The Josh Hader-to-the-Padres blockbuster on Monday afternoon was the first massive deal leading up to the 2022 MLB trade deadline, which arrives at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
Know how the best part of any draft coverage, after the first six or seven picks, is the tracker they show at the bottom of the screen showing you the “best remaining players” on a scroll? Think of this list like that.
MORE: MLB trade deadline tracker: Latest news, rumors
We’ll try our best to keep it updated between now and when the deadline arrives.
1. Shohei Ohtani, SP/DH
Yep, he’s No. 1 on the list. Juan Soto is an otherworldly talent, an incredible hitter who would make any contender a World Series favorite. But if we’re looking at players who can impact a playoff push and a playoff series, wouldn’t you rather have a guy who is both an elite starting pitcher and an elite slugger? I know I would. He’s set to be a free agent after 2023. Also, he’s probably not going to be traded because it’s doubtful the Angels are ready to deal with the reality of their situation (the reality being it’s doubtful that Ohtani signs to stick around after next year).
UPDATE: The Angels have said they're not trading Ohtani before the deadline.
2. Juan Soto, RF
He’d be No. 1 on any list that didn’t include a guy who is both an elite hitter and elite pitcher. The Padres and Cardinals are still seen as the favorites to land Soto, but the Dodgers and their still-elite farm system are always lurking. He’s set to be a free agent after 2023.
3. Frankie Montas, SP
Things are moving quickly on the Montas front, and he could be the next impact pitcher to change teams. He’s under club control through the end of 2023. Montas posted a 3.37 ERA in 32 starts in 2021 (a 3.37 FIP, too), and after a so-so first month (4.25 ERA in April), the right-hander has a 2.76 ERA in his past 14 starts on the season.
UPDATE: Montas was traded to the Yankees.
4. Carlos Rodon, SP
The Giants have been a big disappointment this year, but Rodon has been outstanding. He leads the NL in FIP (2.29) and K/9 (11.6). The lefty was dominant in June — 1.25 ERA in six starts — and had a couple of hiccup starts in July, but struck out 10 in seven shutout innings on Sunday, allowing just two hits and zero walks. He’s signed through 2023.
5. Willson Contreras, C
There are going to be a lot of disappointed fan bases when Contreras is finally dealt by the Cubs (especially Mets fans if he goes elsewhere). But the good news is those fan bases can get all excited about Contreras again in the offseason when he’s a free agent.
6. Josh Bell, 1B
A switch-hitting first baseman with solid pop and an on-base percentage of .385? Yep, that’ll play. He’ll be a free agent after the season.
7. Bryan Reynolds, OF
Honestly, it seems unlikely the Pirates will trade him. If he was destined to be moved — he won’t be a free agent until after the 2025 season — he’d be third or fourth on this list. But he’s a switch-hitting center fielder with pop who could thrive in the right lineup, so he’s here anyway.
8. Tarik Skubal, SP
If the Tigers’ front office actually trades Skubal, a dynamic 25-year-old lefty starter who isn’t even arbitration-eligible until 2024, I couldn’t blame Tigers fans for giving up all hope on this front office actually building a winning team.
UPDATE: Skubal left his start on Monday with an elbow issue and likely won't be traded.
9. Pablo Lopez, SP
Lopez was roughed up a bit in his last outing, but his track record is stellar and he’d be a great No. 3 guy on a World Series-contending roster. He’s made 52 starts over the past three seasons, with a 3.33 ERA and 3.38 FIP. Just 26 years old, he’s under club control through the end of the 2024 season.
10. Joc Pederson, OF
Pederson is basically a hope-he-gets-hot lottery ticket. Last year for the Braves, in his first 19 postseason plate appearances, he had three homers, eight RBIs and a 1.310 OPS. In his final 29 postseason PAs, he was 2-for-26 (.077 average) with one RBI and a .249 OPS. With the Giants this season, he had 17 homers and a .934 OPS through the end of June. In July he hit .133 with a .421 OPS and zero homers in 68 PAs.
MORE: Grading the Josh Hader trade to the Padres
11. Ian Happ, OF
12. Scott Barlow, RP
13. Martin Perez, SP
14. Brandon Drury, 3B
15. J.D. Martinez, DH
16. Jose Quintana, SP
17. David Robertson, RP
18. Whit Merrifield, 2B
19. Tyler Mahle, SP
20. Trey Mancini, OF UPDATE: Mancini was traded to the Astros.
21. Ramon Laureano, OF
22. Noah Syndergaard, SP
23. Joe Mantiply, RP
24. Joey Gallo, OF
25. Sean Murphy, C
26. Chad Kuhl, SP
27. Tommy Pham, OF UPDATE: Pham was traded to the Red Sox
28. Jose Iglesias, SS
29. Zach Davies, SP
