Trade Deadline Winners: One Month Later, New Faces Fuel Playoff Races

With the August baseball calendar now a month in the rearview, the impact of the July 31st MLB Trade Deadline has become crystal clear. As teams vie for postseason spots, new acquisitions have stepped up, delivering game-changing performances and proving to be invaluable additions. Here's a look at the players who have made the biggest impact with their new clubs since the deadline.

1. Ramón Laureano, Padres

Already in the midst of a career-best year with the Orioles, Ramón Laureano has elevated his game to another level since being traded to the San Diego Padres. He has put up a .302/.356/.573 slash line and a 159 wRC+, breaking into MLB.com's latest Hitter Power Rankings. Laureano's power has been particularly impressive, with six of his 21 homers this season coming with San Diego. His 17.6% barrel rate with the Padres ranks 12th in the league.

2. Mike Yastrzemski, Royals

In a surprising turn of events, Mike Yastrzemski has become one of the most productive sluggers since the deadline. After a career-worst .355 slugging percentage with the Giants, he has exploded with a .654 slugging percentage for the Kansas City Royals, which ranks fifth among all qualified players this month. With seven homers and a robust 1.024 OPS, Yastrzemski has been a key factor in the Royals' push for the postseason.

3. Carlos Correa, Astros

The biggest shocker of the trade deadline—Carlos Correa's reunion with the Houston Astros—has paid immediate dividends. Correa is playing his best baseball since returning to his original team, posting a .320/.389/.443 slash line and a 137 wRC+. He's not only contributing on the field but has also quickly re-established himself as a clubhouse leader. His 0.9 fWAR in just 25 games with Houston nearly matches his 1.0 fWAR over 93 games with the Twins.

4. Harrison Bader, Phillies

Known primarily for his stellar defense, Harrison Bader has been a welcome addition for the Philadelphia Phillies. He's been red-hot at the plate, batting .313 with an .890 OPS since the trade. Bader's contributions have been vital to the Phillies' 17-10 record this month, a mark that trails only the Milwaukee Brewers for the best in the majors.

5. Miguel Andujar, Reds

The most productive hitter acquired at the deadline by wRC+, Miguel Andujar has been a revelation for the Cincinnati Reds. Despite a limited number of plate appearances, he has a .361/.426/.590 slash line with a 179 wRC+. Andujar has particularly excelled against right-handed pitchers, posting a .389 average and a 1.099 OPS.

Top Pitchers and Honorable Mentions

Reliever Kyle Finnegan has been a standout, going spotless with the Detroit Tigers with a 0.00 ERA over 13.1 innings. Merrill Kelly has provided much-needed stability to the injury-riddled Texas Rangers rotation, while Shane Bieber has been impressive in his two starts with the Toronto Blue Jays. Other notable acquisitions include Josh Naylor for the Mariners, Ke'Bryan Hayes for the Reds, and Adam Frazier for the Royals.

As the final month of the season unfolds, these players and their new teams are poised to play a crucial role in deciding who makes the cut for the 2025 postseason.