Don't sleep on these trades.
What once looked like a slow-moving market turned into one of the most chaotic trade deadlines in recent memory. High-profile stars weren't dealt left and right, but the dynamics of several teams defined July 31.
The ever-aggressive San Diego Padres made the blockbuster of the summer, swinging top prospect Leo De Vries, among others, for Athletics phenom Mason Miller and starter J.P. Sears. The Minnesota Twins hit the self-destruct button, blowing it all up and sending Carlos Correa back to the Houston Astros. In a whirlwind of major trades and minor moves, the deadline surpassed every expectation.
Now that the dust has settled, let's look at some trades that went underrated amid the chaos.
Yankees get Anthony Volpe insurance
The New York Yankees have been undone by poor fundamentals and the underperformance of several promising contributors. The face of those issues has been Anthony Volpe, whose errors have have made the spotlight that much brighter as his offense continues to stagnate.
He's not going anywhere soon, despite the calls from the most impatient of the New York faithful. But on Thursday, the Yankees insulated their infield and raised the floor of their bench by trading Everson Pereira and a player to be named later for Tampa Bay Rays utility man José Caballero.
Caballero epitomizes versatility, seeing time at every outfield spot, third base, shortstop, and second base. His best position, though, is shortstop, allowing New York to make late-inning substitutions, primarily in the outfield but also for Volpe is necessary.
His 34 stolen bases are among the best in the American League. That doesn't slump, and it makes the Yankees more potent when it matters most, even with a below-average bat. With 4.5 years of team control, New York found a role player for the cost of an insignificant prospect and a PTBNL -- good business for general manager Brian Cashman.
Brewers bolster bullpen
Unlike the vast majority of the Major Leaguers traded on Thursday, Miller wasn't immediately added to the active roster. He's still on the Injured List, dealing with a strained forearm from the beginning of July.
Clearly, the Milwaukee Brewers aren't concerned about acquiring damaged goods on a rental basis. He's expected to make an impact rather soon, and his 2025 numbers suggest he can be a late-inning arm in October.
MORE: Mets listed as trade deadline winner after several blockbuster moves
Miller has sported a 1.98 ERA and a 3.12 FIP. His 20.3 K-BB% is among his best marks for a full(ish) season, and he's kept his batting average allowed below .200. His fastball remains elite with a combination of extension and vertical approach angle. Miller's splitter is nearly two distinct pitches, being thrown arm side like a sinker to lefties and a more traditional, below-the-zone off-speed pitch against right-handed hitters.
Miller is excellent against right-handed hitters and above-average against their left-handed counterparts, making him platoon-neutral and an important bullpen piece in a set-up role. With so many star relievers being moved, Miller's move is quietly a big boost to the Brewers' playoff hopes.
Atlanta makes a play for 2026
The Atlanta Braves should have sold at the deadline. As one of the most disappointing teams in the National League, it shouldn't have been a complicated discussion. Instead, Atlanta stayed steady, selling off Rafael Montero but adding a handful of back-end starters.
Their most important move took advantage of a dysfunctional Colorado Rockies front office, adding right-handed reliever Tyler Kinley for a 26-year-old up-and-down arm in Austin Smith who's yet to make his MLB debut.
Kinley is a discounted version of Jake Bird, who Colorado shipped to the Bronx. He's a slider-heavy reliever who can throw it in the zone more than most while turning to his curve as an out pitch. His fastball, though, is dangerously below-average, playing worse than its velocity suggests and living in the dead zone.
The Braves, by virtue of not being the Rockies, offer a better path to player development. It seems likely that they pick up his $5 million option for 2026, and if they can fix his fastball (or drop it for a different offering), they could unlock additional upside. A viable 2026 play with minimal risk is one of the shrewd deals of the deadline, even without any impact on the rest of the season.
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