If the Dodgers win the WS this year the trade is an A. Does the trade make it much more likely, yes. Does it help them the following year? No, it hurts them. Pointless though in an obvious win now scenario. Maeda trade is not a win now move. It is moving a player who is not likely to be happy being a bullpen pitcher Boston needed to get under the luxury threshold and get some prospects in their system. The consequences of being over are too great. They were going to lose Betts, the get a few years of a cost controlled replacement and another prospect.. The Twins. If the Twins landed a pitcher that could get them past the Yankees they won the trade. They needed a staring pitcher to help stabilize the rotation. Maeda has been over a 2 fwar as a starter That is actually above what you get out of most starters. Still a third best starter territory. A little above average starter should get you just a little above average grade. Gave up Graterol. to get him. As a reliever does he have 4 seasons of being a full time near top reliever in baseball? If you think yes it is a bad trade. The FO thought otherwise.