The Detroit Tigers have been greatly disappointing in 2022. After a promising 2021 season, the team added pieces that were supposed to make them competitive. However, it hasn't clicked.
The team currently sits at 37-53, fourth in the American League Central division. Their 14 wins on the road are the fewest in the majors, and the injury bug has devastated them.
The Tigers will once again be sellers at the deadline. And a name that will inevitably come up is Gregory Soto. Soto was made the Tigers closer when AJ Hinch took over as manager prior to the 2021 season.
And it's a role where the 27-year-old has absolutely thrived. He is the first Tigers reliever to earn consecutive All-Star Game nominations since Jose Valverde in 2010-11.
He currently holds a 2.67 ERA, and has blown just three saves between this season and last. Soto is a quality arm, and the Tigers have control on him until 2025.
This creates an interesting question. Do the Tigers hold on to him and chalk up this season to bad luck and injury issues? Or do they move Soto and get value for him while they can?
If they decide to move on, here are the three best destinations for the two-time All-Star.
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3 best destinations for Gregory Soto ahead of 2022 MLB Trade Deadline
The Braves, like the Tigers, statistically have one of the best bullpens in baseball. The defending World Series champions are reportedly looking to fortify their pen along with adding a second baseman.
The Tigers can provide Atlanta with options on both fronts. They can package Soto with Jonathan Schoop, who signed a two-year extension with Detroit at last year's trade deadline.
Soto would join a bullpen consisting of Kenley Jansen, Will Smith, and Tyler Matzek. Soto likely wouldn't usurp the closer's role from the veteran Jansen but would fit nicely as a seventh or eighth-inning arm.
Atlanta is also anticipating the return of Kirby Yates. Yates has dealt with injuries in recent years but was one of the most dominant arms in the MLB before the injuries took him out of action.
Soto would join a team priming up for a deep postseason run again. It'd give him a chance to play meaningful baseball deep in October. And it'd give him a chance to win the World Series.
Soto is in his prime, and the team control that comes with him may intrigue the Braves enough to pull the trigger on a deal.
A couple months ago, the Red Sox being buyers would be an insane thought. They seemed to be down and out. However, they have turned things around just a bit,
They sit fourth in the American League East with a 47-43 record. That doesn't scream a buying team, but consider this: the gap between them and the Tampa Bay Rays in second place is just two and a half games.
The bullpen is one of the Red Sox's biggest needs at this year's trade deadline. Recently, the Rays media relations staff shared some interesting stats with The Boston Globe about the Boston bullpen.
The Red Sox have blown a lead in 21 of their 43 losses this season. They have blown a lead of three or more runs on seven occasions. Furthermore, the team is 12-15 in one-run games.
Soto could arrive in Boston and immediately be slotted in as the closer. He would provide stability to the back end of the Boston bullpen that the team is sorely lacking as of now.
The Sox are in a position where they easily could find their way back into second place. They likely won't catch the white-hot New York Yankees, but second place is more than feasible.
That puts the team into the postseason, and anything could happen then. Soto would have the chance to compete for a title and show that he truly is one of the best late-inning arms in the game.
The Dodgers are one of the best teams in baseball. While their bullpen is far from awful, they too can stand to add an arm such as Soto.
Los Angeles lost reliever Daniel Hudson for the remainder of the season because of a torn ACL in late May. Their current closer Craig Kimbrel has also had a rough go of it this season.
The Dodgers don't necessarily need to look for a new closer. And Soto wouldn't take the job away from Kimbrel. However, he'd be a prime late-inning arm who can help bridge the gap to Kimbrel. And the Dodgers would have team control as well.
Los Angeles is gunning for a World Series title. They want to prove that the 2020 championship win wasn't because of a shortened season. And Soto could be a big piece for them if they're willing to meet the Tigers' asking price.
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