How do moves made at deadline affect division races?

The baseball landscape has changed dramatically. So, let's answer questions about the shifting:

Q: Which team made the biggest improvement in the National League East, the Nationals or Mets?

A: The Mets added three bats in Yoenis Cespedes, Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson, and an All-Star setup guy in Tyler Clippard, while the Nationals added closer Jonathan Papelbon. The Nationals are better, even though the Mets have re-energized the weakest run-producing lineup in the NL. The Nats' Drew Storen is understandably upset that he's the eighth-inning guy, but, at a time when lock-down bullpens are critical for going deep into October, the Nationals have made the right move by getting Papelbon, 34. The Mets' questions focus on their bullpen. Clippard was supposed to fortify the set-up role, but Jenrry Mejia is out with a 162-game suspension and Bobby Parnell isn't pitching that well since coming back from Tommy John surgery. And, given that Jeurys Familia, the rookie closer, is slumping, Clippard could end up in the closer's role. ... The Mets also have issues with Matt Harvey who, because he's coming back from Tommy John surgery, might have only 60-70 innings left this season.

Q: What kind of a player is outfielder Gerardo Parra, the player the Orioles got from Milwaukee?

A: This is going to be one of Dan Duquette's best deals. Parra, traded from Arizona to Milwaukee at the deadline last year, has won two Gold Gloves. He's an excellent leadoff batter and among the NL leaders in average, triples, doubles, slugging and OPS. And, if the Orioles need a pinch-hitter, he's good at that, too. He was 9-for-16 in that role for the Brewers.

Q: What kind of a guy is the Nats' new closer, Papelbon?

A: He's a free-spirit guy. When he was in Philadelphia, Papelbon had an alter-ego named Cinco Ocho, which is Spanish for No. 58, his uniform number.

In a story I wrote for SI.com, Papelbon said he and his alter-ego talk often and Ocho is "fearless, ruthless and evil like a tornado going through a trailer park.''

Papelbon appears selfish, but he's just in his own world. We haven't heard if the alter-ego will come to D.C.

Q: Minnesota is competing with the Orioles for a wild card spot. Are the Twins going to hang around?

A: The Twins addressed their biggest need when they acquired reliever Kevin Jepsen and his mid-90s fastball from Tampa Bay. He'll set up closer Glen Perkins. The Twins' rotation is deep now that Ervin Santana is back from a PED suspension to join a rotation that has Phil Hughes and Kyle Gibson. It's a strange season for the Twins because they are rebuilding and contending at the same time.

Q: Which team made the most surprising splash?

A: That would be Toronto. The Blue Jays acquired shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, outfielder Ben Revere, pitcher David Price and two relievers, Mark Lowe and LaTroy Hawkins. ... Tulo gives them more power in their lineup (as if they need it) and provides more range on defense than Jose Reyes. Revere gives them speed. ... Price, who was scheduled to pitch against the Orioles on Sunday, will pitch 11-12 games in the final two months. While Price and Mark Buehrle are fine at the top of the rotation, you wonder about Drew Hutchison, Marco Estrada and R.A. Dickey. ... The Blue Jays were desperate for bullpen arms, so Hawkins and Lowe will help.

Q: Why did Detroit trade Price and Cespedes? Are they giving up in the American League Central?

A: The Tigers needed to replenish their system and they knew they weren't going to sign Price long-term. It's obvious the Tigers aren't going to catch Kansas City in the AL Central. Still, they Tigers have five players under 27 (Anthony Gose, J.D. Martinez, Jose Iglesias, James McCann and Nick Castellanos) in addition to Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler and Victor Martinez. But their once-strong rotation is near rock bottom: Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez are on the decline. Shane Greene and Daniel Norris are unproven. Alfredo Simon is a journeyman who can't throw 90 mph.

Q: Are the Royals the best team in the AL?

A: That's the general thought, but, even with the addition of Johnny Cueto, their rotation has questions. The Royals are a team that has to watch the budget, so there's a sense of urgency, given that outfielder Alex Gordon is eligible for free agency after this season, closer Greg Holland after next season, and pitcher Danny Duffy and infielders Mike Moustakas and Alcides Escobar can hit the open market after 2017. ... The bullpen is superb. Cueto and Duffy are a solid 1-2 at the top of the rotation, but after that, is the rotation all that great? Yordano Ventura was struggling and sent to the minors. There's also Edinson Volquez, Chris Young and Jeremy Guthrie.

Q: The Giants added one pitcher, the Dodgers four. Are the Dodgers the favorite in the NL West?

A: No doubt they are. Until the trade deadline, their rotation was Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke and who knows what? Now, they've got Mat Latos (Miami) and Alex Wood (Atlanta). Latos hasn't been that good all year, but Wood is an under-the-radar lefty with a funky motion, the NL's answer to Chris Sale. ... The Giants added pitcher Mike Leake. He replaces Tim Hudson in the rotation. After Madison Bumgarner, though, the Giants aren't sure what they'll get from Matt Cain and Jake Peavy, although Chris Heston is solid. ... Don't forget, the Dodgers also added former Oriole Jim Johnson and Luis Avilan to a bullpen that has closer Kenley Jensen.

Q: How did Texas wind up with All-Star lefty Cole Hamels?

A: Hamels cost roughly $80 million in contract and five players in the deal with the Phillies. If the Rangers had paid for a pitcher of Hamels' caliber on the free-agent market, they would have paid double. So, it was a good deal for the Rangers, who want to have Hamels, Yu Darvish, Derek Holland and Colby Lewis leading their rotation in 2016. Darvish is coming back from injury.