The Major League Baseball (MLB) trade deadline came to a close at 6:00 p.m. ET on Monday, as contenders raced to bolster their lineups with game-changing additions ahead pf the postseason.
From Cy Young-winning pitchers to All-Star catchers, several high-profile names changed clubs in one of the busiest days of the MLB season.
Here are the top five trades which were consummated before the MLB closed its doors for such transactions.
1. Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Defending back-to-back World Series champions Los Angeles Dodgers strengthened their bid for a three-peat by adding two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.
Skubal was shipped to the Dodgers for three minor league prospects in right-handers River Ryan and Brady Smith and outfielder Zyhir Hope.
The pitcher is the latest star to join the high-priced roster for the Dodgers that already has big-name players like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Mookie Betts.
Skubal, who is 7-5 this season with a 2.79 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 96 2/3 innings, forms a star-studded rotation comprising Ohtani (if healthy), reigning World Series MVP Yamamoto, fellow two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow.
The Dodgers led the majors with a 3.36 ERA from their starting pitchers going into Sunday’s games and now add Skubal to the mix.
The ace pitcher is 61-42 with a 3.04 ERA over seven seasons, all in Detroit. In two postseasons, Skubal is 2-1 with a 2.04 ERA in six starts.
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2. Red Sox deal for All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman
The Baltimore Orioles parted ways with three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman, as he was traded to AL East rivals Boston Red Sox just before the trade deadline on Monday.
The 28-year-old Rutschman is hitting .251 with eight home runs and 47 RBIs this season, with him and catcher Jake Rogers being traded to the Red Sox in a blockbuster deal.
In return, the Orioles received minor league right-handers Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, minor league outfielder Enddy Azocar, catcher Carlos Narvaez and a player to be named later.
Eyanson, Witherspoon and Azocar were ranked among Boston’s top five prospects by MLB Pipeline, with Eyanson in the top 50 in all of baseball.
The transaction hands Samuel Basallo, who has 16 homers this season, the keys as Baltimore’s No. 1 catcher.
3. 3-time NL batting champ Luis Arraez dealt to the Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies found an accomplished hitter in their bid to secure a fifth-straight trip to the playoffs.
The Phillies acquired three-time National League batting champion Luis Arraez in a four-player deal with the San Francisco Giants.
Arraez brings his reputation as a contact hitter who rarely strikes out to Philadelphia, which is looking for a batter who hits balls at a high percentage without getting put out.
The San Felipe, Venezuela, native is batting a NL-best .324 with four homers and 47 RBIs with an .801 OPS.
Arraez, who has struck out just 236 times over his eight-year career, has 25 walks to 21 strikeouts this season.
The Phillies .304 on-base rate is second worst in the majors, only ahead of the New York Mets.
Philadelphia also acquired right-hander reliever Caleb Kilian in the trade in exchange for minor league right-handed pitchers Ramon Marquez and Marty Gair.
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4. AL-leading Rays trade for Freddy Peralta
The Tampa Bay Rays have sent a message to the New York Yankees that they are hard-to-beat in the American League East when it comes to pitching.
This as the team dealt three minor leaguers for two-time All-Star Freddy Peralta.
The last-place Mets gave away the veteran pitcher for outfielder Aidan Smith, infielder Emilien Pitre and right-hander Gary Gill Hill.
Peralta, who can become a free agent following the World Series, could boost the middle of a strong rotation for the pitching-rich Rays who had a 3 1/2-game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East.
5. LHP Robbie Ray goes to the Padres
Veteran left-hander Robbie Ray was shipped to the San Diego Padres on Monday in a trade for two prospects.
The 34-year-old Ray is 10-6 with a 3.08 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 122 2/3 innings this season and was traded to the Padres in exchange for right-hander Miguel Mendez and 17-year-old shortstop Joniel Hernandez.
The move comes as San Diego looks to strengthen its push for a National League wild-card spot.
Winners of eight of their last 10 games, the Padres have continued to deplete their farm system in pursuit of a World Series title.
Acquiring the former Cy Young Award winner is their latest attempt to bolster the rotation and secure a playoff berth.
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