MLB Trade Deadline Power Rankings: Top 10 led by All-Star trio

2) MLB trade deadline candidate: Luis Castillo

The urgency for the Cincinnati Reds to trade All-Star starter Luis Castillo isn’t there due to his remaining year of control after the 2022 season. However, with so few starting pitchers of his caliber available this summer, they should think about pulling the trigger and capitalizing on his value.

Castillo would be a great fit for a whole lot of teams. He is the best guaranteed pitcher to be heavily shopped over the next few weeks. He’s the kind of addition any of the American League East contenders should consider. The Cardinals may be left having to look elsewhere because they share the division with the Reds. Let’s also not count out the Los Angeles Dodgers.

1) MLB trade deadline candidate: Andrew Benintendi

There are other outfielders out there on the market for trades but it’s Andrew Benintendi that fits the profile of the ideal MLB trade deadline candidate. Coming off of a Gold Glove season in 2021, his defense is only part of the allure. He’s hitting over .300 and could challenge to finish the year with one of the best OBPs in baseball.

Everyone from the Yankees downward should be looking at Benintendi as an option for their roster. He could even move a player from the outfield into a DH role or put a playing slumping through 2022 on a contender’s bench. The Padres would be another team that could greatly benefit from adding him. They’ve struggled mightily to find offense. Let’s also not count out the Milwaukee Brewers who could be a sneaky-good team to overpay for him. Nobody may need to raise their team batting average more than they do.