My Top 3 MLB Trade Deadline Moves

by Elias Meredith 8/2/2025 FansOnlySportz

Instagram.com (@padres)

The MLB trade deadline is without a doubt the most exciting part of the regular season. The 2025 MLB trade deadline was filled with season-shifting moves throughout the league that featured the bolstering of bullpens, raving reunions, and the deepening of depth.

What are the three most valuable moves of the 20025 MLB trade deadline? Let’s find out, here are the top 3 moves that could shift these clubs' season into high gear!

1. The Phillies acquire flame-throwing right-hander Jhoan Duran from Twins

The Phillies got the best arm of the deadline in Jhoan Duran. Duran was 6-4 with a 2.01 ERA, with 16 saves as a Twin. The 6’5” 230 pound righty has a pitch arsenal that matches his intimidating stature. He features a nasty power splitter that runs up to 99 mph, a four-seam fastball that averages 100 mph, a curveball, and a sweeper. 

On Friday night, the newest Phillies reliever made an electric debut. In the bottom of the ninth, up by one, Duran sat down the NL Central-leading Detroit Tigers 1-2-3 to notch his first save in a Phillies uniform. Duran as a closer fills in a hole in the Phillies bullpen, and his success will be key to a deep postseason run for the Phils.

2. The Mariners welcome Suarez back to Seattle

The Mariners have reunited with one of the premium power bats in the league today. Eugenio Suarez comes back to Seattle after a year and a half away from the club. Suarez is adding 36 home runs and 87 RBI to a club that ranks top 10 in the league in both categories.

Leading the power charge in the Mariner lineup is all-star catcher Cal Raleigh. Raleigh is leading the league in home runs (42) and RBI (87). The Mariners prioritized offense at the deadline, adding two quality bats in Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez to the lineup. This puts them in prime position to clinch a playoff berth for only the second time in 24 years.

3. Miller stays in Cali, but switches teams and leagues

Miller to San Diego pretty much makes the back end of the Padre bullpen borderline illegal. The unhittable tandem of Mason Miller and Robert Suarez has an average of 101.1 and 98.4 on their four-seam fastball respectively, and both have a pitch that ranks in the 90th percentile in run value. According to MLB’s Baseball Savant, Miller ranks in the 96th percentile in breaking ball run value with his tight slider, and Suarez ranks in the 96th percentile in fastball run value with a four-seam fastball that has 18.3 inches of rise.

Miller made his debut in the Padres colorful city uniforms last night. Recording one strikeout in one inning of work, earning his first hold of the season. Suarez came in the ninth and recorded his league-leading 31st save of the season. Usually opposing offenses want to get into bullpens, but with the strengthening of the Padre bullpen, they might just want to stick with the starter as long as possible. The bullpen will be a key part in the Padres playoff push down the stretch.

Thank you for reading!

Elias Meredith (@EAM_55)