The trade deadline has passed, and if you are a fan of a particular team, you were either happy, befuddled, or nonplussed.
If you were in the happy category, you understood why. If you were in the other groups, all you can do is if it’s a team you don’t care for, maybe it won’t work out as it appears. That’s happened plenty of times.
Nonetheless, in all walks of life (especially when betting on MLB futures), there are winners and losers, and this time, we are here to explain how particular teams enhanced their playoff possibilities.
Latest World Series Odds
Seattle Mariners
Odds at Caesars Sportsbook
- +600 to Win AL
- +1400 to win World Series
Seattle addressed their greatest needs, players who could hit, leading to greater run production. Eugenio Suárez adds a much-needed power bat. While he doesn’t figure to hit as many deep shots in his second tour of duty in Coffee Town without the lighter air of Arizona, he can still be a force. Suarez should impact the Mariners’ batting order along with Josh Naylor at first base.
Left-hander Caleb Ferguson is a nice addition to the bullpen for depth and situational pitching. The starting pitching situation could get stronger with Bryce Miller having a sharp rehab assignment.
With Seattle at 4.52 runs a game, if they can elevate that to 4.8 RPG and the starting pitchers can go from #15 to #10 in ERA before the regular season ends, the Mariners become very dangerous.
Philadelphia Phillies
Odds at Caesars Sportsbook
- +475 to Win NL
- +800 to Win World SeriesÂ
The Phillies, like in the last several years, have a roster looking to win now. The window of opportunity is not closed after this season, but it’s not going to open wider going forward.
Philadelphia is #3 in starting pitching run prevention and has the depth to hold up in the postseason. The hitting has run more hot and cold, similar to last year, with as many as 30-something players in the starting lineup.
The biggest conundrum of the last two off-seasons is the bullpen at #24 in early August. Adding lockdown closer Jhoan Duran moves every pitcher out of the pen down one spot, which in truth is where they are better suited. This is big.
Harrison Bader is an excellent outfielder, and when he is hot with the lumber, the Phillies will have to find a way for him to hit. No booing these moves in the city of Brotherly Love.
New York Mets
Odds at Caesars Sportsbook
- +450 to Win NL
- +1000 to Win World Series
While rival Philadelphia might have hit the home run with Duran, the Mets added variety and versatility to their #11 bullpen, which can further support New York’s #6 starting staff.
Ryan Helsley, Gregory Soto, and Tyler Rogers collectively sprinkle in ways to mix and match for manager Carlos Mendoza. This matters because modern playoff baseball, from the pitching perspective, is four to five innings from your starter, and the bullpen comes in and does the rest (with a starting pitcher in a supporting role). This has turned into a winning formula in recent years, and if the pensters are hot as a group, you can go deep in late October or November.
Lastly, centerfielder Cedric Mullins upgrades that position at Citi Field.
New York Yankees and San Diego Padres
Yankees Odds at Caesars Sportsbook
- +375 to Win AL
- +1200 to Win World Series
Padres Odds at Caesars Sportsbook
- +550 to Win NL
- +1600 to Win World Series
At first glance, quality moves for the Yankees and Padres. A closer inspection appears to show others, as we mentioned, did better, but maybe this works out better if the new guys embrace their surroundings.
The Yankees clearly wanted more than just power at third base; they wanted run prevention, too. That’s why Colorado’s Ryan McMahon looks like a smart, strategic upgrade.
And with New York’s bullpen wearing down in July and Devin Williams struggling, Pittsburgh’s David Bednar becomes a strong fit. After a rough start, Bednar rebounded impressively, posting a 1.70 ERA, racking up 16 saves, and striking out 50 over his last 39 outings. The big question is, can relievers Bednar, Jake Bird, and closer Camilo Doval thrive under the bright lights of Yankee Stadium (along with McMahon)?
Will the Bats Adjust to Petco Park?
Meanwhile, San Diego was busy wheeling and dealing, pulling off headline-making trades for Ryan O’Hearn and Ramon Laureano from Baltimore, plus landing Mason Miller and JP Sears from the Athletics. The Padres already boasted the league’s top bullpen, so Miller might be more of a long-term piece, especially with control through 2029.
As for O’Hearn and Laureano, leaving the hitter-friendly Camden Yards for pitcher-friendly Petco Park could be a major adjustment. Grab the popcorn.
Trade Deadline Winners: Final Thoughts
The 2025 MLB trade deadline reshaped the playoff landscape, and a few teams clearly came out ahead. The Mariners added offense and bullpen depth, the Phillies shored up a shaky relief unit with a big-time closer, and the Mets opted for strategic upgrades that align with modern postseason pitching strategies. Meanwhile, the Yankees and Padres made solid moves that could prove more valuable with time.
If you’re tracking World Series futures, these developments should impact how you approach your next bet. Check out our latest MLB odds to stay ahead of the curve!
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*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
