PHOENIX (AP) — Unless you're the Chicago White Sox — yikes! — there's a lot of parity in Major League Baseball these days. There are very few teams that look invincible. There aren't many teams that are flat-out awful.
And since 12 out of the sport's 30 teams will make the playoffs in October, there is still some hope for most franchises. Which brings us to Tuesday’s trade deadline. The moves have already started.
The D-backs added left-hander A.J. Puk , the Mariners grabbed outfielder Randy Arozarena , the Yankees acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr.
and the Orioles now have right-hander Zach Eflin . A handful of players still on the market — think Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or the White Sox's Garrett Crochet — could swing a playoff race.
The Arizona Diamondbacks squeezed into the playoffs with an 84-78 record last season, went on a crazy run, and made it all the way to the World Series before losing to the Texas Rangers. The D-backs were bold at last year's trade deadline — adding closer Paul Sewald and outfielder Tommy Pham — which helped them excel over the final months. The D-backs have been busy again around 2024's deadline, grabbing Puk to solidify the bullpen.
Arizona GM Mike Hazen said because so many teams are interested in improving, he made the decision to try and beat the pack. The D-backs gave up prized minor league prospect Deyvison De Los Santos in the trade with the Marlins that landed Puk. “You just can't say you want to go and improve your team.