2022 MLB Trade Deadline: Examining needs plus options for potential NL Buyers
The 2022 MLB Trade Deadline is less than two weeks away, set to be on Aug. 2 at 6 p.m. ET.
A few moves have been made: The Mariners acquired Carlos Santana from the Royals; Christian Bethancourt was acquired by the Rays from the A’s. Nothing super big has yet to fall — although word on the street is saying Juan Soto is available in trade talks after rejecting a 15-year, $440 million offer from the Nationals. We’re in the dead middle of the “quiet before the storm” phase.
With that said, let’s go over the needs — and potential options — this time, for potential NL buyers.
I labeled the “buyers” based off their playoff odds, per FanGraphs; if they were 35 percent or above, then I gave them the benefit of the doubt. It’s an arbitrary percentage, but it’s enough to label them with potential to buy. For the NL, I have eight — just like the AL.
Also, some teams are more apt to buy than others, so that must also be taken into consideration. Similarly to the AL, the big market giants — like the Dodgers — will have a higher incentive to go for it all than, say, the Brewers or Padres — two smaller market franchises.
Here are the playoff odds and farm rankings of each of the eight NL squads I mentioned to give additional perspective about the quality of prospects one could offer, per FanGraphs:
| Team | W | L | W% | Win Div | Make Playoffs | Clinch Wild Card |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 60 | 30 | 0.667 | 96.8% | 99.8% | 3.0% |
| New York Mets | 58 | 35 | 0.624 | 60.2% | 97.6% | 37.4% |
| Atlanta Braves | 56 | 38 | 0.596 | 31.1% | 91.3% | 60.2% |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 50 | 44 | 0.532 | 66.6% | 79.6% | 13.0% |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 49 | 43 | 0.533 | 8.6% | 72.2% | 63.5% |
| Milwaukee Brewers | 50 | 43 | 0.538 | 33.3% | 52.3% | 19.0% |
| San Francisco Giants | 48 | 43 | 0.527 | 2.0% | 50.3% | 48.3% |
| San Diego Padres | 52 | 42 | 0.553 | 1.2% | 48.9% | 47.7% |
| Team | Farm Rankings (FanGraphs) | Top-100 Prospects in Pipeline (FanGraphs) | Top-100 Prospects in Pipeline (MLB.com) |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 11 | 3 (One in top-30) | 6 (Four in top-50) |
| New York Mets | 12 | 4 (Two in top-25) | 4 (two in top-50) |
| Atlanta Braves | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 14 | 3 (Two in top-35) | 4 (Two in top-35) |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 25 | 0 | 3 (All outside of top-50) |
| Milwaukee Brewers | 26 | 1 | 3 (Two inside top-50) |
| San Francisco Giants | 15 | 2 (Both in top-30) | 3 (Two inside top-30) |
| San Diego Padres | 13 | 4 (Three in top-45) | 3 (One inside top-25) |
Without further ado, let’s jump into it!
Los Angeles Dodgers
Closer
The back of the Dodgers’ bullpen hasn’t been completely unreliable, locking down 26 saves to just 9 blown saves — good enough for a 74.3 save percentage, a top-5 mark in MLB. But, it still hasn’t been roses and chocolates for Los Angeles. I might be lower on him than the consensus, but Craig Kimbrel hasn’t often given Dodger fans reason to be less nervous in a high-leverage situation. He has been bitten by bad luck at times, but he’s not his once dominant self in Boston and, frankly, you might know what you’re getting on a night-to-night, pitch-to-pitch basis. With Daniel Hudson out for the season, I think getting another solidified back-end bullpen piece is paramount.
Some Potential options: Gregory Soto, Tigers; David Robertson, Cubs; Amir Garrett, Royals; Jorge Lopez, Orioles
Another starter
With injuries to Andrew Heaney and Walker Buehler, this has been a need for some time. The Dodgers’ starters outside of Clayton Kershaw — namely Tony Gonsolin, Tyler Anderson and Mitch White — have performed very well, but it’s not enough come October. Gonsolin (93.2 IP) has never thrown 130 innings or more; Julio Urias has topped 150 innings just once (last year – 185.2 IP); Anderson has been outstanding, but I’m not sure how he’ll do in a postseason setting out of the bullpen.
The postseason rotation, if it ended today, would probably be Kershaw-Urias-Gonsolin. That’s not bad, but it can be better. I wouldn’t be surprised if Andrew Friedman nabs Luis Castillo or Frankie Montas with whatever top prospects he still has left.
Potential options: Kyle Hendricks, Cubs; Pablo Lopez, Marlins; Luis Castillo, Reds
New York Mets
Catcher
The Mets’ weakest position link has been at the catcher position, which ranks T-9-worst in fWAR (0.1) and dead last in wRC+ (49) and OPS (.506). James McCann, who’s battled multiple injuries and just got sent to the 10-day IL with a left oblique strain, and Tomas Nido have not gotten the job done back there. Well, maybe they’ve been better defensively — but improving the position is perhaps its most ideal way for maximum improvement without having to forfeit many prospects.
Potential options: Willson Contreras, Cubs; Sean Murphy, Athletics; Tyler Stephenson, Reds
Atlanta Braves
Outfield (preferably LHH)
Last year, Alex Anthopolous didn’t just dip his toe, he jumped into the pool of outfielders and acquired Jorge Soler, Adam Duvall and Eddie Rosario all before the deadline to help fuel their World Series run. He won’t have to make as drastic of a change, but I expect him to acquire an outfielder or two — especially if he’s a left-handed bat.
They only have three LHH’s in their regular lineup against righties: Eddie Rosario, Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies, who’s a switch-hitter. Rosario has dealt with injuries and has had a significantly underwhelming season at the plate, slashing .129/.174/.224. Michael Harris II has been outstanding since coming up from Triple-A while Ronald Acuna has done Ronald Acuna-type things: Be very good at baseball. Nevertheless, there’s still something left to be desired elsewhere in the outfield — and I think a left-handed bat is the way to turn.
Potential options: Happ; Andrew Benintendi, Braves; Kole Calhoun, Rangers; David Peralta, DBacks
St. Louis Cardinals
Another run producer
The Cardinals have lacked consistent run producers outside of NL MVP candidates Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt, who might win the award if the race officially ended today. Brendan Donovan, Nolan Gorman and Juan Yepez have been above average bats, but the Cardinals are just inside the top-10 in wRC+, No. 6 in runs and No. 11 in OPS, three figures that would rank considerably lower without its two aforementioned stars. Another middle-of-the-order bat should attainable for the Cards at the right price.
Potential options: Benintendi; Patrick Wisdom, Cubs; Josh Rojas, DBacks, Brandon Drury, Reds
Philadelphia Phillies
Outfield (A defensive one?)
The Phillies have gotten outstanding production from Kyle Schwarber, who slashed .285/.395/.724 (199 wRC+) with 16 home runs and 32 RBIs from June 1 to July 6. Though the offensive production elsewhere from Odubel Herrera, Nick Castellanos and Matt Vierling have been particularly underwhelming. It would be difficult to find a true two-way outfielder in the market, but it’s attainable. That would certainly help the Phillies, to help rotate Castellanos and Schwarber in-and-out of the DH role, and potentially alleviate Herrera’s role manning center.
Potential options: Calhoun; Taylor; Benintendi
Milwaukee Brewers
Run producer
Keston Hiura has slashed .324/.432/.595 with four extra base hits, including three homers and four RBIs over his last 12 games after hitting .200/.320/.388 with five homers and 13 RBIs in his first 31 games. So the recent breakout for Hiura could be beneficial for an offense that ranks No. 14 in wRC+ (102 wRC+) and No. 12 in runs.
They scored 19 runs (!!) against the Pirates to kick off July, but have yet to score more than six runs since. Rowdy Tellez, Jace Peterson, Victor Caratini and Hunter Renfroe have fashioned above average offense, but acquiring a true impact utilityman could vault the Brewers past the field for the NL Central title.
Potential options: Hunter Dozier, Royals; Trey Mancini, Orioles; Chad Pinder, Athletics; Garrett Cooper, Marlins
Center Fielder
If that impact bat is a good center fielder, then the Brewers could nail two birds with one stone. The Brewers’ center fielders have combined to post the sixth-lowest wRC+, the seventh-lowest OPS and the ninth-lowest fWAR across baseball. In theory, Hunter Renfroe or Andre McCutchen could play center, if push came to shove, but that’s probably not the most optimal scenario.
Potential options: Mike Yastrzemski, Giants; Michael A. Taylor, Royals; Mitch Haniger, Mariners
San Francisco Giants
Catcher
Similarly to the Mets, the Giants have significantly lacked production at catcher since the retirement of Bustor Posey. Joey Bart doesn’t seem ready….yet; Curt Casali’s on the IL and Austin Wynns shouldn’t be a long term replacement. If I’m the Giants, I’m calling the Cubs about Willson Contreras every day of the week and twice on Tuesdays. Especially for a core that’s up there in age — the Giants could use a veteran, yet younger catcher, to help shift the timeline in the other direction.
Potential options: Contreras; Murphy; Stephenson
San Diego Padres
Outfield
The Padres are yet another team that needs outfield production, especially offensively. Jurickson Profar and Wil Myers have both been good defensively, but have combined to slash .239/.325/.369 with nine home runs and 57 RBIs. Collectively, the Padres’ outfield has been bad at the plate. They need to find extra run producers aside from Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado, who’s having one of the best years of his career, to make a true run for a wild card spot.
Potential options: Calhoun; Benintendi; Mancini; Peralta
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