Just 14 days separate us from the Aug. 3 trade deadline, and we’ve yet to see a major pennant-altering blockbuster. No, Eric Lauer to the Dodgers for everyone’s favorite player, cash considerations, doesn’t count.Consider the lack of movement a byproduct of the expanded playoffs, wherein there are three wild-card spots available in either league, and the Aug. 3 date, the furthest it can be under the current collective bargaining agreement. In other words, no one is truly out of it, and Aug. 3 might as well be Dec. 31.At some point, action is expected to pick up, which is where we come in.Welcome to The Athletic’s MLB trade deadline Big Board, a collection of 78 players who could move in the next two-plus weeks. This is the second of three Big Boards we’ll publish between now and Aug. 3.
A few things have changed since our last Big Board. We’ve removed Byron Buxton, Sandy Alcantara and Jeremy Peña, all of whom are unlikely to be dealt by their respective teams. We’ve also added several new names, including Kevin Gausman, Spencer Jones and Eugenio Suárez.Not every player on this list will be dealt, and as was the case last year with Mason Miller going from West Sacramento to San Diego, there are inevitably going to be players we didn’t foresee being dealt actually being traded.Also, including Jones doesn’t necessarily mean the Yankees will deal him, but it’s an acknowledgement that, as part of a potential larger package for one of the 77 other players, New York could find itself shipping him out.Some bookkeeping: The player’s listed age is how old he is on July 15, B/T is the classic bats/throws, the money owed is via Baseball Prospectus and covers only the days after Aug. 4, the WARs from 2024 to present are updated through July 15, the WARs for ’26 are a projection from now until the end of the season. Both are from FanGraphs.The likelihood of being dealt is a best-guess projection (from red as unlikely through yellow to green as likely), and the rankings are beyond reproach.Expand allCollapse allProfileAge29PositionSPB/TR/LLast Rank1FitsCHC, LAD, TBDeal likelihood🟡Value: An undisputed pennant-altering aceThe results haven’t been amazing since Skubal came back from surgery to remove particles from his elbow, but the underlying stuff seems unchanged. In terms of movement, spin, velocity, and pitch mix, he’s been as dominant as ever. So if the Tigers decide to sell, they’ll be able to get a big honking haul of prospects for their ace. Every fanbase for a contender will be rooting against the Tigers for the next month just for the chance their team wins the Skubal sweepstakes. Owed in 20269.5Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present14.3SPProfileAge30PositionSPB/TR/RLast Rank3FitsATL, CHC, SDDeal likelihood🔴Value: Reliable ace in his prime The non-Skubal pitching prize of the deadline, Ryan added a new knuckle curve to his mix this year and looks to be in the midst of a career year. That pitch is the best breaking ball he’s ever thrown, and putting that into an arsenal with a deceptive fastball and decent splitter means he’s cooking with gas. Yes, Ryan is a fly ball guy heading to the homer months with a lively ball. But he’s also had success while giving up homers in the past, and this new arsenal may help him avoid those issues this year. Owed in 20261.8Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present9.3SPProfileAge25PositionSSB/TL/RLast Rank4FitsATL, NYY, TORDeal likelihood🟡Value: Blossoming everyday player with 20-20 potential Having a breakout, career-best season, Abrams is making a case as the best offensive shortstop in baseball. Outs Above Average considers him to be one of the worst defenders in the sport, but no shortstop — not even Bobby Witt Jr. — has a higher wRC+ this season. Still in his mid-20s and under team control beyond next year’s potential lockout, Abrams would be a massive trade chip, but only if the Nationals actually sell and get a return that’s worthwhile. The Nats have been one of the biggest surprises of the first half, and Abrams has two seasons of arbitration eligibility remaining. The Nats don’t have to move him, and even if they do discuss him, they can hold out for an overwhelming return. Owed in 20261.2Controlled through2028fWAR’24-present7.5SSProfileAge34Position1BB/TR/RLast Rank7FitsARZ, CLE, MILDeal likelihood🟡Value: Veteran power bat in the midst of a career year Very little has gone as hoped for the Red Sox, but don’t blame Contreras for their disappointment. Acquired in an offseason trade, Contreras has, if anything, exceeded expectations. A three-time All-Star known for his bat, Contreras is on pace for the best year of his career at the plate, and his transformation from catcher to first base has yielded good grades on defense. He’s among the league leaders in wRC+ and could be one of the highest-WAR position players traded at the deadline. Owed in 20265.3Controlled through2028fWAR’24-present8.21BProfileAge36PositionSPB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsATL, CHC, TORDeal likelihood🟡Value: Dominant breaking ball still there Should the Red Sox fall out of it and sell, any team should be interested in acquiring one of the best sweepers in the game. Sure, Sonny Gray's fastball isn't what it used to be, and his strikeout and whiff rates have fallen accordingly. But he's kept his sweeper velocity high, and improved his cutter over the last two years. While the breaking ball is still the key, Gray has become a seven-pitch pitcher with guts and guile. He could start a playoff game for the right team, 2000+ innings into a great career. Teach your kids to spin the ball.Owed in 20269.0Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present9.0SPProfileAge27PositionSPB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsBAL, MIA, WSHDeal likelihood🟡Value: Ground-baller who added the strikeoutsA thorough, honest investigation of the Angels from prospects to major leaguers would produce a strategy of selling at the deadline from most front offices. Well, front offices without Arte Moreno as the owner at least. Instead, the most likely thing is that the self-delusion continues and Jose Soriano is touted as the ace of next year's squad, just right around the corner from contention. It's too bad, because Soriano – who under the tutelage of pitching coach Mike Maddux has re-emphasized his fourseam and splitter in order to add strikeouts to what was already a compelling power sinker package – would be a fun addition to any postseason.Owed in 20260.8Controlled through2028fWAR’24-present6.4SPProfileAge26PositionSPB/TL/LLast Rank8FitsATL, CHW, STLDeal likelihood🟡Value: Southpaw with intriguing peripherals By some projections, Detmers is the second-best starting pitcher that could be available on the market. His stuff is above-average, he’s striking out 27 percent of batters, not walking anyone, and the lefty seems to have learned an approach that works against righties while he was in relief. He won’t even make $3 million this year and is under team control for two more years. He’d bring in a relative haul in a trade. So of course the most recent news is that he’s off the market. Maybe. Owed in 20260.8Controlled through2028fWAR’24-present4.5SPProfileAge35PositionSPB/TL/RLast RankUnrankedFitsATL, CHC, CHWDeal likelihood🔴Value: Established ace with declining stuffKevin Gausman has been a remarkable outcome for a two-pitch pitcher without top-shelf velocity. Using great command of both his four-seam and splitter, he's been a steadying force for the Blue Jays. Only two pitchers (Logan Webb and Framber Valdez) have thrown more innings since Gausman signed with Toronto, and his 3.60 ERA over that time frame was supported by strong strikeout, walk, and home run rates. The strikeout and home run rates, though, have been in decline for a few years now, and have mirrored his flagging four-seamer velocity. Usualy closer to 95 mph, he's slipped under 94 for the year and has two games with sub-93 mph velocity on the fastball in his past five outings. Nobody wants to pay ace prices on the market for yesterday's ace.Owed in 20266.7Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present9.0SPProfileAge31PositionOFB/TR/RLast Rank6FitsHOU, MIA, NYYDeal likelihood🟡Value: Aging ace with something left to give Through his first four major-league seasons, Suzuki proved he could hit while leaving ample room to question whether he could actually play right field. This season, though, Suzuki’s bat has remained productive — a tick below past seasons, but still well above-average — while his defensive metrics also have been strong in right field. There is plenty of reason to wonder whether Suzuki will actually be traded — Will the Cubs sell? Will he waive his no-trade clause? — but if he’s on the market, Suzuki will have considerable value as a proven hitter who can — as of now — be trusted to regularly play the outfield. Owed in 20265.6Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present7.9OFProfileAge27Position3BB/TR/RLast Rank12FitsMIA, STL, MINDeal likelihood🟡Value: Versatile power hitter in a down year Paredes has been the subject of constant trade rumors since the offseason. The Astros acquired him in the 2024 Kyle Tucker blockbuster, and he’s been an All-Star the past two seasons, but his offensive numbers are down this year and the underperforming Astros might want to cash in before deciding on a team option this winter. Paredes has played some first and second, but he’s mostly a third baseman with good on-base skills and 20-homer power. Owed in 20262.8Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present7.83BProfileAge30PositionCFB/TL/RLast RankUnrankedFitsBAL, DET, PHIDeal likelihood🔴Value: Proven defender in center fieldIf the Blue Jays decide to sell, Varsho could be the top center fielder on the market. He remains a good defender at a premium position, and although his offensive numbers are down, he’s on track for roughly 2 fWAR this season, which is more than a lot of teams are going to get from their center fielders. Varsho doesn’t get on base a ton, but he has 20-homer power and will steal some bases. With his glove, that’s enough to have a value as a rental, especially at a position that could be in short supply on the trade market.Owed in 20263.1Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present6.6CFProfileAge38PositionRPB/TL/LLast Rank10FitsCHC, MIN, PITDeal likelihood🟡Value: Closer with major October experience Chapman’s Red Sox renaissance has continued into another season. At 38, he’s as good as he’s ever been, posting an ERA barely above 1.00 since the start of last season. You know what you're getting with Chapman: high-octane fastballs and a slider that plays off of them. The key to his turnaround has been a reduction in free passes. Chapman’s walk rate had ballooned into the mid-teens before plunging to under 7 percent last year. It’s back above 10 percent this year, which is still a lot more manageable than it had been earlier in the decade.Owed in 20263.9Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present4.6RPProfileAge33PositionSPB/TR/RLast Rank16FitsCHC, MIL, TORDeal likelihood🟡Value: Cost-controlled ground-ball maestro First, he has to get healthy. After a line drive broke his leg, Holmes is targeting a return sometime in August. If he returns on the earlier end, he represents a safe ground-ball, mid-rotation type who can help this year and then is on a reasonable player option for next year at $12 million. A more cost-conscious team with needs all over their rotation might jump at the chance — but the leg has to heal. Owed in 20263.8Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present4.3SPProfileAge29PositionSPB/TR/RLast Rank27FitsATL, CHC, TORDeal likelihood🟡Value: Homer prone former No. 1 overall pick For his career, Mize has an ERA about a half-run lower at home than on the road (this year it’s three runs lower). With the ball acting more lively and the right-hander sporting one of the highest fly-ball rates in the league, it’s fair to wonder if a lot more homers are coming. His current homer rate is about half his career norm, so you’d already look for regression there. If the price tag is more "get you to the playoffs" rather than "help you win the World Series" then he’s a fine acquisition. Owed in 20261.8Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present6.1SPProfileAge30PositionSPB/TR/RLast Rank11FitsCHC, CHW, TORDeal likelihood🟢Value: Average arm who can post It’s possible that there’s more name value here than actual quality on the field. The artist formerly known as Fastball Freddie is showing a four-year low in fastball velocity and his overall stuff is down as measured by Stuff+, swinging-strike rate, and strikeout rate. Right now his peripherals suggest more of an average major-league starter than a guy a contender needs to have in a playoff game. He’s gone on some pretty legendary streaks in the past when something clicks with a secondary, though. Owed in 20262.4Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present7.1SPProfileAge29PositionCB/TR/RLast Rank14FitsNYY, TB, TEXDeal likelihood🟢Value: The deadline's best catcher available Out since mid-May with a broken hamate bone, Jeffers could return in time to be the best offensive catcher available at the deadline. His defensive metrics have fluctuated over the years, but he’s been an above-average hitter each of the past four seasons, and his hot streaks at the plate have been tremendous. If he’s healthy, Jeffers could be an impactful target at a position that could have limited supply. Even if the Twins choose not to sell to the extent they did last season, it would still make sense to move Jeffers before he reaches free agency. Owed in 20262.0Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present5.4CProfileAge29Position2BB/TL/RLast Rank25FitsBOS, TB, TEXDeal likelihood🟢Value: Proven contact hitter with plus defense If you’re reading this, you know Luis Arraez. Three-time batting champ. All contact, with minimal walks or power. He does what he does, except this year, he’s also played defense, posting an unusually high OAA in his return to second base. He can also play first and third, and the Giants have little reason not to trade him. Owed in 20263.5Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present5.42BProfileAge30PositionSPB/TR/LLast Rank15FitsARZ, CHC, MIADeal likelihood🟡Value: Intriguing first-time All-Star In some ways, Griffin came back from Japan as advertised. He’s a low-velocity lefty with good command and a (very) wide mix of average-ish pitches. In other ways, he’s surprised. Despite the poor velocity, he’s managed to keep the slugging percentage on his fastballs in the low fours, and in some part he’s done so by having a better cutter than might have been expected. In the end, though, he’s still a low-velocity, wide-mix guy, so more of a back-end add to most contenders. Owed in 20261.6Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present1.7SPProfileAge32PositionOFB/TR/RLast Rank23FitsARZ, DET, PHIDeal likelihood🟡Value: Disciplined veteran with a power stroke For six years now, Ward has been an above-average hitter. He’s gotten there mostly with power and a low chase rate. This year, he’s gotten there with far less power but with an extreme uptick in walks. His barrel percentage is down, but so is his strikeout rate. His OPS is similar to recent years, but he’s gotten there with on-base percentage rather than slugging. An acquiring team will want that plate discipline while hoping the old power returns down the stretch. Owed in 20263.6Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present7.1OFProfileAge28PositionSPB/TL/LLast RankUnrankedFitsCHW, SD, WSHDeal likelihood🟡Value: Young starter with ace stuff in down yearIf the Reds believe Nick Lodolo has another year like 2025 in him, they might not trade their lefty away. That year, he threw over 150 innings of a 3.33 ERA with great supporting rates and looked like the ace ascendant he was supposed to be. This year, the underlying stuff has been similar (his fastball velocity is even up a little) but the command has deserted him in between the ever-present trips to the injured list. It's the injuries and iffy command, combined with the fact that he's a free agent after the close of next year — that might make him available on the market. Teams without much financial wriggle room should take notice.Owed in 20261.4Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present5.2SPProfileAge29PositionOFB/TL/RLast Rank17FitsMIA, PHI, TORDeal likelihood🟡Value: Solid defender with a diminishing bat An All-Star and down-ballot MVP candidate in 2024, Duran’s production slipped last season and has fallen off a cliff this year. His defense remains solid in left, and his speed is still a strength, but his chase rate is up, and his hard-hit percentage is down. He remains an intriguing talent, but his stock is slipping, and the Red Sox — who came into this season with more outfielders than they knew what to do with — might already have missed their chance to sell high. Owed in 20262.3Controlled through2028fWAR’24-present11.1OFProfileAge28PositionOFB/TL/RLast Rank19FitsATL, DET, TORDeal likelihood🟡Value: Veteran everyday outfielder One of the few veterans to survive the Cardinals' offseason roster purge, Nootbar missed the first two months of the season but returned in June looking sharp. If the Cardinals keep winning, they’ll surely hold onto their veteran bat, but if they slip, they’ve already made clear their intention to rebuild. Nootbar has played all three outfield positions, and he was a solid everyday player three of the previous four seasons (last year was the outlier). Owed in 20261.6Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present3.1OFProfileAge32PositionRPB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsCHC, PHI, SEADeal likelihood🟡Value: Reliable reliever in a career year Little of David Stearns’ offseason overhaul of the Mets has worked, and Weaver is the reason this sentence starts with “little” instead of “none.” Signed to a two-year deal, the right-hander has been untouchable since the start of May. He’s signed through next season, so New York could hold on to him or try to cash in on a market that right now lacks obvious impact relievers. Weaver’s previous experience closing for the Yankees should make him even more appealing. Owed in 20263.2Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present2.7RPProfileAge28PositionSPB/TR/RLast Rank22FitsCHC, CHW, SDDeal likelihood🔴Value: Safe back-end starter with No. 3 potential Is Gingergaard back? The red-haired May was once a super prospect with the Dodgers, but injury and inconsistent play led to a trip around the league. Now in St. Louis, he’s found his old release point and upped his fastball velocity. He’s striking more guys out with every month as he seems to be settling into the best version of himself. A team might get lucky and pay a back-end rental price for the righty and get a playoff starter for their efforts. Owed in 20263.7Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present4.2SPProfileAge31PositionSPB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsATL, CHC, CHWDeal likelihood🔴Value: Injury-prone former Cy Young Award winner Last year, Bieber didn't make his debut until mid-August, the result of setbacks in his return from Tommy John surgery. No mind, Bieber saved his best for last, helping propel the Blue Jays to Game 7 of the World Series. Despite some October shine, Bieber accepted his $16 million player option instead of testing the market, a wise decision given that he was placed on the 60-day IL to open 2026. So far the results haven't been there, and yet, his past pedigree as a Cy Young Award winner and his postseason track record make him an intriguing deadline option. Owed in 20264.7Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present0.6SPProfileAge35PositionSPB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsATL, STL, WSHDeal likelihood🔴Value: Controllable innings-eater An All-Star for the first time since he was 23 years old, Wacha has developed into a reliable middle-of-the-order option. In each of the past two seasons, Wacha has thrown at least 150 innings, including 172 2/3 in 2025. That's carried over into 2026, as Wacha is one of the league-leaders in innings pitched. For a team looking to get to the finish line, Wacha represents reliability with the potential for magic every fifth day. Owed in 20264.1Controlled through2028fWAR’24-present8.7SPProfileAge33PositionSPB/TR/RLast Rank28FitsCHC, NYM, TORDeal likelihood🟡Value: Expensive former ace If you’re pessimistic about Castillo returning to his normal veteran form, then you’ll point to gradually declining stuff and strikeout rates, and the $24 million due to the righty in 2026, and the $25 million option that could vest for 2027, and you’d say no thanks, you’d have to give me prospects to think about this trade. Well, actually, even if you’re fairly optimistic about his future, you’d want the Mariners to pay down some of the contract, or accept very little in future talent in return. He’s 33 with a below-average strikeout rate. Owed in 20266.7Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present6.1SPProfileAge36PositionOFB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsARZ, HOU, MIADeal likelihood🟡Value: Proven playoff performerSpringer could be a perfect fit for a team looking to add veteran know-how for a playoff push. He turns 37 in September, and his past four seasons have been wildly up-and-down, but his playoff track record is elite, and he’s coming off a resurgent Silver Slugger season. Springer’s numbers are down this year, but he’s bounced back a bit since the middle of June. He’s also been limited to DH this season, but he played a good amount of outfield last year. With his contract expiring, Springer offers no long-term risk, which could make him a good short-term gamble for a team betting his bat will show up when the games matter most. He’s a been-there, done-that hitter who won’t flinch in the October spotlight.Owed in 20266.5Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present6.4OFProfileAge33Position3BB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsNYM, PHI, SEADeal likelihood🔴Value: Gold Glove winner with powerStill an excellent defender with tremendous bat speed and a relatively low chase rate, Chapman can provide power and stability at the hot corner. He’s no longer a mid-ballot MVP candidate, but he’s plenty productive even as his offensive numbers have dipped to roughly league average this season. In a vacuum, a veteran like that has a lot of trade value. However, Chapman is owed just over $25 million each of the next four seasons, and he turns 34 in April. That’s a good amount of financial risk that will undoubtedly affect his market.Owed in 20267.3Controlled through2030fWAR’24-present10.53BProfileAge28PositionSPB/TL/LLast RankUnrankedFitsCHC, CHW, SDDeal likelihood🟡Value: Young lefty on the upswing A Rookie of the Year runner-up in 2021, Rogers spent the next three seasons pitching the exact opposite of that before bottoming out and getting demoted to Triple A. Last season, Rogers looked more like the pitcher he was on the Marlins, finishing as one of the best arms in the second half. That didn't carry over in the season's first three months, but Rogers has managed to right the ship, posting a 2.05 ERA over five starts in June. If that holds, Rogers could be a sneaky frontline starter option. Owed in 20261.8Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present5.7SPProfileAge34PositionSPB/TL/LLast Rank29FitsATL, CHC, CHWDeal likelihood🟢Value: Multi-pitch bulldog In some ways, Ray’s arsenal is wider than ever. Increased use of the changeup and sinker has given him five pitches he uses regularly. But after some velocity loss on the breaking balls and movement loss on his fastball, he’s left with a wide assortment of mediocre pitches (hence the below-average strikeout and walk rates). Still a battler, his best use might be for a team that could use him on the back end and then move him to the pen for more lefty-oriented work in the playoffs. Owed in 20267.4Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present2.7SPProfileAge24PositionCB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsBOS, TB, TEXDeal likelihood🟡Value: Former top prospect who hasn't put it togetherOnce a top prospect in the sport, Alvarez has hit a bit of a plateau as a 24-year-old: While his offense is above-average for a catcher, his defense has vacillated between good and bad, and he’s been on the injured list four times in the past three seasons. The Mets don’t have to move on from a player with three more years of team control beyond this one, but things have gone south enough that New York is considering more extreme options this summer. Owed in 20260.7Controlled through2029fWAR’24-present4.5CProfileAge24Position3BB/TR/RLast Rank24FitsMIA, MIL, STLDeal likelihood🔴Value: Versatile glove looking for a permanent home The 2023 first-round pick has found himself in a super-utility role for Chicago, having played every position this season except catcher and shortstop. A Gold Glove finalist at third base last season, Shaw found himself the odd man out after the Cubs signed Alex Bregman in the offseason. Second base (Nico Hoerner is signed through 2032) and first base (Michael Busch through 2029) are also seemingly off the table. In limited action, Shaw has posted an above average wRC+. Pedro Ramirez’s emergence, coupled with the Cubs’ need for a frontline starter, could make Shaw a valuable trade chip. Owed in 20260.2Controlled through2031fWAR’24-present2.03BProfileAge29Position2BB/TR/RLast Rank33FitsLAD, TB, TEXDeal likelihood🟡Value: Known bat-first second baseman Expected to be a superstar when he arrived almost a decade ago, Torres has instead settled in as a solid, bat-first second baseman. He was an All-Star last year, and he’s put up even better offensive numbers this season, but he’s currently on the IL with an oblique strain that’s bothered him for much of the year (this is the second time he’s been shut down with that injury). If healthy, Torres is a known commodity and a potentially worthwhile rental, but the injury and the uncertain status of the Tigers are wrinkles. Owed in 20266.5Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present5.42BProfileAge32PositionRPB/TR/RLast Rank21FitsCHC, PIT, STLDeal likelihood🔴Value: Electric controllable righty reliever Cano has rebounded from a subpar 2025 with a terrific start to this season. The right-hander excels at getting ground balls with his sinker/splitter mix, and he’s become even stingier with free passes this year. With two more years of team control, Baltimore doesn’t need to move Cano, though the ups and downs of most any reliever make it tempting to sell when the value is high, especially with someone who’s already 32 years old. Owed in 20260.5Controlled through2028fWAR’24-present1.2RPProfileAge35Position1BB/TR/RLast Rank32FitsARZ, CLE, MINDeal likelihood🟡Value: Legit power threat with above-average defense After a down year in 2025, Walker’s bat has bounced back. Now in his second year with the Astros, he’s hitting like he did the previous three years in Arizona. Defensive metrics no longer paint Walker as an elite fielder, but he has legitimate power, if the Astros sell, Walker could be in-demand for teams in need of right-handed pop. Owed in 20265.9Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present5.91BProfileAge31PositionRPB/TR/RLast Rank18FitsCHC, MIN, WSHDeal likelihood🟡Value: Controllable reliever with elite velocity Among potential relievers, O’Brien is perhaps the most intriguing. The 2017 eighth-round draft pick pitched to a 2.06 ERA last season for St. Louis, flashing an elite fastball and extension. A season later, the extension and velocity are still there, but the results aren’t. Still, O’Brien largely limits hard contact and generates ground balls at a high level. That he won’t hit arbitration until 2028 and is controlled through 2030 makes him all the more fascinating. Owed in 20260.2Controlled through2030fWAR’24-present0.7RPProfileAge34Position3BB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsMIA, MIN, STLDeal likelihood🟢Value: Boom-or-bust sluggerAt this time last year, Suárez was one of the top trade targets on the market. He was having a career year at the plate, and the Mariners wound up trading three prospects to add his power bat. However, Suárez’s production cratered after the deal — 143 OPS+ before, 93 OPS+ after — and he’s continued that post-trade production this season. Suárez remains a massive home run threat, but he’s a rental with limited defensive value who gets almost all of his offensive value from the longball. He could provide two terrific months, but Suárez has so far been a negative WAR player this season.Owed in 20264.4Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present6.83BProfileAge28PositionOFB/TL/RLast Rank30FitsARZ, BOS, CLEDeal likelihood🟢Value: Former No. 1 pick whose found his way Aside from the ankle injury that cost him a month, Moniak has had a nice second year with the Rockies. He can play all three outfield positions, and his offensive numbers have surged in Colorado. That offensive environment can be deceiving, but Moniak’s improved production has come with a higher walk rate, lower strikeout rate, more consistent barrels and a higher hard-hit percentage. He had a 115 wRC+ with the Angels in 2023, too. Owed in 20261.2Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present2.1OFProfileAge28PositionOFB/TL/LLast Rank35FitsHOU, SD, TORDeal likelihood🟢Value: Cost-controlled outfielder with good numbers Bleday was a first-round pick of a team that traded him away. He had a breakout 2024 but was non-tendered in 2025. He signed with the Reds this offseason, didn’t make the Opening Day roster, and now has the best offensive numbers on the team. Bleday’s career has been a roller coaster, but his highs have been extreme, and he’s on pace for the best season of his career. He’s cheap with good numbers and remaining team control, an intriguing combination for any team that believes he can maintain this production. Owed in 20260.4Controlled through2028fWAR’24-present4.3OFProfileAge28PositionUTB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsATL, HOU, LADDeal likelihood🟡Value: Capable utilityman A Gold Glove finalist in 2025, Steer has become a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none type player. This season, he's appeared at every position but shortstop, catcher and pitcher. At the plate, he barrels the ball at an above-average rate, and xSLG suggests that he's been unlucky with his actual rate. He won't be a free agent until 2029 and still has minor-league options. In any trade, finding him a permanent position is almost certainly the first course of action. Owed in 20261.2Controlled through2028fWAR’24-present3.2UTProfileAge23PositionOFB/TS/RLast RankUnrankedFitsARZ, MIA, SDDeal likelihood🟡Value: Former elite prospect who hasn't lived up to the hypeOn a team with Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger signed long-term, where does the 23-year-old Domínguez fit in the long run? He's basically split his time between the majors and Triple A this season, and the big-league results have remained pedestrian for The Martian. He’s less an acquisition for this season than for the longer term, which should make him a target for more than just your standard buyers. Owed in 20260.2Controlled through2030fWAR’24-present0.8OFProfileAge36PositionSPB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsATL, CHW, SDDeal likelihood🔴Value: Capable No. 3 starter As with Wacha, the Royals are loath to move Lugo, who can be controlled for two additional seasons beyond this one. The 36-year-old has gone from Cy Young Award runner-up in 2024 to league-average starter in 2025 to something a bit below that so far this season. He’s a guy you add to provide reliable innings between now and October — and maybe make a start or two once you're there. Lugo’s spin rate is still elite on his curveball, but that pitch isn’t winning for him as often as it was during his peak. Owed in 20265.8Controlled through2028fWAR’24-present6.2SPProfileAge38PositionRPB/TS/RLast Rank34FitsCHC, CHW, NYYDeal likelihood🟡Value: Future Hall of Famer in the twilight of his career At 38, Jansen is no longer the shutdown closer he was earlier in his career. In his first year with the Tigers, he’s walking more than 13 percent of hitters and has blown four saves. It’s also been four years since Jansen last pitched in the postseason — once an annual occurrence when he was with the Dodgers. The right-hander had a brief stint on the IL with pelvic inflammation in late May and early June. Owed in 20263.3Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present1.8RPProfileAge29PositionRPB/TR/RLast Rank20FitsCHC, CLE, LADDeal likelihood🟢Value: Hard-throwing righty in need of a change A team acquiring Abreu wouldn’t be doing so because of what the right-hander has done this season. Trying to show he could be a closer in his platform year while Josh Hader was out, Abreu instead blew up to start the season and hasn’t yet recovered. The ERA is over 6.00 and the FIP is actually worse, inflated by a walk rate that has nearly doubled to 20 percent. Abreu still throws gas, still gets whiffs, and for the four prior years he was one of the sport’s best setup men. Maybe that guy is in there with a change of scenery. Owed in 20261.7Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present2.4RPProfileAge26PositionCB/TL/RLast RankUnrankedFitsMIN, NYM, TBDeal likelihood🟡Value: Glove-first catcher with a below-average batThere’s no getting around the brutal season Wells is having offensively, with an OPS down 200 points from last year and expected numbers that don’t paint a rosier picture. But the projection system still views him as one of the better players who could move at this deadline, and if the Yankees were to acquire another catcher from this list, it could make sense for another team to look at Wells as a buy-low candidate. Owed in 20260.3Controlled through2029fWAR’24-present6.3CProfileAge28PositionSPB/TL/LLast Rank26FitsMIA, STL, TORDeal likelihood🟢Value: Lefty with a spotty history The Royals' lefty was a great story after converting from relief to put up a pristine ERA in over 100 innings in 2025, but he’s struggled to stay on the mound this year. He’s coming back from shoulder and elbow issues and will have to at least demonstrate that those joints are working. Teams will also have to wonder how much of last year’s work was a fluke, given only slightly above-average strikeout rates and well below-average velocity. He’s worth a shot in this year’s market either way. Owed in 20261.8Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present5.1SPProfileAge27PositionOFB/TL/RLast RankUnrankedFitsDET, PHI, TORDeal likelihood🔴Value: Contact-oriented lefty who doesn't strikeout often Lee isn’t the player signed long-term that the Giants would most like to move. He might not be in the top three of that group, and it remains unlikely that San Francisco does trade him this summer. The 27-year-old Lee is having his best offensive season so far, pushing his average above .300 and hitting for enough extra-base pop that it’s OK he’s in right the majority of the time this year after playing center last year. The margins are thin for a player like Lee, however. If the average falls a bit or a few of those doubles turn back into singles, he doesn’t bring a ton to the table. Owed in 20266.4Controlled through2029fWAR’24-present3.6OFProfileAge27PositionOFB/TR/RLast Rank40FitsATL, PHI, TORDeal likelihood🟡Value: Platoon bat with a knack for big plays Hitting 37 home runs last season suggested Adell might finally be living up to his old prospect hype, but even that came with a sub-.300 on-base percentage and bad defensive metrics. This year, Adell is back to a below-average wRC+, but contenders might still like him as a platoon bat. He’s been excellent against lefties for three years now. Owed in 20261.5Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present1.6OFProfileAge33PositionRPB/TR/RLast Rank41FitsNYM, PHI, SEADeal likelihood🟡Value: Strikeout-heavy reliever prone to meltdowns After a brutal start to the season that cost him the closer role, Hoffman has worked his way back into some late-game spots with a much better June. The Blue Jays almost certainly won’t be sellers, so Hoffman would only make sense as a trade piece if Toronto felt it could swap him to another buyer for a more useful player coming back. If Hoffman is available, teams will look as much at that 35 percent strikeout rate as they will at that salary through next season. Owed in 20263.3Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present2.5RPProfileAge32PositionRPB/TR/RLast Rank39FitsCHC, LAD, NYYDeal likelihood🟡Value: Strike-throwing closer with mixed results Fairbanks has mostly rebounded from a terrible April that ended with him sidelined with nerve irritation. Since coming back, he’s blown a single save for a Marlins team getting hot enough to be part of the National League playoff picture. Fairbanks’ strikeout rate is back over 30 percent, though it’s paired with a walk rate into double figures. Owed in 20264.0Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present1.6RPProfileAge31PositionRPB/TR/RLast Rank31FitsSTL, TB, WSHDeal likelihood🟡Value: Former can't-miss closer with multiple red flags Some rough outings after six weeks on the IL with right elbow inflammation have raised his ERA and eyebrows. Helsley, after all, flopped as a deadline addition for the New York Mets last season before signing his two-year deal with the Orioles. There’s time between now and the deadline for the 31-year-old to look more like the best version of himself, and there are also encouraging signs. The strikeout rate is up after dipping last season. Owed in 20264.1Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present2.4RPProfileAge39PositionRPB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsHOU, MIN, TBDeal likelihood🟢Value: Ex-saves leader on a cheap deal Yates was one of several relievers the Angels signed to one-year deals, though of that group, he's still the only one still in Los Angeles. The deal reunited him with pitching coach Mike Maddux, who helped Yates pitch to a 1.17 ERA in 2024, his best season since leading MLB in saves in 2019. While he won't blow you away with velocity (90.7 mph average fastball velo), Yates can still generate whiffs and chase at solid rates. Owed in 20261.5Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present2.1RPProfileAge30PositionSPB/TR/RLast Rank44FitsCHC, HOU, TORDeal likelihood🟡Value: Back-end starter with diminishing velocity Before he got hurt, Flaherty wasn’t good. Some of the worst command of his career paired with the worst fastball velocity of his career produced a bloated ERA supported by league-average peripherals. If the velo ticks back up once his ankle is right again, maybe someone will take a chance that they can get the good version for a couple of months. Because of a quirky contract, his base salary for the year ($10M) and Average Annual Value ($7.5M) are on the manageable side. Owed in 20265.9Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present7.3SPProfileAge31PositionSPB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsARZ, HOU, STLDeal likelihood🟢Value: Potential innings-eater for a team in need of arms It's been a Jekyll and Hyde type season for Mahle in 2026. In his April 22 start against the Dodgers, Mahle fired seven scoreless innings. He followed that up with five runs in five innings against the Phillies. Though he's yet to reach the heights of his 2021 campaign, Mahle is healthy, making him a potential target for a team in need of arms. Owed in 20262.9Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present2.6SPProfileAge38PositionRPB/TL/LLast RankUnrankedFitsPHI, TB, WSHDeal likelihood🟢Value: Lefty reliever who can limit hard contact One of MLB's best hidden secrets, Raley has gotten better with age, posting his lowest ERA in a full season at 38 years old. Relying on a sweeper and cutter mix, Raley limits hard contact and high exit velocities. Given his profile as a lefty reliever in a contract year, Raley figures to be one of the more in-demand arms at the deadline. Owed in 20261.4Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present1.7RPProfileAge30PositionCB/TR/RLast Rank45FitsBOS, NYY, TBDeal likelihood🟡Value: Proven glove-first backup You aren’t going to find many catchers on this Big Board, and because of that, it’s hard to ignore the possibility of the Mets trading Torrens (despite signing him to a two-year extension in May). He’s a career backup who’s never hit a ton, but he receives high marks for his arm and pitch framing. For a team that needs help behind the plate, Torrens is at least a proven defender.Owed in 20260.7Controlled through2028fWAR’24-present3.3CProfileAge30Position1BB/TL/RLast Rank36FitsARZ, CLE, MINDeal likelihood🟢Value: Strikeout-prone first baseman with some pop Signed to a minor-league deal this offseason, the former Gold Glove winner and Silver Slugger has looked a lot like the hitter he was a few years ago with the Texas Rangers. His defensive metrics are more passable than elite, but Lowe has hit for power while getting the vast majority of his at-bats with a platoon advantage against righties (he was also good against righties late last year with the Red Sox). Lowe is limited defensively to first base, but he can fill the strong side of a platoon while the Reds cash in on his bounce-back. Owed in 20260.5Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present2.71BProfileAge31PositionRPB/TR/RLast Rank43FitsCHC, NYY, SEADeal likelihood🟡Value: Right-handed reliever with an elite sweeper The right-hander is now three-plus seasons removed from season-ending Tommy John surgery, and the results continue to impress. This year, his sweeper has a Run Value of nine, the second-highest mark in the majors behind Shohei Ohtani. FIP suggests he’s been a teensy bit unlucky, and while he doesn’t generate a ton of chase or whiff, his overall strikeout rate is in the top 25 of all NL relievers. Owed in 20260.8Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present2.1RPProfileAge28PositionCFB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsBAL, MIA, STLDeal likelihood🟢Value: Oft-injured player with some strong stretches Once considered one of baseball's can't-miss prospects, Robert has had a difficult time living up to that pedigree, due in large part to constant injuries. Despite failing to follow up his career year in 2023, the White Sox continued to stand by Robert, refusing to deal the center fielder until this offseason when he was sent to the Mets, arguably at his lowest value. Robert performed well at the beginning of the season, only to find himself on the 60-day IL with a lumbar issue, another injury in a long line of them. Owed in 20265.8Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present1.9CFProfileAge29PositionCB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsBOS, HOU, TEXDeal likelihood🟢Value: Catcher who doesn't chase often For clubs in need of a backstop, Stephenson represents a rather intriuging option. He grades out as an elite blocker but a terrible framer, he doesn't chase often but strikes out at 24.5 percent clip. He has decent exit velo and barrel rates, but his slugging percentage looks closer to an OBP than that of a power hitter. It's a mixed bag, and its led to his worst season in the big leagues yet. Owed in 20262.0Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present4.2CProfileAge29PositionSPB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsATL, BAL, HOUDeal likelihood🟢Value: Back-end option with below-average peripherals After bottoming out in 2023, Singer managed to bounce back in each of his next two seasons, providing good, not great back-end stuff. He's once again plummeted, with an already diminished fastball losing even more veloicity. The under-the-hood numbers suggest Singer is actually worse than his line indicates, meaning any team trading for him is doing so as a warm body and not a reclamation project. Owed in 20263.7Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present5.6SPProfileAge25PositionSSB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsATL, TB, WSHDeal likelihood🟡Value: Scuffling shorstop in need of a change of scenery At this point, Volpe is he who he is. By metrics, he plays solid defense, even if the eye test suggests otherwise. He'll likely never top the 21 homers he hit in 2023, and strikeouts will certainly continue to be a problem. His remianing years of control are enticing, as is his pedigree as a former top prospect. Owed in 20261.0Controlled through2028fWAR’24-present5.5SSProfileAge30PositionSPB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsSD, STL, WSHDeal likelihood🟡Value: Right-hander who can generate soft contact Kremer won't light up any radar guns, but he does a good job at limiting hard contact. He spent the early part of the season on the 60-day IL before finally making his return just before the All-Star break. Any club trading for Kremer is getting a well-rested player who can eat innings come September. Owed in 20261.7Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present3.7SPProfileAge29PositionOFB/TL/RLast Rank37FitsARZ, BOS, CLEDeal likelihood🟡Value: Right-handed hitting hidden gem Since 2024, Larnach has hit right-handed pitching roughly as well as Jackson Chourio and Willson Contreras (they have nearly identical OPS vs. RHP). Larnach doesn’t hit lefties nearly as well, but as a strong-side platoon, he can be as impactful as far bigger names. His splits are even more pronounced than usual this season, but that’s in part because he’s been even better than usual against righties. The Twins might be hesitant to sell too much this summer, but Larnach’s contract status could have him on the block. Owed in 20261.3Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present3.2OFProfileAge29PositionUTB/TS/RLast Rank42FitsATL, BOS, MINDeal likelihood🟢Value: Controllable do-everything utilityman Castro’s horrendous second half with the Cubs (a .485 OPS in 34 games) did not stop Colorado from making an investment in the form of a two-year, $12.8 million deal. So far, its faith has been rewarded, as Castro has largely been a serviceable, league-average bat. Castro’s batted ball data has never painted the picture of a star, yet he’s still just one season removed from a near-3 fWAR showing for the Minnesota Twins. Owed in 20261.9Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present3.6UTProfileAge30PositionSPB/TR/RLast Rank49FitsARZ, CHC, STLDeal likelihood🟢Value: Potential reclamation project There’s bad velocity and then there’s Littell. Only one righty starter has thrown 70 innings and has a worse fastball than the Nationals’ righty. In a related matter, he’s also sporting the worst strikeout rate among starters, and the worst strikeouts-minus-walks rate. His expected numbers suggest he deserves every bit of his ERA over five. He might get picked up for a spot start at best. Owed in 20260.9Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present2.9SPProfileAge32PositionRPB/TR/RLast Rank47FitsCHC, CHW, STLDeal likelihood🟡Value: Right-hander with better under-the-hood numbers The Tigers' do-everything right-hander, signed out of the KBO last winter, has been a really useful piece for their pitching staff. His strikeout rate is almost 30 percent and he’s inducing chase and swings-and-misses well above the league-average rate. All eyes will be on Tarik Skubal as the Tigers decide what to do at the deadline, but Anderson is yet another intriguing arm the team could sell in a walk year. Owed in 20262.1Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present0.3RPProfileAge34PositionDHB/TR/RLast Rank50FitsARZ, DET, MIADeal likelihood🟢Value: Former October legend with very little to offer The 2021 World Series MVP has seen better days, combining for an OPS+ of 93 over the past two seasons with the Angels. His bat speed and barrel rate are above average, but his average exit velocity and squared up rate are trending in the opposite direction. Soler has never been one to shy away from a strikeout, but even by his standards things have plummeted. His strikeout rate has gone from 24.6 percent in 2024 to 31.3 percent in 2026, while his walk rate (13.2 percent in 2024) has plummeted to 9.1 percent. His reverse splits (eight homers against right-handers versus one against lefties) also don’t bode well. His contract status and prior postseason pedigree are the only reasons he’d be moved. Owed in 20263.6Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present0.5DHProfileAge32PositionRPB/TL/LLast Rank38FitsATL, PHI, WSHDeal likelihood🟢Value: Late-game lefty with a spotty injury history Minter has remained effective when he’s on the big-league mound, though that’s been far less frequent than he’d like over the past two-plus seasons. He missed the end of 2024 with Atlanta because of hip surgery, then missed 13 months with New York because of lat surgery. The injuries have taken a toll on his velocity, which has dipped about 2 miles per hour from where it was in 2024. But for a team looking for a late-game lefty, Minter is among the best options. Owed in 20263.3Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present0.6RPProfileAge31PositionRPB/TR/RLast Rank46FitsBAL, CHC, PITDeal likelihood🟢Value: Starter turnred reliever with decent velocity Typically, you take a starter who hasn’t performed in that role — usually because he doesn’t have enough pitches to work through an order multiple times — and trim his repertoire to what really works to see if he takes off as a reliever. Senzatela, who was one of the sport’s worst starters last season, took the opposite approach: His mix as a reliever is expanded, with five pitches he throws at least eight percent of the time. The primary numbers are better than the peripherals right now, and he's making starter money through next season. Owed in 20263.5Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present0.9RPProfileAge36PositionRPB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsCHW, PIT, TBDeal likelihood🟢Value: Righty with a lot of red ink Brazobán is among the league leaders in Average Exit Velocity, Barrel rate, Hard-Hit rate and Groundballs generated. He does it with above-average velocity, coming from a high arm slot. Among potentially available relievers, Brazobán can serve as an opener or multi-inning swingman, giving interested clubs a high level of flexibility. Owed in 20260.3Controlled through2029fWAR’24-present1.7RPProfileAge29PositionRPB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsNYM, PHI, TEXDeal likelihood🟢Value: Former All-Star closer in a career-worst season Few things have gone right for Doval in 2026, a continuation of the struggles he's endured since landing in the Bronx at last year's deadline. The velocity is still there (98.6 mph average) and he can still generate ground balls. His xERA paints him as someone who's been terribly unlucky, with an ERA that looks a lot more league-average than worst in class. With another season of control, trading for Doval is as much as a reclamation project as it is belief that there's something that hasn't clicked yet. Owed in 20261.8Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present0.7RPProfileAge34PositionRPB/TR/LLast Rank48FitsBAL, PHI, WSHDeal likelihood🟢Value: Southpaw trending in the wrong direction Following three really strong years in Philadelphia, Strahm has had a horrendous start to his time with Kansas City. The ERA is over six, the FIP is over seven, and basically any peripheral stat has moved in the wrong direction. His velocity is down a tick for the second straight year, and his strikeout rate has plunged by 10 percentage points. It’s barely half of what it was in 2024 with the Phillies. He’s still about 25 innings removed from being an effective late-game reliever, but they’ve been 25 rough innings. Owed in 20262.2Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present2.7RPProfileAge25PositionOFB/TL/LLast RankUnrankedFitsDET, MIN, TEXDeal likelihood🟡Value: Prospect who's been overmatched by big-league pitching Jones, who didn't make the Yankess' Opening Day roster out of spring training, eventually made his debut as a matter of necessity. The strikeout problem that served as a major red flag as a prospect maniffested itself at the big-league level. At the same time, so did his knack for power. Whether that has room in New York remains to be seen. Owed in 20260.2Controlled through2032fWAR’24-present0.1OFProfileAge32PositionSSB/TS/RLast RankUnrankedFitsBOS, SF, TORDeal likelihood🔴Value: Superstar shortstop in down seasonThe hurdles between the Mets and a Lindor trade are high and plentiful: The shortstop is owed $160 million over the next five years, and while he’s in the midst of a down season, he’s still projected to be among the game’s best shortstops moving forward. However, New York’s season has gone downhill enough that the club is not definitively ruling out much, and the deadline can make for some surprising decisions. Owed in 20269.3Controlled through2031fWAR’24-present14.5SSProfileAge28Position3BB/TR/RLast RankUnrankedFitsPHI, TORDeal likelihood🔴Value: Middle-of-the-order bat with complex contractIf you think moving Francisco Lindor is hard, just up the difficulty with Bichette, who has player opt-outs after 2026 and 2027 as part of the three-year, $126 million contract he signed entering the season. Bichette has adapted to third base rather well, and his bat has been very good following two very poor months to start the season. He could help several teams, but it’s especially hard to settle on his value given the uncertainty of the contract. Owed in 20260.6Controlled through2026fWAR’24-present4.93BProfileAge26Position1BB/TL/RLast RankUnrankedFitsBOS, CLE, TEXDeal likelihood🟡Value: Late-blooming power threatAfter years hovering around league-average with the bat, García has exploded in 2026. He’s already set a career high in home runs with more than two months to play, buoyed by 11 in June alone. It looks like he's unlocked all of his considerable potential, which leaves the Nationals an interesting dilemma with the 27-year-old: Buy into all these changes and try to keep him beyond 2027, or sell now when the price is as high as it’s ever been. Owed in 20262Controlled through2027fWAR’24-present5.51B
