MLB · 3 months ago

Ranking the Best Post-MLB Trade Deadline Bullpens in Baseball

SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball

Host · Writer

1. New York Mets
Major Additions: Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers, Gregory Soto

Edwin Diaz is back to his dominant self, but he’s not alone anymore. The New York Mets added three trusted arms in Ryan Helsley (former NL Reliever of the Year and 2024 saves leader with 49), Tyler Rogers (sub-2.00 ERA), and Gregory Soto (needed lefty depth). Combined with Reed Garrett, New York suddenly boasts the league’s deepest late-inning unit.

The five-headed monster of Diaz, Helsley, Rogers, Garrett, and Soto has a combined 2.38 ERA and 4.6 fWAR in 219 innings this season. Their collective track record (1,237 IP, 288 saves since 2021) matches up with anyone.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
Top Post-Deadline Bullpens
Closers were flying every which way at the 2025 MLB trade deadline. When the dust finally settled, five of the top 10 relievers in saves since 2023 had swapped teams, along with five of the top 15 in FanGraphs WAR. Bullpen arms were currency, and contenders paid big to stock their arm barns.

Now that the market's closed, it's time to reassess the league's late-inning power structure. Swipe ahead, as we rank the best post-deadline bullpens based on talent, depth, and dominance.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.
4. Houston Astros
Major Addition(s): None

No flashy deadline deals, but the Houston Astros didn't need one. Houston already leads the league in nearly every key bullpen metric: strikeout rate, whiff rate, K-BB%, BAA, xwOBA, xFIP, and SIERA. Josh Hader and Bryan Abreu headline a dominant crew, with surprising seasons from Steven Okert, Bennett Sousa, and Bryan King. Their only misstep was trading swingman Ryan Gusto. Call them boring if you want—they're still elite.
3. San Diego Padres
Major Addition: Mason Miller

One move. That’s all it took. The San Diego Padres added the most overpowering reliever in baseball to a bullpen that was already first in ERA (2.97), FIP, fWAR, and WPA. Mason Miller joins a supergroup featuring Robert Suarez (MLB leader with 32 saves), Adrian Morejon (reliever WAR leader), Jeremiah Estrada, and Jason Adam.

Those five arms combine for a 2.58 ERA and 6.7 fWAR in 233.2 innings—equivalent to having five peak Justin Verlanders. If they reach October, this bullpen is a cheat code.
2. New York Yankees
Major Additions: David Bednar, Camilo Doval, Jake Bird

You can argue the New York Yankees added the most total talent: three high-end arms headlined by David Bednar and Camilo Doval. Both relievers have All-Star pedigrees, and Jake Bird adds sneaky depth. Pair them with Devin Williams (back and healthy), Luke Weaver, and Fernando Cruz (IL), and you’ve got a six-deep pen with elite upside.

Over the past five seasons, the Yankees' top five relievers have 307 saves, 23.3 fWAR, and 1,316.2 innings pitched—more volume and output than any contender. It’s not just hype. This pen is loaded.

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1. New York Mets
Major Additions: Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers, Gregory Soto

Edwin Diaz is back to his dominant self, but he’s not alone anymore. The New York Mets added three trusted arms in Ryan Helsley (former NL Reliever of the Year and 2024 saves leader with 49), Tyler Rogers (sub-2.00 ERA), and Gregory Soto (needed lefty depth). Combined with Reed Garrett, New York suddenly boasts the league’s deepest late-inning unit.

The five-headed monster of Diaz, Helsley, Rogers, Garrett, and Soto has a combined 2.38 ERA and 4.6 fWAR in 219 innings this season. Their collective track record (1,237 IP, 288 saves since 2021) matches up with anyone.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
Top Post-Deadline Bullpens
Closers were flying every which way at the 2025 MLB trade deadline. When the dust finally settled, five of the top 10 relievers in saves since 2023 had swapped teams, along with five of the top 15 in FanGraphs WAR. Bullpen arms were currency, and contenders paid big to stock their arm barns.

Now that the market's closed, it's time to reassess the league's late-inning power structure. Swipe ahead, as we rank the best post-deadline bullpens based on talent, depth, and dominance.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.

Ranking the Best Post-MLB Trade Deadline Bullpens in Baseball

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