Ranking the best MLB trade deadline acquisitions

It's been one month since MLB's trade deadline forced general managers league-wide to put their pencils down and ride off toward the postseason with the troops they have. Some acquisitions have gone better than others, and we're looking at the 10 players who have provided the biggest positive impact on their new employers.

10. Andrew Benintendi

Traded by Royals for P Chandler Champlain, P T.J. Sikkema, P Beck Way on July 27

Stats with Yankees:

It took him a little bit to get going in his new home, but Benintendi's been a solid performer for the Yankees. The All-Star has been scorching hot since Aug. 21, recording two homers and a .874 OPS. Benintendi's solidified left field for New York, and while he's far from the biggest name, he should continue to be an important piece for the team down the stretch and into October.

9. Joey Gallo

Traded by Yankees for P Clayton Beeter on Aug. 2

Stats with Dodgers:

It's kind of unfair to call Gallo a reclamation project at this point in his career. He's been a prolific slugger with troubling swing and miss since breaking into the majors. Gallo took a massive step backward this year, but the scenery change to Los Angeles seems to have worked. He's still striking out a lot, and his walk rate hasn't improved, but he's swinging less and making better contact as a result. By limiting his role, the Dodgers definitely seem to have helped him relocate his groove.

8. Chris Martin

Traded by Cubs for IF/OF Zach McKinstry on July 30

Stats with Dodgers:

One of the most unheralded deadline swaps has turned into an absolute steal for the Dodgers. Martin had an average season with the Cubs before morphing into a monster with L.A., sporting a 2.92 ERA, 1.75 FIP, and 0.57 WHIP since the trade. He also hasn't walked a batter in 12 1/3 innings with the Dodgers. Martin will play a critical role for Dave Roberts' club in October, and all it cost them was little-used utility player Zach McKinstry. Not bad at all.

7. David Robertson

Traded by Cubs for P Ben Brown on Aug. 2

Stats with Phillies:

Robertson's second stint with the Phillies is going much better than his first run with the franchise. The 37-year-old's become an indispensable part of Rob Thomson's bullpen, producing a 1.54 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with four saves since being acquired from the Cubs. The bullpen has long been a weakness for the Phillies, and Robertson improved it dramatically.

6. Raisel Iglesias

Traded by Angels for P Jesse Chavez, P Tucker Davidson on Aug. 2

Stats with Braves:

Mere months after signing a four-year, $58-million contract to stay with the Halos, Iglesias finds himself stabilizing a beleaguered Braves bullpen and aiming to help Atlanta repeat as champions. Kenley Jansen has looked shaky, and the Braves are without key members of the 2021 World Series bullpen in Luke Jackson, Will Smith, and Chris Martin. Iglesias' lone save with his new club came on Aug. 13. However, he's been incredibly effective in a setup role and one of the savviest additions at the deadline.

5. Noah Syndergaard

Traded by Angels for OF Mickey Moniak, OF Jadiel Sanchez on Aug. 2

Stats with Phillies:

On the surface, Syndergaard's numbers in Philadelphia might not scream "great trade," but he's been quietly consistent in the Phillies' rotation. Syndergaard's 3.29 FIP is more than a run lower than his 4.40 ERA. He's made up for lowered strikeout numbers since the trade by allowing just two homers in 30 2/3 innings - no small feat at the hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park - while issuing only five walks. No, this isn't the Thor of old, but Syndergaard is showing he can still be an impactful starter on a playoff team.

4. Daniel Vogelbach

Traded by Pirates for P Colin Holderman on July 22

Stats with Mets:

Vogelbach can be pretty hot and cold, but he's been searing hot since joining the Mets. In what is undoubtedly the most complete lineup he's ever been a part of, Vogelbach is forcing opposing pitchers to make mistakes and capitalizing when they do. Thanks to the addition of the designated hitter in the National League, Vogelbach has been more than just a pinch hitter. And a guy like this is definitely coming up at a critical time in October.

3. Juan Soto

Traded by Nationals with 1B Josh Bell for P MacKenzie Gore, OF Robert Hassell, SS CJ Abrams, 1B Luke Voit, OF James Wood, P Jarlin Susana on Aug. 2

Stats with Padres:

By Soto standards, the young outfielder has been merely good. But that's been Soto's thing - be very good at such a consistent rate that it's historic. Injuries have also somewhat gotten in the way, so it's not entirely fair to judge Soto on the past month. But, even if you are, he's been the best hitter acquired at the deadline. He might not be slugging, but his OBP is laughably above .400. Soto's a machine.

2. Luis Castillo

Traded by Reds for SS Noelvi Marte, 2B/SS Edwin Arroyo, P Levi Stoudt, P Andrew Moore on July 30

Stats with Mariners:

The Mariners swung for the fences at the deadline, trading four highly-ranked prospects to Cincinnati for Castillo. The 28-year-old's been pitching like an ace for the M's, recording a 2.84 ERA, 2.84 FIP, and 1.07 WHIP over five starts. He's also lowered his walk rate since the trade while striking out nearly two more batters per nine innings than he was in Cincinnati. Castillo's been everything the Mariners could have hoped for and then some, and he's showing no signs of slowing down heading into October.

1. Jordan Montgomery

Traded by Yankees for OF Harrison Bader on Aug. 2

Stats with Cardinals:

A head-scratching trade by the Yankees turned nightmarish almost immediately when Montgomery allowed two hits over five shutout innings against his old team four days after the swap. Since then, the left-hander has helped solidify the Cardinals as a postseason contender. Montgomery would arguably be St. Louis' best starting pitching option in a must-win game - at worst, he's only behind veteran ace Adam Wainwright. Keeping the Brewers in the rearview mirror will be key down the stretch, and the Montgomery acquisition helped put them there.