The 2022 MLB trade deadline was one of the best we've had in years. Multiple teams swung for the fences and got their guys, and it seems like the Commissioner's Trophy is officially up for grabs.
But even with several GMs proving why they make so much money, ESPN's Buster Olney believes that the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees were the day's biggest winners.
Needless to say, the top spot should go to A.J. Preller and the Padres. They landed a generational talent in Juan Soto, but the additions of Josh Bell, Brandon Drury, and Josh Hader can't be overlooked:
"San Diego entered the deadline needing offense, especially in the outfield and, possibly, at first base. The Friars also needed some bullpen help. To say that Preller addressed his team's needs does not do justice to his actions over the past two days. This is the trade deadline equivalent of needing to put together a band and creating the Beatles," Olney wrote.
Simply put, there's no more room for mistakes or excuses. The Padres now have the best team on paper, so they have to make it work:
"It's still got to work on the field," Olney added. "But the Padres now feature the game's most dominant reliever in Josh Hader. They now feature this generation's Ted Williams in Juan Soto. And when Fernando Tatis Jr. returns to the lineup, the Padres will boast one of the most dynamic big threes we've seen in baseball, with Soto and Tatis joined by 2022 MVP candidate Manny Machado."
Frankie Montas was clearly the Yankees' biggest addition. However, Olney was even more impressed by how they revamped their bullpen for the postseason:
"By adding Scott Effross and Lou Trivino to the bullpen, the Yankees covered themselves in case Aroldis Chapman and Jonathan Loaisiga don't continue their recent progress," Olney wrote. "But if they do, this quartet will back closer Clay Holmes in an October-ready bullpen."
Moreover, the Yankees added by subtraction by letting Joey Gallo go and adding two elite defensive outfielders:
"And the defense -- the Yankees have been near the top of the leaderboard in most defensive metrics all season. But in adding Andrew Benintendi and Harrison Bader (once he's back from injury), they have an outfield that can pick it with anybody," Olney concluded.
So, now that Olney has spoken, how great would it be to have these two teams face off in the World Series?
