The MLB trade deadline is always one of the most exciting moments in sports every summer. Who will be traded? Who won’t be traded? Which team will give up on this year and plan for the future? Which team will go all in for the World Series? As we near the end of the 2016 season, we have a pretty adequate measure of who won and lost the trade deadline wars of 2016.

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Winners

New York Yankees

New York is always filled with big names and even bigger payrolls. GM Brian Cashman, realizing that the boys in pinstripes were getting older and not worth the salary they are getting, decided to cut off some of his vets in order to let the kids take charge in Yankee Stadium. Hard throwing Aroldis Chapman was dealt to the team of 2016, the Chicago Cubs. It was a win for both teams; the Cubs got their elite closer for the crucial late game October moments, while the Yankees were able to get prime value for a player that they had no real use for by acquiring shortstop prospect  Gleyber Torres, pitcher Adam Warren and a few young outfielders. Torres, now one of the Yankees’ top prospects at just 19 will now have the chance to be the next Derek Jeter in the Bronx.

Yet, Cashman was not finished. They also dealt another top reliever in Andrew Miller to Cleveland. In a similar situation to Chapman, a high end reliever like Miller had no need being on a Yankees team bound to miss the playoffs. Miller moved to Cleveland in exchange for four minor leaguers, including top tanked outfielder Clint Frazier. The yanks also sent veteran outfielder Carlos Beltran to the Rangers for more prospects. All of this, combined with the timely retirement of Alex Rodriguez and benching of Brian McCann, has allowed super kid Gary Sanchez to take the league by storm from behind the plate. Cashman and the Yankees are now in good position for next year with a mix of young and experienced players, a revamped farm system, and more flexibility in the front office. Since the trade Chapman continues to throw the ball at an unreal pace for the league leading Cubs, Miller has stayed at his consistent sub 2.00 ERA and Beltran is a serviceable veteran outfielder for a playoff team.

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Milwaukee Brewers/Texas Rangers

Jonathon Lucroy is a true all star behind then plate. He hits for a high average, is a great game manager, solid defensively, good in the locker room, and frankly too good for the middling Brewers organization. His cap friendly deal that runs through next year is just a bonus. Lucroy has been on the trading block for about the last year and a half, while the Brewers looked for the best return for their catcher. Finally, they pulled the trigger on trading the best catcher in baseball not named Buster Posey to the Texas Rangers. With big post season dreams, the Rangers had really only one spot of concern left on their roster and they were able to fill that and more with the acquisition of Lucroy. Luckily, they were able to do so pretty slyly, without having to let go of prized prospect Joey Gallo. Of course, keeping Gallo meant letting go of other highly rated youngsters like Lewis Brinson. Milwaukee got what they wanted for Lucroy, a big time prospect and hope for the future, even though you could make an argument that they could have gotten more. Nonetheless, both teams got what the wanted at a reasonable price. Lucroy’s production since moving to Texas has flat lined with just a .275 batting average and .439 OPS in his last 30 games, lower than is his time with the Brewers this season.

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Losers

New York Mets

The Mets needed offensive reinforcements to protect Yoenis Cespedes if they wanted to make another magical run to the postseason like last year. Jay Bruce was pinned to be this man. The move was interesting, considering their outfield was already pretty stable with Cespedes and Curtis Granderson. Most thought a move for Lucroy would be a perfect fit, or maybe a veteran pitcher to fit into the back end of the beat up staff. But the Mets were beat out by the Rangers, not wanting to give up too much of their minor league system. So, New York settled on Bruce, who was having a career year after two substandard seasons in Cincinnati. His successful start to the season was not able to cross over into the Big Apple, hitting just .145 at the plate in over 40 games. The Mets are still in the playoff hunt, currently holding one of the NL wild card spots, no thanks to Bruce.

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Miami Marlins

The Mets’ NL East rival, the Miami Marlins, has been able to keep up with big dogs in the NL and had a shot at the NL wild card at the trade deadline. To move into serious contention, they needed depth on the mound so they could last the long haul of the MLB season. The Marlins front office decided on Andrew Cashner and Colin Rea from the San Diego Padres. You likely did not hear much of this deal, Cashner and Rea certainly were not Jose Fernandez, nor did the Marlins have to give up to much to get them, just a few mid level prospects. But it satisfied their need for depth, and the struggling Padres were looking to flip pieces for a profit any way they could. Rea made his first start just few days after arriving in South Beach. Before he could even establish himself with the organization, Rea exited the game with an elbow injury after just 3.1 innings. Cashner has not fared much better, going 1-4 with a 5.17 ERA. This deal was such a fail that Rea was sent back to the Padres after his injury. Tough break for Rea and for the Marlins who just cannot seem to put all of the pieces together to make a playoff team ever since the Miami suave style rebrand in 2012. What looked to be like a team that was finally making its way towards success after years of developing young talent, blew its chance by trading for a couple of duds.