Five MLB Trade Deadline Moves That Are Already Paying Off

It’s been over a week since the MLB trade deadline, and one obvious question lingers in the aftermath. Just how are these players performing in their new homes? Who’s off to a fast start?

Since many starting pitchers have yet to even make two starts for their new teams, we’re focusing on hitters—with one notable collective exception. We'll have more to come on pitchers, so stay tuned. But for now, here are five trade deadline moves that are already paying off.

1B Luis Garcia Jr., Yankees

Garcia clubbed a go-ahead, two-run home run in his Yankees debut and has collected six hits in six games with New York. Garcia has also put the ball in play even when he’s not getting on base, a skill his team sorely needs. Since Aaron Judge went down, no team has struck out more than New York. Garcia so far has struck out just once in 25 plate appearances.

Plus, he’s even made some contributions on the defensive end, such as a brilliant, over-the-shoulder catch that kept the game tied in the top of the 10th inning of an Aug. 7 win over the Braves.

C Liam Hicks, Rays

Both Rays catchers Hunter Feduccia and Nick Fortes had been below average with the bat entering the deadline, which is why the club dealt three prospects to the Marlins in exchange for backstop Liam Hicks. On paper, it looked like one of the biggest upgrades of the trade deadline.

And in reality, it’s played out like that so far, as Hicks has provided the lefty bite the Rays lineup lacked. He belted a grand slam in his debut with the Rays, has already racked up five hits and six RBIs through his first seven games with the club and has struck out just once in 27 plate appearances. His 147 wRC+ since getting traded, the highest of any deadline acquisition, has helped Tampa Bay ride an eight-game winning streak to a six-game lead over the Yankees in the AL East.

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Liam Hicks celebrates his grand slam home run — Liam Hicks hit a grand slam in his first game with the Rays. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

1B Nathaniel Lowe, Guardians

The Guardians have scored fewer runs than all but two teams this year, hence why they brought in a righty masher in Jo Adell and a lefty masher in Nathaniel Lowe. Adell has started a bit slower but Lowe has been a revelation thus far, with five hits (including a homer and a double), six RBIs and an .845 OPS in five games in Cleveland.

CF Brenton Doyle, White Sox

Doyle was in the midst of a down year for the Rockies, but he’s off to a fast start in Chicago. He’s made five starts in center field for the White Sox, has collected five hits, a home run and two stolen bases, and has already saved two Defensive Runs thanks to incredible catches like this one.

We've got a man there! pic.twitter.com/gpEGHIsPlp
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 8, 2026

It’s early in his White Sox tenure, but he’s already resembled the player he was in 2024 in Colorado: a Gold Glove centerfielder who flirted with a 30-30 season.

Pirates relievers

Pittsburgh acquired a whopping four relievers before the trade deadline, acquiring Luke Weaver from the Mets, Camilo Doval from the Yankees, Lake Bachar from the Marlins and Kirby Yates from the Angels. They’ve combined to allow three runs in 13 innings (2.08 ERA) to bolster what had been the Pirates’ glaring weakness.

After Pittsburgh’s relief corps had posted a 4.31 ERA (20th in MLB) through the trade deadline, they rank fourth in the majors with a 2.25 ERA in 28 innings since, as well as top-three ranks in strikeout rate (11.3 K/9), xERA (2.52) and FIP (2.80). Luke Weaver has only pitched once for the Pirates because Pittsburgh’s rotation and lineup have unfortunately slumped since the trade deadline, granting their new presumptive closer zero save opportunities. But the other three new additions have done their part and provided hope that Pittsburgh can make a playoff run if the other units of the team can play like they did through July.

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