Were now le s than a week from Thursday evening. The activity should begin really ramping up in the two days preceding the deadline, but the bubble teams that waited until the end of the month to finalize a direction are out of time. Since we began writing this list on Thursday morning, weve already seen three players who were locks to be on here , , and change hands. Naylor and McMahon would have landed comfortably within the top 10. As is the case for all our trade candidate lists, were trying to strike a balance between the players appeal and the likelihood that theyll move. This isnt purely a ranking of trade value or talent. There are players in the back half of the list whod vault to the top if it were clear that theyd be traded. Its an inherently subjective exercise. This is a league-wide summary, but we also drilled down more specifically into each team with our new series for Front Office subscribers that rolled out over the past few weeks. Stats through play on July 26. 1. , 3B, Diamondbacks ($15MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) Surez is the best rental bat available. He leads the majors with 87 RBI and trails only among NL hitters with 36 homers while running a .249/.321/.587 slash line. The D-Backs are resigned to selling after being swept by the Astros this week and already made on big trade. While they could hold Surez and make a qualifying offer, theyll be able to find a stronger trade return ideally one that nets upper level starting pitching with club control. The Mariners, Cubs, Yankees, Mets, Reds and Phillies have been tied to Surez and it stands to reason that Arizona has heard from plenty more teams on the best power hitter wholl change hands. 2. , RHP, Pirates ($15MM in 2025, $16.5MM in 2026, $18MM in 2027, $20MM in 2028) Keller is a steady mid-rotation starter who is signed for another three years. His salaries ranging from $15-20MM are notable but good value compared to a free agent market where aging or reclamation starters often command eight figures. Keller is sitting on a career-best 3.53 earned run average while averaging nearly six innings per start. His 18.7% strikeout rate is down from peak levels, but hes averaging 94 MPH on his fastball while showing plus command. Keller fits as a #3 arm and playoff-caliber starter on a contender. While reported last night that the Pirates are uncertain about moving him, hes still their best realistic trade chip to add controllable hitting talent. The Yankees, Blue Jays, Cubs and Mets have all been tied to the 29-year-old righty. 3. , RHP, Marlins ($17MM in 2025, $17MM in 2026, $21MM club option/$2MM buyout for 2027) The former Cy Young winner has had a wobbly first season back from Tommy John surgery. His 6.66 ERA and 16.7% strikeout rate through 104 innings arent close to his peak level. The lack of whiffs is a real cause for concern, but Alcantaras fastball is back above 97 MPH on average. Hes coming off his best start of the season seven innings with one unearned run and four strikeouts against San Diego in what could be the final time he takes the mound as a Marlin. Alcantara is signed relatively affordably for another season and a half with a 27 club option that could be a bargain if he manages to get on track. 4. , RHP, Pirates ($5.9MM in 2025, arbitration-eligible through 2026) Bednar had a terrible 2024 and started this season poorly enough that the Pirates optioned him to Triple-A. Hes been nothing short of dominant since coming back up on April 19, posting a 1.54 ERA with a 35.3% strikeout rate acro s 35 innings. Hes averaging north of 97 MPH on his heater and looks like the two-time All-Star closer he was at his peak. Bednar might be a hair behind the best relievers in MLB but hes a near-lock to get moved and remains controllable for a season beyond this one. 5. , RHP, Marlins ($1.95MM in 2025, arbitration-eligible through 2028) There arent a ton of available pitchers who have a top-of-the-rotation ceiling. Teams could see Cabrera as an exception. Hes a 27-year-old former top prospect with a 97 MPH fastball. Cabreras command has let him down in the past, but he owns a career-low 8.1% walk rate this season. Following a shaky April, he sports a 2.47 ERA with a 25.7% strikeout rate while walking fewer than 7% of opponents over his past 13 starts. His sub-$2MM salary and three and a half remaining seasons of arbitration control only add to the appeal. The Marlins arent under any financial pre sure to move him. Theyre neverthele s willing to hear teams out because of his lack of track record and a history of pre-2025 shoulder injuries that have prevented him from reaching 100 MLB innings in a season. 6. , RHP, Diamondbacks ($13.5MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) Gallen is another of Arizonas impending free agents. Hed also be a qualifying offer candidate if not traded but seems unlikely to re-sign. The 29-year-old righty hasnt had a good season. He has allowed 5.58 earned runs per nine acro s 21 starts and surrendered an NL-most 23 home runs. His strikeouts have dipped to a league average 22.2% rate, the lowest of his career. Teams could bet on the multi-year track record. Gallen had been a #2/3 type starter throughout his career up to this year. In a market light on starting pitching, therell be teams that believe hes a tweak away from putting things back together. 7. , 1B/OF, Orioles ($8MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) OHearn once looked like the best rental bat available. He has certainly fallen behind Surez and probably back of Naylor in that regard. OHearn hasnt done much since the beginning of June (.208/.315/.328), but he mashed for the first two months of the season. He still carries a strong .280/.374/.451 line with 12 homers on the year. He takes walks, hits the ball hard, and has dramatically cut his strikeout rate over the past two seasons. OHearn is playing on a bargain $8MM salary and almost guaranteed to move with the Orioles out of contention and needing to get a look at . 8. , RHP, Diamondbacks ($7MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) Kelly is yet another of Arizonas impending free agents of significance. He has had a better season than Gallen, working to a 3.32 ERA acro s 122 innings. The 36-year-old righty has punched out 24% of batters faced against a solid 7.6% walk rate. Its his third season in the past four years with an earned run average in the low-3.00s. If the D-Backs go scorched earth, Kelly would be a sensible target for teams seeking a #3 type starter.Kelly has already signed two affordable contracts over a seven-year run in Arizona. His age would probably limit him to two years on his next deal. He seems likelier than Gallen to be in Arizonas price range on an extension. 9. , RHP, Padres ($13.75MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) Cease has come up in plenty of rumors over the past few days, with the Cubs and every contender in the AL East among those interested. Trading one of their two best healthy starters would be a big decision for a club occupying a playoff spot. The Padres have never shied away from acting boldly, though, and theyre seemingly open to moving the impending free agent Cease while reallocating money and prospects elsewhere on the roster (e.g. controllable starting pitching, left field). This hasnt been a banner year for the 29-year-old righty, who carries a 4.59 ERA over 113 2/3 innings. Hes still striking out nearly 30% of opponents while averaging north of 97 MPH on his fastball, so therell be plenty of teams willing to bet on him returning to his typical #2 caliber form for the stretch run. 10. , RHP, Royals ($15MM in 2025, $15MM player option for 2026) The Royals still seem to be on the fence about moving Lugo, wholl decline his $15MM player option for next season unle s he gets hurt. Kansas City could hold him for a potential long shot playoff push, then make him a qualifying offer or try to sign him to a new multi-year deal. Alternatively, they could cash him in for controllable hitting talent (especially in the outfield). Lugo has mostly matched last years Cy Young runner-up performance. He owns a 2.95 ERA with slightly better than average strikeout and walk rates acro s 19 starts. He doesnt have typical ace stuff, but its tough to argue with a 2.98 earned run average in 52 starts since he signed with Kansas City. Teams would view him as a no-doubt playoff starter. Midseason trades of players who can opt out at years end are complicated, but Lugos salary is affordable enough that teams should be able to make it work if K.C. sells. 11. , OF, White Sox ($15MM in 2025, $20MM club options/$2MM buyouts for 2026-27) Robert has underperformed offensively for most of the season. Hes still a plus center fielder who steals bases and crushes left-handed pitching (.294/.422/.544 on the year). Robert has been terrible against right-handers, but he has gone on a well-timed hot streak just before the deadline. The Sox arent going to get the huge return they once envisioned, but they should pull the trigger on a trade this month. Robert is controllable via $20MM club options for two more seasons that are borderline at best. Hes probably more of a complementary piece on a contender, yet he has the highest ceiling of any center fielder who is likely to move. 12. , RHP, Cardinals ($8.2MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) Helsley isnt having his best season but remains a high-end reliever. Hes pitched to a 3.00 ERA with a 26.1% strikeout rate against an 8.9% walk rate while tallying 21 saves in 26 chances. The five blown saves are more than he had all last season, and his strikeout rate has dipped for a third straight year. The Cards wouldve gotten a bigger return had they dealt Helsley over the winter, but hell still command plenty of interest. Helsley himself said this week that while hed love to stay with the Cardinals, hes traded. 13. , INF/OF, Twins ($6.4MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) Castro is a switch-hitting utilityman who should appeal to a number of teams. Hes hitting .254/.342/.423 with 10 homers and league average strikeout and walk numbers. Castro isnt a great defender anywhere, but he can play second base, third base, and both corner outfield spots (and handle shortstop in a pinch). Hes a better hitter against left-handed pitching but more than holds his own from either side of the plate. As a versatile and affordable impending free agent on a Minnesota team that looks like a seller, he should be on a lot of teams target lists. The Yankees are reportedly among the clubs with interest. 14. , RHP, Pirates ($1.4MM in 2025, arbitration-eligible through 2026 Ryan Lindgren Jersey ) Not a lot has gone right for the Pirates in recent years, but last Junes waiver claim of Santana has panned out brilliantly. The hard-throwing righty had flashed potential at various points but never put it all together until joining the Buccos. Since landing in Pittsburgh, the 29-year-old righty has pitched 87 2/3 innings of 1.95 ERA ball with a 25.3% strikeout rate and 6% walk rate. That includes a sterling 1.45 ERA and 5.5% walk rate this season. Santana isnt piling up strikeouts this year (21.3%), but his 13.1% swinging-strike rate is a plus mark that suggests more punchouts could be in the tank. Because of his modest pre-Pirates track record, hes making only $1.4MM this year and hes controllable through the 2026 season. 15. , RHP, Braves ($16MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) Atlantas closer got out to an awful start in 2025 and had one recent blow-up, but hes still looking far more like his vintage self lately than his baseline numbers would indicate. Iglesias 4.99 ERA is an eyesore, but since June 1 hes turned in 15 2/3 innings with a 2.30 ERA and 21-to-3 K/BB ratio. All four of the runs hes allowed in that time came in one ugly outing against the Yankees on July 19. His $16MM salary is steep theres about $5.6MM of it yet to be paid out but the 35-year-old increasingly appears to be rounding into form at the right time for a Braves club that seems quite likely to sell off its impending free agents. 16. , DH, Braves ($16MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) Speaking of Braves impending free agents Ozuna also seems quite likely to go. Hes earning the same salary and thus has the same ~$5.6MM to be paid out. His season has been the inverse of Iglesias, however. After a strong start to the year, Ozunas bat cratered beginning in June. Hes hitting just .174/.266/.297 acro s his past 159 plate appearances and has lost his starting role in Atlanta. Ozuna was hobbled by some hip troubles earlier in the year but said recently hes healthy now. Its po sible, though, that his mechanics were impacted by that hip i sue and hes still working to correct some things. Ozunas track record is well known, and in a thin market for bats he should still draw interest, particularly if Atlanta is willing to pay down some of his salary. 17. , RHP, Orioles ($15MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) Mortons atrocious April has tanked his season numbers and resulted in a brief move to the bullpen. The veteran righty has been far better since returning to the rotation on May 26, rattling off a 3.81 ERA with a 24.5% strikeout rate over his past 10 starts. He looks like the mid-rotation Morton of the past few seasons, and his stuff has held steady despite his age. Hes now the top trade chip of Baltimores trio of rental starting pitchers. His $15MM salary will be an impediment to some teams, but Baltimore could pay that down a bit to get a mid-level prospect in return. 18. , OF, Orioles ($4MM in 2025, $6.5MM club option for 2026) Laureano has been a nice pickup for Baltimore on a $4MM free agent deal. He has drilled 14 homers with a .273/.332/.512 slash line in 268 plate appearances. This is the best hes looked since his strong first two seasons with the Athletics. Hes a right-handed hitter who has generally been better against lefty pitching over his career. Hes hitting pitchers of either handedne s this season, and theres a cheap club option for next year that adds to the appeal. Baltimore should take the opportunity to flip him to a club that needs a left fielder. 19. , OF, Twins ($4MM in 2025 plus $1.5MM buyout on mutual option for 2026) Baders glove remains as excellent as ever, and hes arguably in the midst of a career season at the plate. In 291 turns at the dish, hes slashed .250/.333/.434 (115 wRC+) with a dozen homers already matching his total from last year in a much larger sample of 437 plate appearances. Bader has played primarily left field in deference to but is a plus-plus defender all over the outfield. Hes 9-for-13 in stolen bases. He should appeal to any team looking for center field help or a right-handed bat to complement a set of lefty-swinging outfielders. The mutual option on his contract is a moot point; its been more than a decade since both team and player exercised a mutual option anywhere in MLB. Hell be a free agent. 20. , LHP, Athletics ($10.5MM in 2025, $10.5MM in 2026, $15MM club option/$750K buyout for 2027) The As traded a Competitive Balance draft pick (Round A), righty and a pair of prospects for three years of control over Springs this past offseason. He broke out as a strong reliever with the 2021 Rays and, upon moving to the rotation in 2022, pitched like a borderline ace for 151 innings before requiring Tommy John surgery early in 23. Springs looked great in his late-season return last year, but hes pitched more like a fourth starter in 25, with a 4.13 ERA, 18.9% strikeout rate and 7.8% walk rate in 120 innings. Even if hes only a mid-rotation or back-end arm, hes still priced well below market value and has two full seasons of control following the 2025 season. The As need pitching, but they also need younger, more controllable arms to align with their impre sive collection of young bats. Trading Springs could net just that while clearing payroll to shop in the middle tiers of the free agent pitching market. 21. , LHP, Athletics (pre-arbitration, controllable through 2028) Sears is a more affordable As starter whom the club controls for three seasons beyond this one. Theyd need a stronger return to move him than they would to deal Springs. Still, hes a 29-year-old lefty who has leveled off as a fourth/fifth starter. Sears hasnt mi sed a start in the past three seasons and has plus command. He sits in the low-90s with below-average whiff rates and gives up a lot of home runs an already existing i sue exacerbated by the temporary move to a hitter-friendly park in Sacramento. 22. , RHP, Rays ($5.72MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) The Rays find themselves on the bubble and could straddle between buying and selling. If they do, Littell is their most straightforward trade candidate. They could weather his lo s in the rotation, particularly if can make a late-season return from various arm injuries, while getting something in return for an impending free agent. Littell has elite control that allows him to find succe s despite subpar whiff and home run rates. He wouldnt be a consideration for a qualifying offer and might not crack Tampa Bays playoff rotation if they qualify. Flipping him to another contender that needs a more stable fourth/fifth starter for a modest return makes sense. 23. , RHP, White Sox ($1.35MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) The Sox signed Houser to a cheap one-year deal in May after hed opted out of a minor league contract with Texas. He has turned in a 2.10 ERA over 11 starts, averaging more than six innings per appearance along the way. Houser has managed nine quality starts despite a below-average 17.1% strikeout rate. Teams arent going to buy the journeyman righty as a newfound ace, but he has pitched well enough to net the Sox a lottery ticket prospect. 24. , RHP, Nationals ($9MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) Sorokas return to a starting rotation this year hasnt been entirely smooth. Hes sitting on a 4.85 ERA and averaging barely over five innings per start. That said, hes gotten stronger as the season has worn on, pitching to a more respectable 4.21 ERA over his past nine trips to the hill. Much of the damage in that span came in one seven-run shellacking at the hands of the Red Sox. Over his past nine turns, hes also fanned 28% of his opponents. Soroka was excellent as a reliever after the White Sox put him in the pen last summer, and a contending team could look to do the same this time around though some teams may still covet him as a back-end starter with a tinge of upside. 25. , OF, Orioles ($8.725MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) One of the few viable center fielders on the market, the 30-year-old Mullins got out to the best start of his career with a torrid April but has slumped through three sub-par months since, leaving him with a pedestrian .215/.293/.396 batting line (93 wRC+) on the season. Even with the downturn at the plate, Mullins has a nice blend of power and speed 13 homers, 14 steals in addition to a track record as at least an average hitter (with 30-30 upside at his 2021 peak). 26. , RHP, Braves ($7MM in 2025, $7MM club option/$250K buyout for 2026) Atlanta is reportedly prioritizing moving their three rentals Igleisas, Ozuna and middle reliever . Johnson may be their biggest exception in a willingne s to listen on players who are controllable past this season. Hes a 34-year-old reliever in the middle of his best season: a 2.70 ERA with a 27% strikeout rate and a career-low 7% walk percentage. The veteran righty has a multi-year track record as a solid seventh/eighth inning type. Next years affordable club option should make him a nice trade chip, and while Atlanta could hold him and exercise the option themselves, it makes more sense to flip him to a team that could get two playoff races out of him. 27. , RHP, Orioles ($8MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) One of the hardest-throwing relievers on the market, the 30-year-old Dominguez is averaging 97.7 MPH on his four-seamer and 97.9 MPH on his sinker. Hes punched out 31% of his opponents while working to a 3.32 ERA and collecting 13 holds and a pair of saves. Dominguez has had command troubles at times in the past, but his location has been particularly scattershot in 2025, when hes posted a 14% walk rate and to sed nine wild pitches. He can be erratic, but a new team would have two months to get his command back on track Dominguez had a much more manageable 9% walk rate from 2023-24 and this is the type of power arm that contenders covet to get pivotal postseason outs. Baltimore already moved lefty , and Dominguez is sure to follow. 28. , LHP, Twins ($3MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) On the surface, a soft-to sing 35-year-old lefty reliever doesnt sound like a huge difference-maker but Coulombes 0.90 ERA, 25.6% strikeout rate and 6.8% walk rate in 30 innings all suggest otherwise. Even though he averages just over 90 MPH on his four-seamer, Coulombe boasts a terrific 13.8% swinging-strike rate. His splits against righties and lefties are practically identical. No ones hitting him this year, and hes quietly been terrific since 2020 (2.36 ERA in 160 1/3 innings). He may not be a big name, but hes been a big performer for several years now and can help any contenders bullpen. 29. , RHP, Cardinals ($2MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) Maton is one of the likeliest players in the league to be dealt. Hes an impending free agent setup man whod fit every teams budget on a bargain $2MM salary. He carries a 2.35 ERA with excellent strikeout (30.4%) and ground-ball (50.6%) rates. The league has never valued Maton as highly as his statistical track record probably merits. His fastball barely gets above 90 MPH, but he shows year after year that hes capable of mi sing bats and avoiding hard contact behind a mid-70s curveball. 30. , RHP, Nationals ($6MM in 2025 [$4MM deferred], free agent at seasons end) The Nationals opted not to trade Finnegan at last years deadline, and he struggled through a brutal second half before being non-tendered in the offseason. The Nats wound up re-signing him after a market to Finnegans liking never truly materialized. Hes run into a brutal stretch recently, with 10 runs allowed over his past 2 2/3 innings, but prior to that hed turned in a 2.36 ERA. Finnegan has never mi sed bats like youd expect from someone with his velocity (96.2 MPH average fastball in 25 but 97.2 MPH from 2022-24). Other clubs surely feel hes better suited in a middle relief or setup capacity than in the highest-leverage spot in a bullpen, as the Nats have used him. An affordable power arm with some late-inning track record for a last place team feels like someone who should change hands this time around. 31. , 3B, Pirates ($7MM annually in 2025-27, $8MM annually in 2028-29, $12MM club option/$6MM buyout in 2030) A little over three years ago, Hayes signed a $70MM extension that was then the largest investment in Pirates history. They certainly expected it to age better than it has. Hayes was then and remains one of the best defensive third basemen in the game. Hed been a slightly below-average hitter for his first few seasons, but his bat has completely tanked over the past two years. Hayes had a .573 OPS last season and has a similarly bleak .240/.285/.297 slash line this year. He spent time on the injured list each season between 2022-24 due to recurring back injuries. Hayes hasnt needed any time on the IL this year, but its increasingly difficult to see much untapped offensive upside. Hes in his age-28 season and has managed a combined six home runs over the past two seasons. Pittsburgh slightly frontloaded his extension, so hell make between $7-8MM per season for the next four and a half years. Thats a manageable amount and arguably still has some surplus value based on the strength of his glove, but it appears the Pirates are as they continue to search for ways to improve the offense. 32. , RHP, Rays (pre-arbitration, controllable through 2029) While a Littell trade would be the simplest move if the Rays deal from their rotation, theyve reportedly made Bradley available as well. The 24-year-old righty and former top prospect has had an inconsistent season, posting a 4.61 ERA with slightly worse than average peripherals over 111 1/3 innings. He failed to get past the second inning while allowing four runs against the White Sox his last time out. That cost him his spot on the active roster, as the Rays demoted him to Triple-A to clear a rotation spot for Joe Boyle. The Rays still control Bradley for three and a half seasons, so theyre not facing any urgency to move him even if theyve soured on his long-term future. In a market with limited controllable starting pitching available, they should get plenty of calls from teams hoping he can unlock mid-rotation upside. 33. , RHP, Guardians ($4.5MM in 2025, $6MM in 2026, $13MM club options/$2MM buyouts for 2028-29) A 10-game losing streak shortly before the All-Star Break dropped the Guardians out of playoff position. Theyve played well over the past couple weeks to pull back into the mix, currently sitting 2.5 back of the final Wild Card spot. Theyre hardly surefire sellers, especially with one of the easier schedules the rest of the way. Theyre neverthele s at least willing to hear teams out on Clase, which is in line with their general operating procedure. Hes arguably the sports best reliever and is signed at bargain rates for the next season and a half with manageable club options for another two years after that. The Guardians could view as a closer in waiting. Itd take a ma sive haul, but its at least worth considering whether another club is willing to blow them away with controllable outfield or starting pitching talent. 34. , RHP, Twins ($4.125MM in 2025, arbitration-eligible through 2027) 35. , RHP, Twins ($2.365MM in 2025, arbitration-eligible through 2027) Duran and Jax have been tied together in trade rumors as late-inning weapons in Minnesota. Its highly unlikely that the Twins would trade both even moving one is far from guaranteed but theyre at least hearing teams out to see if anyone is willing to meet their ask of multiple top prospects. The 27-year-old Duran throws harder than anyone aside from and has a 1.90 ERA with 16 saves in 18 chances. Jax, a 30-year-old setup man, isnt as consistently dominant as Duran but mi ses even more bats. He has punched out 37% of opponents this year after fanning 34% of batters faced a season ago. A .375 average on balls in play against him has led to an even 4.00 ERA acro s 45 innings. Teams, including the Twins, will expect that to level out and continue to view Jax as an elite back-end arm. 36. , RHP, Rockies (pre-arbitration in 2025, controllable through 2028) The Rox are more open to selling controllable pieces than theyve been in years past. Thats been reported for weeks and was proven true by the McMahon trade. Bird, a 29-year-old middle reliever with three and a half seasons of arbitration control, should bring back a solid return. He has struck out 27% of opponents this season and gotten strong ground-ball rates throughout his career. Bird carried a 2.06 earned run average as recently as a month ago. That has climbed to 4.05 thanks to a brutal stretch of 14 earned runs allowed in his last 9 2/3 innings. Its an inopportune time for him to struggle, but the excellence of his first three months should still have him on contenders radars. 37. , OF, Marlins ($4.5MM in 2025, arbitration-eligible through 2027) Sanchez has been a league average right fielder for the past couple seasons. Hes a solid but unexceptional hitter who plays competent defense but isnt a fit for more than stopgap work in center field. The lefty-hitting outfielder owns a .261/.324/.419 line with nine homers in 321 plate appearances this year. Hes controllable for two seasons beyond this one but his arbitration salaries wont be particularly strong bargains. 38. , RHP, Marlins ($1.42MM in 2025, arbitration-eligible through 2027) The Marlins are playing well of late but should still be open to offers on Bender, a 30-year-old setup man. His 1.87 ERA over 43 1/3 innings isnt supported by this years below-average strikeout (19.7%) and walk (10.4%) rates, but hes only a season removed from striking out 26% of opposing hitters. Bender gets ground-balls, has a plus sweeper, and sits close to 97 MPH on his fastball. He hasnt accrued much in arbitration earnings because a back injury and subsequent Tommy John surgery wiped out almost all of his 2022-23 seasons. He should be a controllable matchup piece in the middle innings for a contender. 39. , RHP, Orioles ($9MM in 2025, $9MM club option/$1MM buyout in 2026) Kittredge lost the first two months of the season to a left knee injury that required minor surgery. He has been healthy since May and turned in a 3.81 ERA while striking out just under a quarter of opponents in 28 1/3 innings. Hes playing on a $9MM salary and has a matching club option that isnt unreasonable. Baltimore should move the 35-year-old righty even though hes not strictly a rental. Kittredge has plenty of leverage experience and is a season removed from leading the National League in holds for St. Louis. 40. , RHP, Orioles ($18MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) Eflin would have been a highly sought after rental starter a couple months ago. Thats not so much the case anymore, though the Os will be motivated to find a taker for at least a portion of what remains on his hefty $18MM salary. Eflin to sed three straight quality starts to begin the season before suffering a lat strain. He was bombed for an ERA north of 7.00 in nine appearances after his return, then suffered a back injury that sent him to the IL again. He made his return on Wednesday and held the Guardians to two runs with five strikeouts in as many innings. For whatd be a modest prospect return, a contender should take a flier on a pitcher who had an ERA around 3.50 in each of the previous two seasons. 41. , OF, Rangers ($9.25MM in 2025, arbitration-eligible through 2026) Garcias numbers have tanked since his career-best 2023 season. He has been a below-average hitter in consecutive seasons. That includes a .228/.271/.397 line acro s 399 plate appearances this year. Texas has limited payroll flexibility under the luxury tax and could try to shed the remaining portion of Garcias $9.25MM salary to clear space for a run at a bigger bat. 42. , OF, White Sox ($1.95MM in 2025, arbitration-eligible through 2026) Tauchman is a strong-side platoon corner outfielder. Hes signed for le s than $2MM and hitting .283/.370/.462 with six homers acro s 211 plate appearances for a rebuilding Sox team. Tauchman has reached base at greater than a .350 clip in three consecutive seasons. He should fetch the Sox a lottery ticket prospect and comes with another season of arbitration control. 43. , RHP, Athletics ($15MM in 2025, $20MM in 2026, $22MM player option for 2027) Severinos franchise-record free agent contract has not started well. The veteran righty has publicly expre sed his displeasure with the As playing at a minor league home park a bizarre stance for a player who was aware of the stadium situation when he signed there for more money than most expected last offseason. Theres been a lot of attention to Severinos dramatic home/away ERA splits. Hes allowing 6.68 earned runs per nine in Sacramento versus a 3.03 mark on the road. That superficial analysis doesnt account for Severinos well below-average 15.2% strikeout rate away from home. The As would probably welcome the opportunity to move on, but his escalating salaries and the ability to opt out after next season make this a tough contract to trade. 44. , OF, Diamondbacks (pre-arbitration, controllable through 2028) The Diamondbacks may be more focused on rentals, but they could also trade a controllable outfielder if it allows them to net upper minors pitching. Thomas, 25, is a former top prospect who hasnt developed as hoped offensively. Hes hitting .246/.294/.366 with five homers and a career-worst 26.4% strikeout rate in 292 plate appearances. Thomas is viewed as a strong defensive center fielder and is under club control for another three seasons. Teams could view him as a developmental project at the plate whod at least come with a solid floor for his glove. 45. , OF, Phillies ($10MM in 2025, free agent at seasons end) Signing Kepler to a $10MM free agent deal has been a disappointment for the Phillies. Hes hitting .201/.300/.362 with 11 homers in 338 plate appearances. The left-handed hitting Kepler expre sed some di satisfaction with his lack of opportunities against lefty pitching. He hasnt hit right-handed pitching well this year either, so the Phils are searching for an upgrade in left field. Even if they dont land one on the trade market, former first-round pick looms in the upper minors. They could try to get out from the final few million dollars of Keplers contract. 46. , RHP, Padres ($10MM in 2025, can opt out of annual $8MM salaries for 2026-27) MLBs saves leader with 29, Suarez is at the back of a fantastic San Diego bullpen. His 3.46 ERA acro s 41 2/3 innings is more solid than dominant, but thats mostly due to a pair of blow-ups in a relatively small sample. Suarez is reliable on most nights and has plus velocity with strong strikeout and walk numbers. A trade is a long shot but would follow a similar logic to the reason to listen on Cease. Hes likely to become a free agent though he has the safety net of two years and $16MM if he suffers a late-season injury and San Diego could flip him for help elsewhere on the roster and a few million dollars in cost savings. One of or could step into the ninth inning in that situation. 47. , RHP, Guardians ($10MM in 2025, $16MM player option/$4MM buyout for 2026) Cleveland is reportedly open to offers on Bieber, who has yet to make his big league return from last seasons Tommy John procedure. Hes on a rehab a signment and could be back for the final month or so of the year. Hes a wild card in terms of both health and performance. The former Cy Young winner had looked more like a #3 starter in his last full healthy season in 2023, but hed reeled off a pair of brilliant starts to begin last year before his elbow blew out. 48. , 2B/OF, Cardinals ($2.85MM in 2025, arbitration-eligible through 2027) The Cardinals are reportedly willing to listen on Donovan, who is controlled for two more seasons. The Dodgers are among the teams that have shown interest. The asking price is predictably high, as one would expect for a versatile left-handed hitter with a .293/.360/.428 slash line. Donovan has been a well above-average bat in all four seasons of his career. 49. , OF, Guardians ($4.175MM in 2025, arbitration-eligible through 2027) If the Guardians made him available, Kwan would be a top target for teams in need of an outfielder. Hes probably the sports best defensive left fielder. He walks more often than he strikes out and is an ideal leadoff hitter. Kwan carries a .287/.352/.410 slash through 424 plate appearances this season. Hes cheaply controllable for another two years. The Guardians would demand a monster haul to consider moving him. 50. , RHP, Twins ($3MM in 2025, arbitration-eligible through 2027) If the Twins are seeking multiple top prospects for Duran and Jax, one can only imagine the asking price on Ryan. Hes a high-end #2 starter who is cheaply controllable for two and a half seasons. Ryan is in the middle of a career season: a 2.63 ERA with a 29.2% strikeout percentage and a 5.1% walk rate acro s 116 1/3 innings. Even if the Twins feel theyre out of contention, they wont be keen on parting with a pitcher who should anchor their 2026-27 rotations. 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