We're less than a month away from the 2022 MLB Trade Deadline. The playoff picture is beginning to take shape, but there are still plenty of October spots open and the deadline is the last time teams can really make a splash and improve their odds to win the World Series.
Contending teams are sure to load up on bench pieces and relievers, but we're waiting for the big moves. The bombs. The blockbusters. Below are three big trades we want to see happen before the 2022 MLB trade deadline this year.
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Trade Deadline Blockbusters:
Trade #1: Frankie Montas To The Dodgers
The Dodgers aren't just playing for the NL West, they have eyes on another championship. They continue to be the deepest team in baseball, but Los Angeles' one area of need this year is some top-end starting pitching.
With Walker Buehler and Dustin May hurt, LA is reliant on Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin, Tyler Anderson, and Clayton Kershaw to hold things down in the rotation. Those four starters are all solid, but also have their issues (injury, inconsistency, lack of track record). Somehow, the Dodgers still have what it takes to add a premium starting pitcher for the playoffs this year, and complete their team.
Though Montas left his last start with "shoulder tightness," he's still expected to be one of the top trade targets on this year's market. With 1.5 seasons of control left, the Dodgers could part with some top prospects to have Montas for this year and next.
Potential Deal: SP Bobby Miller (MLB.com's No. 28 prospect) and OF Andy Pages (No. 49) for Montas
Trade #2: Luis Castillo To The Blue Jays
For the first few weeks of the 2022 season, Toronto's rotation was a clear strength. The Blue Jays had Kevin Gausman and Alek Manoah creating Cy young resumes, Jose Berrios was solid, and Hyun Jin Ryu and Yusei Kikuchi were okay back-end guys. But now, with Ryu hurt and Berrios and Kikuchi clearly struggling, the Jays have a SP need.
The Blue Jays have been linked with Castillo in the past, and he'd bring the upside their rotation needs and create a formidable trio of playoff starters with Manoah and Gausman. This trade would be very similar to the Berrios swap from last season, where the Blue Jays sent out two top prospects for 1.5 years of a great starter but maybe not a true ace.
Potential Deal: SS/3B Orelvis Martinez (No. 38), RHP Sem Robberse (Unranked), 2B/OF Samad Taylor (Unranked) for Castillo
Trade #3: Juan Soto Anywhere
Earlier this season, Sportsbook released 2022 trade odds for Soto and the Nationals were heavy -2000 favorites to retain their star after the deadline. Those odds imply a 95.24 percent chance Soto stays in Washington. But, if Soto was traded, Sportsbook's odds listed the Giants (+1000), Dodgers (+2000), Mariners (+2000), and Blue Jays (+2500) as the most likely destinations.
Soto still has a few seasons of control and the Nationals are reportedly in active contract extension talks with the superstar to keep him in Washington for a long time. However, the Nats are not a contending team right now and if things go sideways in the contract talks there should be a long line of teams willing to move top prospects for arguably the best pure hitter in baseball right now.
Could the Giants add the big bat they've lacked this year? Could the Jays say 'screw pitching' and trade top prospect Gabriel Moreno for Soto? Are the Dodgers going to go full villain and trade for every good player in the league?
Potential Deal: Giants send SS Marco Luciano (No. 9), OF Luis Matos (No. 67), OF Heliot Ramos (Unranked), and C Patrick Bailey (Unranked) for Soto
Where To Bet MLB Trade Odds
If you have any experience with futures betting, reading MLB trade deadline odds shouldn’t be too challenging. Head over to our MLB trade deadline odds page and you'll find a breakdown of the top players on the market and potential landing spots.
While the odds aren't yet updated from last year's deadline, we'll have a fresh set of players and potential landing spots in the next few days. So check back or head over to Sportsbook for the latest 2022 MLB trade odds.
