MLB trade deadline 2022: Padres acquire closer Josh Hader, rumors on Juan Soto, live updates
All-Star outfielder Andrew Benintendi by adding a top setup man from the Chicago Cubs to their bullpen.
What other deals could be made as the countdown to the deadline continues? USA TODAY Sports will provide updates on all the key trades.
the opposite should be happening.
With two full seasons and this upcoming playoff drive available to clubs aiming to acquire the Washington Nationals slugger, it’s the usual suspects, fitting a specific profile, in play for Soto. Bigger-spending, bigger-market clubs with flush farm systems are indeed the publicly-known players, with the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals certainly among the finalists.
Yet we can spot many more clubs that should strongly consider trading for Soto, even if many lack the prospect goods to acquire this 23-year-old hitting savant.
Here’s a look at what we think good, healthy competition for this generation’s Ted Williams might look like.
— Gabe Lacques
pitched the first and (so far) only no-hitter in Padres history.
Yankees bolster bullpen, add Scott Effross from Cubs
With All-Star closer Clay Holmes not quite the infallible weapon he was before the All-Star break, the New York Yankees added bullpen depth by acquiring right-handed reliever Scott Effross from the Chicago Cubs for 24-year-old pitching prospect Hayden Wesneski.
Effross, 28, has a 2.66 ERA in 47 appearances (with one save) for the Cubs, and was seen as a possible closer candidate if they traded David Robertson.
Instead, the side-arming Effross is traded first as the deadline enters its home stretch.
Nationals make a trade! Just not that one.
It wasn’t a Juan Soto blockbuster that has the MLB world on edge, but the Washington Nationals did open Monday’s trading with a minor deal.
The Nats sent utility infielder Ehire Adrianza to the Atlanta Braves for minor league outfielder Trey Harris. Atlanta opened up a roster spot earlier by designating Robinson Cano for assignment.
Adrianza was a nice contributor to the Braves’ 2021 title run when he hit .247 with a .728 OPS. However, he struggled with the Nationals this year, hitting just .179 with no home runs.
Harris, 26, was Atlanta’s minor league hitter of the year in 2019. He was hitting .233/.333/.317 in 59 games this season for Class AA Mississippi.
From Nightengale’s Notebook, USA TODAY Sports’ subscriber-only MLB feature:
Outfielder Trey Mancini, Orioles: The Orioles shouldn’t trade him. He means too much to the organization and this is a team that has stunned everyone by hovering around .500. Yet, baseball is a cold-hearted business.
Starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard, Angels: He no longer blows away hitters with his fastball. He’s not considered an ace or even a No. 2 pitcher. But, oh, has he learned to pitch with his off-speed stuff. He’d be a nice No. 3 starter for any contender.
Starting pitcher Jose Urquidy, Astros: The Astros are so deep that they don’t really need him. He has a career 3.66 ERA, is eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter, and has postseason experience, too. He is being offered in package deals for a slugger.
– Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports
set to return to the mound for the Mets on Tuesday against the Nationals after more than a year away from the major league mound. – Andrew Tredinnick, NorthJersey.com
Cincinnati Reds slugger Brandon Drury carries a lot of value as a right-handed power bat who can play anywhere in the infield and in the corner outfield spots.
He’s one of nine MLB players with at least 20 homers and 20 doubles, joining a list of sluggers that includes Paul Goldschmidt, Austin Riley, José Ramírez and Vladimir Guerrero.
“It’s definitely a little bit different because it could be a whole new clubhouse in a matter of a day,” said Drury, who has been traded three times in his career. “It’s definitely on my mind a little bit, but at the end of the day, whether I’m here or somewhere else, I get to keep playing baseball. That’s all I can control.”
– Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer
signed a two-year extension on Saturday that will keep him in Colorado through the 2024 season.
Among the closers who could possibly be dealt before Tuesday’s deadline are: the Orioles’ Jorge Lopez, the Tigers’ Gregory Soto, the Marlins’ Tanner Scott, the Pirates’ David Bednar and the Cubs’ David Robertson.