Call to the pen
Fansided

Grading the top 5 MLB trade deadline additions of 2022

By Bobby Shell

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Juan Soto #22 of the San Diego Padres tosses his bat after drawing a walk during the fifth inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at PETCO Park on September 20, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Juan Soto #22 of the San Diego Padres tosses his bat after drawing a walk during the fifth inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at PETCO Park on September 20, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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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)
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

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