Ranking 10 best MLB trade deadline acquisitions after 1 month
A little over one month removed from Major League Baseball's trade deadline, it's time to look at which additions have had the most impact with their new teams.
10. Merrill Kelly, Rangers
| IP | ERA | WHIP | K | FIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35.1 | 3.31 | 1.02 | 28 | 4.88 |
Kelly won't ever blow anyone away with his stuff, but he's an underappreciated veteran starter who continues to provide quality innings. The right-hander threw a team-leading 35 1/3 innings in August for a Rangers team trying to navigate an injury to ace Nathan Eovaldi while attempting to remain in the wild-card race. Kelly allowed two or fewer runs in four of his six starts last month and sits eighth in WHIP among AL starters since the trade.
9. Steven Matz, Red Sox
| IP | ERA | WHIP | K | FIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 1.29 | 0.71 | 9 | 4.34 |
The Red Sox needed help bridging the late innings to Aroldis Chapman, and Matz has done just that. The left-hander hasn't allowed a run in 10 of his 12 outings, having permitting just 11 baserunners over that span. While Matz doesn't rack up big strikeout numbers, he's limited hard contact and has the ability to pitch multiple innings.
8. Miguel Andujar, Reds
| GP | HR | AVG/OBP/SLG | OPS | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 3 | .364/.425/.591 | 1.016 | 0.6 |
Andujar's fit with the Reds was a bit puzzling at the time of the trade, but he's hit his way into the everyday lineup in Cincinnati. The 30-year-old went 24-for-65 (.369) with nine extra-base hits in August. He's driven in 13 runs for the Reds in 22 games after posting 27 in 60 with the Athletics while putting up 0.6 fWAR with his new team.
7. Jhoan Duran, Phillies
| IP | ERA | WHIP | K | FIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.2 | 1.69 | 0.94 | 13 | 0.69 |
The Phillies paid a hefty price to bring in Duran from the Minnesota Twins, but so far, there's been no buyer's remorse. The flamethrower's already picked up nine saves, while his 0.43 FIP in August was the second-lowest mark in the majors for any pitcher with at least five innings pitched. Duran's strikeout numbers have climbed (11.0 K/9) in Philadelphia, and he has yet to walk a batter since the trade.
6. David Bednar, Yankees
| IP | ERA | WHIP | K | FIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.1 | 2.70 | 0.97 | 20 | 2.22 |
Bednar's been a steadying presence for a bullpen with no shortage of issues. After a rough debut, Bednar owns a 1.54 ERA with 18 strikeouts over his last 10 appearances (11 2/3 IP). The two-time All-Star has converted three saves and threw the second-most innings of any Yankee reliever in August while tossing multiple innings three times.
5. Mason Miller, Padres
| IP | ERA | WHIP | K | FIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1.64 | 1.00 | 19 | 2.21 |
Miller may not be closing games for the Padres, but he's still been incredibly effective. The right-hander's thrown 10 scoreless appearances in his 11 outings with San Diego and allowed just three hits over his last nine innings while striking out 16. Miller arrived at the perfect time as a number of other Padres relievers scuffled in August; his five holds tied for the team lead last month.
4. Shane Bieber, Blue Jays
| IP | ERA | WHIP | K | FIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.1 | 2.38 | 0.62 | 15 | 3.04 |
The Blue Jays' risk in trading for Bieber is being rewarded: The former Cy Young winner looked like an ace in his first two starts since returning from Tommy John surgery. Bieber's struck out 15 over 11 1/3 innings and has yet to walk a batter. Most importantly, it doesn't seem like there are any restrictions on his workload heading into October as he threw 92 pitches in his last start and is scheduled to pitch on regular rest moving forward.
3. Ramón Laureano, Padres
| GP | HR | AVG/OBP/SLG | OPS | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 7 | .310/.355/.566 | .922 | 0.8 |
Laureano's given a significant jolt to a Padres team that was desperate for offense. His team-leading seven home runs in August accounted for 26% of the team's total homers for the month. Laureano also led San Diego with 23 RBIs, 32 hits, and 18 runs scored. He's already eighth on the team in homers on the season despite playing in just 29 games.
2. Kyle Finnegan, Tigers
| IP | ERA | K | WHIP | FIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14.1 | 0.00 | 19 | 0.42 | 1.10 |
The Tigers were criticized for missing out on some of the higher-profile relievers dealt at the deadline, but Finnegan's performance is showing everyone that maybe Detroit's front office acquired the most impactful arm. The right-hander's yet to surrender a run in 12 appearances with his new club and has allowed just six baserunners. His strikeout rate has skyrocketed, as he sports a career-best 11.9 K/9 to go with a 1.9 BB/9. His 0.8 fWAR in August led all MLB relievers.
1. Mike Yastrzemski, Royals
| GP | HR | AVG/OBP/SLG | OPS | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 7 | .256/.340/.593 | .933 | 1.1 |
Yastrzemski's been incredible since coming over from the San Francisco Giants in one of the deadline's more under-the-radar moves. The 35-year-old hit seven home runs and eight doubles while recording a team-leading .976 OPS in August. Kansas City received almost no power from its outfield for the bulk of the season until Yastrzemski's arrival.