10 MLB trade candidates to watch as 2025 deadline approaches
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Here are 10 players who could be traded at the 2025 MLB trade deadline.
With the Major League All-Star Game right around the corner, baseball is headed into the hottest stretch of the season.
Because the MLB Trade Deadline follows shortly thereafter.
Fortunes can be made in late July, not just for teams looking to bolster their rosters for a playoff push but for players looking to capitalize on strong seasons. Here are ten players to watch as the MLB Trade Deadline approaches.
Jarren Duran, OF, Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox kicked the trade market into gear with last month’s shocking decision to send Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. But with Boston still 6.5 games out in the American League East, and two games back in the Wild Card chase, the Red Sox could move some more pieces ahead of the deadline.
Alex Bregman is often linked with trade rumors, but his $40 million salary makes him tough to move. But could Jarren Duran be available? The star outfielder is only signed for one more season at an $8 million player option, which would make him a rental for a team looking at a playoff push. While his numbers have dipped from last year’s production, a team looking for a boost in their lineup and on the basepaths could do a whole lot worse, even if he is a half-season rental.
Plus while it seems like Boston would want to hold on to Duran, they have a group of young outfielders including Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu that could be their trio going forward.
Sandy Alcantara, SP, Miami Marlins
By every indication, Sandy Alcantara is one of the most likely players to be moved ahead of the trade deadline. After unanimously winning the National League Cy Young in 2022, Alcantara took a slight step back in 2023 before missing all of 2024 with Tommy John surgery.
Alcantara got off to a rough start this season but seemed to be rounding form as the calendar turned to June. His two recent outings — seven earned runs allowed in a game against the Diamondbacks followed by five earned runs allowed in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers — might scare teams off. Still, this is a pitcher working his way back from Tommy John surgery and just a few seasons removed from a Cy Young Award.
Ryan McMahon, 3B, Colorado Rockies
With the New York Yankees moving Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second base “effective immediately,” after playing 29 games at third this season, a spot on the hot corner could be a priority for the Yankees at the deadline.
That might send Ryan McMahon to the Big Apple.
McMahon is on pace for his fourth consecutive 20-HR season, but a slash line of .213/.314/.377 does not exactly scream “high priority” for some teams. But getting out of Colorado and getting dropped into the Yankees’ lineup could give those numbers a boost.
Ryan O’Hearn, 1B, Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are likely to shift their focus to 2026 and beyond in a few weeks, if the discussion at my neighborhood Fourth of July gathering in Maryland is any indication.
As well as, you know, the standings.
First baseman Ryan O’Hearn is likely one of the players soon to be headed out of the Inner Harbor. He is in the midst of a career year, with a slash line of .287/.378/.461 along with 11 home runs, and his OPS of .839 is 27th in the majors.
He does have a significant lefty/right split — as his slash line against LHPs dips to .229/.315/.292 — but teams looking for a bat should give Baltimore a call.
Josh Naylor, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks
A few weeks ago we made the case that Arizona should be buyers rather than sellers. But with the Diamondbacks now 4.5 games out in the NL Wild Card race, that die may have been cast.
First baseman Josh Naylor has a slash line of .299/.358/.469 this season along with 11 home runs, and is coming off a year where he belted a career-best 31 dingers. He’s also posted a career-best 11 stolen bases this season, and does hit lefties a bit better than O’Hearn, which could play a role in a deadline deal.
Adolis García, OF, Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers remain out of striking distance in the AL West (where they are 11 games back) and the Wild Card race (where they are 4.5 games back) so selling might be the move.
García has hit 25 home runs in each of the last four seasons, but his slash line of .228/.270/.380 might scare some teams off.
Or, they could look at his xwOBA of .332, and the fact that he is the 16th-unluckiest hitter in the majors by that metric, and hope that his luck turns over in the second half of the season.
Plus, García is cost-controlled for the next two seasons.
Seth Lugo, SP, Kansas City Royals
Sandy Alcantara is not the only starting pitcher who could be on the move in a few weeks. Seth Lugo has an opt-out at the end of this season with Kansas City, and with the Royals sliding out of contention the organization might move him now, rather than see him walk in the winter.
Lugo is currently 6-5 with an ERA of just 2.65 and an ERA+ of 155, both improvements over last year’s numbers that saw him finish second in American League Cy Young voting.
Freddy Peralta, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
What might make Freddy Peralta a player to watch at the deadline, beyond his velocity, his ERA of 3.69, and the fact that he is coming off six scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers, is his contract.
Peralta has just an $8 million club option for 2026 before he hits free agency ahead of the 2027 season. A team acquiring him in a trade would get a season-plus of a cost-controlled, hard-throwing starting pitcher.
Not a bad move at all.
Eugenio Suarez, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks
Another third baseman worth watching at the deadline — particularly with the Yankees looking to address the position — is Eugenio Suarez. While he will turn 34 just ahead of the deadline Suarez is having one of the best seasons of his career as he’s already belted 28 home runs before the All-Star Game, along with a slashline of .252/.320/.561.
He’s also driving in 74 runs before the break, after knocking in 101 a season ago.
Even if the Diamondbacks stand pat and are not “sellers” at the deadline, they might want to move Suarez to make room for Jordan Lawlar. While the young infielder went hitless in a short stint with Arizona in May, he has been raking at Triple-A Reno, slashing .319/.410/.583 with 10 home runs and 18 stolen bases.
He is on the shelf for a few weeks with a hamstring injury, but moving Suarez at the deadline could open up a spot for Lawler when he returns.
Mitch Keller, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
No, the starting pitcher you might want to see from the Pirates will not be on this list.
Yes, there are dream scenarios for some teams where Pittsburgh moves Paul Skenes, and ESPN floated some scenarios on Tuesday, but the Pirates would be wise to hold onto the big righty as long as they can.
But teams that are looking for arms, such as the Mets, have already called about 29-year-old Mitch Keller. Keller has spent his entire career with Pittsburgh and is having perhaps his best year in the big leagues, with an ERA of 3.64 and a WHIP of 1.194. But with the Pirates looking to add a bat or two for the future and having some young arms in the organization, Keller could be the pitcher they move at the deadline.
