soto and Josh Bell, but gave up James Wood, CJ Abrams, Mackenzie Gore, Luke Voit and Robert Hassell III. Wood, Abrams and Gore have all been All-Star selections, while Soto only played two seasons with the Padres. This trade was the start of the Padres unloading their entire farm system as they pushed to remain competitive with both the Dodgers and Giants consistently in the NL West. The Impact The ultimate impact of this deal was how little the Padres got out of Soto before trading him to the Yankees two seasons later. Wood, Abrams and Gore became part of the National young nucleus, with Wood becoming one of the brightest young stars in the league. Losing Ronald Acuña Jr. to a torn ACL in 2021 should have ended the Braves' season. Instead, aggressive mid-season trades for Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall, and Jorge Soler saved their outfield and in many ways sparked a World Series run. However, there might not have been a more impactful deal than acquiring Soler from the Kansas City Royals. For the type of impact that Soler made, the Braves only had to give up minor league prospect Kasey Kalich, who never made it to the major league level. The Impact Soler capped a dominant postseason by winning World Series MVP and leading Atlanta to its first title since 1995. With six hits, three home runs, and six RBIs in the Series, he proved just how much one hot bat can transform a championship run. The Dodgers are no secret to making deadline deals, especially when they’re making a World Series push. One of the biggest deals was when they acquired Scherzer and Turner from the Nationals for Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray, Gerardo Carrillo and Donovan Casey. By bringing in Scherzer and Turner as short-term options, the Dodgers pulled off one of the biggest 'all-in' moves in recent memory. The Impact Scherzer was a true rental, but Turner still had a year of team control, but the impact on both teams was evident. After giving up the amount of young talent that the Dodgers did, they didn’t even make a World Series and lost to the Braves in the NLCS. The 2015 Mets were a red-hot Royals team away from a World Series title, and that iconic run was all about Yoenis Céspedes. Giving up just Michael Fulmer and Luis Cessa to get him remains one of the best deadline steals in recent memory. The Impact Céspedes made his impact known for the Mets during the 2015 playoffs, finishing with 12 hits, two home runs, and eight RBIs. While his postseason performance fluctuated, he remained one of the league's most dynamic threats and entered October fresh off a Gold Glove-winning season. Lee’s impact has been so special that he made the list twice. This time was when he was traded to the Phillies at the 2009 deadline. The Phillies were able to acquire Lee and Ben Francisco from the Guardians for Carlos Carrasco, Jason Knapp, Lou Marson, and Jason Donald. The Impact The Phillies' rotation became one of the most feared in the league during a dominant 2009 postseason run led by Lee, Cole Hamels, Pedro Martínez, and Joe Blanton. Lee went 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA to help them reach the World Series before they ultimately fell to the Yankees. Verlander being traded from the Detroit Tigers after 13 seasons to the Astros was one of the most impactful deadline deals in league history. He’s not just a Triple Crown winner and one of the most dominant arms the sport has seen, but he also helped the Astros win the World Series. The Astros traded away Daz Cameron, Jake Rogers, and Franklin Perez for Verlander and cash considerations. On top of spending five seasons with the team, Verlander won the 2019 AL Cy Young award and took home another World Series ring in 2022. The Impact During the Astros' 2017 postseason run, Verlander went 4-1 with a 2.21 ERA and a franchise-record 38 strikeouts in 36.2 innings pitched. Along with winning the World Series, Verlander added a major individual accolade to his resume with the ALCS MVP. saltysenoritaaz.org
Fifa could draw US Congress inquiry over ‘smash-and-grab scam’, top Democrat warns
Jamie Raskin targets football body’s proposed commercial sell-off and links to Trump administration
Fifa could face a sweeping US congressional investigation into its expanding financial and political ties to Donald Trump and his family if Democrats reclaim the House of Representatives in November, a senior party figure has warned.
Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House judiciary committee, accused global football’s governing body of a “smash-and-grab scam of colossal proportions” after it proposed a multibillion-dollar privatization of its commercial operations.
Continue reading...Baker Mayfield on Vita Vea: I hope they take care of him, he deserves it
Baker Mayfield has some clear problems with the way the Buccaneers handled negotiating a potential contract extension this offseason, saying he feels “disrespected” and “undervalued” during his Thursday press conference.
But he also took issue with the way the club has handled its negotiations with other players — while also claiming he doesn't have larger concerns about the franchise.
In his first answer about his contract situation, Mayfield brought up and took up for defensive tackle Vita Vea, who is staging an apparent hold-in after requesting a trade. A pillar of the Bucs' defense for years, Vea is set to enter the last year of his contract.
"[H]opefully Vita gets his back fixed and gets his deal done," Mayfield said. "He’s the second-longest tenured Buc behind CG [Chris Godwin] and Vita deserves that. He’s the anchor of our defense. So, I hope they take care of him."
Mayfield also brought up left tackle Tristan Wirfs' negotiation from 2024 as a negative example of the Buccaneers' negotiating style.
"I’ve sat here and watched these guys go through it — even Tristan," Mayfield said. "So, talk about the best tackle in the league. Only person in NFL history that’s been an All-Pro at right and left, had to have a hold-in in training camp to get it done. So, disappointing. You hope they take care of their guys. But, like I said, it’s going to be a good year."
It's worth noting that Wirfs did not become a first-team All-Pro at left tackle until after his second contract was signed in early August of 2024.
Still, when asked directly if he has concerns about the way the Buccaneers have handled their proverbial franchise players, Mayfield said, "Not at all."
"I think that’s an easy scapegoat to the outside media, but to be honest with you, inside the locker room, all that does is bring us closer together," Mayfield said. "The downstairs aspect of our building is really, really special. And our guys know that. And they cherish that. So, it’s only bringing our guys together. That might be a negotiating tactic on their part. But, like I said when I got here in 2023, it’s a really close-knit locker room. And that’s the leadership that was here prior to me getting here. And just the way they carry each other, carry themselves, lead by example. And when it comes to things like this, it’s separate from the football thing. You take care of each other, you play on the field, good things happen, you take care of each other, and go from there."
Mayfield may be making a distinction between the players part of the building (downstairs) and the football administration part of the building (upstairs) when talking about the media and scapegoats. But his own words demonstrate his disappointment with Tampa Bay's front office when it comes to his and Vea's respective contract situations.
3 Best MLB Trade Deadline Fits For Mets Starter Freddy Peralta
Straight-up: This season hasn't been Freddy Peralta's best work. But he's also better than this. In what's his first season with the New York Mets, Peralta owns a career-worst — over a full season — ERA (4.99), WHIP (1.48) and ERA+ (83). At the same time, Peralta, a two-time All-Star, is just a season removed from the best year of his career (2.70 ERA, 5.5 wins above replacement and a 155 ERA+). While set to be a free agent at the end of the year, Peralta is capable of being a top-of-the-rotation force that moves the needle for a starting rotation and is worth making a trade for. Here are the three best trade fits for Peralta. Bryce Harper said it himself: the Phillies, who have lost seven of their last eight games and now own a mere 1.5-game lead on the third National League wild-card seed, "need some help." Acquiring Peralta would suffice. Philadelphia's starting rotation has been respectable this season. Cristopher Sánchez (2.73 ERA, a 165 ERA+ and an NL-high 5.6 wins above replacement among pitchers) will likely be a finalist for the NL Cy Young Award; Zack Wheeler (2.53 ERA and 0.92 WHIP) is on top of his game since returning from the injured list; Jesús Luzardo (157 strikeouts and a .230 opponent batting average) continues to be a sturdy force every fifth day. After those three starters, though, the Phillies have received inconsistent performance from their rotation, with veteran Aaron Nola having a discouraging season (5.61 ERA) and former first-round pick Andrew Painter being sent down in June (7.06 ERA and 1.66 WHIP), among other shortcomings. Peralta, who averaged 204.7 strikeouts per season from 2023-25, would fortify Philadelphia's postseason rotation, allowing it to move Nola into a long-relief role come October. The 30-year-old Peralta tends to rely on his four-seamer and changeup, with an occasional curveball rounding out a base, three-pitch arsenal. Peralta's slider usage has dipped over each of the last two years, with him throwing the offering just 5.6% of the time this season, according to Statcast. All that said, the Phillies could potentially have to surrender more than fair value to acquire Peralta, given his playing for the NL East-rival Mets, and Philadelphia may also tell itself that Nola, who has traditionally pitched well in the postseason, will bounce back and be effective enough to remain in their rotation. The D-backs are in possession of the second NL wild-card seed (57-52). They're a team that, on paper, entered this season likely not good enough to contend for the World Series but also talented enough to compete for a playoff spot. And here we are: Arizona continues to find ways to win, and with a tweak or two, maybe it recaptures some of that 2023 magic when the D-backs went to the World Series as the third NL wild-card team? Peralta could change the calculus for the D-backs. Yes, Eduardo Rodriguez (2.48 ERA, 173 ERA+ and 4.7 wins above replacement) is having a resurgent season, and Mike Soroka (3.07 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 140 ERA+) was, as well, before suffering a glute strain that has sidelined him since mid-June. Concurrently, Zac Gallen, who's on the injured list with elbow inflammation, is having an alarming season (6.34 ERA and .304 opponent batting average), while Merrill Kelly and Ryne Nelson (before suffering an elbow injury in mid-June) have struggled. In all, Arizona's starting rotation is 26th in MLB in opponent batting average (.260), 21st in WHIP (1.33) and 14th in ERA (4.27). This season is an anomaly for Peralta. The right-hander averaged a 3.30 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP per year with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2021-25. For the bulk of Peralta's career, he has been a consistent front-line force who logs strikeouts at a high rate. Plus, sometimes a change of scenery, specifically a new pitching coach, can be the change that's needed. Arizona has seen multiple pitchers miss time due to injury and others just outright have underwhelming seasons. The D-backs have reason to be buyers. With a rotation boost and perhaps just better health, their starting staff will improve and can turn a corner, and it's accompanied by an offense of proven commodities. Despite all the optimism, though, the factor/question that could prevent the Diamondbacks from getting in a bidding war for Peralta is whether his arrival would make them an NL contender or merely give them a better chance to put up a fight in the NL Division Series Round? If the Cubs are going to contend for the NL pennant, they need to improve their entire pitching staff, but especially their starting rotation, and Peralta represents both a viable and affordable option. Chicago's starting rotation is 16th in MLB in ERA (4.31) and 14th in opponent batting average (.243). Left-handers Shota Imanaga (3.72 ERA and 1.10 WHIP) and Matthew Boyd (3.41 ERA) have been reliable forces. Elsewhere, it has been a guessing game for the Cubs. Edward Cabrera, who owns a 5.10 ERA, has been out the last month with a leg injury after Chicago dealt for him this past offseason; Jameson Taillon (5.92 ERA) was recently designated for assignment; Colin Rea (4.67 ERA and .267 opponent batting average) has been a mixed bag; Cade Corton (season-ending elbow surgery) and Ben Brown (neck) have been limited by injury; Justin Steele hasn't yet returned from his April 2025 elbow injury. Peralta would join a Chicago team with lofty playoff aspirations, not unlike the Milwaukee club he was part of the first eight seasons of his MLB career (2018-2025). Sure, on one hand, one could argue Peralta would be another pitcher added to the mix for the Cubs that comes with a question mark. In this case, the concern is about his recent performance. On the other hand, it's reasonable to think that at least one of Chicago's injured starters returns and gets back on track (e.g., Cabrera or Brown), and Peralta would be arguably the most accomplished starter in the Cubs' rotation. He would, undoubtedly, be part of their postseason rotation, joining Imanaga, Boyd and likely one of Cabrera or the recently acquired David Peterson. Peralta would be a three-month rental, so trading for him isn't going to gut the Cubs' farm system, and it should cost less than what it would take to pull off a blockbuster move for Detroit Tigers superstar left-hander and two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. Granted, Skubal is also a free agent after this season. Chicago could base a trade package for Peralta around emerging catcher/first baseman Owen Ayers and versatile right-hander Javier Assad, among other players.