MLB Trade Deadline: Regrading 5 of the best and worst deals

Juan Soto #22 of the San Diego Padres celebrates at second base after hitting a one-run RBI double during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in game two of the National League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 19, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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Frankie Montas (47) walks off the field after being relieved during the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Frankie Montas traded to the New York Yankees

Right-hander Frankie Montas was one of the most coveted pitchers at the 2022 trade deadline — and the New York Yankees ultimately acquired Montas and reliever Lou Trivino from the Oakland A’s in exchange for left-hander Ken Waldichuk, right-hander Luis Medina, left-hander JP Sears and second baseman Cooper Bowman.

The trade made sense on paper — the Yankees needed another high-end starting pitcher — and Montas was signed through 2023, so he would not be a half-season rental. But he had been dealing with a right shoulder injury earlier in the season and it limited him to only eight starts with the Yankees in 2022, where he posted a 6.35 ERA and a 33/15 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 39.2 innings.

Montas is set to miss most, if not all, of the 2023 season as he recovers from the injury. So it’s entirely possible that Montas will never pitch for the Yankees again, making this trade a swing-and-miss for general manager Brian Cashman. The only thing preventing this deal from being an F is that Trvino posted a 1.66 ERA in 21.2 innings for the team last season.

Grade: D-

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