The week of the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline is upon us! We’ve seen a handful of deals thus far — Nelson Cruz to the Rays, Rich Hill to the Mets, Adam Frazier to the Padres, Joc Pederson to the Braves — but most of the market’s top names are still waiting to learn their fate. The stage is set for a chaotic few days of deal-making.
As always, this list is loosely ordered in terms of both likelihood of being traded and value to an acquiring club in a trade. Rental players are inherently going to carry less long-term value but are generally likelier to be moved by virtue of their impending free agency. Those who aren’t qualifying offer candidates are particularly likely to be flipped elsewhere. Some of those names will outrank more impactful players with a lower likelihood of being dealt.
It’s all subjective and debatable, and that’s part of the fun of the whole exercise. No one’s here for preamble, so let’s dive right into the list!
1. Max Scherzer, RHP: The Nationals are 1-5 since GM Mike Rizzo said his team’s upcoming play would determine his deadline approach, including a sweep at the hands of the Orioles and a crushing walk-off loss to one of the teams they’re directly chasing in the NL East: the Phillies. The Nats are 8.5 back in the division and 11.5 back in the Wild Card hunt. Now, the Washington Post’s Jesse Dougherty reports that Scherzer is open to trades and would waive his 10-and-5 no-trade rights. Scherzer’s enormous contract and deferred money still make a trade complicated to sort out, and he’s dealing with what seems to be a minor triceps issue. He’s slated to start Thursday, the day before the deadline. It seems quite possible that’ll be his Nats farewell.
2. Kris Bryant, 3B/OF/1B, Cubs: At the time of our last Top Trade Candidate list, the Cubs looked like they’d have no choice but to hold onto Bryant. However, their stay atop the NL Central is a distant memory following a catastrophic losing streak and president Jed Hoyer’s acknowledgment that his team will operate as a seller. This was probably the direction the front office envisioned all along after trading Yu Darvish this winter, and Bryant’s resurgent season has likely bolstered his value considerably. He can help clubs with outfield or corner infield needs, and his .269/.356/.500 slash would be a boost to the heart of any order. With a $19.5MM salary in 2021, however, Bryant could be a tough financial pill for some teams to swallow.
3. Craig Kimbrel, RHP, Cubs: The first year-plus of Kimbrel’s time in Chicago made the team’s three-year investment in the All-Star closer look regrettable, to say the least. But the now-33-year-old Kimbrel has engineered a rebound so impressive that next year’s $16MM club option now looks like a potential bargain. Kimbrel has been better than ever in 2021, pitching to a 0.49 ERA with a superlative 46.7 percent strikeout rate and a 9.5 percent walk rate in 36 2/3 innings. The salary might limit his market, but deep pocketed clubs should all have interest in Kimbrel, who very suddenly has a good bit of trade value.
4. Starling Marte, OF, Marlins: If the Marlins truly only offered a player of Marte’s caliber three years and under $40MM on an extension, it’s hard to believe they were ever serious about extending him. Regardless, with those efforts now in the rear-view mirror, Marte is one of the best and likeliest players to be traded. He’s enjoying one of his best seasons ever at the plate — arguably his best — playing good defense and running more than he has since 2018 (21-for-24 in stolen bases). He’s a rental, and not an especially cheap one with a $12.5MM salary ($4.37MM owed post-deadline), but few players represent a larger potential upgrade.
5. Jon Gray, RHP, Rockies: Playing on a one-year, $6MM contract, Gray is one of the best and likeliest rental starters to change hands. The Rockies won’t issue him a qualifying offer, but he’s a solid enough rotation piece that the bulk of contenders in the game would consider him a decisive upgrade. Not every team would view him as a surefire postseason starter, but he’s an upgrade over nearly any club’s fourth/fifth starters.
6. Michael Pineda, RHP, Twins: Every contender could use an arm like Pineda to help deepen the rotation, and if he’s healthy, he could even be a playoff rotation option for some clubs. He’s missed a bit of time with elbow inflammation this year but returned from the IL to toss five innings of one-run ball against the White Sox. He’ll be owed $3.5MM post-deadline and has an overall 3.86 ERA, 21.5 percent strikeout rate and 5.4 percent walk rate. This is what solid deadline rentals look like.
7. Trevor Story, SS, Rockies: Story is only listed below Gray because the Rockies know they can at least get a compensatory draft pick if they make him a qualifying offer, which creates the slight chance they’ll simply hold him. That still seems unlikely, however, as Story won’t be re-signing in Colorado and is one of the best bats available on a thin trade market for infield upgrades. He isn’t having a great season, but Story’s track record alone will create interest.
8. Tyler Anderson, LHP, Pirates: The Bucs signed Anderson to soak up some starts in the first half and, ideally, move him for a modest deadline return. With 103 1/3 innings of 4.35 ERA ball spread across 18 starts, Anderson has done just that. If you throw out a nine-run meltdown in Atlanta, the ERA plummets to 3.93 in his 17 other starts. Anderson doesn’t miss tons of bats, but he’s shown excellent control while generally limiting hard contact. He won’t be a headline-grabbing addition, but for a team looking to affordably stabilize a back-of-the-rotation carousel, Anderson and his $2.5MM base salary ought to be appealing.
9. Kyle Gibson, RHP, Rangers: The latest “surprise” three-year rotation signing by the Rangers to have turned into a bargain, Gibson is durable, effective and affordable. Among pitchers controlled beyond the 2021 season, Gibson is the likeliest to be traded. It should be noted that he’s had a trio of poorly timed rough outings, but no team was going to believe he’d sustain the sub-2.00 ERA he carried into July anyhow. He’s earning $8MM next year, and most contending clubs would be pleased to plug him into the middle of the rotation.
10. Richard Rodriguez, RHP, Pirates: He’s not overpowering from a velocity standpoint, but Rodriguez has outstanding command and the ability to miss bats in bunches when he’s throwing his breaking ball at higher levels than he has in 2021. Rodriguez has a 2.98 ERA, 27.2 percent strikeout rate and 6.5 percent walk rate dating back to 2018. He’s earning just $1.7MM in 2021 and controlled two more years via arbitration. Any club looking for bullpen help should have some level of interest.
11. Joey Gallo, OF, Rangers: Gallo’s name has been on the trade market on and off for a few years now, but with free agency squarely in sight after the 2022 season and the Rangers rebuilding, this is his value’s apex. Gallo is a premium corner outfield defender with a ridiculous 19.3 percent walk rate and 24 home runs. Gallo went on a tear beginning in early June, though his bat has cooled in his past few games.
12. Jose Berrios, RHP, Twins: Berrios is one of the best arms on this summer’s market, but the asking price is accordingly exorbitant. The Twins are reported to be seeking a pre-arb Major League player and multiple top 100 prospects to part with their top starter. That’ll be a tough price to pay for any rival team, but you can hardly blame Minnesota for asking, given the dearth of available starters and the Twins’ aspirations to be competitive again as soon as 2022.
13. Merrill Kelly, RHP, D-backs: Kelly isn’t a lock to be traded, given an extremely affordable $5.25MM club option for 2022. However, with so many teams looking for rotation help and simultaneously trying to duck the luxury tax, his affordable contract and steady production make him plenty appealing. Kelly had a dismal first month of 2021 as he returned from thoracic outlet surgery, but he’s quickly begun to look like one of the better success stories from that operation in recent memory. In his past 18 starts, Kelly owns a 3.79 ERA (3.59 FIP) with a 21.7 percent strikeout rate and 5.5 percent walk rate.
14. Eduardo Escobar, 3B/2B, D-backs: Reports of an on early, on-the-verge-of-completion deal to the White Sox proved to be overstated, as other clubs jumped into the fray and slowed the pace of negotiations. But an Escobar trade is more a matter of “when” and “where” than “if.” A free-agent-to-be on baseball’s worst team, the switch-hitting Escobar will take his 22 homers and multi-positional ability to a new team before month’s end.
15. Jonathan Schoop, 1B/2B, Tigers: One of baseball’s hottest hitters since Memorial Day, Schoop is playing on a one-year, $4.5MM contract and is on pace for his best power output since his 32-homer 2017 campaign. Since June 1, Schoop has ripped a dozen homers while hitting .335 and slugging just shy of .600. There’s some sentiment out there that a meager return in a trade might not be enough for the Tigers to part with Schoop as A.J. Hinch looks to help shift to a winning culture in the clubhouse. Still, he’d make sense for clubs who covet a right-handed-hitting infielder.
16. Trea Turner, SS, Nationals: GM Mike Rizzo has gone on record saying that if the team goes into sell mode, that “anything is on the table, I would think.” Trading Turner would be immensely difficult for the Nats, both due to his general excellence and the team’s perennial win-now mindset. But MLB Network’s Peter Gammons reported this week that ownership doesn’t seem incline to extend Turner, and the 2021 season has largely slipped away from the Nationals. This would take an enormous return, but what might’ve seemed like fantasy a week ago is now relatively plausible. The Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes reported last night that interest in Turner is quite strong.
17. Whit Merrifield, 2B/OF, Royals: A perennial entrant in the July rumor extravaganza, Merrifield is reported to be “more” available than he was in years past. Of course, he was completely off limits in 2018 and almost entirely off limits in 2019, so that’s not a high bar to clear. Merrifield’s bat is coming around after a slow month of May, and he’s leading the league in steals. His contract is eminently affordable and keeps him under club control through 2023. The Royals are trying to win now, so they’ll want MLB-ready pieces in return. A trade still seems like a long shot.
18. Zach Davies, RHP, Cubs: Davies owns a respectable 4.30 ERA through 21 starts for the Cubs in 2021. That’s where most of the good news ends, however, as Davies is sporting a 15.5 percent strikeout rate against a career-worst 11.9 percent walk rate and is averaging fewer than five innings per start. The 3.5 percent differential between his strikeout rate and walk rate ranks dead last among qualified starters (by a wide margin). Davis is durable and was much better than this in 2019-20, but his lackluster results and $8.625MM salary will prevent the Cubs from getting too much in return.
19. C.J. Cron, 1B, Rockies: Cron signed a minor league deal that carried just a $1MM base salary, and he’s provided a nice return on that modest investment by the Rox. He’ll be a free agent at season’s end. There are plenty of clubs that could use a cheap rental either at first base/designated hitter or just as a right-handed bat off the bench. Cron, as usual, has held his own against righties and decimated left-handed pitching.
20. Cesar Hernandez, 2B, Indians: Cleveland is nine games back in the division and five back from a Wild Card spot. They’re certainly not out of postseason contention, but with Shane Bieber and Aaron Civale sidelined, they’re sending out Zach Plesac and a collection of rookies in the rotation. Their odds don’t look great at the moment. Hernandez is on an affordable $5MM salary with a $6MM option for 2022. That option could mean he simply stays put, but Hernandez could appeal to clubs looking for affordable infield help.
21. Daniel Bard, RHP, Rockies: Bard has thrown 65 2/3 innings since making his remarkable return to the Majors last season and has posted a 3.86 ERA with a 27.2 percent strikeout rate and 10.2 percent walk rate in that time. He’s been the Rockies’ go-to option in the ninth inning for much of that time. The 36-year-old is actually controlled into 2022 via arbitration, so he could hold more appeal than many of the run of rental relievers to follow immediately.
22. Ian Kennedy, RHP, Rangers: Kennedy is the quintessential veteran relief rental. He’s having a resurgent season for a last-place Rangers club that inked him to a no-risk minor league deal over the winter. This type of scenario is why rebuilding teams sign players like Kennedy. His days in Texas are numbered. (Well, unless the Astros acquire him.)
23. Ryan Tepera, RHP, Cubs: Make all the “MVP” jokes you like after last year’s tenth-place vote — Tepera is pitching the best ball of his career in 2021. The 33-year-old’s strikeout rate is down a bit from 2020 (34.8 percent to 30.3 percent), but his walk rate has improved by six percent as well. Tepera has one of the best ground-ball rates of his career, one of his best homer-to-flyball rates and is sporting a 2.91 ERA. He’s also earning just $800K. You want an affordable rental reliever? Here’s your guy.
24. Daniel Hudson, RHP, Nationals: This is arguably the best Hudson we’ve ever seen. He’s striking out a career-high 38.5 percent of opponents against a career-best 5.7 percent walk rate. The 34-year-old’s 2.27 ERA is one of the best marks on this list, and he’s currently pitching high-leverage innings for a Nationals club that is eight games back in the NL East and 11 back in the Wild Card hunt. It’s looking likelier and likelier that Washington bites the bullet and moves some veteran players.
25. Mychal Givens, RHP, Rockies: An impending free-agent reliever with a solid track record in the midst of another quality season, Givens is an obvious trade candidate for the Rockies as they look to sell veteran pieces. He’s earning $4.05MM in 2021, and while his strikeout rate isn’t where it was at its peak, it’s not too far off. Givens has a sub-3.00 ERA while pitching his home games at Coors Field and will be owed $1.42MM post-deadline.
26. Joakim Soria, RHP, D-backs: With a 2.70 ERA and a 16-to-3 K/BB ratio in 13 1/3 frames over the last month, Soria has begun to right the ship at the best possible time for the Snakes. He’s a proven veteran reliever playing on a one-year $3.5MM deal for MLB’s worst team. It’d be a shock if he still pitched for the D-backs come July 31.
27. Yimi Garcia, RHP, Marlins: Garcia, 31 next month, has had a generally solid season but has seen a pair of recent hiccups boost his ERA by nearly a whole run. He’s still sitting in the mid-3.00s with a slightly below-average strikeout rate and above-average control. He has a 3.17 ERA in 113 2/3 innings dating back to 2019 and is pitching on a $1.9MM salary.
28. Hansel Robles, RHP, Twins: Robles might’ve looked a bit more appealing before a recent stretch that’s seen him surrender 10 earned runs in 9 2/3 frames, but as a hard-throwing reliever with late-inning experience, he’s still a candidate to change hands. Robles walks too many and has recently given up a few untimely long balls, but his overall body of work this season has been serviceable — particularly considering his $2MM salary.
29. Brad Hand, LHP, Nationals: Hand is a big name whose performance probably doesn’t quite align with his reputation among fans. It’s worth remembering that he went unclaimed on waivers at the end of the 2020 season when any team could’ve had him for $10MM. He eventually topped that by a measure of $500K in free agency, but most clubs seemingly weren’t keen on paying him at this rate less than a year ago. Now, he’s sitting on his worst strikeout rate since moving to the bullpen (23 percent) and his highest walk rate (9.8 percent). His fastball has bounced back from a 2020 dip, but Hand isn’t quite the trade chip for a reeling Nats team that some would expect based on his name value. Last night’s blown save in a pivotal game for the Nats couldn’t have helped his stock.
30. Bryan Shaw, RHP, Indians: It’s been a nice rebound year for Shaw in many ways. He’s sporting a sub-3.00 ERA with a career-high 27.6 percent strikeout rate. He’s also walking more hitters than ever before, however, and his 48.6 percent grounder rate is down about six percent from his peak. Walking 15 percent of your opponents is going to give some teams pause, but Shaw is playing on a $1MM salary, so those with luxury concerns might overlook the spotty control and focus on the salary. Again, the Indians could just hold onto all their potential trade pieces, but they’re a long shot for the playoffs and Shaw will generate interest.
31. Javier Baez, SS, Cubs: Yet another Cubs rental, Baez is one of the game’s flashiest defenders and has long been a fan favorite in Chicago. His free-swinging ways have worsened in 2021, though, as he’s punching out in nearly 37 percent of his plate appearances and sitting on a lowly .287 OBP. Baez’s power offsets that to an extent (22 home runs, .239 ISO, 105 wRC+), but he’s chasing more than ever and making contact at his worst rate since his rookie season. While some hitters have improved since the league came down on pitcher substance usage, Baez’s numbers have gotten worse. He also suffered an apparent foot/leg injury Sunday, though he sure didn’t look to hobbled when ripping last night’s walk-off hit.
32. Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Cubs: Rizzo is hitting better than he did in 2020, but he’s still a good way from his peak form. A .248/.346/.441 batting line is comfortably above league average (114 wRC+), but it’s a far-cry from the borderline-MVP level of offense Rizzo has produced in the past. He’s making $16.5MM in 2021, so while he’s a big name with a big track record, he might not carry the trade value some would expect.
33. Caleb Smith, LHP, D-backs: Smith was pitching quite well for Arizona, but his numbers ballooned after the Dodgers ambushed him for nine runs in his final start of the first half. He’s still carrying a 4.61 ERA with an above-average strikeout rate, but that ERA was at 3.45 prior to his Dodgers encounter. Smith will soon turn 30, and while he doesn’t have great command, he misses plenty of bats and has two years of control remaining beyond the current campaign. He’s also earning just $1.465MM in 2021, so he’s a possible target for teams with luxury concerns.
34. Adam Duvall, OF, Marlins: Duvall, 33 in September, is playing his usual game — big power, dismal OBP, good corner-outfield defense. An OBP in the .280 range isn’t going to appeal to modern front offices (hence his offseason non-tender and subsequent one-year deal), and his uncharacteristic struggles against lefties in 2021 don’t help his value. Still, a club looking for some right-handed pop and a nice glove in the corners could have interest. Duvall has a mutual option that’s unlikely to be exercised by both parties — all mutual options are — but he’s also controllable another year via arbitration.
35. Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Marlins: Aguilar has been rock-solid since joining the Marlins in the 2019-20 offseason, clubbing 25 homers with a 117 wRC+ in 148 games. He’ll be due one more raise on this year’s $4.35MM salary before reaching free agency post-2022, and the Marlins might look to cash in on his success right now. They could pursue a more affordable replacement this winter or turn to one of multiple in-house alternatives.
36. Michael A. Taylor, OF, Royals: Taylor isn’t a star, but there aren’t many center fielders available this summer. A .244/.302/.357 batting line isn’t much to look at, but MAT is a lights-out defender in center with a little pop and some speed. He’s also on a $1.75MM deal, making him a nice fourth-outfield target for a team looking to upgrade its bench.
37. Josh Harrison, 2B/3B/LF, Nationals: Harrison hasn’t stopped hitting since the Nats signed him back in 2020. He’s appeared in 120 games and tallied 438 plate appearances while batting .282/.357/.408 with eight homers, 21 doubles and six steals. He’s playing on a $1MM base salary and can handle multiple infield positions as well as the outfield corners. If the Nats sell, Harrison is a pending free agent who several clubs would be happy to add to their bench mix.
38. Asdrubal Cabrera, INF, D-backs: A reasonably productive 35-year-old veteran on a one-year, $1.75MM deal with MLB’s worst club? That’s pretty much the definition of a trade candidate. Cabrera isn’t a shortstop anymore, but he can play the other three infield slots. He’s a switch-hitter with a roughly average offensive line in 2021. He might not be an impact addition to starting lineup, but Cabrera is a solid bench pickup for a contender.
39. David Peralta, OF, D-backs: This hasn’t been Peralta’s best year, but he was an above-average bat each season from 2017-20 — including a 30-homer, career year in 2018. Peralta is hitting the ball on the ground and popping up a bit more often now, which hasn’t helped his output, but he’s a generally solid corner-outfield bat on a reasonable contract. He’s earning $8MM this year and $7.5MM in 2022 (that number will increase to $8MM with 150 days on an active roster in ’21). Peralta hit .290/.348/.471 in more than 1800 PAs from 2017-20.
40. Robbie Grossman, OF, Tigers: Signed to a two-year, $10MM deal this past winter, Grossman has given the Tigers some power, speed and a strong walk rate. His BABIP is down this season, but that’s largely because he’s hitting fly-balls at a career-high rate. This version of Grossman is a low-average, high-OBP switch-hitter with some value on the bases (12 steals) and average corner outfield defense. The return in a trade probably wouldn’t be huge, so the Tigers could easily hold onto him.
41. Taylor Rogers, LHP, Twins: Rogers recently had a four-run meltdown that pushed his ERA back into the mid-3.00s, but he’s sitting on a career-best 35.5 percent strikeout rate against a tiny 4.8 percent walk rate. His 50 percent ground-ball rate is well above the league average, he has closing experience, and he’s effective against both lefties and righties alike. He’s also controlled into 2022. There aren’t many more desirable relievers out there this summer. Rogers was set to appear higher on this list, but last night’s apparent finger/hand injury makes a trade less likely.
42. Dylan Floro, RHP, Marlins: Another Marlins reliever, Floro is a weak-contact specialist with strong ground-ball numbers and a passable but below-average strikeout rate. He’s walking an abnormal number of hitters in 2021 but is generally solid in that regard. He’s controlled two more seasons, but that didn’t stop Miami from trading Adam Cimber to the Jays earlier this summer.
43. Paul Fry, LHP, Orioles: Fry has quietly stepped up as a solid lefty in the Baltimore ’pen. He isn’t a well-known name, which happens when you’re throwing late innings on a last-place club, but Fry carries a 3.24 ERA dating back to last year. His 31.4 percent strikeout rate is a career-high. Fry won’t be arb-eligible until this winter and is controllable through 2024.
44. Jose Cisnero, RHP, Tigers: Cisnero went nearly five years between MLB appearances, pitching in Mexico and in the Dominican Winter League before the Tigers pulled him back into affiliated ball. It’s been an underrated move that has paid considerable dividends, as Cisnero has given them 107 1/3 innings of 3.44 ERA ball with a 26.9 percent strikeout rate against a 10.1 percent walk rate. The 32-year-old is playing on a $970K salary, is controlled two more years beyond 2021, and is averaging 97.1 mph on his heater this year.
45. Tyler Duffey, RHP, Twins: Duffey hasn’t looked like the dominant reliever he was in 2019-20, as his K-BB numbers have gone in the wrong direction. That said, he’s earning just $2.2MM in 2021 and, after giving up three runs in an inning of work back on May 20, has given up a combined three earned runs in his last 22 innings. The K-BB downturn won’t sit well with some clubs, but Duffey is a solid reliever who another team might dream on a bit when looking at his brilliant 2019-20 output.
46. Caleb Thielbar, LHP, Twins: While he’s controlled through 2024, Thielbar is also a 34-year-old whom the Twins plucked out of indie ball after a five-year absence from MLB prior to the 2020 season. He’s returned to the bigs with 57 1/3 innings of 3.45 ERA ball and a 29.7 percent strikeout rate. As a hometown guy who went through an odyssey to get back to the Majors, Thielbar is a feel-good story in Minnesota, but he’s also a cheap, controllable lefty in his mid-30s. The Twins would surely consider cashing in if someone made a decent offer.
47. Raisel Iglesias, RHP, Angels: Iglesias is fourth among qualified relievers with a 1.92 SIERA and fifth with a 34.8 K-BB%. He’s punching out more hitters than ever before while showing some of the best command of his career. If the Angels fall further back than their current five-game deficit in the Wild Card standings between now and Friday’s deadline, Iglesias would shoot up this list in a hurry. Every contending club would want him.
48. Alex Cobb, RHP, Angels: A lot of the Angels’ pitching acquisitions in recent years haven’t panned out, but Cobb has worked out brilliantly. The move puzzled many onlookers at the time, myself included, but Cobb has rebounded with 77 2/3 innings of 3.82 ERA ball, a career-best 25.7 percent strikeout rate, an 8.0 percent walk rate and a big 53.8 percent grounder rate. The O’s are paying most of his salary, so he’s only owed about $1.75MM post-deadline.
49. Andrew Heaney, LHP, Angels: A 5.32 ERA isn’t going to drum up much interest among fans, but teams are going to look at Heaney’s 20.5 K-BB% and several other secondary markers when evaluating him. Heaney misses bats in droves and will only be owed about $2.38MM post-deadline. He’s a free agent at season’s end. It’s easy to see someone rolling the dice on the strikeout and walk tendencies….that is, if the Angels sell.
50. Charlie Morton, RHP, Braves: Speaking of “…if they sell” teams and their starting pitchers, Morton is the most appealing rental arm on a Braves club that is five back in the division and eight back in the Wild Card. Atlanta’s next five games are against the division-leading Mets. A big showing will likely embolden the Braves to make some more additions, but if the Mets take the majority of these games or even sweep them, Morton and other Braves could find themselves on the block. Morton, who’s being paid $15MM in 2021, has a 3.65 ERA overall and a 2.40 mark since mid-June.
51. Drew Smyly, LHP, Braves: It’s a similar story with Smyly, Atlanta’s other one-year rotation pickup for the 2021 season. He got out to a rocky start but has a strong 2.76 ERA since late May. He’s only averaging five innings per start and is on an $11MM contract, but Smyly would be a logical target for contending clubs if the Braves fall to the Mets in decisive fashion this week.
52. Willson Contreras, C, Cubs: Contreras isn’t an impending free agent like most other Cubs on this list and can be controlled into ’22 more affordably than Kimbrel, so there’s less of a “need” for Chicago to deal him. He’s in the midst of a fine season, however, and there aren’t many starting-caliber catchers who could change hands this summer. He’ll draw interest, both as an immediate upgrade and as a potential gamechanger for a team in 2022.
53. Kyle Hendricks, RHP, Cubs: Signed through 2023 with a club option for the 2024 season, Hendricks would be one of the best arms on the market if the Cubs seriously entertain moving him. There’s no urgency for them to do that, however, and trading Hendricks would send a much different message than dealing impending free agents like Bryant, Baez, Rizzo and the already-traded Joc Pederson. Hendricks is owed $14MM in each of the next two seasons and can be kept for a third season on a $16MM option ($1.5MM buyout). The Cubs aren’t actively shopping him, it seems, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t be had in the right deal.
54. Trey Mancini, 1B/OF, Orioles: He hasn’t produced at quite the same level as in 2019, but Mancini looks every bit the part of a middle-of-the-order threat in his return from last year’s cancer diagnosis. Trading him wouldn’t sit well with fans and might not go over well in the clubhouse. Mancini is the heart of the team, and his return from stage three colon cancer has been a bright light in an otherwise ugly Orioles season. Teams will be calling on Mancini, who’ll be one of the better bats available, but as several former GMs explained in talking with The Athletic’s Dan Connolly last month, it’s a difficult spot for Mike Elias and his staff in Baltimore.
55. John Means, LHP, Orioles: Speaking of tough Orioles decisions, earlier this year it looked like Means would draw as much interest as any starter in the game. Means missed six weeks with a shoulder strain, however, and hasn’t been sharp since his return (nine runs in 11 2/3 innings). There’s no way the O’s would trade three and a half years of Means for anything less than a haul, but his recent injury and a pair of wobbly starts in his return might make that hard to come by. It’d be a surprise if teams didn’t at least try over the next few days, but Means felt like a long shot in the first place because of that remaining club control, and now the odds feel even slimmer.
56. Max Kepler, OF, Twins: Kepler’s name has popped up in connection with the Yankees recently, and other clubs would surely have interest because of the affordable five-year, $35MM contract extension he signed a few years back. Kepler had a poor start to the season, but he’s hitting .263/.325/.579 with seven homers in July, boosting his season line to .219/.305/.458. He’s an impact defender in right field who can also handle center. Outfield is a position of depth/strength for the Twins, so perhaps they’d move him if they could get controllable pitching back — but the price would likely be high.
57. Bryan Reynolds, OF, Pirates: It’d take something overwhelming for the Bucs to move four-plus years of Reynolds when he’s already set a new career-best in home runs and is sitting just shy of .400 in the OBP column. Reynolds has the look of a foundational piece, and at the very least, the Pirates know that his value would be just as great this offseason or next summer. There are so many contenders looking for outfield help — center, in particular — that GM Ben Cherington will allow himself the opportunity to be overwhelmed. However, it seems likelier that Reynolds will stay put.
58. Cedric Mullins, OF, Orioles: Mullins isn’t likely to be moved, but he’s on the list because of A) the impact he’d bring to a new club, B) the demand for center fielders and C) the lack of quality options out there. Baltimore GM Mike Elias won’t be inclined to move Mullins, but a team could certainly try to overwhelm him. Elias’ former team, the Astros, is looking for a center fielder. The Phillies, Mets, Giants and Yankees have all been connected to center field help. Other teams with corner needs figure to have keen interest here, too. Mullins has played like a legitimate superstar and has four years of control after 2021, though, so the asking price would be almost comical.
59. German Marquez, RHP, Rockies: Marquez and the aforementioned Berrios will draw the most interest among controllable arms, but manager Bud Black said earlier this summer that the Rox have already told Marquez he won’t be traded. A Godfather offer could always change that thinking, but if the organization promises a player he’s staying put and he’s ultimately moved anyway, that’s not going to sit well with current players or during future free agent/extension negotiations. Black isn’t the GM, but that was as strong an on-record statement as you’ll see from someone of his status.
60: Eric Hosmer, 1B, Padres: The Padres are reportedly discussing creative scenarios to get the remainder of Hosmer’s eight-year, $144MM contract off the books. It was a head-scratching contract at the time, and Hosmer has gone on to provide league-average offense in his three-plus years in San Diego. This won’t be an easy one to move, but it’s hard to blame them for looking into the possibility. (Ditto Wil Myers, if they go that route.)
Notable Names to Watch on the Injured List
Ketel Marte, OF/2B, D-backs
Byron Buxton, OF, Twins
Matthew Boyd, LHP, Tigers
Michael Fulmer, RHP, Tigers
Garrett Cooper, 1B/OF, Marlins:
Danny Duffy, LHP, Royals
Kyle Schwarber, OF, Nationals
Nick Castellanos, OF, Reds
Colin Moran, 1B, Pirates
Others to Watch
Cubs: Jake Arrieta, Dan Winkler, David Bote, Matt Duffy, Jake Marisnick
D-backs: Tyler Clippard, Kole Calhoun, Madison Bumgarner, Josh Reddick, Noe Ramirez
Indians: Eddie Rosario, Roberto Perez, Austin Hedges
Mariners: Mitch Haniger, Kendall Graveman
Marlins: Richard Bleier, Anthony Bender, Anthony Bass, John Curtiss
Nationals: Jon Lester, Josh Bell, Gerardo Parra
Orioles: Cole Sulser, Matt Harvey, Tanner Scott, Anthony Santander
Pirates: Jacob Stallings, Chris Stratton
Reds: Tucker Barnhart, Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, Tyler Mahle, Tyler Naquin
Royals: Carlos Santana, Andrew Benintendi, Greg Holland, Mike Minor
Tigers: Jose Urena, Daniel Norris, Derek Holland
Twins: Josh Donaldson, Andrelton Simmons, J.A. Happ, Alex Colome, Kenta Maeda
Yankees: Clint Frazier, Gary Sanchez, Miguel Andujar, Zack Britton, Aroldis Chapman, Gleyber Torres
Would be surprised if 20% of those candidates were traded.
Like free agency, time for fans to fanaticize how great their teams would be if they get 3 of the top guys…..money and trading assets not being a concern.
20 blockbuster trades would make this the deadline for the ages
20% of 60 doesn’t equal 20
It is only if your using Yogi Berra math.
Math is hard!
I agree. No way the Cubs are trading Bryant, Kimbrel, Rizzo, Contreras, Baez, and Hendricks. And before you ask, no Joc Pederson was not a significant trade, they got a fringe prospect. And no, Andrew Chafin was not a significant trade. They got TWO fringe prospects. A 26 year old in AAA for the first time and a pitcher with a 6+ ERA in low-A ball. But everyone is 100% sure the cubs are full sell, tank, whatever you want to call it mode and wont try to win again until 2026.
i wouldnt call Chafin insignificant. he qas quite effevtive this year and Diechman, while no superprospect, was certainly of decent regard.
Bryant and Kimbrel will be gone, but I think everyone else stays.
Chafin and Pederson were both significant pieces on the Cubs. They aren’t moving a Setup man and a starting left fielder and calling it quits. Ball and Deichmann could both see action in Wrigley this year. Bryant and Kimbrel are all but gone.
You clown. Ball is hitting .100 in high A this season? And he is going to replace Rizzo at first base? Yeah right. Chafin, was useful for the Cubs, I’ll give you that but he was on a one year deal. Pederson was on a one year deal and not doing so good. His trade value was a fringe prospect and you call him a significant piece? Clown comment.
Did I say he was going to replace rizzo? I said he could see some action in wrigley just like Deichmann after the cubs lose pederson on top of Bryant. If they trade Rizzo the cubs are extremely thin at 1st base, weakest position in the minors. Ball probably their best 1st base prospect. The two players traded were significant parts of the 2021 cubs that fact that you don’t get that means you are clueless and a clown. You don’t trade one of your top relievers and starting left fielder if you are planning on getting back in the race. The fire sale has begun and it’s likely the right move.
You clown. So if you were GM you would call up a guy batting .100 in High-A all the way up to the majors?
The Cubs are going to get garbage for everyone except KB and Kimbrel and even then the return is nothing compared to what they could have got if they dealt him when he had time left in arbitration
I’d have Trea Turner higher than #16. If you need an infielder and a bat… #1 target.
The ranking is based on ability and likelihood of a deal
Homer shouldn’t be on the list then. No chance they find somebody to take that contract after last years losses.
Turner would be my #1 position player want.
Adam Frazier to the Pirates? First paragraph, you mistakenly wrote his former team.
I’d cut them a little slack. Mistakes happen. The writers are probably under a lot of pressure to keep the fans up to date this time of year.
Pirates traded Frazier to the Pirates and still both of them lost the trade. Pitt the seller gave up too many good prospects and Pitt buyer the prospects seem to be overmatched on the main team.
Yeah, it wasn’t meant as a criticism… I’m not that caught up in writer’s grammar, but as a writer, I would like to know if I had a content-based correction for my article. It was a heads up, and I worded it in a manner that he would catch it if skimming through the comments, which he did. The sheer volume of information in this article alone warrants a few mistakes, understandably.
@compassrose: I got a good chuckle from your post – thanks for that.
Yeah, people on here get super defensive of the writers. Pointing out a mistake isn’t a big deal.
Mad Max to the Dodgers for C Keibert Ruiz and RHP Clayton Beeter makes so much sense.
As a Nat fan I’d maybe do this ngl.
Nats get to unload a huge contract and load up on 2 great prospects;
Dodgers replace Bauer so makes alot of sense.
How awesome is it that (reportedly) the other Dodgers teammates consider Bauer a pariah in the clubhouse and don’t want him back under any circumstances. If anyone has ever deserved it….
No way the Dodgers make this trade. Max is a legend, but he’s 37 and is making $35m. No way they’re shipping their best prospect and 12th prospect for a short, expensive rental like that.
He’s actually owed 11M to the acquiring team.. a total that is deferred for 7 years.
So right now the only thing a team owes is 10M of cap tax space.
Way! They need to replace Bauer so they overpay here.
Nationals could take on all the salary to Max the return.
Or… a team that doesn’t care about the money (perhaps they are already over the cap) might just pay all of Max’s salary for the remainder of the year and provide additional “cash considerations” to the Nats that would result in a lower cost in prospects. That team might have no interest in Max beyond the three plus months remaining in the season/playoffs….
This approach might allow the Nats, presuming they want to resign Max this winter, to feel even more comfortable in trading Max away for a few months….
Wow, Bauer and Scherzer in the same locker room… brings a whole new meaning to choke. Give it 20 minutes tops. THIS JUST IN: Fox news will just talk about how GREAT the dODGERS are; CNN will compare Bauer to it’s other hero’s like Charles Manson or nANCY pELOSI; NBC will break to commerical, nothing happened here; CBS will refer us back to the violence of the ’72 Olympics; and, ABC will defer to ESPN and the talking heads they appointed as know-it-alls. Serious stuff aside, Scherzer is CLEARLY in breakdown mode, it is over, save your cash (or, your insurance company’s cash).
Agree CatuLi. While LAD will be interested in Max, his two-month rental status will drive the price. Look at the Darvish trade at the deadline in 2017 and you’ll see a much closer valuation on what it will take to pick up Scherzer.
Dodgers already have a Mad Max in Max Muncy. Someone would have to change their nickname…….
Throw in Trea Turner and I would give up Lux in a heartbeat LOL
Waiting to see what team gets burnt signing Matt Harvey.
Could be a Mets move to bring Harvey Day back as a gimmick LOL
Thankfully the crooked and penny-pinching Wilpons don’t run the club anymore. They only liked to shop in the Scratch & Dent section and “They were good 4-5+ years ago” aisle.
Unfortunately their lackeys still work the FO and medical & training staff. Cohen should have cleaned house but he is more of a Mets country club type.
Matt Harvey bobblehead!!! Fans love the bobble
Matt Harvey is the human bobblehead. After he throws a pitch, his head snaps back to the left or to the right to watch the ball go flying out lol
So The Cubs and then a few players from other teams. Awesome.
IMO, they trade deadline is a dud with few “blockbusters” occurring and not many swaps happening at that.
Zero Chance Bryan Reynolds gets traded! I mean the guy is on the way to being a star and has said he wants to stay in Pittsburgh! Him and Kebryan Hayes are untouchable unless a GM just gets silly.
These 2 will be on a Pirates playoff team.
Unless they both play into their 50s they’re not going to be on a Pirate contender
In other divisions I might agree with you and based of Nutting you might be right but no the Pirates will be ready to make a run at the division in 2 years!
Not everyone will pan out of course but
C Davis
3B Hayes
CF Reynolds
2B Gonzales
SS Cruz
All have a good shot to be impact players! If either OF prospects Head or Swaggerty develop this team will have a very good lineup. Not to mention 4 of them are really good defensively!
Pitching Contreras looks like a huge steal and a top of the rotation pitcher. Priestess is top of the rotation prospect. If Malone, Thomas, Mlodzinski become anything that will be deep! Yajure should be starting now for the Pirates he looks like he will be a player!
Pirates are an easy target to make fun of I get it. Lived here 46 years. The Pirates will be good for at least 3 years before we do it all over again or get a better owner.
Avoidlloyd75 –
Yeah, because such a large percentage of prospects even make the major leagues, much less fulfill their promise. Take a look at the last 20 years of Baseball America’s top prospects and tell me how many even made the majors.
By the end of 2022, it’s quite possible all these players are at least on the major league roster:
Oneil Cruz
Roansy Contreras
Miguel Yajure
Liover Peguero
Nick Gonzales
Travis Swaggerty
Canaan Smith-Njigba
Mason Martin
Carmen Mlodzinski
Santiago Florez
Ji-Hwan Bae
Tahnaj Thomas
Tucupita Marcano
Diego Castillo
Rodolfo Castro
Jackson Glenn
Michael Burrows
Even if only half turn out to be good players, that’s a lot of players joining Reynolds, Hayes, Brubaker, Bednar, and possibly Colin Moran, and Mitch Keller.
Let’s also not forget that’s far from the Pirates only prospects. Look at all the guys they’ll have up in 2023-2024:
Quinn Priester
Brennan Malone
Hudson Head
Maikol Escotto
Endy Rodriguez
Henry Davis
Alex Mojica
Eddy Yean
Pirates are a lot closer than many think. I know not every single prospect is going to turn out, but the Pirates have a sheer boatload of prospects that even if half, heck a third, turn out, then they’re still in okay shape.
If half from that list that includes a lot of low and mid level prospects become good players in the majors it will be a miracle. Of MLB top 100 prospects 70% make the majors and less than 20% become average or better majors league players. The percentage falls off precipitously once you pass that top 100.
So maybe 2 or 3 out of your list make it and are actually decent . Out of your list of 25 probably 10-12 of those make it and get at least a cup of coffee.
Depends if the Rays make Archer available again…
Avoidlloyd75 –
On a Pirate playoff team as coaches when their in their 70’s? Don’t see the Pirates even sniffing the playoffs for an awfully long time. Sorry to rain on your Pirate parade
Have you taken a look at the Pirates’ system? They, arguably, have the best farm system in all of baseball. They have over a dozen noteworthy prospects that should at least make their major league debut by the time the 2022 season is over. Not to mention all the other top ranking prospects that will come up in 2023-2024. They have a bright future and I think we’ll see a ton of improvement even over the course of 2022.
Dude I’ve been watching baseball for over 40 years. Do you have any idea how many super rich prospect teams have come and gone during that time? How loaded was Atlanta just 5 years ago? They had Acuna, Albies, and about 20 other prospects that would have appeared on most teams top 10 list that didn’t even make their top 20. Where are they now? Acuna panned out big time, but how about the 6-8 pitchers who had amazing future potential?
Going back to around 1994, the Mets had a future super-rotation in MLB ready arms. Paul Wilson, Bill Pulsipher, ect. All cant-miss guys. Guess what? They all missed. 3-4 years before that the A’s had future aces in Todd Van Poppel at the top of a list of 4 or 5 and none of them panned out. Just 2-3 years ago the Padres had the greatest farm system in the history of baseball, and they’re in 3rd place (even w/ Tatis turning into a generational superstar) after a majority of them have been traded, promoted, or fallen off the map due to non-performance or injury. Slow down your excitement, bro. When it actually happens, then start the drum roll
While I do agree that it doesn’t always work out, I could also make the argument that developing the farm system to the best it could be worked out phenomenally for the Cubs, Astros, Rays, and now White Sox. I’m not expecting every prospect to come up and do a Juan Soto. But to say the future doesn’t look bright simpily because “well it didn’t work out for this team during this era” doesn’t mean it hasn’t worked plenty of times in the past.
Their future is definitely brighter than it was, but to your previous post about “even half” turning into good players, that’d actually be a really high number. This is the best way for them to try to be competitive, so I’m not saying I disagree with what they’re doing or anything like that, but the bust rate of prospects, especially if the bar is “good player”, is really high, so tempering expectations until some more of them are actually contributing to the ML roster might be wise.
the other iglesias, too. the shorstop.
Yankees: Clint Frazier, Gary Sanchez, Miguel Andujar, Zack Britton, Aroldis Chapman, Gleyber Torres
Yes please on all of these. They need new blood in the clubhouse and it starts by cleaning house.
Some not all. They need to dump Cashman and Boone first.
29% is a surprise? 28% ho-hum. 29%. Holy crap!sorry Samual – just playing.
Nats fans thinking sherzer would cost Alvarez+ Baty or Mauricio lol. The guy is a rental as good as he is. They should calm down before they get mad. I’d do Mauricio+ two projects. That’s probably closer to what they’ll get. Obviously he has 0 shot of going to the Mets.
Harrison would not be a bench piece if traded. Can move around, but plays everyday and had been in top 10-15 in NL in hitting all year w/ plus d… 2 BWar already on year
Josh Harrison? Dude wasn’t even close to a top 10-15 hitter when he was a Pirate. He’s a slightly above league averge bat this year.
Yeah bryan reynolds probably won’t move with out elite talent coming back. Pirates look like they can possibly making a push in 2023. In which case he will be a part of it. If in 2022 the out look isn’t that hot.. then consider it seriously then. It all depends on how the prospects come up.
Stallings is an interesting one. While it wouldn’t take elite talent to pry him away.. it should take darn good talent with his long term cost controlled contract and quality play the return should be pretty high. a (pipleline valuation) two FV 50 area players would be the minimum I would do right now. If it looks like Davis will advance pretty quickly I might be more motivated. If this happens I feel a Reynolds move is slightly more likely to move as well.
Richard Rodriguez is surely being traded even if it is for a pack of gum. Given the sticky change and his performance dropping hard around that time.. makes you wonder. but if teams bet on him being at least a solid setup guy could get a couple fair players for him.
Tyler Anderson, another almost sure thing move. Won’t take much at all to get and will provide any team with a solid back end cheap rental.
By making a push in 2023 many of the top prospects will be getting some time in 2022 and maybe in September call ups this year.
1b: Martin, 2b: Gonzales, SS: Bae, OF: Tucupita Marcano (probably OF anyway), OF: Swaggerty, OF Cruz (probably OF anyway)
P: Bolton, P: Yajure, P: Contreras
Half those work out in 2022 they could reasonably make a push for 23
I’m surprised Jorge Soler isn’t listed with the other Royals. 116 wRC+ since June 1st.
These list are about as accurate as the free agent where will they say list. Those are not close to being accurate and large majority of those listed will remain with current teams.
Byron Buxton should be in the top 20 of this list.
Not positive on this but I don’t think they included players currently on the injured list within the “top 60” list. But I agree he would be a good candidate to trade and would certainly bring a substantial return
Why are there no Yankees on this list? They can’t possibly be buyers.
Trea Turner should be someone the NYY are looking at. His salary is low enough that the Nats could pay enough so that the NYY remain under the cap. he automatically steps into the lead-off slot, and becomes their best fielder and baserunner. And with his extra year of control, it will allow them to develop one of their SS prospects, while getting a QO pick.
What entices the Nats to do this? Or are you just expecting “out of the goodness in their hearts?”
What entices the Nats to do this?
=========================================
I’m not sure I understand the question. Are you asking whether or not the Nats would be getting prospects back? I thought that would be an obvious yes.
MPaleo –
The last line of the article reads: Yankees: Clint Frazier, Gary Sanchez, Miguel Andujar, Zack Britton, Aroldis Chapman, Gleyber Torres.
I think some of those guys would be listed in the top 60 if it were more clear-cut as to what the Yankees plan to do. Kind of on the fence right now and half of those players have very little trade value or they would be selling extremely low.
Thanks, Missed that. I skipped after the notable names to watch on the injured list
I’d add Voit
Richard Rodriguez has a 4.85 ERA and a drop of 230+ RPM on his fastball since the June 15th memo. Just FWiW
shoopie ?
I know there has been a lot go talk about Rizzo to the Sox, but I don’t know . Does anybody think this is going too happen? Rizzo seems to be having a rough year and if the Cubs are asking for to much, I would rather the Sox go elsewhere.
Sox are much like NYY, and do not have salary space. Boston has more reasons to exceed it, but someone like Cron makes more financial sense.
We’re at the cap, but unlike the NYY, we can go over the cap with minimal damage. And Rizzo is not overly expensive. His cap charge for the year is about $8.3M, and with only two months left, the RS cost is only ~ $2.7M. There are lots of ways to maneuver around that.
Dear Perry and Artie:
Please look at this list closely and choose the best 2 relief pitchers your budget and prospects can afford. If I have to see dumpster fire Quintana and his almost 7 ERA try to secure an 8th inning lead again, I may have to start watching bowling.
Please take action because I hate bowling.
– DirkG, your everyday Angel fan
Dear DirkG, We greatly appreciate your inquiry. We’ve identified two arms on the list that look promising. We’ll see what we can do to arrange a trade involving #47 and 49, Iglesias and Heaney. Thank you for your continued support.
Thank you Armaments. I think the Angels will hold onto Iglesias, but rumor is that they’ll trade Heaney for a family size bag of potato chips. BBQ or Sour Cream and Onion.
I can feasibly see #1, #2, #6 and #18 being traded then re-signing like Aroldis Chapman.
You named 5 starting pitchers ahead of Berrios and fully half of the top 20 trade candidates are pitchers. There is not a dearth of pitching that is on the block.
Realistically, Berrios (5.4 bWAR 2019-2021) has similar value to Adam Frazier (6.2 bWAR) in terms of production. If the Twins are thinking they are getting a much better return for Berrios than the Pirates got for Frazier they are going to be disappointed in the offers. I don’t think Levine is asking for what the media is saying he is. He didn’t get where he is by insulting other GMs with stupid asks.
A top 5-10 prospect in someone’s organization that is in AA or AAA (not necessarily top 100 in baseball) or a rookie that was a top 5-10 prospect. Plus a couple of mid-level high ceiling prospects. That is realistic.
With that in mind what would it take for your team to get him?
Berrios has another year of control and all reports say the Twins plan to be competitive in 2022. Likely has some effect on Levine’s asking price. Although you would be correct in saying that the offers aren’t going to get better.
Matt Harvey?!? Lmao
Michael A. Taylor is not a “star”; yeah, but, when you need a BIG play, on either side of the ball, he gets it DONE.
PS: would ANY of these guys (as they are today) make the ’75 Reds?
Maybe I am misunderstanding this list, but in what world is Merrill Kelly ranked higher than Whit Merrfield?
In likelihood of being traded.
Bryant #2 and easily the Scrubs worst return. Jesus Hoyer is trash.