Update on the MLB Trade Deadline
Yankees replace Gallo, Mariners add rotation depth, Padres enhance bullpen.
As July fades and August appears, contenders for the World Series are looking to improve their rosters to make a run to October baseball. Clubs like the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, and San Diego Padres already began dealing with other organizations to bring in key pieces.
Andrew Benintendi OF, New York Yankees:
After the Yankees were swept in a two-game subway series in Queens, the attention quickly switched Wednesday towards the trade for Gold Glover, elite contacting hitting outfielder, Andrew Benintendi from the Kansas City Royals.
This trade agreed to send Yankees pitching prospects T.J Sikkema, Chandler Champlain, and Beck Way to the Royals. Benintendi’s skill set fits very well with the Yankees’ needs as far as fielding and batting.
The disappointment of once power hitting Outfielder, Joey Gallo’s arrival in the Bronx after last season’s trade deadline has only become worse. According to BaseballReference.com, Gallo’s .159 batting average in fifty-eight games last season and a mere .160 batting average in eighty-two games this season with the Bronx Bombers lead to the pursuit for a replacement. Acquiring Benintendi fills the gaps that Gallo could not.
Benintendi’s impressive .320 batting average and elite caliber defense in the outfield throughout the first half of the 2022 season made it imperative for the Yankees to trade for him.
Josh Hader CP, San Digeo Padres:
The NL West will be a tough division to win for the Padres due to the immense twelve and half-game lead the Los Angeles Dodgers have built over the last few months. San Diego understands that solidifying a wild card spot will be pivotal to making a playoff push this season.
Also Read: Blockbuster Trade with MLB Padres – Padres receive Soto, Bell, from Nationals for LHP Gore, high-graded prospects
ESPN Reporter, Jeff Passan, released news today (Aug. 1st) that the Padres would be trading for All-Star pitcher Josh Hader from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for a relief pitcher and two prospects. Hader’s ability to shut down opposing batters late in games will instantly improve the Padres bullpen and record.
Hader’s trade comes as a surprise to many as the Brewers playoff hopes are still very much alive.
Luis Castillo SP, Seattle Mariners:
The year 2001 marks the last season the city of Seattle witnessed their baseball franchise make a run at the playoffs for a World Series title. 2022 brings a new energy to T-Mobile Park as the Mariners hold the second spot in the American League Wild Card positions.
The rise of sensational Rookie All-Star, center fielder Julio Rodriguez, and the formidable pitching combination of Robbie Ray, Logan Gilbert, Marco Gonzales, and rookie stud George Kirby, gives the Mariners optimism about extending their season into October.
Reaching the post season becomes even more likely for Seattle after the announcement of a blockbuster trade Friday night (Jul. 29th) which sends All-Star Reds Starting Pitcher, Luis Castillo, to the Mariners in exchange for four prospects, three of them being a part of their top five prospect list.
Castillo’s 2.86 ERA will join the Mariners’ already dominant pitching rotation and potentially boost the club to reach their first postseason appearance in twenty years. This would also end their reign of longest playoff drought in all the four major American sports leagues.
