MLB trade deadline: Grading every team's moves, from Dodgers' and Nationals' A to Yankees' and Orioles' D

Key Points:

• The Los Angeles Dodgers were the biggest winners at the 2026 MLB trade deadline, acquiring two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal to bolster their rotation and maintain their championship contention, earning them an A+ grade.
• The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs also earned high marks (A) for significant improvements, with the Red Sox landing top catcher Adley Rutschman and the Cubs strengthening their rotation with key pitchers like Clay Holmes and Kevin Gausman.
• Several teams, including the Detroit Tigers (F) and New York Yankees (D), received poor grades due to questionable trade decisions or failure to adequately address team needs, with the Tigers criticized for trading away top pitchers despite playoff contention.
• The New York Mets and San Francisco Giants capitalized on a seller's market by trading key players for multiple top prospects, receiving B grades for their strategic rebuilding efforts amid disappointing seasons.
• Other notable grades include the San Diego Padres (A) for bolstering their rotation with Casey Mize and Robbie Ray, and the Baltimore Orioles (D) for selling off assets despite being close to a playoff spot, reflecting a lack of urgency to compete.