The Winners and Losers of the 2022 MLB trade deadline
Once the 2022 MLB trade deadline had passed, which teams scored very well and which teams missed the mark? Let’s take a look.
The winners of the 2022 MLB trade deadline
Atlanta Braves
Man oh man, would I love to have Alex Anthopoulos as my GM. Just like last year’s deadline, the Braves found a creative and unpredictable way to improve their team without losing significant assets.
Adding Angels closer Raisel Iglesias was a classic Braves deadline move. No one assumed him to be available, yet the Braves were able to swing a deal. Iglesias is coming off a 34-save season in 2021 and will replace Will Smith in this now stacked bullpen. The addition of starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi from the Astros was spectacular. This season with Houston, Odorizzi has shown he’s an elite starter when healthy. With Odorizzi, the Braves now have awesome starting pitching depth that can fuel their October run, while also dumping Will Smith’s useless contract.
I loved the acquisition of Tigers outfielder Robbie Grossman. Though he’s regressed mightily this year hitting .205 with two home runs, he’s a switch-hitter coming off a 23-homer season in 2021. When Joc Pederson and Jorge Soler were acquired at the deadline, they were struggling mightily with underwhelming stat-lines. The Braves were able to transform their production, and you have to think they can do the same with Grossman.
If things pan out for these acquisitions (as they almost always do), it’s yet another A+ deadline in the books for Atlanta.
San Diego Padres
Juan Soto? Josh Hader? Josh Bell? Brandon Drury? Yeah I know they gave up a lot, but you have to tip your cap to A.J. Preller with a standing ovation for what he’s done.
Remember when the Padres signed Manny Machado? Well, at that time their team was awful but they had the best farm system in baseball. Now, Preller has turned that farm system into a team full of superstars who are ready to compete for years to come. The Padres now have the two youngest and most electrifying players in the game with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Juan Soto. The Padres refuse to be pushed around by the Dodgers and are here to win. You have to respect that, despite how many assets they gave up to build this super squad.
With Hader, they now have a legit playoff closer that they did not see in Taylor Rogers. The addition of breakout stud infielder Brandon Drury gives them awesome depth in their infield, which they need given Tatis Jr.’s health status.
I can’t wait to see Machado, Tatis Jr., and Soto all in Padres uniform. What a time to be a Padres fan!
Minnesota Twins
The Twins had the most underrated deadline, acquiring a few small pieces that will help them win the AL Central and book their ticket for the postseason.
First, they acquired Orioles All-Star closer Jorge Lopez, a player whom I’ve showered with praise multiple times on this page. No matter how you slice it, Emilio Pagan wasn’t getting it done. The Twins closer is tied for second in blown saves this season (six) and is sporting a 4.62 ERA. Lopez will bring a stable presence to late-game situations, which is something the Twins have been lacking all season. Reliever Michael Fulmer, acquired from the Tigers, will likely help in high-leverage situations as well.
My favorite acquisition for the Twins was starting pitcher Tyler Mahle, one of the most underrated starters in baseball. Over the past three seasons, Mahle has an average SO/9 (strikeouts per 9 innings) of 10.4. Mahle is one of the unluckiest pitchers in baseball this season, having a 4.40 ERA with an xERA of 3.22. In theory, because of bad luck (whether it be fielding, ballpark, etc.), Mahle’s ERA is more than a point higher than it actually should be. Pairing this with his elite strikeout rate and watching him consistently, I have always believed Mahle is an elite starter and deadline steal for anyone who manages to acquire him. The Twins now have an elite trio of starters (which is needed for playoff success) featuring Sonny Gray, Joe Ryan, and Mahle. Well done Minnesota!
The losers of the 2022 MLB trade deadline
Boston Red Sox
Buy or sell … choose one. The Red Sox were unable to choose at this year’s deadline. Instead, they sort of bought by adding first baseman Eric Hosmer, catcher Reese McGuire, and outfielder Tommy Pham, while also trading away their starting catcher Christian Vasquez.
After all of these additions and subtractions, the team still has numerous roster holes. Both the bullpen and starting pitching are still unfit to survive in the playoffs. If you want to make a playoff run with this team then go all out! Commit! Get an elite starter, and get some bullpen help! Losing in the Wild Card does nothing for you, and if you think the Red Sox can beat the Yankees or Astros in a playoff series with their current starting pitching, then you need to watch more baseball.
A World Series is the goal. A World Series should always be the goal. Making the Wild Card and losing in the first round serves your franchise no purpose. Especially when Nathan Eovaldi, Michael Wacha, JD Martinez, and even Xander Bogaerts could have been dealt for some real solid prospects.
St. Louis Cardinals
Based on win percentage, the Cardinals have the easiest second-half schedule remaining schedule in the MLB. Currently, they are sitting in the third Wild Card spot, and are two games back of first place in the NL Central behind Milwaukee. The Cardinals are basically guaranteed to make the playoffs, yet they refused to acquire quality, long-term starting pitching, which is a desperate need.
But let’s hold that thought for a minute. The Cards were also deep into the Juan Soto sweepstakes but pulled out because they were unwilling to give up their top prospect, third baseman Jordan Walker. Does Nolan Arenado not exist?
Regardless, the Cardinals started their deadline by trading for Pirates starting pitcher Jose Quintana, someone I had on my early deadline list. Quintana has bounced back very nicely this year with a 3.50 ERA (3.23 FIP), and I think he can help eat innings in the playoffs after great starts against the Dodgers and Padres. He joins Adam Wainwright as yet another aging veteran on the starting staff.
The Cardinals also added Yankees starter Jordan Montgomery, who I really like. He’s not elite, but he’s a great 3-4 starter in a playoff rotation who can give you quality playoff innings. What I don’t like is giving up a 3 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) player in center fielder Harrison Bader to acquire him. Bader, whose currently on the injured list, brings many important skillsets to a team, especially a playoff contender. He’s incredibly fast, he’s probably the best defensive center fielder in baseball, and can hit for power (sometimes). By trading Bader, the Cardinals are really cutting their outfield depth to its limits and losing his incredible defense.
Next. Summarizing 6 trades that didn't happen. dark
Overall losing out on Soto, trading a fan favorite in Bader, and failing to add any depth to their lineup makes the Cardinals a loser. They also have no elite long-term starting pitching. Adam Wainwright can’t be good forever!