Ranking the 10 best mid-season trades of 2017

The 2017 season is almost in the books, as the Astros and Dodgers have begun their matchup in the World Series.

Before the series ends within the next week, we have decided to take a look back and rank the best mid-season trades of the year.

1. Astros acquire Justin Verlander from Tigers — Leading the American League for most of the year, the Astros had been looking for a big-time controllable starter in hopes he could help them get to the World Series. They found that starter in Verlander, who has gone 9-0 with a 1.23 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 58 ²⁄₃ innings pitched since coming over from Detroit on the final day of the waiver deadline in August. In the postseason, Verlander has gone 4-0 with a 1.46 ERA and was named the ALCS MVP after putting together sensational starts in Game 2 and Game 6 of the series. Whether or not they upend the Dodgers in the Fall Classic, the Astros will have Verlander possibly through 2019, allowing them to be in contention for the next two seasons.
2. Rangers trade Yu Darvish to Dodgers — Though they left the National League virtually in the dust in July, the Dodgers struck a deal with the Rangers during the final hour of the non-waiver deadline to land Darvish and build up their rotation for a big postseason run. Since coming to LA, Darvish has gone 6-3, but has been money in the postseason, going 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA. The four-time All-Star earned the series-clinching win during the Dodgers’ sweep of the Diamondbacks in the NLDS and dominated the Cubs in Game 3 of the NLCS. No matter what happens in the World Series, Darvish will command a lot of money in the offseason since he is a free agent, but the Dodgers hope he can help deliver them their first title in 29 years.
3. Yankees acquire Todd Frazier, David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle from White Sox — The Yankees shocked everyone in baseball with their run in the postseason, getting to the ALCS before bowing out to the Astros in seven games. While they were led by young guns such as Aaron Judge, Didi Gregorious, Luis Severino and Greg Bird plus experienced starters C.C. Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka, the Yankees couldn’t have done it without these three veterans they acquired in mid-July. Frazier came up with a big RBI double in Game 4 against the Indians to give the Yanks the first of its four runs in the second inning, a run in Game 5 that sealed the series for following a nine-pitch walk, and a three-run homer against the Astros in Game 3. Robertson and Kahnle provided steady arms in the bullpen before giving way to closer Aroldis Chapman. Though Frazier is a free agent after this season, Robertson is still under control through next year and Kahnle is under contract through 2020.
4. Cubs acquire Jose Quintana from White Sox — The Cubs made the first blockbuster deal of the trade deadline by getting the White Sox to ship Quintana — one of the biggest names on the trading block this season — from the South Side. Though they gave up their best hitting prospect and pitching prospect, the Cubs saw Quintana turn into an impact pitcher they are looking forward to have for possibly the next three seasons (he has options for 2019 and 2020). Quintana went 7-4 with a 3.98 ERA in 97 ¹⁄₃ innings pitched and helped the Cubs reach the NLCS for the third straight year.
5. Yankees acquire Sonny Gray from Athletics — After establishing themselves as contenders for a postseason spot in the first half of the season, the Yankees wanted to find a quality starter who could help them reach the playoffs and keep contending for years to come. The Yankees got their man in Gray, who showed he could pitch in a big spot in Game 4 against the Astros by throwing five-plus innings of one-run ball after having a rough first outing against the Indians. And with two arbitration years left, Gray will be a fixture in the rotation for a Yankees club that is ready to win now after what it did this season.
6. Indians acquire Jay Bruce from Mets — With a 3.5 game lead in the AL Central in early August, the Indians needed a power bat if they wanted to win the division and get back to the World Series. They got one on the cheap with Bruce during the waiver deadline. Bruce ended up with a .248/.331/.477 slash line with the Tribe, helped them pull away in the regular season by contributing to their American League record 22-game winning streak (hit a walk-off single for win No. 22) and was the only one Indian who could hit against the Yankees during the ALDS, where Cleveland lost in five games. The 30-year-old Bruce could generate some interest on the market this winter because he finished the year with 36 home runs and 101 RBI overall.
7. Diamondbacks acquire J.D. Martinez from Tigers — The Diamondbacks landed one of the more impact players during the non-waiver deadline in Martinez. After having a solid first half with Detroit, Martinez turned into one of the best sluggers in the game, blasting 29 homers and knocking in 65 runs while slashing .302/.366/.741 in 62 regular season games. His astonishing display of power helped Arizona earn its first playoff berth since 2011. It also makes him the most coveted outfielder on the open market this winter. Many have speculated that he could go to teams such as the Giants, Red Sox, Angels and Cardinals or stay with the D-backs.
8. Nationals acquire Sean Doolittle, Ryan Madson from Athletics — The Nationals’ weakest link for the majority of the first half was their bullpen. They had searched long and hard for arms, but finally acquired veterans Doolittle and Madson from the A’s. By doing so, the Nationals made it a strength down the stretch. Doolittle saved 21 of 22 games while posting a 2.40 ERA while Madson was 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA in 20 appearances. In the postseason, Doolittle had one save in three appearances while Madson had a 2.25 ERA in four appearances against the Cubs. Though the Nationals lost to the Cubs in five games, they have Madson under contract for next year and Doolittle under control through 2020.
9. Red Sox acquire Eduardo Nunez from Giants — The Red Sox had a huge hole at third base all season until they acquired Nunez five days before the end of the non-waiver deadline. Nunez slashed .321/.353/.539 with eight home runs and 27 RBI in 38 regular season games with Boston. Unfortunately, Nunez re-aggravated his right knee while running to first base during the ALDS versus Houston and was removed from the postseason roster. Nunez is a free agent after the season, but the Red Sox are interested in exploring a way to keep him for 2018.
10. Rockies acquire Jonathan Lucroy from Rangers — One of the bigger surprises in baseball, the Rockies needed a veteran catcher with a bat who could help them handle their young pitching staff and get them into the postseason for the first time since 2009. They found one in Lucroy, who the Rox got for a player to be named later during the waiver deadline. Lucroy, who was traded for the second straight season, ended up hitting .310/.429/.437 in 46 games while assisting them to the second wild card in the NL. Because he had a solid end to the season, the free-agent-to-be Lucroy and the Rockies are looking to possibly reunite next season.