Grading the top 5 MLB trade deadline additions of 2022

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When the 2022 MLB trade deadline deadline came, many big name players found themselves on the move. Now, nearly two months removed from the deadline, some players are starting to find their role with their new teams while others have disappointed.

While the so-called winners of these deadline trades may not be determined for years to come, newly acquired players have already started to make their impact.

Here are my top five MLB trade deadline acquisitions to this point, and their grades.

5. Juan Soto

Juan Soto was the biggest name to be made available at the deadline. Multiple teams were in the bidding for the generational talent. The Padres ended up landing Soto and Josh Bell in a mega blockbuster deal that included top prospects Mackenzie Gore, Robert Hassell III, C.J. Abrams, James Wood, and Jarlin Susana, as well as veteran Luke Voit being sent to the Nationals.

Soto’s Padres career so far has been lackluster to say the least. He is batting .237 with five home runs and 15 RBI since the trade. While Soto’s lack of production may be a sign of concern, Soto has continued to show his extraordinary ability to see the ball and draw walks.

Creating a unique situation, Soto is under team control for two more seasons. Soto may not be playing up to expectations this season, but it is inevitable that the 23-year-old phenom will continue to improve his game.

Grade: A-

Next. Numbers 4 and 3. dark

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 24: Jordan Montgomery #48 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

4. Chris Martin

The Los Angeles Dodgers traded Zach McKinstry to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Chris Martin. The trade was one of the least flashy deals at the deadline. McKinstry was the odd man out on the Dodgers bench, only registering one hit in 10 at-bats. Martin was having a rough season with the Cubs, pitching to the tune of a 4.32 ERA. The trade made sense for both teams.

The return has proved to be lopsided as Martin has a 1.64 ERA and 28 strikeouts in just 22 innings of work. Martin has been dominant since putting on the Dodgers blue, showing a resurgence and pitching like a top relief pitcher in baseball.

Grade: A

3. Jordan Montgomery

Jordan Montgomery has been masterful since the trade that sent Harrison Bader to New York to don the pinstripes and Montgomery to St. Louis. Montgomery quickly became a standout after being traded. In his first game as a Cardinal, he went five innings, allowing no runs against his former team. He has also shaped up to be a solid 2-3 starter in the Cards rotation. In 10 games with the Redbirds, Montgomery has went 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA and 56 strikeouts over 57.2 innings. Montgomery remains under team control until through next season, solving one of the Cardinals’ long-standing problems — their starting rotation.

Montgomery has provided the Cardinals with ace-like performances, including a complete game shutout where he only threw 93 pitches.

Grade: A

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 25: Starting pitcher Luis Castillo #21 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

2. Luis Castillo

The Seattle Mariners recently extended Luis Castillo for five years, costing the franchise $108 million.

BREAKING: Right-hander Luis Castillo and the Seattle Mariners are in agreement on a five-year, $108 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN. A sixth-year vesting option can take it to $133 million.

M’s got Castillo at the trade deadline and now lock him up for half-decade.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 24, 2022

Castillo came to the M’s in a deadline deal that included prospects Noelvi Marte, Edwin Arroyo, Levi Stroudt, and Andrew Moore going to the Cincinnati Reds. Castillo has shown his worth in Seattle, going 3-2 with a 3.34 ERA and 69 strikeouts over 59.1 innings.

The superb play from Castillo ignited a spark for a team that was fighting for a Wild Card spot. Since the trade, the Mariners own the fourth-best record in the American League.

Castillo has been a mainstay in the league since his call-up in June of 2017, but 2022 has been his most dominant season yet, setting a career mark for ERA.

Grade: A

1. Jose Quintana

The Pirates dealt Jose Quintana at the deadline, alongside Chris Stratton. The Cardinals gave up Johan Oviedo and prospect Malcolm Nunez.

Quintana is shaping up to have the best season of his career. Since joining the Cardinals, Quintana is 3-1 with a 2.14 ERA, and 41 strikeouts over 10 starts. For the Cardinals, Quintana’s acquisition was to temporarily fix the glaring holes in their rotation. Quintana was a main target for the Cardinals due to their philosophy of acquiring cheap effective pitching. The franchise’s “patch job” has turned into something far greater as Quintana continues to dominate every five days.

Grade: A

Next. Summarizing 6 MLB trades that never happened at the 2022 deadline. dark

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