MLB trade deadline: Houston Astros reunite with Carlos Correa, while San Diego Padres swing several deals

Chicago Tribune

2 days ago

Major League Baseball's trade deadline brought plenty of chaos Thursday, with dozens of deals capping a frenetic 24 hours as teams sought to improve their rosters ahead of the postseason.
Among the highlights: All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa is reuniting with the Houston Astros, the San Diego Padres went on a trading spree that brought in hard-throwing closer Mason Miller and the New York Yankees grabbed two-time All-Star reliever David Bednar.
In other moves, outfielder Cedric Mullins was dealt to the New York Mets and former Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber is joining the Toronto Blue Jays.
The recent swaps are on top of several deals over the past few days — including the Seattle Mariners landing slugger Eugenio Suarez — and the final hours saw a whirlwind of activity as teams made trades right up until the 5 p.m. CDT deadline.
Trades were still rolling in as the deadline passed, but here are some highlights from Thursday.
Correa is returning to Houston in a deal with the Minnesota Twins, giving the franchise a boost as it tries to stay atop the AL West.
Correa spent his first seven years in Houston, where he became one of the most beloved players in franchise history. He helped the team to six playoff appearances, three American League pennants and its first World Series title in 2017 — a championship tainted by a sign-stealing scandal.
The Twins also are sending $33 million to offset the $103.4 million left on Correa's contract, which runs through 2028. The Twins will receive minor-league pitcher Matt Mikulski in return.
Correa has played exclusively shortstop in his 11-year MLB career but almost certainly will move to third base with shortstop Jeremy Peña close to returning from the injured list. The Astros need help at the hot corner with All-Star Isaac Paredes out indefinitely with a hamstring injury.
The 30-year-old Correa has had a down season by his standards, batting .267 with seven homers and 31 RBIs.
The 26-year-old Miller is one of the game's top relievers and has a fastball that averages more than 101 mph. The 2024 All-Star has 20 saves in 23 opportunities, a 3.76 ERA and 59 strikeouts this season. He's under team control through 2029.
The Padres also added JP Sears, a lefty who has a 7-9 record and 4.95 ERA this season, striking out 95 batters in 22 starts.
They sent the Athletics a package of prospects, including highly regarded shortstop Leo De Vries and right-handed pitchers Henry Baez, Braden Nett and Eduarniel Nunez.
The active Padres also acquired catcher Freddy Fermin from the Kansas City Royals.
Mullins give the Mets an upgrade in center field, where Tyrone Taylor was playing terrific defense but providing little offense. The 30-year-old Mullins — who was an All-Star in 2021 — was batting .229 with 15 homers, 49 RBIs and 14 stolen bases for the Baltimore Orioles.
Versatile veteran Jeff McNeil also has been getting starts in center because of his bat, but he has much more experience at second base and the corner outfield spots.
The last-place Orioles received right-handers Raimon Gómez, Anthony Nunez and Chandler Marsh.
Looking to fortify their bullpen for the stretch run, the Yankees agreed to acquire Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates and Jake Bird from the Colorado Rockies. They also acquired utilityman José Caballero from the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Yankees were set to send catcher/first base prospect Rafael Flores, catcher Edgleen Perez and outfielder Brian Sanchez to the Pirates in exchange for Bednar, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.
The Yankees sent infielder Roc Riggio and lefty Ben Shields to the Rockies for Bird and outfielder Everson Pereira to the Rays.
The 30-year-old Bednar struggled early in the season and spent some time in the minors but has been dominant since his return. He joins a bullpen that already has Luke Weaver and Devin Williams. Bird has a 4.73 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings.
They were the fourth, fifth and sixth trades the Yankees made since Friday. They obtained third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Rockies on Friday, reserve infielder Amed Rosario from the Washington Nationals on Saturday and reserve outfielder Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.
Bieber is headed to the AL East-leading Blue Jays in a deal with the rebuilding Cleveland Guardians.
Bieber, who is working his way back from April 2024 Tommy John surgery, has made five rehab starts. His most recent outing was Tuesday for Double-A Akron, in which he allowed one run on three hits and struck out seven in four innings. His next rehab start was scheduled for Sunday.
The Guardians are getting right-hander Khal Stephen from the Blue Jays.
Toronto also got righty reliever Louis Varland and first baseman Ty France from the Twins for rookie outfielder Alan Roden and minor-league starter Kendry Rojas.
Bieber had spent his entire career in Cleveland, including winning the AL Cy Young Award in 2020. He has a career record of 62-32 with a 3.22 ERA and 958 strikeouts in 136 games (134 starts) since his debut in 2018.
He agreed to a one-year, $14 million contract last fall with a $16 million player option for 2026.
The Philadelphia Phillies got outfielder Harrison Bader in exchange for two minor-leaguers. It was the team's second deal with the Twins in two days after landing closer Jhoan Duran.
The 31-year-old Bader, a 2021 Gold Glove winner, remains a strong defender at all three outfield spots and has 12 home runs, 38 RBIs and a .778 OPS in 96 games. He also has postseason experience, playing in five playoff series with the St. Louis Cardinals, Yankees and Mets with a .809 OPS and five career homers.
The Phillies are sending minor-league outfielder Hendry Mendez and right-hander Geremy Villoria to the Twins for Bader.
The AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers acquired Kyle Finnegan from the Nationals for two prospects, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade wasn't announced.
The 33-year-old Finnegan was an All-Star in 2024 but his velocity has been down this season. He has 20 saves with a 4.38 ERA in 2025.
The Nats received minor-league pitchers Josh Randall and R.J. Sales, Detroit's third- and 10th-round draft picks from 2024.
The Tigers also added right-hander Paul Sewald in a deal with the Guardians and minor-league righty Codi Heuer in a trade with the Texas Rangers.
The 35-year-old Sewald is eligible to return from the injured list on Sunday after being shut down with a strained right shoulder. He is 1-1 with a 4.70 ERA in 18 games this season, averaging more than one strikeout each inning.