We’re less than a month from the August 2 trade deadline, and the outlook for a good portion of the league has rounded into focus. MLBTR has compiled its initial list of the top 50 deadline trade candidates, a list that’ll be updated at least once as July nears its end.
As always, this list is loosely ordered in terms of both likelihood of being traded and value to an acquiring club. 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. Some controllable stars at the back of the list would be marquee acquisitions if made available, but they’re far less likely to change teams than anyone in the top 15. There’s an inherent subjectivity in striking that balance, of course.
It’s worth pointing out that while many teams can be clearly bucketed into “buyer” or “seller” already, some club’s directions remain subject to how they play over the next few weeks. At the start of last July, teams like the Nationals and Cubs were close enough to contention they weren’t obvious sellers. After a month of poor play, both teams moved plenty of high-profile players.
The Giants, Mariners, Marlins, Angels, and Rangers are among those who find themselves in that middle ground as of today. San Francisco, as an example, has slumped of late and enters play Friday just a game above .500. They’re nevertheless only two out in the Wild Card standings and are coming off a 107-win season, so it’s likely the front office will try to give this core an opportunity to iron things out. Should they continue to scuffle over the next three weeks, they may be more defined sellers. Seattle, Miami, the Angels and Texas could all find themselves in position to deal away impending free agents while holding onto or perhaps even adding controllable players to help them compete in 2023 and beyond.
Onto the list (with all stats not including tonight’s action):
1. Willson Contreras, C, Cubs:
Long one of the game’s top catchers, Contreras has elevated his offensive output to new heights so far in 2022. Sporting career-bests in walk rate (11.3%), strikeout rate (20.7%) and hard-hit rate (50.8%), Contreras is slashing a robust .274/.392/.498 with 13 home runs, 17 doubles and a triple. By measure of wRC+, he’s been 50% better than a league-average hitter and one of the 15 best qualified hitters in all of MLB. Contreras hasn’t been considered an elite defensive catcher in his career, and his defensive ratings so far in 2022 are down from their typically closer-to-average standards. He’s at -5 Defensive Runs Saved with a 23% caught-stealing rate (just below the 25% average) and sub-par framing marks.
Contreras himself has voiced a desire to remain in Chicago, but the Cubs have explored extension parameters in the past with no deal coming to fruition. Now this close to the open market, Contreras feels all but certain to change teams between now and Aug. 2, which will formally turn the page on the 2016 championship core. Trades of frontline catchers during a season are rare — learning a new pitching staff on the fly, midseason, is no small task — so the Contreras trade doesn’t have much recent precedent.
Contractual details: $9.6MM salary, free agent at season’s end
2. Andrew Benintendi, OF, Royals:
The Royals, buried at 20 games under .500 in a relatively weak division, have been working to move past their rebuild for two years. Benintendi’s very presence on the roster is proof of that, as he was one of several win-now moves made by the Kansas City front office in recent years. The big-picture goal hasn’t worked out, but Benintendi’s acquisition has been generally successful. The former first-rounder and top prospect plateaued with the Red Sox in 2019 and cratered in 2020, but he had a solid 2021 season and is in the midst of an excellent campaign at the plate. In 336 plate appearances, Benintendi is hitting .316/.387/.404 — about 29% better than league average, by measure of wRC+. His .363 average on balls in play screams for some regression, but a career-low 13.7% strikeout rate and resurgent 10.4% walk rate are both positives in his favor.
While Benintendi is best-suited for left field work, he can handle center field if needed. His left-handed bat would be a welcome addition to several contenders (e.g. Blue Jays, Yankees), and the Royals are slam-dunk sellers who’ve already shipped out one veteran (Carlos Santana). Expect Benintendi to be one of several others they move.
Contractual details: $8.5MM salary, free agent at season’s end
3. Josh Bell, 1B/DH, Nationals:
A longtime top prospect whose projected power didn’t really manifest in his first few big league seasons, Bell enjoyed what looked to be a breakout with the Pirates in 2019 when he belted 37 long balls and at last tapped into that home-run pop. Looking more closely at that season, however, Bell limped to the finish with a poor second half, and a terrible 2020 showing led to questions about whether his first-half surge with Pittsburgh in 2019 was a mirage during the juiced-ball season.
That looked like it might be the case when Bell stumbled out of the gates in 2021 following an offseason trade to the Nats, but he absolutely mashed from May onward and hasn’t stopped so far in 2022. Bell is hitting .311/.393/.502 this season. Dating back to May 1 of the previous year, the switch-hitter has a .292/.376/.501 slash in 856 plate appearances. He’s ripped 37 homers, 39 doubles and three triples in that time. Bell has walked at an 11.4% clip in that time, fanned at just a 15.2% pace and has hit well from both sides of the plate. Even though the playoffs were out of the question for the Nats before the season even began, the decision not to trade Bell in the offseason could be prudent, as he might have further raised his stock in the first three months of play.
Contractual details: $10MM salary, free agent at season’s end
4. Luis Castillo, RHP, Reds:
With several of the other obvious rotation trade candidates –including Castillo’s own teammate — suddenly dealing with health issues, Castillo increasingly looks like the crown jewel of not just the starting pitching market but perhaps the entire trade market. He was slowed in Spring Training by a shoulder issue and missed the first month of the season while effectively going through a Spring Training-esque buildup, but Castillo has returned looking like his typically excellent self. Through 11 starts, he’s sitting on a 3.09 ERA (3.23 FIP, 3.67 SIERA) with a 24.7% strikeout rate, an 8.2% walk rate and a 48.3% ground-ball rate. His fastball velocity and strikeout rate were down a bit early in the year as he finished building up at the MLB level, but since May 31, Castillo is averaging 97.2 mph on his heater with a 26.2% strikeout rate.
Dating back to Opening Day 2019, Castillo has a 3.55 ERA in 512 1/3 innings and is averaging just shy of six innings per start. He throws hard, misses bats, issues walks at an average rate and possesses well above-average ground-ball tendencies. This is a playoff-caliber starter who’d be an immediate upgrade to any rotation in Major League Baseball. The Reds have balked at trading him in the past, but the demand this time around could be so great that they can’t resist. Castillo’s trade value is at its apex, and that coalesces with an arbitration salary that’ll soar past $10MM for a Reds team that has been working to cut payroll since 2020.
Contractual details: $7.35MM salary, arb-eligible through 2023 season
5. Frankie Montas, RHP, Athletics:
Up until this week, a spirited debate could be had about whether Castillo or Montas was the true prize of the starting pitching market. Some may still prefer Montas on talent alone, but he’s missing his next start due to shoulder inflammation that required a cortisone injection. The A’s haven’t placed him on the injured list yet, and it’s still possible that he could bounce back from the cortisone shot, pitch well for his next five or so starts and render this shoulder issue a mere blip on the radar. Time will tell, but the current ailment has at least clouded Montas’ outlook a bit.
Given how the rest of their offseason went, it was a surprise that the A’s didn’t trade Montas on the heels of an outstanding 2021 season in which he pitched to a 3.37 ERA with a 26.6% strikeout rate, 7.3% walk rate and 42.8% grounder rate in 187 innings. He’s been as good — arguably better — so far in 2022. Montas has an 80-game PED suspension as a black mark on his track record, but that was back in 2019 and he’s been outstanding since without ever failing a test. Since 2019, he has 497 2/3 innings of 3.51 ERA ball with comparable velocity and strikeout/walk rates to those of Castillo. If Montas is healthy, expect him to be moved. The cost-cutting A’s aren’t going to extend him and won’t get as much for one season of him in an offseason trade as they would for one-and-a-half seasons prior to the deadline.
Contractual details: $5MM salary, arb-eligible through 2023 season
6. Tyler Mahle, RHP, Reds:
Like Castillo and Montas, Mahle is controlled cheaply for another season and a half. Unlike them, he got out to a dismal start to the 2022 season, yielding 20 earned runs through his first 25 2/3 innings. Since May 8, Mahle has mirrored his quietly strong 2020-21 form, however, notching a 3.51 ERA, 27.6% strikeout rate and 8% walk rate in his past 11 starts. He still has a ways to go to bring his season ERA back to expected levels — he’s currently at 4.48 — but Mahle owns a 3.94 ERA with impressive strikeout rates and only slightly below-average command through 320 innings since Opening Day 2020.
It’s not an extensive track record, but today’s front offices will care far more about what they project Mahle to do through the end of the 2023 season than about what he did earlier in his career. And while this is a pretty rudimentary split, it’s still noteworthy that Mahle has a 4.90 ERA and 1.71 HR/9 at home over the past three seasons, compared to a 2.93 ERA and 0.52 HR/9 on the road away from his bandbox of a home park.
Unfortunately for Mahle and the Reds, he landed on the injured list this week due to what’s being characterized as a minor shoulder strain. He’s the only injured player included on this list, and that’s because Mahle has already said he’ll return right after the All-Star break. That will give him multiple starts to prove his shoulder’s health, and if he can do so, Mahle could find himself packing up his locker just like his teammate, Castillo.
Contractual details: $5.2MM salary, arb-eligible through 2023 season
7. Jose Quintana, LHP, Pirates:
An unsurprisingly popular name in early trade chatter, the 33-year-old Quintana looks an awful lot like the 26-year-old version of himself in what’s proving to be a renaissance season. The former White Sox/Cubs hurler has pitched 81 innings of 3.33 ERA ball with above-average command, solid ground-ball tendencies and an only slightly below-average strikeout rate. Quintana is averaging just over five innings per start, but there are plenty of pitching-hungry contenders who’d love to bank on five to six solid innings every fifth day, rather than wondering which depth arm they’ll bring up from Triple-A or how they’ll navigate yet another bullpen game.
The Pirates signed Quintana with just this in mind, and his $2MM salary is affordable for any team that wants him. The lefty’s 2020-21 seasons were forgettable, to put thing things nicely, but this is as good as Quintana has looked since 2016.
Contractual details: $2MM salary, free agent at season’s end
8. David Robertson, RHP, Cubs:
Virtually every contender in baseball will be looking to upgrade its bullpen, and it’s hard to imagine there’s a single such club that wouldn’t want to bring Robertson into the fold. The injury bug finally caught up with the previously ultra-durable Robertson in 2019 after he signed a two-year deal with the Phillies. Robertson made 60 or more appearances and pitched at least 60 innings in each of the nine prior seasons, but forearm and elbow troubles eventually led to Tommy John surgery. Last year’s return — first in the Olympics with Team USA and then with the Rays — was solid but unexciting.
The Cubs took a one-year flier on Robertson and have to be thrilled to have done so. The average 93.5 mph velocity on Robertson’s cutter is the highest it’s been since 2011, and he’s saved a dozen games while pitching to a 1.89 ERA through 33 1/3 innings. Robertson’s 11.1% walk rate is too high, but he’s fanned a third of his opponents this season and is sporting a 50.7% ground-ball rate — second-best of his lengthy career. He’s been lights-out this season, and Robertson has more experience in postseason play and high-pressure situations than pretty much any reliever on the market.
Contractual details: $3.5MM salary (plus another $750K of incentives remaining to be unlocked), free agent at season’s end
9. Michael Fulmer, RHP, Tigers:
Very arguably the 1b to Robertson’s 1a among this summer’s class of bullpen rentals, Fulmer is in his first full season as a reliever and has dominated in his new role. The 2016 AL Rookie of the Year’s career has been repeatedly set back by injuries, including Tommy John surgery and an ulnar nerve transposition procedure, but he’s been healthy and brilliant in 2022. Through 31 innings, Fulmer carries a 2.03 ERA with a 25% walk rate against an admittedly bloated 12.1% walk rate. He’s slowly improved his walk rate over the course of the season after a shaky start, though, just as he’s seen his velocity continue to increase (93.6 mph average through May 25; 94.6 mph since).
Fulmer, somewhat remarkably, has given up just one “barreled” ball this season (as defined by Statcast), and he’s in the 87th percentile or better in each of Statcast’s hard-hit rate, expected batting average, expected slugging percentage, expected ERA and expected wOBA. He’s been operating as a setup man to Gregory Soto this season but would be a closing option on several contenders.
Contractual details: $4.95MM salary, free agent at season’s end
10. Andrew Chafin, LHP, Tigers:
When the Tigers signed Chafin to a two-year contract this winter — the second season of which is a player option — it was with the intent of building a strong bullpen for a hopefully competitive club. With an entire rotation on the injured list and unexpected struggles at the plate from several key members of the lineup, however, Detroit has only narrowly managed to avoid the AL Central cellar. Chafin’s performance surely isn’t to blame.
Though he missed three weeks with a groin strain back in April, Chafin has been outstanding out of AJ Hinch’s bullpen. In 24 2/3 innings, he has a 2.55 ERA with a career-best 30.6% strikeout rate against a better-than-average 7.1% walk rate. His 53.4% ground-ball rate is his best since 2017. He’s been every bit as good against righties as he has against lefties. The player option effectively makes Chafin a rental, because unless he gets injured, he’s going to decline that guaranteed year and return to the market in search of another multi-year deal — which he should absolutely find. For now, he’s the best lefty reliever on the trade market (again).
Contractual details: $5.5MM salary, $6.5MM player option for 2023
11. Trey Mancini, 1B/OF, Orioles:
Mancini’s return from Stage 3 colon cancer was a feel-good story of triumph that resonated not just with O’s fans but with all baseball fans. And while the slugger had a bit of a pedestrian showing in last year’s return from that life-threatening diagnosis, he’s in better form this year, hitting .288/.355/.426. The power isn’t what was in 2019 (hey there, juiced ball!), but Mancini is a well above-average hitter whose right-handed bat would boost any lineup, be it at first base, designated hitter or in the outfield corners. (Defensively, he’s best-suited for first base.)
The Orioles are going to take a PR hit when they trade him, and the move won’t be well-received in the clubhouse. But Baltimore has shown no willingness to spend any long-term money during the rebuild, and Mancini is a free agent in a few months. (Technically, he has a mutual option, but those are almost never exercised by both parties.) The return will probably underwhelm fans, as we’re talking about a rental of a defensively-limited player, but the O’s should still get a bit of help for the farm system whenever they find a trade partner.
Contractual details: $7.5MM salary, $10MM mutual option ($250K buyout) for 2023
12. Martin Perez, LHP, Rangers:
Just as everyone predicted, Perez ranks second among American League pitchers in wins above replacement as the All-Star break draws nea– wait, what?
Perez’s second stint with the Rangers has been a revelation. He’s boasting career-bests in strikeout rate (19.8%, still below the league average) and walk rate (6.1%, well better than average). His 52.6% grounder rate is his best since 2016. Perez is wildly unlikely to keep suppressing homers at this rate — in the past decade, there are only four instances of a starter (min. 100 innings) with a lower HR/FB than his current 4.4% — but Perez nevertheless looks better than ever. There’s been speculation that Texas could try to extend him.
Contractual details: $4MM salary, free agent at season’s end
13. Brandon Drury, INF/OF, Reds:
Drury might go down as the best minor league signing of the season. The journeyman infielder/outfielder has been Cincinnati’s best hitter, slashing .270/.331/.524 with 17 long balls — already a career-high — through 293 plate appearances. He’s played all four infield positions this year (albeit just four innings at shortstop) and has plenty of prior experience in the outfield corners. Drury is barreling more balls than ever, isn’t benefiting from a fluky BABIP and is walking at what would be a full-season career-high of 7.2% (admittedly, still below average). The power isn’t only a product of Great American Ball Park, either; he’s homered nine times at home and eight on the road. What contender couldn’t use a bat like this — be it as a starter or a heavily used utilityman?
Contractual details: $900K salary, free agent at season’s end
14. Matt Moore, LHP, Rangers:
The former top prospect in baseball hasn’t had the career anyone envisioned for him at the time, but Moore has found a home in the Texas bullpen. After floundering for several seasons as a starter following Tommy John surgery, he’s embraced a full-time relief role with a 1.98 ERA, 27% strikeout rate and 52.9% grounder rate in 36 1/3 frames. He’s walking way too many hitters (13.8%), but he’s had better command over the past month or so.
Contractual details: $2.5MM salary, free agent at season’s end
15. Mychal Givens, RHP, Cubs:
The Cubs may not be good overall, but their short-term veterans will hold plenty of appeal to other teams — and Givens is no exception. The 32-year-old is doing what he does every year… which is to say he’s posting a strong ERA (3.24) with plenty of strikeouts (29.2%) and far too many walks (11.1%). Givens’ average fastball has dipped from 95 mph in 2021 to 93.8 mph in 2022, which could be a slight concern, but he’s pitching to his track record. A cheap, experienced setup man ought to land with a contender before too long, once the Cubs begin shopping their trade chips in earnest.
Contractual details: $3.5MM salary, 2023 mutual option ($1.5MM buyout)
16. David Peralta, OF, D-backs:
Speaking of track records, Peralta has bounced back from the lone below-average season of his career at the plate (2021) to post a .250/.318/.470 line with 11 homers in 258 plate appearances this season. The left-handed-hitting Peralta has huge platoon splits throughout his career, and that’s again the case in 2022 (.121/.256/.212 in 39 PAs against lefties). On the flipside, Peralta hits right-handers quite well and ranks as a solid defender in either outfield corner. The D-backs seem willing to trade some outfielders, and there’s a wave of young talent breathing down Peralta’s neck.
Contractual details: $7.5MM salary, free agent at season’s end
17. Chad Kuhl, RHP, Rockies:
The signing of Kuhl couldn’t have gone much better for the Rockies so far, as the longtime Pirates righty has pitched to a 3.83 ERA in 82 1/3 frames. That’s already the second-highest innings total of the oft-injured Kuhl’s career, though, and his typically unexciting K-BB% is once again rather lackluster (16.9% strikeout rate, 8.6% walk rate). That said, this is Kuhl’s lowest walk rate since his rookie effort in 2016, and the righty is also limiting homers at the best rate of his career. Were it not for the Rockies’ history of bizarre deadline decisions, Kuhl would probably rank higher. However, the Rockies regularly delude themselves into thinking they’re a couple breaks from contending and have regularly eschewed trading productive veterans even in otherwise lost seasons (see: Jon Gray and Trevor Story just last year). The Rox might just hold onto Kuhl, and I wouldn’t be shocked if they looked into an extension.
Contractual details: $3MM salary, free agent at season’s end
18. Jordan Lyles, RHP, Orioles:
Lyles surprisingly received the largest contract given out by the Orioles under GM Mike Elias, although the fact that said contract contained just a $7MM guarantee speaks to the aggressive nature of Baltimore’s tanking during the current rebuild. Lyles was signed to eat innings and has done that capably, pitching 92 frames with a 4.70 ERA. His ability to soak up those innings might be more valuable to the Orioles than to a contending club, but Lyles has been moved at the deadline multiple times in the past.
Contractual details: $5.5MM salary, $11MM club option for 2023 ($1MM buyout)
19. Miguel Andujar, INF/OF, Yankees:
Andujar, the American League Rookie of the Year runner-up in 2018, missed nearly all of 2019 due to shoulder surgery and has been an afterthought in the Yankees organization since. He keeps hitting in Triple-A — .316/.362/.485 in 185 PAs this year — and the Yankees keep finding reasons to keep him in Scranton. Andujar has diversified his defensive skill set, spending time in left field and at first base, but it doesn’t seem like he’ll get a real chance with the Yankees anytime soon. He reportedly asked for a trade following a recent demotion.
Contractual details: $1.3MM salary, arb-eligible through at least 2024 (possibly 2025, depending on how much time he spends in Triple-A)
20. Dominic Smith, 1B/OF, Mets:
Smith was one of the NL’s best hitters in 2019-20 when he slashed .299/.366/.571 with 21 homers in 396 PAs. He cratered in 2021 with a .244/.304/.363 showing, though Smith revealed this spring that he played through a small tear in his shoulder last year. The 27-year-old was the odd man out following a busy offseason of acquisitions, remaining on the roster despite no real path to even semi-regular at-bats. He received 101 PAs in just under two months, hit .186/.287/.256 in that time, and was optioned to Triple-A in late May. Smith hit .266/.347/.438 in 15 games with Syracuse and is hitting .333/.333/.556 in 27 PAs since being recalled. The logjam still exists, and upon being asked in the past, Smith has candidly said he’d prefer to play everyday, even if it meant a trade.
Contractual status: $3.95MM salary, arb-eligible through 2024
21. Noah Syndergaard, RHP, Angels:
Although the 29-year-old Syndergaard hasn’t at all resembled the flamethrowing strikeout machine was early in his career — this year’s average fastball velocity of 94.6 mph is down a whopping five miles from its 99.6 mph peak in 2017 — he’s still been a solid member of the Anaheim rotation. Through 13 starts, “Thor” has logged 70 1/3 innings of 3.84 ERA ball with a career-low 18.8% strikeout rate but a 5.5% walk rate that is in line with his outstanding career levels. The salary is rather steep for this version of Syndergaard, but if the Angels can’t turn things around, he could still help a contender’s rotation — and the Angels could enhance their return by covering some of the bill.
Contractual status: $21MM salary, free agent at season’s end
22: Daniel Bard, RHP, Rockies:
Three years into one of the most improbable comebacks in recent memory, the 37-year-old Bard looks better than he has since 2010. Rather incredibly averaging a career-high 98.3 mph on his heater, Bard has punched out 29.5% of his opponents and saved 16 games while notching a 2.35 ERA through 30 2/3 innings. His 12.4% walk rate is far too high, but Bard is also sporting a career-best 55.6% grounder rate, helping him to both mitigate some damage from those free passes and keep the ball in the yard. Even with some regression to be expected — Bard’s .229 BABIP and 82.3% left-on-base rate are both unlikely to be sustained — he still looks like a solid late-inning power arm.
Contractual status: $4.4MM salary, free agent at season’s end
23. Ian Happ, OF, Cubs:
A career that has been punctuated by inconsistency and lofty strikeout totals has begun to take a turn for the better. Happ has always been productive at the plate even in spite of penchant for punchouts, thanks largely to well above-average power and high walk rates. In 2022, however, he’s begun to move away from the three-true-outcome mold, lowering his strikeout rate to a 20.7% mark that sits nearly nine percentage points shy of last year’s 29.2% mark (and even further below the 30.8% rate he took into the 2022 season). Happ is still hitting for some power (eight homers, .175 ISO), and his .279/.377/.454 batting line is 31% better than league average, per wRC+.
A switch-hitter, Happ has been far better from the left side of the plate but is above-average even from his “weaker” side. He can play an above-average left field, handle center or second base if needed, and is batting .282/.371/.506 dating back to Aug. 1, 2021 (552 PAs). The Cubs don’t need to trade Happ, but his value is at its peak.
Contractual status: $6.85MM salary, arb-eligible through 2023
24. Whit Merrifield, 2B/OF, Royals:
Merrifield’s name has been in trade rumors forever, and while GM-turned-president-of-baseball-ops Dayton Moore has expressly stated in the past that Merrifield is off limits, Kansas City is reportedly more open to a deal in 2022 than at any point in the past. Of course, Merrifield’s peak value looks to have passed. While he’s controlled into next season, the two-time AL hits leader and three-time AL stolen base leader is hitting just .236/.288/.322 in 365 PAs this season. Merrifield’s track record is exceptional, but this is the worst season of his career thus far. His exit velocity, hard-hit rate, strikeout rate and walk rate are still in line with his halcyon days, but Merrifield is hitting fewer line drives and more harmless flies than ever before.
Contractual details: $7MM salary, $2.75MM in 2023 (plus $4MM of bonuses/escalators), $18MM mutual option for 2024 ($500K buyout)
25. Nelson Cruz, DH, Nationals:
Cruz has been the gold standard for designated hitters for upwards of a decade, but the 41-year-old slugger is finally showing his age a bit in 2022. He’s posted a .288/.364/.445 slash in 215 plate appearances since a miserable start to the season, but Cruz’s overall .239/.321/.365 is noticeably below average. He’s still hitting the snot out of the ball, evidenced by a 90.9 mph average exit velocity and 48.1% hard-hit rate, but way too many of those well-struck balls are on the ground; Cruz’s 50.5% ground-ball rate is far and away the worst of his career. If he can get back to elevating the ball, his bat could be a game-changer, but that’s an expensive gamble.
Contractual details: $12MM salary, $16MM mutual option ($3MM buyout)
26. Steve Cishek, RHP, Nationals:
At 36 years of age, the veteran sidearmer isn’t going to wow teams with his upside. That said, Cishek has long been a dependable middle reliever or setup man who can miss bats and overwhelm righty opponents (career .210/.280/.306 batting line). He’s affordable for any team, and this year’s 24.2% strikeout rate is his best since 2018. Cishek’s 4.60 ERA isn’t pretty, but if his uncharacteristic 16.1% homer-to-flyball ratio regresses toward his career levels (8%), he’s a solid bullpen arm.
Contractual details: $1.75MM salary, free agent at season’s end
27. Alex Colome, RHP, Rockies:
The 33-year-old’s strikeout rate (15.7%) is at an all-time low, but his 53.9% grounder rate is a career-high. Colome was never going to repeat the 2.27 ERA he notched in two seasons with the ChiSox, when his BABIP was a minuscule .211. That said, he throws fairly hard, keeps the ball on the ground and issues walks at a below-average clip. He’s miscast as a high-leverage reliever, but Colome is a decent middle-relief arm.
Contractual details: $4.15MM salary, free agent at season’s end
28. Tyler Naquin, OF, Reds:
A former first-rounder who never developed as the organization hoped in Cleveland, Naquin was non-tendered and signed with the cross-state Reds, only to enjoy some of his finest big league work to date. He can’t hit lefties at all, but Naquin’s lefty bat has produced a .281/.341/.511 batting line against lefties since Opening Day 2021. He’s a fine corner outfielder who can handle center in a pinch, and teams looking for lefty sticks in the outfield should be intrigued by Naquin’s platoon production.
Contractual details: $4.025MM salary, free agent at season’s end
29. Tommy Pham OF, Reds:
Pham started the season 1-for-26 — such a brutal funk that the most common question asked in weekly chats for a couple weeks was, “When will the Reds release Tommy Pham?” In 275 plate appearances since, Pham is hitting .271/.353/.450 with 11 homers and 10 doubles. Not only is Pham not getting cut — he could net the Reds a prospect from a team needing corner outfield help.
Contractual details: $6MM salary, $6MM mutual option for 2023 ($1.5MM buyout)
30. Donovan Solano, INF, Reds:
Let the run of Reds rentals continue! The 34-year-old Solano has barely played this season, but he hit .308/.354/.435 in 775 plate appearances with the Giants from 2019-21. The trade market is perilously thin on infield options, and “Donnie Barrels” gives infield-needy teams a veteran hitter who’s had something of a breakout at the dish since Opening Day 2019.
Contractual details: $4.5MM salary, free agent at season’s end
31. Ramon Laureano, OF, Athletics:
There aren’t many center fielders who could hit the trade market, but Laureano is an exception. With the A’s tearing down and rebuilding at a time when Laureano’s salary is climbing in arbitration, he’s an intriguing, controllable option who provides value both at the plate and with the glove. Laureano does have a recent PED suspension on his track record, which may give teams some pause. Then again, he’s hitting .246/.341/.406 (122 wRC+) with six homers and eight steals since returning earlier this year. An added wrinkle to that PED suspension is that Laureano missed enough time that he won’t be able to accrue the service time he needs to cross from three to four years in 2022. In other words, it pushed his free agency back by a full year, meaning Laureano is still controllable for three years after the current season. As such, the price will be steep — but a career .261/.336/.457 hitter in center would fit a lot of clubs nicely.
Contractual details: $2MM salary, arb-eligible through 2025
32. Jorge Lopez, RHP, Orioles:
MLBTR wrote about Lopez at length last week, and he subsequently had three poor outings (sorry, Jorge!). That’s unlikely to tarnish his trade value much, though, as Lopez is still brandishing a scintillating sinker and dominant curveball that have led to a plus strikeout rate and elite ground-ball rate as he’s emerged as Baltimore’s closer. The former second-round pick and top prospect is finally tapping into that potential, and his post-hype Baltimore breakout could give GM Mike Elias one of the most coveted bullpen arms on the market.
Contractual details: $1.5MM salary, arb-eligible through 2024
33. Joe Mantiply, LHP, D-backs:
Thrice drafted as an amateur — never higher than the 27th round — Mantiply bounced around the league on a series of waiver claims and minor league deals before eventually landing in Arizona and establishing himself as a quality reliever. He’s pitched 72 2/3 innings of 2.72 ERA ball dating back to 2021, and he’s currently boasting a ludicrous 34-to-1 K/BB ratio so far in the 2022 season. Mantiply doesn’t throw hard, but he keeps the ball on the ground and has some of the best command you’ll find in a reliever. He’s a late bloomer at 31 years of age, and with four seasons of control remaining beyond the current campaign, the Snakes don’t need to move him. There aren’t many lefties on the market though, and there’s a “found money” element to catching lightning in a bottle like this that might tempt GM Mike Hazen.
Contractual details: Pre-arbitration, controllable through 2026
34. Joe Jimenez, RHP, Tigers:
Long regarded a possible closer-in-waiting, Jimenez has had an inconsistent career arc in Detroit. He’s always thrown hard and missed bats, but issues with walks and home runs often led to ugly ERA totals. He’s gotten things under control this season, however, posting a career-best 3.16 ERA through 31 1/3 innings. Jimenez has struck out 32% of opponents, has a personal-low walk rate (5.6%) and he’s affordable enough to appeal to virtually any contender. With an additional season of control beyond this year, the Tigers don’t have to make a move on Jimenez. His trade value will never be higher than it is this summer, and his career volatility could lead GM Al Avila and his staff to seize the opportunity.
Contractual details: $1.79MM salary, arb-eligible through 2023
35. Lou Trivino, RHP, Athletics:
Many fans will look at Trivino’s ghastly 6.94 ERA this season and rule him out as a viable trade candidate. It’s certainly an eyesore, and the A’s would probably recoup less for him this summer than they could’ve last offseason as a result. There’s enough promising in his underlying numbers that some clubs would still take a shot on his rounding into form.
Trivino has a career-best 29.7% strikeout rate. He’s inducing grounders and whiffs at slightly above-average clips. Trivino has given up plenty of hard contact this season, but he’ll certainly not continue to watch nearly half the balls in play against him drop for hits. He has a generally solid track record, particularly against right-handed batters. He’s worked in late-game situations for the past few years, including a run as Oakland’s closer. The A’s certainly aren’t going to take him off the table given their competitive window. There’s a good chance he still goes this summer, ugly ERA notwithstanding.
Contractual details: $3MM salary, arb-eligible through 2024
36. Anthony Bass, RHP, Marlins:
Bass isn’t the most exciting reliever around, but he’s been a generally effective middle innings arm over more than a decade in the big leagues. He’s a reliable strike-thrower and has had a capable two-year run in Miami. He’s given the Marlins 33 2/3 innings of 1.60 ERA ball this season, and while he’s unlikely to continue pitching at that level, he’d be a well-rounded veteran bullpen presence. Miami’s recent solid run has pulled them back to within four games of a Wild Card spot, but short-term veterans like Bass could come available if the club scuffles over the next few weeks.
Contractual details: $3MM salary, $3MM club option for 2023
37. Blake Snell, LHP, Padres:
The Padres would only move Snell as a means of creatively freeing some payroll room for additions elsewhere on the roster. They’re right up against the base luxury tax threshold and loath to exceed it, but they’re expected to gauge the market for outfield help. Moving Snell, who’s playing on a $13.1MM salary but has a more meaningful $10MM CBT hit for the Friars, could clear some breathing space to take on salary in a subsequent trade.
Snell won’t have huge surplus value after an up-and-down year and a half in San Diego. He struggled mightily early in his Padres tenure, then looked the ace the club believed they were acquiring in the second half. After starting this season on the injured list, he’s had erratic control and posted an ERA above 5.00, but few starting pitchers throw as hard or miss as many bats. There could be a buy-low opportunity for another team if the Padres are comfortable enough with their rotation depth to part with Snell.
Contractual details: $13.1MM salary, under contract for $16.6MM in 2023
38. Mike Clevinger, RHP, Padres:
If the Padres are reluctant to part with Snell, who’s under contract for next season, they could view Clevinger as an alternative. He’s one of four potential impending free agents in the rotation. Making just $8MM with a $5.75MM CBT hit this season, Clevinger wouldn’t clear as much room against the tax. Yet that affordability should also make it easier to find a taker for him than it’d be to move Snell, and San Diego has plenty of starting pitching for the stretch run. Clevinger missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he’s returned with a 3.34 ERA and slightly above-average strikeout and walk numbers through his first nine starts of the year.
Contractual details: $8MM salary, free agent at season’s end
39. Joey Gallo, OF, Yankees:
One of the Yankees’ big ticket acquisitions last summer, Gallo’s 12 months in the Bronx has been a disappointment. He has a .162/.294/.369 line in 462 plate appearances since the trade, striking out in just under 40% of his trips. He’s a quality defensive corner outfielder and baserunner, and his huge power potential allows him to carry a lineup when he’s on. All that said, there’s no sugarcoating how lost he’s looked at the plate for virtually the entirety of his time in pinstripes.
The Yankees would certainly be selling low were they to move Gallo at the deadline. They won’t fetch a strong prospect return, and moving him for little more than salary relief would smart after they sent five prospects to land him last summer. He’s not performed anywhere near the level the club had envisioned, though, and they’ve already begun to explore the market for possible outfield upgrades. It may just be time for a change of scenery.
Contractual details: $10.275MM salary, free agent at season’s end
40. Michael A. Taylor, OF, Royals:
MLBTR’s Darragh McDonald recently covered Taylor’s trade candidacy at length. A Gold Glove caliber center fielder, Taylor’s hitting at a career-best .265/.345/.388 level while cutting back on strikeouts that have some long given him trouble. In what could be a very sparse market for true center fielders, there’s decent appeal for contenders looking for help at the position. Taylor is under contact for $4.5MM next season, so the Royals don’t have to deal him. With no hope of competing this season, this will be their best chance to recoup a decent prospect return though.
Contractual details: $4.5MM salary, under contract for $4.5MM in 2023
41. Sean Murphy, C, Athletics:
As with Laureano, the price to get the A’s to pull the trigger on Murphy will be hefty. A franchise catcher controllable for three and a half seasons, he could certainly stick around in the Bay Area. He’s headed into his first season of arbitration eligibility at the end of the year, and Oakland’s acquisition of top catching prospect Shea Langeliers in the Matt Olson trade could increase their willingness to deal Murphy.
If he’s available, the 27-year-old would find plenty of demand. His .225/.294/.397 line doesn’t look like much at first glance, but it’s better than the .223/.292/.363 league mark for catchers. The greater appeal is what Murphy offers behind the plate. Owner of an elite arm and consistently strong pitch framing numbers, he’s easily a plus defender.
Contractual details: Pre-arbitration, controllable through 2025
42. Anthony Santander, OF, Orioles:
Santander is having a nice first half, drawing walks at a career-best rate en route to a .239/.323/.425 line. A switch-hitter with power from both sides of the plate, he’s a sensible target for clubs looking to add some offense to the corner outfield. Santander’s .261/.315/.575 showing during the shortened 2020 season looks like an outlier. The O’s aren’t likely to see him as an untouchable member of the long-term core, but he’s an above-average hitter controllable for the next two and a half seasons.
Contractual details: $3.15MM salary, arbitration-eligible through 2024
43. Brad Keller, RHP, Royals:
Keller’s a generally low-variance back-end starter. The Royals nabbed him in the Rule 5 draft a few years ago, and they’ve been rewarded with durability and capable if not overwhelming innings. Keller doesn’t miss many bats, but he throws a fair number of strikes and racks up ground-balls. After an outlier 5.39 ERA last season, he’s bounced back with a 4.37 mark through 16 starts. Like Merrifield and Taylor, he’s controllable through 2023 but could move if Kansas City considers a more drastic roster shakeup.
Contractual details: $4.825MM salary, arbitration-eligible through 2023
44. Madison Bumgarner, LHP, D-backs:
The D-Backs would surely love the opportunity to get out from the final two and a half seasons of Bumgarner’s contract. The five-year, $85MM investment was a significant gamble for the low-payroll club, one that hasn’t paid off. Bumgarner saw his velocity and strikeout numbers tumble through his first two seasons in the desert, but he’s seen his fastball climb back to the levels he reached late during his time with the Giants.
Bumgarner throws plenty of strikes and earned a reputation as a postseason warrior in leading San Francisco to a title in 2014. That mystique paired with a modest bounceback (3.74 ERA through 17 starts) could lead a contender to kick the tires on bringing him in. Would anyone be willing to take enough of the remaining salary to make it worthwhile for Arizona?
Contractual details: $23MM salary, under contract for $23MM in 2023 and $14MM in 2024 (deal includes deferrals)
45. Pablo Lopez, RHP, Marlins:
Lopez would draw plenty of interest if the Marlins made him available. Controllable for two and a half seasons and only 26 years old, he’d quite likely bring back the strongest return package of any pitcher dealt this summer. Lopez has a 2.97 ERA across 16 starts and has posted top-of-the-rotation production since a 2020 breakout. Miami was reportedly reticent to deal the righty even when they were fairly far back in the standings a few weeks ago. It’s even harder to see them doing so now that they’ve pulled back within four games of a Wild Card spot.
Contractual details: $2.45MM salary, arbitration-eligible through 2024
46. Paul Blackburn, RHP, Athletics:
Blackburn has given the A’s 16 starts of 2.90 ERA this year, a surprising breakout campaign. He’s not a strikeout artist, but he’s long had plus control and ground-ball numbers and he’s working with career-best velocity (91.8 MPH on average) on his sinker this season. He won’t reach arbitration-eligibility until after the season and can hang around for three more years. The A’s won’t be in any rush to move him, but perhaps his breakout first half positions them to sell high on a pitcher who cleared waivers a season ago.
Contractual details: pre-arbitration, controllable through 2025
47. Austin Hays, OF, Orioles:
A former top prospect, Hays has been a solid everyday left fielder for a few seasons. He’s taken his game up a notch this year, hitting .264/.322/.448 and a personal-best hard contact rate. Set to reach arbitration for the first time next winter and controllable for three and a half seasons, there’s no urgency for the Orioles to force a deal. They’ll likely listen to offers as a matter of due diligence, but Hays is the kind of player they’re hoping to build around as they finally move towards the end of their rebuild.
Contractual details pre-arbitration, controllable through 2025
48. Cedric Mullins, OF, Orioles:
It’s an almost identical situation for Hays’ outfield mate. Mullins wasn’t a top prospect but broke through emphatically in 2021, eclipsing 30 homers and steals apiece while earning some down-ballot MVP votes. He’s not playing at that level this season, but he has slightly above-average offensive marks and is regarded by most public metrics as a plus defensive center fielder. He’d bring back a massive return, but with three and a half seasons of remaining control himself, it’s unlikely the Orioles make a move.
Contractual details pre-arbitration, controllable through 2025
49. Bryan Reynolds, OF, Pirates:
Reynolds is roughly the Pirates’ equivalent of Mullins. Reynolds is the superior hitter but probably not the same caliber of defender. Nevertheless, he’s likewise a franchise center fielder who cemented himself as a star last year and has three-plus seasons of remaining control. Pittsburgh, like Baltimore, is slowly moving away from a rebuild and has set a mammoth asking price on Reynolds in the past. That’s unlikely to change this summer, and while he’ll again draw plenty of calls from contenders, it’s hard to see a deal coming together.
Contractual details: $6.75MM salaries from 2022-23, arbitration-eligible through 2025
50. David Bednar, RP, Pirates:
Bednar comes with an even longer window of club control than Reynolds, as he can be kept around through 2026. The big right-hander has broken out as Pittsburgh’s closer since being acquired over the 2020-21 offseason. He owns a 2.26 ERA while holding opponents to a .187/.255/.321 line in just shy of 100 frames over the past year and a half. He’s already 27 and relief pitching’s volatile enough the Bucs would probably listen to offers, but it’d take a massive haul to inspire them to pull the trigger on a deal.
Contractual details: pre-arbitration, controllable through 2026
Underwater Contracts for Potential Salary Dumps:
- Eric Hosmer, 1B, Padres: $20.625MM salary in 2022, $13.625MM salaries from 2023-25
- Wil Myers, OF, Padres: $22.5MM salary in 2022, $20MM club option ($1MM buyout) for 2023
- Jason Heyward, Cubs: $22MM salary in 2022-23
Others of Note
Tigers: Robbie Grossman, Jonathan Schoop, Tucker Barnhart, Michael Pineda
Royals: Hunter Dozier, Arodys Vizcaino, Zack Greinke
Athletics: Tony Kemp, Jed Lowrie, Elvis Andrus, Stephen Piscotty, Stephen Vogt
Angels: Michael Lorenzen*, Kurt Suzuki, Matt Duffy
Rays: Matt Wisler
Twins: Miguel Sano
Rangers: Garrett Richards, Charlie Culberson, Kole Calhoun, Brad Miller
Yankees: Aaron Hicks, Aroldis Chapman
D-backs: Christian Walker, Jordan Luplow, Mark Melancon, Noe Ramirez, Caleb Smith, Ian Kennedy*, Zach Davies*
Braves: Adam Duvall
Cubs: Andrelton Simmons, Marcus Stroman*, Kyle Hendricks*, Daniel Norris, Drew Smyly*, Wade Miley*
Padres: Dinelson Lamet
Reds: Kyle Farmer
Nationals: Cesar Hernandez, Tanner Rainey, Sean Doolittle*, Victor Robles
Marlins: Elieser Hernandez, Jesus Aguilar, Garrett Cooper, Dylan Floro, Brian Anderson, Billy Hamilton
Pirates: Ben Gamel, Chris Stratton, Jake Marisnick, Daniel Vogelbach
Giants: Carlos Rodon, Joc Pederson, Wilmer Flores, Dominic Leone, Evan Longoria*, Curt Casali, Matthew Boyd*
Rockies: Jose Iglesias, Jhoulys Chacin, Carlos Estevez
* Currently on injured list
Hopefully some wildcards come into play bc this years list is pretty “meh”. Definitely lacking the star power.
I personally see some organizations deciding to change course and sell in the next few weeks
You could see the Giants sell Rodon and Joc if the market is paying ++ over market. They’d certainly fetch some goodies
I don’t see it happening but I just wonder if taking the trade route with Kyle Schwarber today isn’t the best long term route for Philly.
His Value will never be higher and bad fit for the team that’s badly fitted////, he’d look good in Boston
Not even a remote chance of happening. The keg with Legs is staying put for myriad of reasons. Also, he’s essentially the guy that’s lighting a fire under the Phils. This move would make the team less of a contender which they’re in a playoff spot and looking to improve by the time Bryce comes back.
The Phillies right now have the 6th spot in the NL playoffs. Schwarber stays, any minor league value they have gets offered for pitching help. At the end of April the NL east was getting ridiculed……. Now look at them, 3 of the six playoff teams from the NL east!
WampumWalloper
There are only two divisions that have 4 teams with plus run differentials at present, whether it ends up like that remains to be seen, but those two divisions have the most talent, they are the AL East and the NL East.
Every trade deadline is fun for me with or without star power. A above average corner outfield rental or adding a arm to the bullpen can be the missing piece. Trading away a rental for some non elite prospects is just as interesting as trading a star for top 100 guys for me.
Seriously — look at the Braves last year…
A lot of garbage there.
A number of players that their teams have no reason to move unless they’re overwhelmed with an offer.
The trend this year is to develop / work with your own. It’ll take some unexpected players being up for trade to make this an exciting trade deadline.
Honestly the majority of this years players traded at the deadline will be controllables. Very few rentals are on this market in my opinion. Sure their are the Quintanas and Benintendis of the market that are on fire and are pure rentals but theirs also a whole lot of Castillos and Reynolds their too. I mean I believe even the price of rentals will be higher this summer. The Royals somehow got Wyatt Mills and William Fleming for a struggling Carlos Santana. Sure his bat did start to heat up before the trade but still that’s not a bad package for someone who was struggling all year.
So which surprise team will go nuts in the second half & then deep in the playoffs this year? I have a weird feeling it’s San Diego. At some point their luck has to turn.
They’re currently 48 – 36 and on pace for over 90 wins with a roughly 83% chance at the playoffs. (Without they’re most popular player to this point) How would the Padres be considered a surprise team?
Without their*… and I said most popular because I didn’t want to commit to best, but that argument could definitely be made.
I’d call them a surprise team bc they’ve been so bad the last few weeks. Trending down, if you will…
“…Contreras himself has voiced a desire to remain in Chicago”.
Fine. Contact the White Sox.
Or he takes one for the team and gets traded, brings back some prospects, then resigns in the offseason if he really wants to be a Cub lol.
Aroldis Chapman did that in 2016.
Jose Iglesias should be higher than the also-rans. Plays passable defense and is having a good year at the plate (hitting better on the road than at Coors Field, strangely enough). Not many infield options; he’d be an upgrade as a starter for a few teams (like the Angels if they end up buying) and a good utility option for others.
The other 2 also-rans for the Rockies, Estevez and Chacin, won’t move because they are not good enough to help anybody with hopes of contending.
I think they are more likely to hang onto Bard and move Colome from the bullpen, because they are enamored with Bard’s comeback story.
Totally agree on Jose!! One of the most underrated players in baseball
While everyone was scouring over the Correa’s Turner’s Bogaert’s Swanson’s next offseason Id silently be tying to ink Jose to a 2 year deal early in free agency. Perfect Ss for a team that has an elite Ss a year or two away in the minors..
Sounds odd but I’ve stated before on here Jose Iglesias would be my # 1 offseason target if I was Andrew Friedman next offseason lb for lb
Definitely an upgrade for the Angels but they’d be foolish to be buyers.
CJ Cron?
He makes since as a trade candidate. 1 year left on contract and is playing well. However I also see the other side where Colorado’s front office believes they will be contending next year. Hard to see them overcoming the dodgers or padres or even the giants. Signed a lot of extensions that haven’t worked out also.
I honestly don’t see why Chad Pinder isn’t on this list. I mean unless the A’s plan to extend him, which I have a hard time seeing since they are rebuilding, then I could see why. To me as a rental he’s a logical trade chip
Maybe it’s because he sucks.
He’s a logical DFA candidate
Wilson C. will most likely not finish his career behind the plate and will need to learn first base and work the DH spot seeing his game calling has always been questionable…
If Kyle had not gotten injured he would be traded and most of the Cubs pen will be traded…
Simmons is going to be let go because he has no value at all…
In the end only Happ and Wilson C. Have any true value from the Cubs unless Kyle comes off the Injury List…
I agree. I do think maybe the relievers like Norris, Givens, Martin, and Robertson could fetch them a decent prospect. I wonder if they could try to dump Heywards contract with the Mets given they are open to the “buying-a-prospect” approach
Why bother? Their payroll is low right now and their farm is weak. The cubs should be doing the buy a prospect, not the reverse.
To the comment about Kyle…he wouldn’t have much/any value even if he were healthy.
The Mets have not a drop of a use for Heyward. None whatsoever. You don’t want him, why would we?
Yes David Robertson has no value at all. Wow
Uhhhhhh where is Ozuna????
Honestly Ozuna would be a fairly interesting salary dump candidate. Their might still be some power in his bat. Don’t know that it’s worth taking on that huge contract though. I believe he’s only got two years left on it after 2022. Not sure what would be owed to him though.
Braves aren’t going salary dump Ozuna at this point. He is going hit close to 30
Home runs which is still hard to find. He has the ability to when hot to carry a team for a while.
Ozuna won’t be traded during the season would affect the chemistry of the team too much
Ozuna’s OPS has been rising steadily over the last month, along with the Braves’ fortunes. Even his OBP has risen to a respectable level in the last couple of weeks.
He’s a very good bad ball hitter, reminiscent of Yogi Berra. Pitchers never feel safe with him up there. If Marcell likes a pitch, he’s just as likely to launch it without worrying about whether or not it’s in the strike zone. This can take opposing pitchers offstride after facing him.
Problems are he’s a terrible left fielder, and high salaried for a DH-only on a team with both Contreras and D’Arnaud behind the plate and Duvall and Rosario in left. The Braves are in the driver’s seat with Ozuna, no need for the salary dump this year, but happily watching him build up his power stats and trade value for the offseason when they’re going to need some extra cash for extensions (Swanson, Riley, Fried.)
On the terrible and overpaid so no one wants him list?
You do realize Ozuna is 9th in the league with 17 home runs?? He should get too 30’home runs easily.
30 home run hitters are hard to find.
WAR grades designated hitters bad. WAR also gives more credit to all around hitters with less power but higher average. Yet Ozuna on the short list that can change a game so quickly
Yeah, it grades them bad because they’re only playing half the game. Even if you ignore that, Ozuna has a 94 wRC+. He’s a dh that can’t even hit at a league average clip.
WAR probably does undervalue him but so what. At best he’s Dave Kingman in an average year. Still not good.
Remember teams have chemistry so with Ozuna he is loved in the clubhouse by a lot of players. Just was hearing that the cardinals missed Ozuna for the chemistry in clubhouse he provides.
Besides Ozuna is going hit close to 30 home runs this season he does a really good job of add length to the line up.
Baseball fans in this era in my opinion pay to much attention to batting average; fielding ability etc and not enough to home runs. Ozuna has the ability that few have and that is to come up hit a home run and change the whole game.
He’s not a very good hitter. Without the homers he’d be unplayable. Look at his OPS+
Nice to see Michal A Taylor make the list, nice target for many teams w the extra controlled year at 4 mill
Jose Iglesias never gets enough respect. Perfect bridge Ss …Rockies always tough to deal with tho
I think Madison might hold surplus in 12 months compared to nothing today – Arz holds here to maximize value as payroll isn’t a huge issue to date
And Cmon guys take Whit Merrifield off that list….you know better
To be honest I thought before the season started that Hunter Dozier would be a salary dump trade candidate but like he’s improved his stock and is on a fairly team friendly deal which might interest teams
I’m not sure about Merrifield anymore. He’s exactly the kind of utility guy that the Brewers seem to value so much. Maybe he’s having an off year, but he’s not a pure rental, and would likely bounce back with a change of scenery and something to play for. But I get the skepticism based on the every year trade mentions…
I could see the Brewers dealing for both Merrifield and Taylor. Taylor gives them the elite CF glove they had in a younger Cain and JBJ.
With the extra playoff spot more teams are going to hold and hope for a hot finish to the season.
Yeah I see this being a problem for the Giants. They’re already 12.5 games back in the division but only 3 out of the final wildcard. Unless they implode over the next couple weeks and end up like 10 games under .500 at the deadline I don’t think they can sell.
Theirs a few guys I was shocked didn’t make the list: Chad Pinder, Scott Barlow, Jeff Hoffman, Gregory Soto, and C.J Cron are just a few
Barlow is wildly underrated. If he moves he makea whichever BP he joins a load better immediately.
“Barlow is wildly underrated.”
With who?
Every FO in MLB has been aware of him for 2 years now, and he’s getting better. KC would have to be overwhelmed with an offer to trade him.
True but I think Kansas City would be more open to a deal for him this summer than in past summers with so many teams needing a closer. Maybe a team like the Orioles, Marlins, Pirates, Tigers, Rangers, etc.. goes after him since they are better teams
Absolutely correct, Samuel. One thing is for certain, the bar won’t be low to acquire Barlow! Sorry, guys. Couldn’t resist.
Start diggin’ Trout.
Soto doesnt hit free agency until 2026 and the tigers are hoping to contend in the next few years. I’m sure Soto could be had if the tigers were blown away by an offer, but they have no reason to actively shop him.
Mets should see if San Diego would take Dom Smith and Peterson for Snell
JD Davis, Szapucki and a prospect to Detroit for Fulmer and Chafin
Mauricio to the Nats for Bell ?
SD doesn’t need Smith at all…he’s worse than Hosmer…he’s just another light-hitting, LH 1B!
Who hasn’t homered in more than a year!
Meta aren’t trading 6 years plus of Mauricio for 2 plus months of Bell.
As a lifelong Mets Fan, I think the window for trading Smith for anyone of substance has closed. I like the guy as a person, but the player is more consistently bad than good! He was given a golden opportunity to shine when The Mets dumped Cano over him and he couldn’t take advantage of it.. Colorado, Philly or Yankees, he might smack the ball out a bit, but he just aint really a fit anywhere else! He’s a bench player at this point and frankly I think he probably always was! I would have been happier if The Mets had held on to Wilmer Flores.
Preller really can’t trade Snell or Clevinger unless he gets back what he gave up to get them.
And he should know better than to trade any starters at all after what happened last year.
And no, it’s not different this year…
How’s it possible to get back what he gave when the players are not as in demand, older, and less team control.
It’s either that or don’t trade them
Depends on how desperate they are to make room under the luxury tax..
ideally yes. But Adam Frazier says hi
@Brew88 and how bad does Preller look for that sequence of trades?
hated the Frazier signing by Preller. Glad he didn’t keep him though just because he couldn’t get back what he paid for him
Exactly. Preller ended up with egg on face for the Frazier trades.
Isn’t that basically sunk cost fallacy?
Do you mean he can’t do it from a PR perspective? That, I guess I could understand a little bit? You’d need to look at it as the value they’ve provided since being acquired + the return vs. the cost when acquired though, even if you were thinking about it that way for some reason. The way you’re describing it doesn’t seem to account for the value provided since acquisition. He should be willing to trade them if it makes the team better, even if it’s for less than he gave up.
1. It would look horrible basically paying 90% of the freight for someone else to acquire Blake Snell from the Rays.
2. The Padres also had “rotation depth” this time last year and then by the end of the year were giving starts to a very washed up Jake Arrieta.
3. If the last 2 starts are any indication Blake Snell is finally turning things around.
Snellzilla is 2 starts away from a > return than that…
Wild predictions Voit + Snellzilla to Boston for specs
Padres trade for Bell/or Contreras
Padres trade for 1 Reynolds/ 1a Hays or plan B Laureano
Tampa got a good look at luis castillo tonite. 7 innings, 1R, 4H, 1BB, 8Ks.
We’ll take Wander and 2 of your top 5 pitching prospects. Lesdoit!
Come on. You know the reds will accept far less than that.
Their payroll is already aligned now though and he’s controllable through end of 2023. Personally I’d extend him with votto’s contract off the books after next year but that they won’t do.
Someone else to consider for the “Others of Note” section would be White Sox OF’r AJ Pollack. To move him, the White Sox would have to eat some contract, but depending on how the team is performing, they may look for any cost savings possible. One of the few pricy veterans there on an expiring contract.
Angels should trade Ohtani for a king’s ransom. Clearly going nowhere and they have a bunch of holes they could fill and hope for better next year. Resigning him isn’t realistic and not sure how wise it would be anyways.
I’m an Angels fan but so frustrated with this team. Feel free to tear me apart, but think this would be smart for the longer term health of the org.
Not gonna tear anyone apart, but I wonder how much money is brought in just because Ohtani is on the team. I imagine they more than make up his salary on merchandising and ticket sales for people specifically wanting to see him play. Yes, he would absolutely bring back a CRAZY return… or the Angels can invest smarter when it comes to free agency (I know, we’re asking for miracles, right?)
Do you mean his current salary or what he wants? Currently he’s making like $5.5m, so that’s possible. Teams don’t get 100% of their merchandising sales though.
I understand that and I don’t have the numbers, but the amount of Ohtani merch sold WORLDWIDE, I would imagine, is huge. Even just taking a percentage of that, plus Ohtani-fueled ticket sales, plus the added viewership he contributes… I’m just guessing Ohtani being on the team is a financially profitable position. How much do tix sales and viewership fall off if he gets moved (hypothetically)?
Or develop some homegrown talent? Especially pitching.
Amen to that! The fact that baseball fans can say, “the Angels are good, but they really need pitching.” And that sentence can apply to just about any year over the past 10 years is crazy.
I’d imagine the Dodgers would give up a ton for Ohtani as they’re likely going to strongly pursue him in free agency anyway. It might not be the worst idea for the Angels to consider
Of course they WOULD, but it is difficult to imagine a scenario in which the Angels trade Ohtani to the Dodgers, even for Cartaya, Vargas, Miller, and Lux.
There are only two realistic options for this team to become truly competitive:
1.) Arte goes full Steve Cohen and buys/overpays for the depth this team sorely needs, or:
2.) Go full-scale, scorched earth rebuild and trade everyone; yes, this includes Trout and Ohtani.
Neither seems particularly likely, so the team will continue to be mediocre every year while cycling through underwhelming manager/GM combos, all while Moreno rakes in money hand over fist thanks to Trout’s presence.
Why isn’t re-signing him realistic? If any team is going to over pay and give out a massive contract it’s the Angels.
Trout and Rendon are owed roughly $70MM per year for the next few years and Ohtani could be looking for $45-$50MM per year. That would be a ton of money for any team to commit to three players, especially a team like the Angels with a lot of holes. There’s also the added factor that Ohtani wants to play for a legitimate contender
At one point they had trout Ohtani rendon upton Pujols. They can afford it.
Yes, and they were a non competitive team during that time as well. It’s not a matter of being able to afford another big contract, it’s a matter of having enough money left over to put together a competent team. Again, Ohtani is a free agent after next year and could simply choose to leave. The Angels would be much better served getting a haul for him rather than a compensation pick
And how’d that go for them? I don’t know why you’d include Ohtani in that list, since he was making relatively little money.
Because they could get a serious return for him that could jump start their real problem- Their farm system.
Daniel Norris is on IL, too. Ya’ll should add the *
I wonder if the braves might kick the tires on Drury or Merrifield.
How on earth does Steve Adams still have a job on this site with his obvious bias towards certain teams (i.e. Rockies).
Please Tim, do us all a favor and fire him.
You should ask for your money back.
Do tell us how anyone is biased towards the Rockies.
They’re hiring. You should apply.
Wait biased in a positive or negative sense? I think Steve has some awful takes, but I don’t recall any regarding the Rockies.
He’s a Twins guy. He freely admits that but honestly, I don’t see bias towards any team from him.
Angels are 8 games under .500 and looking worse with every game. Too bad they don’t have many expiring contracts that other teams want.
Thor at half the remaining cost should bring back a prospect or two though.
Giants have been fading fast, losing 11 of 14 but I don’t think they’ll be sellers at the deadline. This deadline might not be that exciting, especially if Castillo and Montas stay put.
mets were about the same before the owner spent crazy money.
Yeah. Too bad SF and ANA don’t have new owners looking to make a splash.
About the Mets gliding into the playoffs……
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
I never said they would make the playoffs.
If all the Mets pitchers got hurt tomorrow it wouldn’t surprise me.
The way the Orioles are playing now, I think you could include them among the middle ground teams. It would be nice to see them pick up a controllable starter like Pablo Lopez. Maybe Santander and Jorge Lopez for Pablo Lopez and a prospect?
That would require fully engaged ownership that wasn’t infighting like entitled Kardashians.
Doubtful Louie can stop any ownership decisions Mom and John make.. highly doubtful.
Orioles better not trade anyone if they’re in it. I don’t think they should buy anyone, but how fun would it be to roll these guys out there and call up Gunnar and DL as the additions to this team. Let’s go Os!!!
Orioles should absolutely trade Mancini and Lopez. Tate too. Of course it all depends on return.
WSox should be sellers, but they are delusional. Giolito (1.5yrs), Abreu (rental), Hendriks in a bullpen obsessed mlb are interesting pieces for contenders.
I keep saying…….
Don’t think most people realize the terrible situation the White Sox are in. You only touched on a part of it.
For sure. Stuck to WSox players who would be blue chip attractions at this deadline and who realistically could get them back good roster “retool” return needs…….decent lefty bat, better defensive glue self-motivated players, intriguing near mlb prospect or 2 since main farm system hopefuls are years away, etc.
There are also many veteran cash dump/partial dump candidates, but that won’t improve the club moving forward other than offseason payroll flexibility.
How about a manager who isn’t in a time warp, watching replays of Cardinal highlights in between Gunsmoke reruns?
It’s the roster and the farm system that’s a mess, hardly the manager.
I’d love if AA went and got David Robertson for the Braves bullpen. You can never have enough quality pitchers.
He just blew a save last night (July 9) what do thr Braves have that the cubs might be interested in?
What closer doesn’t have a couple of blown saves? He’d be a great bump for their bullpen… The Cubs want what everyone wants- young, controllable pitching.
The Angels could sell high on Taylor Ward and try to fill multiple spots. Padres, Dodgers both looking for outfield help and have deep systems.
Where did you hear that the Dodgers are “looking for outfield help”?
CT3 will be back in a few weeks. I don’t see them spending equity to fill an outfield spot.. They’ll be ‘fine.
Taylor is best deployed as a Swiss Army knife and Ward is better as an OF only player, Bellinger’s bat continues to lag.
It’s an area I’d expect LA to address.
You haven’t been paying to LA’s roster if you think they’ll go after an OF.
Lux, Betts, Belli, CT3, and now Lamb, Thompson are all OF. They’re not shopping for a position of strength
With a shortage of decent CF’s throughout MLB, one would think Ramon Laureano would just about be the most attractive player on that list.
Yet no comments about him.
PEDS
I thought the same thing about Enrique Hernandez, who made his first rehab start Thursday. All he has to do is come back and show he can run around the Fenway CF and teams will assume the bat will return. We’ve read plenty that there are no CF trade candidates–I think Boston has one, although I don’t see any Red Sox players named in this article, not even in the quick “honorable mention” list at the end.
Why would the Red Sox trade away a useful player when they are on track for a Wild Card spot?
Because Duran is the new CF and Hernandez is a free agent after the season. Hernandez isn’t going to take job-splitting very well, so he goes. The other OFs are Ref, Verdugo, JBJ and Franchy the backup (please, no Arroyo). So that’s five w/o Hernandez. He’s looking like an excellent trade chip (and, frankly, he’s given the Sox nothing this year).
I like Hernandez back to the super utility role and the sox to get Mancini
Mets: J. D. Davis
Ohtani should be #1.
To me, the Tigers are operating as if they are for sale. I don’t think they trade away anyone of note. Even though the media always seem to want the Tigers to trade away players, the Tigers’ recent track record should deter that mindset..
Unless the Tigers go in full tank mode, most of these trade suggestions make little sense. I see Grossman or Pineda, but why would they trade their bullpen, their starting catcher, and their starting 2nd, when they don’t really have replacements for them? Rodgers from what I have heard is nowhere near ready yet, and Clemens (yet) and the Castros haven’t shown they are everyday second basemen. Like I said, for the Tigers to do these trades they have to get something in return that will at least make them better next year, and most teams aren’t going to give that up for these guys.
Can we get a pack of gum for Matt Wise?
Year supply of Fruit Stripe, juicy fruit or big league chew (strawberry) rock, paper, scissors 2 out of 3 is the one your team gets.
Uh oh.
This name was designed to withstand one Josh Bell trade, but not two…
No White Sox? I know they’re underachieving but there’s a few who should or could go.
Love this type of articles. Great job!
Would love my braves to go get Trey Mancini and Montas. Maybe even a cheap decent bullpen arm. Prob a bit aggressive, especially since there isn’t a huge need for Mancini, but I love the kid and would like him to be a brave for along time
In order to justify getting Mancini, something would basically need to happen to Ozuna and probably Duvall as well. I just can’t see the braves going after Mancini (despite the fact his bat will improve most any lineup).
I agree Braves will most likely make depth moves towards rotation and infield. Outfield is pretty full with a lot of players that can’t be traded.
Braves have very little depth should either Olson or Riley go down even for just 15 days neither position has much depth.
I miss the old system with the august waiver wire and cat and mouse games played where teams below another team had try and block late season help for other teams. Sometimes the team below ended up getting stuck with a contract they didn’t want to stop other team from improving.
I also miss the full 40 man roster in September as a lot of older veterans playing in triple a have little Hope of a call up now with current system
very little available
Mike Moustakas could be added to the list of underwater contracts. The Reds would probably look to package him with any of their listed trade candidates.
Hard pass on Robertson he’s the guy you trade for then he gets hurt. I really don’t care what he’s done in Chicago there’s no pressure there. As for the rest of the list it seems rather blah to me although I love Cedric Mullins, Contreras, and Bryan Reynolds if you can get them. There’s a few other guys that are worth it as well but there’s way too many names that you know will bust.
The rangers will take snell, Pablo, pham, and Gallo. Only Pablo costs, a lot, but pay it. Probably improve their outlook from 70 to 80 wins, will be a better summer, and next year looks brighter
Arodys Vizcaíno ? According to baseball reference website he’s on the restricted list he’s not even on the Royals 40 man so I don’t know why he’s suggested as a trade possibility. I don’t even know why he’s on the restricted list. I don’t really want to trade Michael A Taylor though, because the Royals don’t really have a decent defensive center fielder waiting. Kyle Isbel is OK but I don’t know if he’s a long-term option. I know Michael Taylor is 31 but we have been trying to replace Lorenzo Cain for years and Taylor is just almost perfect.
CF has been a clown show for the Phillies all year. Almost anyone would be an upgrade over Odubel and Moniak (#1 overall pick? Thanks, Klentak!). And we need another quality SP since we can’t depend upon Eflin lasting the year.
Gonna take some serious prospects to get any number of guys listed. If the Phillies line up all their good prospects, one thing is for sure. Spending money on crowd control won’t be necessary!
A ranking of what they would bring in return would be of interest, as well.
not much value on that list. lots of bums. but I am willing to bet AA finds a diamond in the rough AGAIN! Go Braves!
angels should do EVERYONE a favor and trade Trout and Ohtani to a team with a clue and a chance. Such a shame to watch these great players waste their careers…
Padres should go for Drury and either Merrifield or Benintendi!
Padres are right up against the luxury tax they would need to move a contract back in return most likely in order to make any upgrades or make a prior trade sending a overpriced contract with a solid prospect to some team
Agreed, Hosmer and Meyers put the Padres in the same situation as last year. Nobody wants their contacts, they don’t want to pay the luxury tax so they get a Jake Marisnick instead of a Bryan Reynolds.
Hosmer has played at the same level as last year and Meyers, I beginning to wonder if he ever steps on the field again.
A simple bRef check would show that a lot of these players folks are claiming should be on the list as trade candidates for buying teams actually have a negative WAR. Who is giving up prospects for that?
The Rangers have been remarkably good at rehabbing veteran pitchers to near their best performances. While stunningly being remarkably bad at developing pitchers.
No Mariners listed? While I doubt they will catch Houston, I think the M’s may be starting to create some separation between themselves and the Rangers, Angels and A’s as they stay in the thick of the wild card race. If current trends continue, I don’t think they will necessarily stand pat.
@ Sloth. Separation from Rangers, As and Angels? I would think the goal is to get a wildcard berth, not finish 2nd in division They need to worry more about Toronto, Cleveland, Chisox and even Baltimore,
Totally agree. But how do they get there? I guess I didn’t make it clear that I think to gain that separation from those divisional foes, they will be playing them a bunch of times… and I simply don’t think those other teams are very good. Winning the way they have been, and given a number of games left versus the Angels, Rangers and A’s, it leads me to think Seattle will finish ahead in the wildcard race against teams that may not trend as well, such as the Jays, White Sox and Guardians.
They might have a very slim chance at a wildcard especially if Boston falls out.
If Bumgarner pitches well today, he will be traded. If not the Dbacks will keep him.
he is a hard sell as he has had two not so good years with a okay year this year and two years left on contract if he was a free agent end of year I would agree but I think he stays out endless diamondbacks
Attach a good prospect and eat money on next years of salary and / or take a over priced contract back in return.
MadBum had his good start today. His ERA is now 3.65 and remember he is a playoffs legend. Some contender will want him for the stretch run and playoffs. Dbacks won’t have to eat much salary, though that means they won’t get much of a return either.
MadBum had an excellent start today. His ERA is now 3.65 and remember he is a playoffs legend. Some contender will want him for the stretch run and playoffs. Dbacks won’t have to eat much salary, though that means they won’t get much of a return either.
Big game for him
The irony would be if they traded him to the Giants worst enemy, the Dodgers, Though inter-division trades very rarely happen.
Tre Mancini to the Red Sox makes a lot of sense. They could a right handed bat in RF and first base. Won’t cost too much for Chaims precious farm system.
Another brilliant performance again last night for Luis Castillo against Tampa Bay. His era is now under 3.00.
If you want an Ace for your play-off drive, he is going to cost you your best prospects. He will bring back at least 3 top 100 prospects with one under 50. Castillo is signed for another year and a half and is only making $7 Million. The Reds are in the driver seat this trade season.
I expect that you’ll be disappointed with the Reds’ return.
Would like to see the Rockies become sellers. Sell Cron while his value is at its highest, should get back someone who would be top 5 in Colorado’s system.
Only expecting Iglesias and Colome to be moved, at most. Maybe Estevez if they’re lucky. Could see them getting a AA RP and 40 FV bat as their headline returns.
More optimistic about 2023 deadline. Cron and Blackmon will be impending free agents. Marquez with 1.5 years left, and BRod 2.5 years left. Might see Rockies do a rare sell off with a quick 1 year rebuild in 2024 while their top prospects and 2022 draft picks are starting to make the big league.
I really hate how cheap Joe Ricketts is. He needs to give jed 110 mil to give to Contreras. Best catcher in baseball. He should be a Cub for life.
Tigers should be trying to sign Fullmer. With Cisnero and Funkhouser coming back next year, depth will be there, but its been too many years since the bullpen was a strength. Be a shame to have to start over now.
Benny to the Yankees seems like the best fit
Even Dayton Moore isn’t that stupid to trade with the evil empire. I hope dayton and jj makes the trade with the Padres or the Brewers. Both of those teams I would Cheer for in the playoffs. Royals fans do not cheer for the Yankees.
You don’t mention the biggest salary dump trade candidate of all, Patrick Corbin of the Nationals. They would have to eat a much larger share of his salary to move him than the Padres would of Hosmer’s salary. Corbin has been the worst starter in baseball with 240+ IP in 2021-2022 Maybe they should take on Hosmer for Corbin and send Bell plus some cash along with them. Or did you just think he is untradeable regardless of what the Nationals add to sweeten the deal.
To keep the Padres under the luxury tax limit I think the Nationals would need to take more than just Hosmer. Possibly some combination with 2 or 3 of Hosmer, Myers, Snell, Pomeranz in exchange for Corbin and Bell.
Cubs about to have a top ten farm system.
Probably not going to get that good of a haul. how many of the players are controllable and how many of them are free agents?
Happ is the only one controllable. They probably trade him if they get a top 100 prospect.
Contreras may fetch a prospect just inside the Top 100 if they pay the rest of his salary.
They’ll take what they can get for their rental pitchers. Robertson has had a good year but I would think he would get a similar return as Andrew Chafin did last year.
Matt Moore #14, eh?
“The Yankees would certainly be selling low were they to move Gallo at the deadline. They won’t fetch a strong prospect return, and moving him for little more than salary relief would smart after they sent five prospects to land him last summer.”
For the record, they sent four prospects — pitcher Glenn Otto and infielders Ezequiel Duran, Trevor Hauver and Josh Smith — not five, and they also got Joely Rodriguez, whom they flipped in the offseason for Miguel Castro.
It was a terrible trade considering what the Yankees have gotten from Gallo and what the Rangers got in return; but I thought it was worth correcting the record anyway.
P.S.
I think Ian Happ should rank higher on this list.
I look for the twins to make a move for Carlos Rodon if the giants become sellers, which would be huge
Best mid-season acquisition so far is my man Jerry snagging Carlos Santana from the Royals. Has hit 3 homeruns in two games, helped us sweep the hapless Blue Jays. Seattle on upward trajectory. Jays writers saying Santana sure would have fit nicely on their side.
Great writing
I honestly think the only two teams desperate enough to mortgage their future for a World Series are the Padres and Mets, which is why I have Contreras going to Mets.
The Yankees are going to tweak, but not make a meaningful/needle moving addition because they do not need to. Same with the Astros who keep acting like they are playing with house money since their 2017 title (and it’s working for them).
If Boston turns sellers, then they could impact a lot of teams decisions…. I.E. I could see the Phillies going in for Bogaerts and re-signing him. They also have a lot of pieces that would be considered needle movers, Martinez and eovaldi most notably.
The Angels could dump a lot of players and rebuild their farm system. Syndergaard, Lorenzen, Iglesias, Walsh, Duffy, Loup, Trevino, and OHTANI. Are the ANgels going to pay Ohtani $50M a year to go with Trout at $38M and Rendon at $36M– that’s $124M for three players. Not feasible. Something has to give.
Michael Taylor isn’t starting tonight; that’s back-to-back sits for him. Trade? Hate to see it as Isbel isn’t close to a centerfielder, even for a non-contender.