The MLB trade deadline is approaching quickly and one name towers above the rest. Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto is the crown jewel of the deadline, and teams should be lining up with offers of multiple top-level prospects to secure his services.
Soto is easily the best player available, but he's not the only difference maker on the market. If your favorite team misses out on Soto, here are five other players on the market who could make an impact in the second half.
Other than Soto, Andrew Benintendi appears to be the best outfielder on the market. Hes hitting .317/.387/.398 over 377 plate appearances and is in the final year of his contract. With the Royals out of the playoff race, Benintendi, 28, is a prime candidate to be dealt to a contender.
Benintendi should not be viewed as a consolation prize for the team that misses out on Soto. Benintendi is a solid player, but hes not in the same stratosphere as Soto. Benintendis strength is his high-contact, all-fields approach at the plate. He can get the bat on the ball and spray it around the field, which results in a high batting average.
Andrew Benintendi is one of the most desirable players on the trade market. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
That approach comes with a significant drawback, though. Benintendi has struggled to hit for power in 2022. He has just three home runs and a career-low home run per fly ball rate. While you would normally expect positive regression there, this appears to be a deliberate tradeoff from Benintendi. After pulling the ball 40 percent of the time last season, hes pulling the ball 27.3 percent of the time in 2022. Hes prioritized average over power, at least this season.
Kauffman Stadium is notoriously hard on power, so its possible Benintendi tailored his swing for the park, and can make adjustments if he finds a more homer-friendly home field after his trade. Benintendi was unable to play in Toronto due to being unvaccinated for COVID-19, which could scare some teams especially those in the AL East from trading for him.
Story continues
Luis Castillo bounced all the way back after posting an ERA near 4.00 last season. In 78 innings, Castillo has a career-low 2.77 ERA despite playing on a Cincinnati Reds team with a below-average defense.
Castillo, 29, is a known quantity at this point in his career. He will strike out at least a batter per inning, occasionally struggle with his control and dominate hitters with his devastating changeup. When hes on, Castillo is one of the best pitchers in baseball and is capable of posting top-10 numbers over a full season.
Castillo is under contract through the 2023 MLB season, upping his value on the market. That extra year of control could make Castillo the most expensive piece on the market (non-Soto division). Hes, at worst, a No. 2 starter on most playoff teams. Castillo was eligible to play when the Reds traveled to Toronto in May.
A catcher who can hit is a rare commodity these days, which should give Willson Contreras plenty of value on the trade market. Contreras is hitting .258/.372/.471 with 14 home runs over 349 plate appearances. His 139 wRC+ suggests hes been 39 percent better than league average at the plate this season.
Thats a significant upgrade over most catchers. As a position, catchers are hitting .226/.296/.368 on the year, good for a below-average 88 wRC+. Contreras, 30, would make virtually every lineup better.
Willson Contreras is one of the best offensive catchers in baseball. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
At the plate, Contreras offers a solid understanding of the strike zone. Hes a patient hitter who has averaged a 10 percent walk rate over his career. Theres some swing and miss in his game, though Contreras has made strides in that area this season. Hell never hit .300, but thats not necessary when the rest of his skills are so strong.
Contreras will be a free agent at the end of the 2022 season, which should lower his going rate. Any team getting Contreras knows they are getting a rental. Despite his age, Contreras numbers at a weak position should result in him receiving a major deal on the market. The Chicago Cubs have yet to play in Toronto this season, but Contreras has said hes vaccinated for COVID-19, which should boost his trade value.
Oakland Athletics pitcher Frankie Montas has a lot in common with Castillo. The two produce despite playing on bad teams, are under contract through the 2023 season and are both 29.
Montas is the less-accomplished pitcher with a shorter track record of success in the majors. After some rough performances early in his career, Montas broke out in 2019. His year was cut short due to a suspension for PEDs. Montas came back and struggled in 2020, posting a 5.60 ERA, but has bounced back the past two seasons, posting a 3.30 ERA over that period.
Thats a better ERA than Castillo (3.62) posted over the past two seasons. Montas brings many of the same skills on the mound. Hes capable of striking out over a batter per inning, but has better control compared to Castillo. Because of that, he and Castillo probably command a similar amount of value on the market. Montas was not placed on the restricted list when the As visited Toronto in April, a sign he is vaccinated against COVID-19.
It was speculated Nelson Cruz would be the Washington Nationals biggest trade chip at the deadline, but that honor belongs to Josh Bell after his torrid first half. Bell is hitting .305/.388/.496, with 13 home runs, over 407 plate appearances.
Bell, 29, has battled inconsistency throughout his career, but heads into the trade deadline on pace for his finest season in MLB. Bells value will be limited by his position and contract situation. Teams generally dont have as much of a need at first base and Bell will be a free agent following the season. With that said, Bell is hitting better than most first basemen this season and his ability to hit from both sides of the plate should increase his value. Bell is a rare power hitter who doesnt strike out a lot, so his high average isnt necessarily something that will regress.
The Nationals are one of the few teams that have not played in Toronto this season. Its unclear whether Bell is vaccinated against COVID-19 and whether that will impact his trade market. Nationals manager Dave Martinez said last April most players on the team were vaccinated against COVID-19.
Josh Bell is probably heading to a new team at the MLB trade deadline. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Read more here:
- Shohei Ohtani vs. Paul Skenes lives up to the hype: 'That's why we play the game ... for matchups like that' - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Kyrie Irving responds to LeBron James' comments about him - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- UConn's Geno Auriemma thinks Caitlin Clark is being 'targeted' in the WNBA after incident with Chennedy Carter - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Bombshell Report Reveals Team Trump Is Rewarding Key Trial Witnesses - Yahoo! Voices - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Putin claims Russia holding thousands of Ukrainian prisoners of war - Yahoo! Voices - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Mandisa died from complications of class III obesity. Here's what that means. - Yahoo Life - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- How to watch cricket in the US: Where to stream the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup tonight - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Paul Skenes blows away Shohei Ohtani, who returns the favor in his next at-bat - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Mexico elects 1st female president following deadliest election campaign in country's modern history. Here's what to ... - Yahoo! Voices - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- What the Justin Jefferson deal means for roster construction, stability in Cleveland & will the NFL have a major betting ... - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- 100 Robots Running Starbucks: A Glimpse Into The Future Of Coffee Shops - Yahoo Finance - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Celtics trust issues, LeBron's free agency & NBA Finals predictions | Good Word with Goodwill - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- NBA Finals betting: Jayson Tatum and Luka Doni are, unsurprisingly, the clear favorites for MVP - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Sky's Chennedy Carter has 'no regrets' about foul on Caitlin Clark; Angel Reese will 'take the bad guy role' - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Browns sign GM Andrew Berry, HC Kevin Stefanski to multi-year extensions - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- 2024 NBA Finals: Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum aren't new to this game anymore - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Hunter Biden trial: Key takeaways from opening statements as 1st witness is called in felony gun case - Yahoo! Voices - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Joe Scarborough Loses It Over Clip Of Trump Talking About Relationship With God - Yahoo! Voices - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Kyrie Irving is returning to the NBA Finals stage in a good place: 'It's not too often you're back' - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- After $2 Trillion Gain, Nvidia Is Still Irresistible to Many - Yahoo Finance - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Angel Reese's 'weak' ejection from Sky-Liberty game draws attention, offer from Bulls' Lonzo Ball - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- If You Had Invested $1,000 in Gold 10 Years Ago, Here's How Much Money You'd Have Today - Yahoo Finance - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- The UFC has an eye-poke problem. The new gloves missed the point - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Colts Pro Bowler, NFLPA rep Ryan Kelly calls out Roger Goodell, blasts talk of 18-game schedule: 'Absolutely not' - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Opposing players aren't fond of Caitlin Clark ... which should be good for the WNBA - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Why the Caitlin Clark-Chennedy Carter incident has struck such a chord with the public - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- French Open 2024: How to watch the Alexander Zverev vs. Alex De Minaur match - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Celebrini interviews with Sharks, unsure about going pro yet - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Bitcoin and Ethereum Funds See Surge in Inflows Ahead of ETH Spot ETFs Trading - Yahoo Finance - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- Rams rookie Blake Corum hits the ground running during offseason workouts - Yahoo Sports - June 6th, 2024 [June 6th, 2024]
- NBA playoffs: Bucks G Patrick Beverley chucks ball at multiple Pacers fans amid elimination - Yahoo Sports - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Britney Spears says she feels 'harassed' after paramedics respond to incident at Chateau Marmont: The latest - Yahoo Entertainment - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- How the Knicks' special chemistry helped them turn back the 76ers - Yahoo Sports - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- 11 stocks that mattered most this earnings season - Yahoo Finance - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Fed holds interest rates at 23-year high, citing 'lack of further progress' on inflation - Yahoo Finance - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Odell Beckham Jr. reportedly signing 1-year, $8.25 million deal to join Dolphins - Yahoo Sports - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- How to watch the 2024 Kentucky Derby: Post positions, odds, where to stream and more - Yahoo Sports - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- The Buzz: What would a fantasy baseball draft look like today? - Yahoo Sports - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- 2nd Boeing whistleblower found dead. Here's a timeline of the company's mounting problems. - Yahoo! Voices - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Trump trial live updates: Hope Hicks called to the stand as testimony resumes in hush money case - Yahoo! Voices - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Brandon Aubrey thinks soccer background will "absolutely" help with new kickoffs - Yahoo Sports - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Kentucky Derby: Fierceness' odds keep shrinking ahead of the 150th race - Yahoo Sports - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- How to watch the 2024 WNBA preseason tonight: Caitlin Clark's first Indiana Fever game time, channel and more - Yahoo Sports - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Amazon Web Services CEO: We're on track to hit $100 billion in sales in 2024 - Yahoo Finance - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- NFL Power Rankings, draft edition: Did Patriots fix their offensive issues? - Yahoo Sports - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Lynch reveals how he engaged Shanahan on 49ers GM job - Yahoo Sports - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Drake, Adele, and others are following Taylor Swift back onto TikTok after Universal deal - Yahoo Finance - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Boss Orders Employee 'Be Prepared To Cancel Or Reschedule Your Wedding' After Layoffs, Despite Her Giving A ... - Yahoo Finance - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- May Reliever Rankings - Yahoo Sports - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Kyle Hendricks pelted by a line drive during Double-A start - Yahoo Sports - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- China publicizes for the first time what it claims is a 2016 agreement with Philippines - Yahoo! Voices - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- What Pearsall believes Green will bring to 49ers defense - Yahoo Sports - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- What to know about Rickwood Field ahead of Giants-Cardinals game - Yahoo Sports - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Biden says Americans have 'right to protest but not the right to cause chaos' on college campuses after another night of ... - Yahoo! Voices - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Billam-Smith 'motivated to avenge loss' to Riakporhe - Yahoo Sports - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Chinese Grand Prix 2024: How to watch tonight's F1 race without cable - Yahoo Sports - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Was it legal for Kristi Noem to shoot her puppy and what other options did she have? - Yahoo! Voices - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Apple unveils record $110 billion buyback as results beat low expectations - Yahoo Finance - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Paramount has spent a decade as the source of buyout rumors. That might finally come to an end. - Yahoo Finance - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Lynch reveals hilarious truth about transition from player to GM - Yahoo Sports - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- 7 Social Security Shakeups You Need To Be Ready For Heading Into the New Year - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Crypto had a surprisingly great year. It still faces threats in 2024. - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- 'How the hell does that even happen?' McCarthy exits Congress amid confusion over who can run to replace him - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Short sellers lost close to $178 billion in 2023 - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Trump legal news brief: Giuliani files for bankruptcy after judge rules he must immediately pay $148 million for election ... - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- No One Wants Used EVs, Making New Ones a Tougher Sell Too - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Israel's military campaign in Gaza seen as among the most destructive in recent history, experts say - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Barbara Corcoran Says Housing Prices 'Are Going To Go Through the Roof' But When? - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Are You Wealthy? The Net Worth You Need To Be Considered Poor, Middle-Class And Wealthy In America - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- German bishop Btzing criticizes pope over Ukraine and Israel stance - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- 'Severe revenue decline': California faces a record $68 billion deficit here's what is eating away at the Golden State's ... - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Poll: Trump is tied with Biden for now but criminal trials and unpopular plans pose risks for 2024 - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Rudy Giuliani files for bankruptcy days after being ordered to pay $148 million in defamation case - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- 'It's just bragging rights': Once you achieve this credit score there's 'no benefit' to scoring higher, expert says here are ... - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Records released by House Republicans show that Joe Biden repeatedly emailed Hunter Biden's business associate ... - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Tesla Getting Trounced by S&P 500 Three Years After Joining - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Ukrainian forces shoot down three Russian Su-34 fighter jets on southern front - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- The only AI 'regulation' coming is from workers - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Innocent Black Man Spent 50 Years in Prison, His Compensation Will Annoy The Hell out of You - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Texas begins flying migrants from southern border to Chicago. The 1st plane carried over 120 people - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]