MLB trade tracker: Full list of deals completed before a busy 2021 deadline

Joe Rivera

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MLB trade tracker: Full list of deals completed before a busy 2021 deadline image

Beware of Fake Ken Rosenthal accounts.

This year, some massive movement on the trade market could be in the cards, if the rumored available names end up on the move. Cubs players Anthony Rizzo, Javy Baez and Kris Bryant; the Nationals' Max Scherzer and Trea Turner; and Twins outfielders Byron Buxton and Max Kepler are all potential trade targets heading into Friday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.

FAGAN: Blue Jays should celebrate return to Toronto with big trades 

The first blockbuster deal of the trade season was struck between the Yankees and the Rangers on July 29, with New York adding another bomber to its lineup, acquiring slugger Joey Gallo for a package of prospects.

Sporting News will track the latest updates, rumors, trades and more below, mixed with some quick-hitting analysis on reported and done deals.

MLB trade deadline deals, rumors

July 30

Blue Jays add Joakim Soria to bullpen

The Blue Jays added another pitcher at the deadline, trading for journeyman reliever Joakim Soria from the Diamondbacks. Soria has pitched to a 4.30 ERA this year, but his 3.74 FIP shows he could be due for somme improvement. The 37-year-old has struck out 24.8 percent of batters and walked just 6.4 percent this season. 

Richard Rodriguez joins Braves' bullpen

The Braves picked up one of the best bullpen arms on the market in dealing for Richard Rodriguez from the Pirates. Rodriguez has pitched below a 3.00 ERA in three of the past four seasons, including a 2.82 mark this year as he had established himself as the closer in Pittsburgh. The Pirates added former top prospect Bryse Wilson, a 23-year-old right-hander who has pitched to a 5.88 ERA in eight starts for Atlanta this season, and current pitching prospect Ricky Devito, who owns a 2.66 ERA in 20.1 innings at Class High-A this year. 

Braves add power bat in Jorge Soler

The Braves continue to pile up power-hitting outfielders. After bringing in Adam Duvall, Atlanta traded pitching prospect Kasey Kalich to KC for Jorge Soler, a big power hitter who slugged 48 homers in 2019 and has amassed 13 in 2021, including seven since July 9. 

Nationals send Jon Lester to the Cardinals

The Cardinals added another veteran left-hander not long after making the trade for J.A. Happ. St. Louis acquired Jon Lester, the 37-year-old southpaw, who has pitched to a 5.02 ERA this season in Washington to help add to the team's pitching depth. In return, the Nationals are taking a chance on 25-year-old outfielder Lane Thomas, who has struggled with strikeouts in his career, but has produced both power and speed numbers when things go right. 

Phillies bring back Freddy Galvis from Orioles

Freddy Galvis is returning to the Phillies, with whom he spent the first six season of his big league career. Galvis has continued to produce steady results, this year in Baltimore, as he has launched nine homers and slashed .249/.306/.414. 

Padres acquire Jake Marisnick from Cubs

The Cubs make another move, sending outfielder Jake Marisnick to San Diego. The new Padres outfielder has shown over his career the ability to hit for power and run well, with double-digit homers in three different seasons and double-digit steals in four different campaigns. He's slashing .227/.294/.438 this year with five homers and three steals. 

Rays trade for versatile outfielder Jordan Luplow

Hoping to bolster their depth heading into the playoff run, the Rays added the versatile Jordan Luplow from Cleveland, along with reliever DJ Johnson, in exchange for pitching prospect Peyton Battenfield. Luplow has struggled with a sub-.200 batting average over the past two seasons, but had a big year in 2019 when he slashed .276/.372/.551 with 15 homers. Luplow has played every outfield position for the Indians. 

Giants land Kris Bryant from the Cubs

Not to be outdone by their rivals in Los Angeles, the Giants have made a blockbuster to try to stay in first place in the NL West, adding former MVP Kris Bryant from the Cubs. Bryant has enjoyed a bounceback season after a tough 2020, posting .267/.358/.503 slash line with 18 home runs. He'll give the Giants a big bat in the offense, while offering positional versatility. 

Yankees build pitching depth, trade for Andrew Heaney with Angels

The Yankees make a move to address the backend of their rotation. Andrew Heaney has pitched to a 5.27 ERA in 2021 for the Angels, but has a 4.05 FIP as he's fanned 113 batters in 94 innings and walked only 31. 

Astros pick up reliever Phil Maton from Indians for Myles Straw

The Astros are improving their bullpen depth, acquiring Phil Maton from the Indians in exchange for outfielder Myles Straw. Maton has a 4.57 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 20 walks in 41.1 innings, with a FIP of 3.13 that hints at some improvement the rest of the season. Straw is a speedy outfielder, who has swiped 17 bases this season to go along with a .262/.339/.326 slash line. 

Cardinals add J.A. Happ, send John Gant to Twins

The Cardinals pick up some starting pitching depth, adding J.A. Happ and sending over reliever John Gant and pitching prospect Evan Sisk to the Twins. Happ pitched to a 3.47 ERA in 2020 and owns a career 4.13 ERA, but the 38-year-old has struggled in 2021, pitching to a 6.77 ERA across 98.1 innings. Gant has bounced between the rotation and bullpen in 2021, pitching to a 3.42 ERA in 76.1 innings. Between Class High-A and Double-A, Sisk has a 3.31 ERA in 32.2 innings exclusively out of the bullpen. 

Phillies become buyers, trading for Kyle Gibson, Ian Kennedy

There was some uncertainty whether the Phillies would buy, sell or stand pat as they sit even at 51-51. The answer: buy. Philadelphia sent top pitching prospect Spencer Howard and two other prospects to the Rangers in exchange for All-Star Kyle Gibson reliever Ian Kennedy and prospect Hans Crouse. Gibson has enjoyed his best season to date in the majors with an ERA of 2.87 and 94 strikeouts in 113 innings, while Kennedy has found success as the Rangers' closer, racking up 16 saves with a 2.51 ERA. 

Nats trade Yan Gomes, Josh Harrison to Athletics

The teardown in Washington continues, while the Athletics add some important depth. Oakland acquired catcher Yan Gomes and infielder Josh Harrison from Washington. Gomes, who is slashing .271/.323/.454 on the year figures to split time behind the dish with 26-year-old Sean Murphy, who has slashed .218/.305/.418 in his second full season. Harrison will bring versatility to second and third base for the Athletics, and provide a bat that has slashed .294/.366/.434 this season. 

Mets make deal for Javy Baez, per report

The double-play pairing in the Mets infield just got a lot more exciting: Javy Baez is heading to Queens, reuniting with fellow Puerto Rican (and best friend) Francisco Lindor. The Cubs bring back Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Mets' No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline. The 19-year-old outfielder is regarded as having above-average hit and arm grades and plus speed and fielding. 

Cubs, White Sox strike crosstown trade for Kimbrel

The White Sox and Cubs strike a rare crosstown trade, with the Cubs sending closer Craig Kimbrel to the White Sox for infielder Nick Madrigal and reliever Codi Heuer. 

Analysis: The 1-2 bullpen punch of Liam Hendriks and Kimbrel is going to give the Sox a bit more flexibility at the back end of the bullpen. The Cubs landing Madrigal is a massive, hefty get for Chicago North.

Braves trade for Eddie Rosario, ship out Pablo Sandoval

The Braves pick up outfield help, still reeling from the loss of Ronald Acuna Jr. for the year. Rosario is having a down year, but still a proven veteran bat to slot into the lineup.

Blue Jays land José Berrios, per report

Analysis (Joe Rivera): While we're waiting to see what the return on Berrios is, it's a great move for Toronto to continue to bolster their rotation as they put up a fight in the AL East. Berrios has long been one of baseball's more underrated starters with really, really nasty stuff when he's on — maybe he can take that next step with Toronto and help push them to the playoffs. 

MORE: Jays trade grades: Toronto gets good start at a steep price

Jon Gray not being moved, per report

Gray, the veteran starter, has had an up-and-down career, but his stuff (and perhaps a change of scenery) could make him an interesting middle-rotation arm for someone. It doesn't look like he's going anywhere, though.

Luke Voit being dangled, potentially for pitching help

With the Yankees acquiring Anthony Rizzo yesterday, incumbent first baseman Luke Voit seems to be out of a job. Per YES Network's Jack Curry, the Yankees may move Voit for pitching help, which is sorely needed in New York.

Padres, Mariners eyeing Twins ace

Twins ace José Berrios is getting a lot of attention, with the Padres and the Mariners at the top of the list.

July 29

Nationals send Daniel Hudson to Padres

The Nationals continue to tear their roster down the day before the trade deadline. Daniel Hudson, the reliever who got the final out in Washington's 2019 World Series win, has been shipped to San Diego.

Hudson struggled in 2020 but has been lights out in 2021, pitching to a career-low 2.20 ERA with a 2.50 FIP in 32 2/3 innings. He's striking out batters at a career-high 37.8 percent clip and walking batters at a 5.5 percent rate. The Nationals received 6-7 right-hander Mason Thompson and shortstop Jordy Barley in return, adding to their ever-expanding prospect ranks.

Red Sox acquiring Kyle Schwarber from Nationals

Boston is adding an outfield power bat and Washington adds another prospect amid its fire sale.

Schwarber won't be ready to debut for the Sox until well into August because of a hamstring injury, but when he does return, he'll add thump to an offense that's second in the American League in runs scored.

Dodgers make blockbuster move for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner

First it sounded as if Scherzer might be headed to the Padres  from the Nationals. Now, another NL West team will land the three-time Cy Young Award winner — and five-tool shortstop Turner, to boot. The blockbuster of the deadline thus far, this trade makes the reigning World Series champions an even bigger favorite to repeat. 

MORE: Scherzer/Turner trade grades

Anthony Rizzo heads to the Yankees

The Yankees add another power-hitting left-handed bat and fix their first base issues. Rizzo's .792 OPS ranks third among New York's qualifying hitters, behind only Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. 

Mariners bring back another closer

Mariners players were upset when the team parted with Kendall Graveman, but Jerry Dipoto is back at it making more moves . Diego Castillo had a 1.66 ERA last year and a 2.72 mark this season as one of the best relievers in the game. He has a career strikeout rate of 29.2 percent.

Dodgers add Royals' Danny Duffy

Before grabbing Scherzer and Turner, LA completed another deal for pitching, acquiring the left-handed Duffy and cash from Kansas City for a player to be named.   

Duffy is a depth pickup, and his LA debut is on hold for at least a few weeks because he's on the IL with a forearm issue.

Jose Berrios drawing interest from several teams

Several teams, including the Yankees, Blue Jays, Padres, Rays and Dodgers are looking into trading for Twins ace Jose Berrios. Berrios is a top-of-the-rotation guy, and is under team control for the 2022 season.

Kyle Schwarber's market grows

With the Nats in sell mode, it looks like lefty power bat Kyle Schwarber could be on the move. Schwarber was red-hot in June before landing on the IL with a hamstring issue in July. 

Blue Jays get 'pen help from Nationals

Analysis (Joe Rivera):  The Blue Jays were rumored to be sellers just a few weeks ago, but they add to the bullpen with Hand. The veteran closer isn't having the best year, but maybe a change of scenery will help. 

Yankees, Rangers finalize deal for Joey Gallo

Analysis (Joe Rivera): A good trade for both sides. Gallo is clearly the centerpiece, and he gives New York a lefty power bat, which the team has been sorely lacking this year. He also gives the Yankees good defensive flexibility to play several spots in the infield and outfield.

On the flip side, Texas gets a good group of four prospects in return, including infielder Ezequiel Duran, a promising 22-year-old with offensive upside.

Joe Rivera

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Joe Rivera is in his seventh year with The Sporting News, handling NFL, MLB and some things pro wrestling. A proud-ish Rutgers University graduate, Rivera combines a new-school flair with an old-school soul. He loves dingers, wrestling, comic books, movies, music and really bad puns. He is also a card-carrying BBWAA member and teaches Multimedia Sports Reporting at his alma mater.

You can find him and tweet him @JoeRiveraSN, if you're into that sort of thing.