Despite a highly active MLB trade deadline, the biggest stars haven’t relented

Negotiations, negotiations and more negotiations. This is what this year’s trade deadline consisted of, with 60 trades taking place from the Thursday before the deadline until the end of 6pm ET on Tuesday. But even with plenty of action, the deadline theme was a combination of rent prices and a lack of star power.

The price to start casting was exorbitant, and rightfully so, with names like Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet being tossed around in rumors and discussions. Although there had been rumors for weeks that Skubal was on the market, there was almost no chance the Tigers were seriously considering moving the AL Cy Young Award favorite. Sources indicated to Yahoo Sports in the days leading up to Tuesday’s deadline that Detroit had very little interest in moving Skubal.

Unlike Skubal, Crochet could have been purchased for the right price. But following the White Sox’ demands for the left-hander, which Yahoo Sports reported days before the deadline, it has become increasingly difficult for the team to move him. And after a lighter-than-expected return for right-hander Erick Fedde, getting Crochet a real hit was the only way to pry him out of the White Sox’ hands.

But with no impact starters with club control available, or very expensive, the value of rents on expiring contracts seemingly increased by the day. By the time the Blue Jays sent left-hander Yusei Kikuchi to the Astros on Monday, the return the White Sox got for Fedde from the Cardinals the same day was seen by the industry as a bit light, especially in a deal that also saw Chicago sends reliever Michael Kopech to the Dodgers and outfielder Tommy Pham to the Cardinals.

Not to be outdone, the Marlins made a significant move, acquiring four prospects for reliever Tanner Scott, who will be a free agent at the end of the season. But of all the teams that made moves, the Dodgers landed perhaps the best rental available, acquiring right-hander Jack Flaherty from the Tigers for catcher Thayron Liranzo and infielder Trey Sweeney.

Other club-controlled starting options, such as Zach Eflin and Trevor Rogers, were also traded to the Orioles. While there were tons of prospects moved at the deadline, none of the top 25 prospects were traded, showing that teams simply weren’t willing to risk too much and mortgage their future.

Teams looking for a real impact, especially in their rotations, clearly changed when they learned how much it would cost. The reality for many teams is that more impactful, high-rotation arms will be available in the winter when names like Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Luis Severino and Crochet are on the market.

For the first time in a long time, no superstars were moved by this year’s deadline. In recent years, names like Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Justin Verlander and even Max Scherzer have been traded multiple times mid-season. But this year’s dominance over top-tier talent shows just how difficult it was to acquire elite talent and production this season.

Yes, Randy Arozarena, Justin Turner, Eloy Jiménez and Jorge Soler are recognizable names, but perhaps not the needle movers some expected to be on the move.

Before the season, many players were expected to be available at the deadline, but with the Mets and Cardinals in playoff contention, players like Paul Goldschmidt, Pete Alonso and Nolan Arenado were unavailable. Meanwhile, even stars from non-rival teams like the Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, as well as the Rays’ Yandy Díaz, were unmoved.

This year’s trade deadline will likely be remembered more by those who weren’t traded than those who were. And with many names likely available with more suitors in the offseason, including non-playoff teams, this could definitely lead to an active winter.