Despite a highly active MLB trade deadline, the biggest stars didn't budge

Trades, trades and more trades. That’s what this year’s deadline consisted of, with 60 deals happening from July 25 to Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET finish. But even with plenty of action, the theme of the deadline was a combination of the prices of rentals and the lack of star power.

The price for starting pitching was exorbitant, and rightfully so, with names such as Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet being floated in rumors and discussions. Despite weeks of rumors that Skubal was on the market, there was almost no chance the Tigers were seriously considering moving the AL Cy Young Award frontrunner. 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 had for the right price. But following the White Sox’s demands for the southpaw, it became increasingly difficult for the team to move him. And following a lighter-than-expected return for right-hander Erick Fedde, surrendering a true haul for Crochet would've been the only way to pry him from the White Sox’s hands.

But with impact starters with club control not available — or all too expensive — the value of rentals with expiring contracts seemingly increased by the day. By the time the Blue Jays shipped left-hander Yusei Kikuchi to the Astros on Monday, the return the White Sox got from the Cardinals for Fedde earlier that day was viewed around the industry as a little light, especially in a deal that also saw Chicago send reliever Michael Kopech to the Dodgers and outfielder Tommy Pham to the Cardinals.

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

Other starting options with club control, such as Zach Eflin and Trevor Rogers, were traded to the Orioles. While there were tons of prospects moved at the deadline, no top-25 prospects were traded, showing that teams just weren’t willing to swing big and mortgage their futures.

Teams looking for true impact, especially in their rotations, clearly pivoted once they learned what it would cost. The reality for many teams is that more impactful, top-of-rotation arms will be available in the winter, when names such as Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Luis Severino and Crochet are on the market.

For the first time in a while, there were no superstars moved at this year’s deadline. Over the past several years, names such as Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer (multiple times) have been traded midseason. This year’s hold on top-tier talent goes to show how difficult acquiring elite talent and production have been this season.

Yes, Randy Arozarena, Justin Turner, Eloy Jiménez and Jorge Soler are recognizable names, but they aren't the needle-movers some might have expected to see on the move.

Before the season, many players were expected to be available at the deadline, but with the Mets and Cardinals in playoff races, the likes of Paul Goldschmidt, Pete Alonso and Nolan Arenado were not available. Meanwhile, even stars on non-contending teams, such as the Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette or the Rays' Yandy Díaz, didn’t get moved.

This year’s trade deadline will likely be remembered more for who didn't get traded than who did. And with plenty of names likely available with more suitors in the offseason, including non-playoff teams, it could lead to an active winter.