The Cincinnati Reds are set to be sellers at the 2022 MLB trade deadline, having compiled just a 33-54 record to this point. Armed with trade chips, such as ace starter Luis Castillo, fellow hurler Tyler Mahle and versatile hitter Brandon Drury, there should be no shortage of clubs calling the Reds in July and August.

Castillo is an obvious candidate, one who will command a hefty return of prospects if dealt. However, Mahle, who is currently on the injured list due to right shoulder discomfort, is an underrated MLB trade deadline asset. The 27-year-old right-hander is a strikeout artist who showed an ability to eat up a hefty amount of innings last year.

Those types of starters are hard to find. Mahle also won't be a free agent until 2024. It's easy to see why he'll be hot trade candidate when he eventually returns from the injured list, slated to happen after the All-Star break.

But which teams could be suitors for Mahle?

That's what we'll discuss here. Without further ado, here are the three best destinations for Reds starter Tyler Mahle at the MLB trade deadline.

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2 Best Destinations For Tyler Mahle At MLB Trade Deadline 

2. Giants 

The San Francisco Giants are attempting to remain in the National League Wild-Card race, having tallied a 44-42 record. The Giants are just two games back of a spot, though their pitching hasn't been nearly as good in 2022 as it was when they surprised everyone en route to a 100-win season.

San Francisco has compiled a 3.93 team ERA thus far. The rotation has been particularly top-heavy, with All-Star Carlos Rodon and talented righty Logan Webb leading the way. Jakob Junis, who is on the injured list, is relatively unproven, while Alex Wood and Alex Cobb have underachieved.

Enter Tyler Mahle. Mahle has fanned 102 batters in 92 1/3 innings, possessing the strikeout stuff that the Giants covet. His ERA has ballooned a bit from last year, though his 3.54 FIP suggests that he's been a bit unlucky this season.

The Giants have even expressed interest in Mahle in the past, looking into the Reds starter back in May. If Mahle proves to be healthy when he returns from injury, the Giants need to pounce.

1. Phillies 

The Philadelphia Phillies' starting rotation has been among the best in the big leagues. However, it's largely been due to the efforts of Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, their two best hurlers. The likes of Zach Eflin, Ranger Suarez and Kyle Gibson have all flashed at times, but have been more inconsistent than the Phillies would have liked.

If the Phillies, who are angling for the Wild Card in the National League, want a chance at the postseason, they'll need to shore up the back-half of the rotation.

Mahle, who has posted strikeout rates above 25 percent in each of the last two seasons, has the stuff to fit right in behind Wheeler and Nola. He's also proven to be an innings eater in 2021 and 2022, pitching 180 frames last year and another 92 this season.

That's a plus for a Phillies team trying to avoid overusing a shaky bullpen. Tyler Mahle would be a nice fit on Philadelphia's roster.