This year's trade deadline was an absolute blast, with a former MVP, Cy Young winner and plenty of All-Stars changing teams. There was suspense, intrigue and double-crossing. The NL West arms race did not disappoint, with the Dodgers swindling the Padres out of Max Scherzer and Trea Turner on Thursday night. Then, the Giants completed a last-minute deal for Kris Bryant on Friday.
Two of the past five World Series winners (the Nationals and Cubs) tore down their former championship rosters and began their rebuilds. Chicago traded away core players Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Báez, who joins his longtime friend Francisco Lindor with the Mets. Then, the Cubs also made a major cross-town trade Friday, sending closer Craig Kimbrel to the White Sox. Kimbrel and Liam Hendriks are set to form one of the best bullpens in baseball.
The AL East was also busy. The Yankees loaded up on left-handed power hitters, with Rizzo and Joey Gallo earlier in the week. The Blue Jays responded Friday with a big trade for the Twins' José Berríos. It took a major package of prospects to get him, though. Toronto sent Austin Martin, the No. 16 prospect in all of baseball per MLB Pipeline, and Seimone Woods-Richardson, ranked No. 68.
So many other moves went down Friday. Relive the excitement and chaos of the most entertaining trade deadline in years with Emma Baccellieri and Matt Martell in SI's live blog.
