Even though there was no star blockbuster move, like Max Scherzer to the Rangers and Justin Verlander to the Mets in 2023 or Juan Soto to San Diego in 2022, the 2024 MLB trade deadline turned into a head-spinning frenzy in the final hours with a series of leaguewide deals. In some of the biggest deadline day moves, Tigers starter Jack Flaherty was sent to the Dodgers, Marlins closer Tanner Scott went to the Padres, and the Orioles added Trevor Rogers and Eloy Jiménez.
Perhaps most notable was who did not get traded. Tarik Skubal remained in Detroit, the White Sox kept their two top trade-value players, and Blake Snell stayed with the Giants. The extremely high prices for pitching became the story of the deadline, and only some of the more aggressive general managers were willing to pay those inflated prices.
Here are my winners and losers from the 2024 MLB trade deadline:
Winner: The Miami Marlins’ Fire Sale
The Marlins may end up being one of the biggest winners of the deadline because they leveraged their terrible 2024 position, with the league’s third-worst record, and embraced a full rebuild. Not only did the Fish move off the expiring contract of closer Tanner Scott, but they parted with controllable hitters Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Bryan De La Cruz. They also got an impressive return for struggling starter Trevor Rogers. A.J. Puk went to Arizona in a move that feels like it happened a month ago (it was five days ago), and then the Marlins emptied the bullpen by sending Huascar Brazobán to the Mets. Miami had a group of controllable, young pitchers a couple of years ago, but injuries and a lack of development caused the team to seriously bottom out in 2024, at 39-68.
Chisholm’s checkered health history meant that it was always unlikely his value would be higher than it is right now. The Yankees badly needed more hitting depth behind Soto and Aaron Judge, and the Marlins acquired catcher Agustin Ramírez, infielder Jared Serna, and infielder Abrahan Ramírez in the deal. The Marlins have basically zero catching depth in the minor leagues and have gotten no production, so Agustin Ramírez has already been added to the Marlins’ 40-man roster and will start in Triple-A Jacksonville.
The Marlins waived veteran Josh Bell before trading him to Arizona and then recouped big returns for two of their pitchers. Miami got Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers from the Orioles’ group of youngsters for Rogers, who has shown declining fastball velocities, a mediocre slider, and a 4.53 ERA this season.
Many industry experts also felt that Padres general manager A.J. Preller overpaid for Scott. San Diego parted ways with three of its top five prospects: Graham Pauley, Adam Mazur, and Robby Snelling. The Marlins weren’t afraid to part with real, controllable talent and take advantage of market factors.
