Fansided

5 low-key MLB trades that could have a huge impact

By Cody Williams

HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 03: Trey Mancini #26 of the Houston Astros hits a two run home run in the second inning against the Boston Red Soxat Minute Maid Park on August 03, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 03: Trey Mancini #26 of the Houston Astros hits a two run home run in the second inning against the Boston Red Soxat Minute Maid Park on August 03, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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MLB trades
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 05: Michael Fulmer #52 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the tenth inning of the game at Target Field on August 5, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Blue Jays 6-5 in ten innings. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

There were big MLB trades that everyone couldn’t stop talking about but a few under-the-radar deals could yield big results for some teams.

Every baseball fan is well aware of the big names that got moved at the MLB Trade Deadline. Juan Soto is now with the San Diego Padres as is Josh Hader, Andrew Benintendi and Frankie Montas ended up New York Yankees, Luis Castillo moved to the Seattle Mariners, and the list goes on.

There were some shockers, perhaps mostly in the deals that didn’t get done. Namely, the deadline at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday passed and Willson Contreras and Ian Happ were still members of the Chicago Cubs, something that no one could’ve predicted given the rumors around both players.

At the same time, though, sometimes the trades that pay off the biggest aren’t the most heralded ones but, rather, are the ones that give teams a reliable presence where it’s badly needed, something akin to the Braves last year adding players key to their World Series run.

So as we look at the MLB trades made before the deadline, these five deals could be crucial to teams down the stretch.

5. Important under-the-radar MLB trades: Michael Fulmer to the Twins

The Minnesota Twins are in the pole position for the AL Central race and made some low-key moves to try and maintain that position. One such trade was the move that landed them reliever Michael Fulmer from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for minor-leaguer Sawyer Gipson-Long.

For much of the season, there have been plenty of highs for the Minnesota bullpen with the likes of rookie Jhoan Duran lighting up opposing hitters, among others. One of the issues, however, has been quality depth as they’ve struggled at times when their bullpen has been worked and they don’t have the quality arms to bring in.

Fulmer is the perfect type of pitcher to help alleviate those woes and has already started delivering for the Twins since coming over in the trade with Detroit.

In three appearances thus far for his new club, Fulmer has yet to allow a run over 2.2 innings pitched while allowing just two hits, two walks and striking out five batters as well. With Minnesota trying to stave off the surging Chicago White Sox in the division, Fulmer could be a huge boost to help them cling onto their lead.

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