MLB World Series Odds: Post-Trade Deadline Teams That Improved the Most

• The MLB World Series odds have changed with the Trade Deadline now in the rearview mirror
• The Yankees, Mets, Padres, Mariners, and Phillies were the most aggressive
• The Blue Jays, Astros, Tigers, and Red Sox all made notable moves
• Teams that needed to be more aggressive were the Dodgers, Brewers, and Cubs
• Fans and media tend to react one way, but oddsmakers act another way
• Let’s look at who improved their World Series chances the most

World Series Post-Trade Deadline Odds

The teams listed below are the ones that made the largest improvements at the deadline and now have a significantly better chance at the World Series. A subsequent post will assess the teams that did not do enough.

Philadelphia Phillies

Acquired RHP Jhoan Duran and OF Harrison Bader

In separate deals with the Twins, the Phillies acquired righty reliever Jhoan Duran and outfielder Harrison Bader.

Since Jose Alvarado was suspended, the Phillies’ bullpen has been a borderline disaster. Jordan Romano has surrendered 29 earned runs and 7 homers in 38.1 innings as the nominal closer. They’ve used the closer-by-committee template with Matt Strahm, Orion Kerkering, and Romano.

Duran solves the problem immediately. He averages nearly 101 mph with his fastball and has a terrifying splitter and slider. In 2025, he’s struck out 53 in 49.1 innings, posted a 2.01 ERA, has 16 saves, and a 2.4 bWAR.

Bader is a former Gold Glove-winning outfielder with pop. He has 12 homers on the season. His acquisition allows them to reduce the number of at-bats the struggling Max Kepler will receive.

New York Yankees

Acquired 3B Ryan McMahon, RHP David Bednar, RHP Camilo Doval, INF Jose Caballero, RHP Jake Bird, OF Austin Slater, and INF/OF Amed Rosario

With Aaron Judge on the injured list and the Yankees having struggled so badly that they fell behind the Blue Jays in the AL East, there were questions as to how aggressive they’d be at the deadline.

They answered that by heavily fortifying their bullpen with former Pirates closer David Bednar, former Giants closer Camilo Doval, and Rockies setup man Jake Bird.

By acquiring Caballero, they are giving themselves an option if Anthony Volpe continues to play terrible defense. Perhaps that will motivate the young Volpe. Slater and Rosario are veteran extra pieces. McMahon has pop at the plate and is a defensive ace at third base.

With Luis Gil returning soon, they did not feel a starting pitcher was a priority. Marcus Stroman was released.

New York Mets

Acquired RHP Tyler Rogers, OF Cedric Mullins, RHP Ryan Helsley, LHP Gregory Soto

The Mets’ bullpen was a pleasant surprise over the first two months of the season, but it has been a revolving door disaster since then. At the deadline, they added the sidearming veteran righty Rogers from the Giants, and last season’s MLB saves leader Ryan Helsley from the Cardinals.

Center field has also been an issue with Tyrone Taylor simply not hitting. Jeff McNeil has been surprisingly good defensively out there, but they needed a legitimate center fielder who can hit. The former Orioles center fielder Mullins fills the bill. He is batting .229 this season, but has a .738 OPS, 15 homers, and 14 stolen bases.

They also acquired Gregory Soto from Baltimore in a separate deal. The lefty is a 2X All-Star who averages more than a strikeout per inning.

MLB World Series Odds and the Deadline

Teams consider myriad factors when deciding how to approach the trade deadline. Some, like the teams listed above, were the most aggressive in filling their glaring holes. In a forthcoming post, the teams that did not substantially enhance their World Series chances.

Who do you see making the World Series now that the MLB Trade Deadline is over?

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