Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. ET, but some big deals have already been made.
In Monday’s first big smash, the San Diego Padres brought in four-time All-Star Josh Hader from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for four players, including left-hander Taylor Rogers.
And the New York Yankees complemented their pre-trade deadline acquisition of 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 major trades.
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Brewers draw Josh Hader closer to Padres
We finally have our first blockbuster deal of this year’s trading period. Two National League playoff contenders have traded closers in a five-player trade.
The San Diego Padres are getting four-time All-Star seamer Josh Hader from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for former seam winner Taylor Rogers, right-hander Dinelson Lamet, fast outfielder Esteury Ruiz and future pitcher Robert Gasser.
Hader solidifies the back of the Padres’ bullpen for the stretch run after Rogers was moved straight out of the closer role. Meanwhile, setup man and 2020 NL Rookie of the Year Devin Williams expects to slip to the closer position in Milwaukee.
Hader leads the majors with 29 saves. Rogers is second at 28.
Now, after taking on Hader and re-signing ace Joe Musgrove (see below)… will the Padres make another big move and attack Soto?
This is what the Juan Soto competition should look like
With just one day left to decide Juan Soto’s fate — switch to a competitor at Major League Baseball’s trade deadline or spend two more months in baseball’s purgatory — the field for his services seems to be narrowing.
One can argue that the opposite should happen.
With two full seasons and that upcoming playoff drive available to clubs aiming to acquire the Washington Nationals bat, Soto has the usual suspects in play who fit a certain profile. Higher spending clubs with larger markets and 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.
Still, we can spot plenty more clubs that should seriously consider trading for Soto, even if many lack the prospect of acquiring the 23-year-old batting scholar.
Here’s a look at what we think good, healthy competition for this generation’s Ted Williams could look like.
– Gabe Lacke
Reports: Padres re-sign Joe Musgrove
Before the San Diego Padres made the move to acquire Josh Hader, they made a large financial commitment to one of their own players.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand report right-hander Joe Musgrove has agreed to a five-year, $100 million contract extension with the Padres.
The deal makes perfect sense. A native of San Diego, Musgrove was the team’s top pitcher this season with an 8-4 record and a 2.65 ERA in 16 starts. Last season, Musgrove fielded the first and (so far) only no-hitter in Padres history.
Yankees strengthen bullpen, add Cubs’ Scott Efross
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 taking Chicago Cubs right-hander Scott Effross for the 24- year-old pitcher Hayden Wesneski took over.
Effross, 28, has a 2.66 ERA in 47 appearances (with one save) for the Cubs and has been considered a possible shortlist if they trade David Robertson.
Instead, the side-arming effross will trade first as the deadline enters its home stretch.
Nationals make a deal! Just not that.
It wasn’t a blockbuster from Juan Soto that sent the MLB world into an uproar, but the Washington Nationals opened trade Monday with a small deal.
Adrianza made a nice contribution to the Braves’ title run in 2021 when he hit .247 with a .728 OPS. However, he struggled with the Nationals this year, hitting just .179 with no homers.
Harris, 26, was Atlanta’s 2019 minor league hitter of the year. He scored .233/.333/.317 in 59 games for Class AA Mississippi this season.
Commercial candidates under the radar
From Nightengale’s Notebook, MLB feature for USA TODAY Sports subscribers only:
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. Still, 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 #2 pitcher. But, oh, has he learned to pitch with his off-speed stuff? He would be a nice number 3 starter for any contender.
Starting pitcher Jose Urquidy, Astros: The Astros are so deep they don’t really need it. He has a career 3.66 ERA, is eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter and also has postseason experience. It is offered in packages for one club.
– Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports
Jacob deGrom will make his 2022 debut on Deadline Day
Jacob de Grom is will return to the mound for the Mets against the Nationals Tuesday after being more than a year away from major-league mound.
“It’s been a long time. It’s been a pretty slow process of coming back,” deGrom said. “I’m looking forward to being out there. The nervousness hasn’t really set in yet. I’m sure I’ll be pretty nervous on Tuesday. I have a feeling it will feel like my debut.”
The two-time Cy Young winner has not played a regular-season game since July 7, 2021 after a forearm strain developed into an ulnar collateral ligament sprain that kept him out for the remainder of the 2021 season.
“You want to play out there,” deGrom said. “Every day you can put on that uniform, I’m grateful. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to go out and compete. I’m ready. It is exciting. I’m ready to help these people.”
– Andrew Tredinnick, NorthJersey.com
Brandon Drury’s breakout year makes him a top trade target
He is one of nine MLB players with at least 20 homers and 20 doubles, joining a list of hitters that includes Paul Goldschmidt, Austin Riley, Jose Ramírez and Vladimir Guerrero.
“It’s definitely a little bit different because it could be a whole new clubhouse in a day,” said Drury, who has traded three times in his career. “It’s definitely a little bit 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 investigator
Relief market loses potential trading chip
A current closer who is definitely not trading as of the reporting date is Daniel Bard of the Colorado Rockies. Bard, who has a 3-3 record with 21 saves and a 1.91 ERA in 37 games this season, signed a two-year extension on Saturday that will keep him in Colorado through the 2024 season.
Closers who could potentially be dealt before Tuesday’s deadline include: the Orioles’ Jorge Lopez, the Tigers’ Gregory Soto, the Marlins’ Tanner Scott, the Pirates’ David Bednar and the Cubs’ David Robertson.