Fansided

5 teams who got a W at the 2018 MLB trade deadline

By Geoffrey Godfrey

BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 12: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles in action before the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 12, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 12: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles in action before the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 12, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 15: Yusniel Diaz #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the World Team celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 15: Yusniel Diaz #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the World Team celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

2. Baltimore Orioles

These birds seem like an odd move to be second on the list, but you must look at the facts. They were not going to contend this year or next. They could not re-sign Manny Machado, who is arguably the biggest superstar in orange and black since Ripken. So they got something rather than nothing and avoided paying big money for several players in a short time.

We must also look at the O’s for what they are, a lower-market team who usually does not attack the international market, and has made some questionable free agency moves.

They were able to get some amazing young talent, and save money.

Got: Jonathan Villar (SS), Luis Ortiz (SP), Jean Carmona (INF), international bonus money, Evan Phillips (P), Jean Carlos Encarnacion (INF), Brett Cumberland (C), Bruce Zimmerman (P), international slot money, Dean Kremer (P), Zach Pop (P), Rylan Bannon (INF) and Breylic Valera (INF)

Lost: Manny Machado (SS), Jonathan Schoop (2B), Kevin Gausman (SP), Brad Bach (RP), Darren O’Day (RP)

One of the most important aspects here is the international bonus money, this could help the O’s secure the talents of Victor Victor Mesa, a Cuban international player who has high-end talent. Diaz was a high prospect in the Dodgers system, and Villar can step in and be an everyday player. They lowered their cap and bolstered their own lackluster farm system. Their farm system which was middle-tier on a good day is now in talks for top five. When you are a low-end team with a low-budget having a high-end prospect system is how you win.

Being able to get the haul they did for Machado and not having to spend much more money than they wanted to on Schoop in the future makes this a massive win.

Side win here as well: If they do sign Mesa he will become one of the best prospects in all of baseball. Maybe even one of the best prospects they have ever had.

LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 02: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats during fourth inning of the MLB game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on August 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Brewers 21-5. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 02: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats during fourth inning of the MLB game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on August 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Brewers 21-5. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

One word. Easy.

Easy.

That is the best way to describe the Dodgers trade deadline moves. They somehow moved, what to them was nothing of value or relevance, for tons of value. They were able to get players across the diamond and in the rotation. They were able to get that and leave their team entirety intact. It’s not often you can make several trades, get better and leave your team which is destined for the NLCS in better shape all around.

Even with the players they lost, they won so big with Machado, Dozier and Axford that any losses will be null and void.

Got: Manny Machado (SS), Brandon Dozier (2B), Jon Axford (RP), Dylan Floro (RP), Zach Neal (P)

Lost: Logan Forsythe (2B), Luke Raley (OF/1B), Devin Smeltzer (P), Corey Copping (P), James Marinan (P), Aneurys Zabala (P)

Next: Best MLB player from each state

They landed Manny Machado, one of the best in the game in general, and Brandon Dozier, who has been a top five, if not the best second baseman in the game for numerous years. Plain and simple they won, because they got two of the best players in the trade deadline frenzy, and now have a leg up on signing Machado. They were also able to get two quality relievers. The amount of talent on the Dodgers with these two as new additions makes them World Series favorites. There, however, maybe an uneasy sense of urgency with these moves. Machado needs a new deal and they are in the tax, it’s win now or be forced to make some calls in the off-season. Not to mention several young guys — Seager, Toles, Bellinger, and Pederson — will still need deals.

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