Major League Baseball’s trade deadline isn’t until 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, but some big deals have already been made.
Friday, the Seattle Mariners acquire All-Star pitcher Luis Castillo of the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for four prospects. The Reds also sent an outfielder Tyler Naquin and left-handed relief pitcher Phillip Diehl at the New York Mets for multiple prospects.
The New York Yankees made the first big move before the trading deadline when they acquired All-Star outfielder Andrew Benintendi Kansas City Royals.
What other deals could be made as the deadline countdown continues? USA TODAY Sports will provide updates on all key trades.
Yankees strengthen bullpen, add Cubs’ Scott Effross
With Clay Holmes closer to the All-Stars not quite the surefire weapon he was before the All-Stars hiatus, the New York Yankees added depth to the bullpen by acquiring right-handed reliever Scott Effross from the Chicago Cubs.
Effross, 28, has a 2.66 ERA in 47 appearances (with one stoppage) for the Cubs, and was considered a possible closer candidate if they traded David Robertson.
Instead, Effross is the first to be traded.
Nationals make a trade! Just not that one.
It wasn’t a Juan Soto blockbuster that pissed off the MLB world, but the Washington Nationals opened Monday’s trade with a minor deal.
The Nats sent infielder Ehire Adrianza to the Atlanta Braves for minor league outfielder Trey Harris. Atlanta opened up a spot on the roster earlier by nominating Robinson Cano for assignment.
Adrianza was a good contributor to the Braves’ title race in 2021 when he hit .247 with a .728 OPS. However, he has struggled with Nationals this year, hitting just .179 without a homer.
Harris, 26, was Atlanta’s 2019 minor league hitter of the year. He was hitting .233/.333/.317 in 59 games this season for Class AA Mississippi.
Commercial candidates under the radar
Excerpt from Nightengale’s notebookMLB feature exclusive to USA TODAY Sports subscribers:
Outfielder Trey Mancini, Orioles: The Orioles shouldn’t trade him. He means too much to the organization and is a team that has stunned everyone by hovering around .500. Still, baseball is a heartless business.
Starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard, Angels: He no longer blasts hitters with his fastball. He’s not considered an ace or even a No. 2 pitcher. But, oh, did he learn to pitch with his off-speed stuff. He would be a good No. 3 starter for any contender.
Starting pitcher Jose Urquidy, Astros: The Astros are so deep they don’t really need him. He has a career 3.66 ERA, is eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter and also has playoff experience. It is offered in packages for a puncher.
– Bob NightengaleUSA TODAY Sports
Jacob deGrom to debut 2022 on Deadline Day
Jacob de Grom is ready to return to the mound for the Mets Tuesday against the Nationals after more than a year away from the major league mound.
“It’s been a long time. It’s been quite a slow process to come back,” deGrom said. “I’m excited to be there. The nerves aren’t really set in yet. I’m sure Tuesday I’ll be quite nervous. I have a feeling it’s going to feel like my debut.”
The two-time Cy Young winner hasn’t pitched a regular-season game since July 7, 2021, after forearm tightness turned into an ulnar collateral ligament sprain that left him unable to play. enter for the remainder of the 2021 season.
“You want to play there,” deGrom said. “Every day you can put on this uniform, I’m grateful. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to come out and compete. I’m ready. It’s exciting. I’m ready to help these guys.”
–Andrew TredinnickNorthJersey.com
Brandon Drury’s breakout year makes him a top business target
Brandon Drury, Cincinnati Reds slugger carries a lot of value as a right-handed power bat that can play anywhere in the infield and in the corners of the outfield.
He is one of nine MLB players with at least 20 home runs and 20 doubles, joining a list of hitters 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 one day,” said Drury, who has been traded three times in his career. “It’s definitely kinda on my mind, but at the end of the day, whether I’m here or somewhere else, I can keep playing baseball. That’s all I can control.
–Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer
Relief Market Loses Potential Trade Chip
Daniel Bard of the Colorado Rockies is a closer player who certainly won’t be traded at the deadline. Bard, who is 3-3 with 21 saves and a 1.91 ERA in 37 games this season, signed a two-year extension on Saturday which will keep him in Colorado through the 2024 season.
Among the closest that could possibly be dealt before Tuesday’s deadline are: Jorge Lopez of the Orioles, Gregory Soto of the Tigers, Tanner Scott of the Marlins, David Bednar of the Pirates and David Robertson of the Cubs.
