The non-waiver trade deadline has come and gone. Teams have made their moves. Will the various division or wild card races be shaken up? Have any hypothetical playoff matchups been affected by these moves? Here's a rundown of how the various contenders moved on the final day to try to improve their teams:
Orioles
Add: LHP Andrew Miller from Red Sox
Give up: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez to Red Sox, #3 prospect according to MLB.com
Miller has been a strong reliever so far this year, striking out 69 batters in 42.1 innings. Giving up Rodriguez could prove to be a steep price for the O's. He's had a 4.76 ERA at Double-A Bowie so far this year, so while he still had promise on prospect lists, it seems the Orioles feel his star is fading. If Boston turns him into the #2-#3 starter upside that was once discussed, this trade will hurt for the O's, regardless of how Miller does over the next 2-3 months.
Athletics
Add: Jon Lester, Jonny Gomes from Red Sox; Sam Fuld from Twins
Give up: Yoenis Cespedes, competitive balance pick to Red Sox; LHP Tommy Milone to Twins
Put simply, A's GM Billy Beane is trying to orchestrate things so his stuff can work in the playoffs. This is the second big trade that the A's have swung for a big-name starter this month. Maybe with both Jeff Samardzija and Lester, the Athletics can make it out of the ALDS. As things stand right now, the A's would be playing the winner of a wild card game between the Angels and the Blue Jays. Speaking of whom...
Angels and Blue Jays
Did nothing, although the Angels made moves to bolster their bullpen over the last month, adding Jason Grilli, Joe Thatcher, and Huston Street in separate trades.
Tigers
Add: David Price from Rays
Give up: LHP Drew Smyly, SS prospect Willy Adames to Rays, CF Austin Jackson to Mariners (three-team trade)
The Tigers rotation is now contains the following: Max Scherzer, David Price, Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez, Rick Porcello. They have the last three AL Cy Young winners in their rotation at this time. Verlander isn't what he used to be, and their bullpen has been shaky all season, but this is a big-time move. The Tigers would be the Orioles ALDS opponent if the standings hold to where they are now. Everyone probably assumes a Tigers-Athletics ALCS. It'd be something if the Orioles somehow spoiled that party.
Yankees
Add: Stephen Drew from Red Sox; Martin Prado from Diamondbacks
Give up: Kelly Johnson to Red Sox; prospect Peter O'Brien to Diamondbacks
The Yankees have had a middle infield disaster for most of the season, often pairing Brian Roberts and Derek Jeter up the middle. Their infield in general has batted poorly. Earlier in the month, they acquired Chase Headley from the Padres to try to address this hole in their roster as well. Prado has a .686 OPS on the season. Drew has a .583 OPS in his action since coming off of his couch midseason. They're 5.5 games back in the division and 3 games back in the wild card. Never underestimate black magic.
The Yankees will also benefit significantly if these moves mean they no longer have Roberts or Ichiro Suzuki on the roster, both of whom have struggled in a big way.
Mariners
Add: Jackson from Tigers; Chris Denorfia from Padres
Give up: SS Nick Franklin to Rays; Abraham Almonte and Scott Kohlscheen to Padres
Players who have spent significant time in the Seattle outfield this season include Dustin Ackley (.667 OPS), James Jones (.600 OPS), Stefen Romero (.545 OPS), and Endy Chavez (.616 OPS). Denorfia hasn't exactly hit well this season, although Jackson has done OK.
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Here's hoping that Miller trade works out better than the Francisco Rodriguez one from last season. Nearly everybody in the AL race tried to get better today. Do you think the Orioles did enough?