RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 3 sourcesRarely have the top 25 targets at Major League Baseball’s trade deadline been so fluid.
So, let’s do it again.
As teams bob their heads above or dip below the .500 mark, the notion of buyers and sellers shifts day to day, perhaps hour to hour. And while some of the best names expected to be on the move won’t change, others land on the list with dispatch, a poorly-timed losing streak shifting their fate.
With that, a look at the top two dozen-plus one names that could be on the move as the Aug. 3 deadline draws closer, based on their possible impact, the likelihood of their availability and the fit of their contracts:
1. Luis Arráez, 2B, Giants
You don’t hear his name very often these days, simply because his departure has been such a foregone conclusion. Yet his hitting ability combined with an .811 OPS will loom large down the stretch and in the postseason, a crucial part of a healthy offense.
2. Luke Weaver, RP, Mets
Practically untouchable in his last 17 games, giving up one earned run with a 19-3 strikeout-walk ratio. Weaver closed games for the 2024 AL champion Yankees and would smoothly take over a high-leverage role for a playoff team.
3. Robbie Ray, SP, Giants
His 4.49 FIP would seem to belie his 3.16 ERA, but facts are facts: Ray has given up three or fewer runs in 18 of his 21 starts. Like Arraez, easily movable and plug-and-playable.
4. Zach Neto, SS, Angels
Now this one would be interesting. Neto swings hard and plays hard, and should provide close to 30 home runs from the shortstop position – while offering a contending team three years of control beyond this season.
5. Tarik Skubal, SP, Tigers
He’s moved on up from nine to six in these rankings as the Tigers are once again in danger of falling on the wrong side of the buy-sell fence. Obviously, the top talent potentially on the market, but this is the American League, where nobody’s out of it until 5:59 ET on Aug. 3.
6. Michael Wacha, SP, Royals
He has limited no-trade protection and makes a reasonable $15 million in 2027. Better yet, he’s a workhorse and veteran of five postseasons
7. Adrian Morejon, RP, Padres
While Mason Miller is the high-velocity king causing a hubbub on the rumor mill, Morejon, a pending free agent, much more closely matches the Padres’ objective of playing the middle of this deadline. Morejon is the best lefty reliever who should be available, with a 1.08 WHIP.
8. Jake McCarthy, OF, Rockies
An excellent buy-and-flip maneuver by the Rockies as McCarthy has an .842 OPS (117 adjusted).
9. Sandy Alcantara, SP, Marlins
Will they or won’t they? A ghastly 12-game losing streak sent the Marlins from playoff position to below .500 and a franchise crossroads. Will the Marlins truly be serious about contending? Because Alcantara gives them their best chance to win this year and next, when he has an affordable club option. Otherwise, he’ll make a playoff-bound club very happy.
10. Isaac Collins, OF, Royals
A switch-hitting outfielder with a .344 OBP and a dash of speed? Eminently useful. Perhaps not the sexy move Yankees fans might want to shore up their outfield, but Collins will be useful for somebody.
11. Shane Bieber, SP, Blue Jays
After a litany of arm woes delayed his season debut until June 23, Bieber has been building back toward elite form, and after given up just one run in over two starts, walked six in less than an inning's work July 28. Ouch. Still, he's a pending free agent who won Game 4 of the 2025 World Series and his ’26 odometer is low.
12. Reid Detmers, SP, Angels
Neto and Detmers offer the ultimate test case for the Angels under caretaking GM John Mozeliak. Have things truly changed? Not that they have to deal Neto and Detmers (who will have two years of club control after this season) to prove owner Arte Moreno will finally give up delusions of contending soon. Detmers has been on a two-month heater, with a 3.18 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 65 innings of his last 11 starts.
13. Mason Miller, RP, Padres
We’re not convinced Padres GM AJ Preller can come close to getting a similar haul for Miller that he gave up to get him. And also not convinced Preller will trade Miller if he can’t pull that off.
14. Kevin Gausman, SP, Blue Jays
A great five-year run looks to be ending in Toronto, though Gausman has limited no-trade powers. Not his best year by any means, but Gausman can still churn out quality starts and, should he retire after this season, deserves another crack at a World Series.
15. Devin Williams, RP, Mets
An uneven season for Williams, who posted a 10.29 ERA in his first nine outings as the Mets’ season fell apart early, and a 2.93 ERA in 22 games since. Signed for two more years and $26 million, and whether that’s a plus or minus is in the eye of the beholder.
16. Tyler Stephenson, C, Reds
The loss of multi-positional Spencer Steer to a wrist injury is a bummer for the Reds and those fancying Steer, but Stephenson should be the top catcher guaranteed to be on the board. Not the guy who hit 19 homers with a .782 OPS in 2024, but he’s healthy and a near league average hitter and bats right-handed.
17. Ty France, 1B, Padres
What a late pickup by San Diego: France has 16 homers and an .887 OPS and destroys left-handed pitching. A la Miller and Morejon, might need a Padres funk to make him available.
18. Lars Nootbaar, OF, Cardinals
He missed the first 60 games after offseason surgery on his heels and has been adequate in his return, with a .716 OPS that’s near league average. A free agent after 2027, Nootbar may not fit the Cardinals’ long term . And he’s been fine in his return, OPS-ing .778 as he gets up to speed. But Nootbaar already doesn’t play against lefties, and as a free agent after 2027, he doesn’t necessarily fit the Cardinals’ timeline for earnest contention. A nice clubhouse and on-field addition for a club seeking a lefty-swinging outfielder.
19. Jeff Hoffman, RP, Blue Jays
Stung in World Series Game 7 last year and bit by hard...
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