2022 MLB Trade Deadline: Winners, losers from trade deadline include Juan Soto, Twins, Orioles

Another trade deadline has come and gone, and baseball continues to show why their trade deadline is the most exciting. While a plethora of mid-level players were strategically moved around the league, with prospects changing coasts at will, there were still some clear winners and losers at the trade deadline.

Winners

The San Diego Padres were arguably the most active during the deadline pushing their poker chips seemingly all-in for the short-term. They acquired Juan Soto, Josh Bell, Josh Hader and Brandon Drury while clearing most of their farm system. Soto was the biggest acquisition at the deadline and even with Bell in tow still cost San Diego six players from their organization. Even so, their moves showed that they are in win-now mode, but it remains to be seen what all of these moves do while they battle it out with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL West crown.

The Twins are making a strong push for the AL Central division, and their moves at the deadline show that. While you could argue that their lineup could have used some help, they took steps to at least upgrade their pitching staff. Minnesota acquired Tyler Mahle from the Cincinnati Reds and then closer Jorge Lopez from the Baltimore Orioles. They also added Michael Fulmer from the Detroit Tigers to continue improving their rotation.

Losers

The Reds are short-term losers as they complete the selling needed for their rebuild at the trade deadline. While I'm sure they can find more players to trade, they have shipped out Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle, Tyler Naquin, Phillip Diehl, Tommy Pham and Brandon Drury. While it doesn't seem like this is all that much to lose, Castillo was the organization's best pitcher, and Drury was the best hitter on the big league ball club. Sure, Cincinnati got many prospects back in the deals, but you never know how or when they will pan out.

The Orioles are in a very tough division, so they were longshots to make a play for the AL East title. With the addition of a Wild Card spot this year, they had put together a nice win streak ahead of the All-Star break that suggested they could be playoff bound once again. They sent Trey Mancini to the Houston Astros and Lopez to the Twins at the trade deadline for prospects, suggesting they aren't all-in for a playoff push. And no, acquiring position-player-pitching phenom Brett Phillips doesn't relieve them of being losers. Add in the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays acquiring players to address needs and the Orioles really missed out.

  
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