AL East trade deadline grades: Yankees turn back clock to earn top marks

With the trade deadline officially behind us, a number of teams around the league improved with hopes of making a postseason run, while others greatly enhanced the depth of their farm systems.

After a whirlwind week of transactions, we're grading each team's non-waiver trade deadline performance by division.

Here's how American League East teams fared around and on July 31:

Baltimore Orioles

Grade: C-

The Baltimore Orioles' major acquisition at the deadline came courtesy of a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies for starter Jeremy Hellickson. Yes, they added an average pitcher to the worst rotation, but a Zach Britton trade didn't come to fruition, meaning Baltimore remains hopeful it can make the postseason despite its poor record and awful run differential. The club also acquired infielder Tim Beckham from the Tampa Bay Rays, but all in all, a disappointing deadline.

Boston Red Sox

Grade: B

With the release of Pablo Sandoval and an obvious need at third base, the Red Sox acquired the speedy and versatile Eduardo Nunez from the San Francisco Giants. Addison Reed, who can set up Craig Kimbrel, is also a solid addition.

New York Yankees

Grade: A+

The New York Yankees needed to make something happen with them in a race for top spot in the division, and Brian Cashman certainly did his job by acquiring Sonny Gray at the deadline, less than two weeks after adding Todd Frazier, David Robertson, and Tommy Kahnle in a separate blockbuster. They also added a seasoned veteran starter in Jaime Garcia.

Tampa Bay Rays

Grade: B

The Rays, who don't have a history of making deadline deals, switched their focus this season and acquired some nice pieces in Steve Cishek, Lucas Duda, Dan Jennings, and Sergio Romo. They're a quiet contender in the division and are right on the heels of the Yankees and Red Sox.

Toronto Blue Jays

Grade: B-

Mired in the division's basement, the Blue Jays made a couple of moves at the deadline, but were unable to trade Marco Estrada and J.A. Happ. Their return for the struggling Liriano wasn't too shabby, acquiring outfielder Nori Aoki and the Houston Astros' No. 9 prospect Teoscar Hernandez. They also deepened their farm system by trading reliever Joe Smith.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)