Closer Monkey’s trade deadline tracker will update with each reliever acquisition before the trade deadline passes on August 3, at 6 p.m. ET.
August 3
Pittsburgh Pirates – Viewed as the best reliever available this trade deadline, the Pirates have traded their ninth-ranked prospect to the Mets for Luke Weaver:
Weaver has playoff pedigree as the Yankees’ closer during their World Series run in 2024. He owns a 0.82 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 11 walks (20.1 K-BB%) through 44 innings this season, with a save and 15 holds while suffering two blown saves. He projects as the Pirates’ closer moving forward:
Updated Hierarchy: Luke Weaver | Gregory Soto | Mason Montgomery
Minnesota Twins – A potentially big move for Jeff Hoffman; he’s been added by the Twins in a bullpen rife with opportunity for a closer:
Over his last 21 games, he owns a 0.967 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and eight walks (23.3 K-BB%) across 20.2 innings.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Jeff Hoffman | Yoendrys Gómez | Andrew Morris
Boston Red Sox – Nearing a deal for Erik Miller while giving up Marcelo Mayer.
Miller has recorded four saves this season and is amid a 14-game scoreless streak, during which he’s posted a 0.846 WHIP with 18 strikeouts and five walks (26 K-BB%) across 13 innings. He provides Boston with a high-leverage left-handed option in the late innings, but loses his fantasy appeal for those mining saves from him in San Francisco.
For the San Francisco Giants:
Updated Hierarchy: *Dylan Smith | *Keaton Winn | *Sam Hentges
*= closer-by-committee
And things may continue evolving through the end of the season:
Tampa Bay Rays – Have added Tyler Wells from Baltimore.
Adding depth to their high-leverage options, he owns a 2-2 record with four saves and ten holds while posting a 0.96 WHIP with 53 strikeouts and 13 walks (19 K-BB%) across 54 innings.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Bryan Baker | Garrett Cleavinger | Tyler Wells
Chicago Cubs – Have acquired Ryan Zeferjahn from the Angels.
He’s an underappreciated reliever and has recorded four wins, four saves, and nine holds through 45 appearances, spanning 51.2 innings. His arsenal aligns with the team’s preferences, and he will slot into the high-leverage mix until Daniel Palencia returns.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jacob Webb | *Ryan Zeferjahn | *Caleb Thielbar
*= closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers – Have traded for Dustin May and JoJo Romero (currently on the injured list after appendicitis surgery), with eyes on the future.
The Brewers have enough bullpen depth and can be patient until Romero returns. He will be a key factor in the playoffs against other teams’ left-handed hitters.
Colorado Rockies – In two separate deals, the Rockies traded Antonio Senzatela to Milwaukee and Victor Vodnik to the Marlins as their rebuild continues. This leaves Jordan Romano as the closer for the remainder of the season.
Kansas City Royals – Another trade with keeper-league impact: the Royals have traded Kris Bubic to the Dodgers for minor league reliever Carlos Duran. At Triple-A, he has a 3-2 record with two saves, four holds, and two blown saves, posting a 16.8 K-BB percentage (61:28 K:BB) in 37 games, spanning 42.2 innings.
Texas Rangers – Traded Josh Smith and a minor league pitcher for Adam Macko from Toronto:
Macko recorded two wins and three holds through 22 games with the Blue Jays, posting a 1.55 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and 10 walks (13.1 K-BB%) over 22 innings. No impact on the Rangers’ hierarchy. Texas also designated Chris Martin for assignment earlier this morning.
Atlanta Braves – Another depth deal that does not affect a team’s hierarchy, but Atlanta has acquired Brent Suter from the Angels, getting another left-handed reliever capable of multiple innings into their leverage ladder.
Philadelphia Phillies – Traded two prospects to the Mets for Brooks Raley.
Raley has recorded five wins and 14 holds this season with only one blown save, posting a 1.09 WHIP with 40 strikeouts and 15 walks (14.7 K-BB%) across 41.1 innings.
They also received Caleb Kilian from the Giants in the Luis Arraez trade. He will be a bridge option, not in the late-inning triumvirate for the Phillies.
Updated Hierarchy: Jhoan Duran | Orion Kerkering | Brooks Raley
Chicago White Sox – Have acquired Huascar Brazobán from the Mets for two prospects:
Through 45 appearances this season, he has a 5-2 record with eight holds and two blown saves for the Mets. He has posted a 1.01 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 22 walks (12.3 K-BB%). Although he may not enter the team’s hierarchy, he provides much-needed depth in the bullpen for the stretch run and is under team control through 2029.
August 2
Washington Nationals – Traded Luis Garcia Jr. to the Yankees for four pitchers:
The most interesting one will be more appealing for those in dynasty or keeper formats. Ben Grable has a 2-1 record with three saves in 26 appearances. His 38 strikeouts to nine walks with a 0.897 WHIP may provide him opportunities in the future for a team in desperate need of capable relief options. Jake Bird could be on the major league roster soon; he was scoreless in his previous three outings since being demoted and never fared well with the Yankees. A change in scenery may do him good.
August 1
Seattle Mariners – Seeking a veteran leverage reliever, the Mariners received Seranthony Domínguez as part of the return package for Luis Castillo:
He provides more depth, but does not usurp the current high-leverage triumvirate.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Eduard Bazardo | Gabe Speier
Pittsburgh Pirates – Have acquired Camilo Doval from the Yankees:
Yes, Yankees fans will celebrate this move, but it’s a dollar and a dream in the world of lottery tickets, and Doval certainly represents one. Command remains an issue, and his splits against left-handed hitters should keep him reserved for right-handed hitting pockets. Getting out of New York should help; he has a 1.86 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP through 19.1 innings on the road. For now, he remains on the outside of the hierarchy, but his next two weeks could change his leverage status. Focus on his slider use and whether he throws more change-ups for the Pirates.
Hierarchy Remains: *Gregory Soto | *Mason Montgomery | *Carmen Mlodzinski
*= closer-by-committee
Cleveland Guardians – Traded Bo Naylor (C) and Codi Heuer for Craig Yoho and Blake Perkins (OF). As of today, this does not affect either team’s hierarchy.
July 30
Minnesota Twins – Acquired A.J. Minter from the Mets for Bruin Agbayani (INF) and Billy Amick (INF).
Updated Hierarchy: Yoendrys Gómez | Andrew Morris | A.J. Minter
July 29
Texas Rangers – Traded two prospects to the Angels for Logan O’Hoppe and Chase Silseth. This proved timely since Jakob Junis landed on the 15-day injured list two days later.
Updated Hierarchy: Jacob Latz | Chase Silseth | Tyler Alexander
July 23
Pittsburgh Pirates – Acquired Ron Marinaccio from San Diego for international bonus pool money. This is a depth piece for a weak leverage ladder; he will not enter the hierarchy at this time.
July 22
Kansas City Royals – Traded Max Martin (RHP) to Houston for Nate Pearson. Pearson will have to work his way into the bullpen’s hierarchy.
July 20
Los Angeles Dodgers – Acquired Seth Halvorsen from Colorado for minor league outfielder Landyn Vidourek and right-handed pitcher Nick Frasson. Halvorsen’s appeal lies in his velocity and minor league options.
This trade does not affect the team’s hierarchy.