2025 MLB Trade Deadline: 10 Impact Moves That Affect The Stretch Run

The Padres shook the industry, the Astros reunited with a franchise icon, and in New York, New York, the relief market was ultra competitive. 

But which were the trades that could provide a jolt in the second half as hopeful contenders prepare for pennant races? Here are the 10 most impactful moves for the stretch run:

10. 1B Ryan O’Hearn, OF Ramon Laureano : Baltimore Orioles to San Diego Padres

The headline-grabbing move in a bustling trade deadline day for the Padres was the addition of Mason Miller, but addressing some of their biggest question marks at DH and left field was a huge success for San Diego. A.J. Preller landed Laureano, who’s enjoying the best season of his career, and O’Hearn, a pure rental piece, from the Orioles for six prospects, which was just one of his five deals that involved a total of 22 players ahead of the deadline. While O’Hearn can slot in at both DH and first base, Laureano figures to be the Padres’ everyday left fielder now and in 2026, when he has a team-friendly $6.5 million club option. Both O’Hearn and Laureano provide necessary upgrades in San Diego’s lineup. 

9. 3B Ryan McMahon: Colorado Rockies to New York Yankees

Ryan McMahon has made an early impact since his trade to the Yankees. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Any concern about McMahon’s ugly road numbers is already a distant memory. It turns out plucking a player from the hopelessly uncompetitive environment of Colorado and putting him in pinstripes in a pennant race in the Bronx can bring out the best in McMahon. He already notched his first walk-off since being traded to the Yankees, and even though it’s a small sample size, he’s hitting .400 with a 1.020 OPS, four walks and four RBI in 25