MLB Trade Deadline 2017: Likeliest Player to Be Traded on Each Team
MLB trade season is in full swing. Several big deals have already been consummated, with many more sure to follow.
Not every team will make a trade, but they all have assets to unload, be they buyers or sellers.
Let's do a club-by-club rundown and pick the player from each squad most likely to get dealt by the July 31 non-waiver deadline, based on the latest rumors, each franchise's needs and a dollop of gut feeling.
One other note: In the case of sellers, these will be names from the big league roster, but in the case of many buyers, they will be prospects.
Arizona Diamondbacks: RHP Taylor Clarke
1 of 30The Arizona Diamondbacks made trade waves on Tuesday, acquiring outfielder J.D. Martinez from the Detroit Tigers for a trio of prospects, per MLB.com's Jason Beck.
The move bolstered an already-solid lineup and set the Diamondbacks up as legitimate National League contenders.
If Arizona makes another move, it could be to shore up the bullpen around closer Fernando Rodney and his 5.58 ERA.
It's a toss-a-dart guess what minor league pieces the club would offer in a potential trade, but Arizona does have some promising pitching in the high levels. That includes 24-year-old Taylor Clarke, rated the club's No. 4 prospect by MLB.com.
Clarke has posted a 2.71 ERA at Double-A while holding opposing hitters to a .222 average and is the type of advanced arm that could net a solid return without breaking the Snakes' relatively thin system.
Atlanta Braves: 2B Brandon Phillips
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At 45-48, the Atlanta Braves are the second-place team in the NL East and hanging around the fringe of the wild-card chase. A full-scale fire sale isn't likely.
The Braves, however, could move some of their expiring, replaceable veterans, headlined by second baseman Brandon Phillips.
Phillips is hitting .294 and, despite his partial no-trade clause, would benefit any number of contenders.
The return won't be huge on a 36-year-old rental, but with prospect Ozzie Albies knocking on the door, the Braves should try to get something for Phillips while they can.
Baltimore Orioles: LHP Zach Britton
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The Baltimore Orioles are buried in fourth place in the American League East, and general manager Dan Duquette is apparently willing to listen to offers on his top relievers pending ownership approval, per baseball insider Ken Rosenthal.
That includes lefty closer Zach Britton, who battled a forearm injury but could be this season's Andrew Miller, as ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick noted.
Last year, the New York Yankees sent Miller to the Cleveland Indians for a trove of shiny prospects. Now, the Orioles could do the same with Britton, with the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers among several plausible landing spots.
Britton's health issues could be an impediment. Yet, he's logged a scoreless inning in his last four outings with four strikeouts and is under team control through 2018.
It's possible the O's will keep him and revisit trade talks this winter, but they shouldn't.
Boston Red Sox: LHP Jay Groome
4 of 30The Boston Red Sox need a third baseman and possibly a first baseman and might want to gild their bullpen. The rival Yankees swung a deal Tuesday with the Chicago White Sox to acquire third baseman Todd Frazier and late-inning reliever David Robertson, per the White Sox's official Twitter feed.
That won't necessarily throw the Sox and president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski into a panic, but he is known as Dealin' Dave for a reason.
Dombrowski has already raided Boston's farm system to construct a win-now roster. As he looks to address the team's needs heading into the stretch run, he'll likely hang on to top prospect and third baseman of the future Rafael Devers.
No. 2 prospect and 2016 first-round pick Jay Groome, however, could be on the block. The 18-year-old lefty is oozing with potential, but the Sox's sense of urgency coupled with New York's aggressive play may see him switch franchises in the near future.
Chicago Cubs: LF Kyle Schwarber
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OK, Chicago Cubs fans, before you get apoplectic: Kyle Schwarber might well be staying put.
Chicago could be done dealing in any significant sense after acquiring left-hander Jose Quintana from the crosstown White Sox for its top two prospects, outfielder Eloy Jimenez and flame-throwing Dylan Cease, plus more.
On the other hand, as MLB Network's Jon Morosi noted, the Cubbies are "continuing to show interest" in Oakland Athletics right-hander Sonny Gray, who, like Quintana, is more than a rental.
Clearly, president of baseball operations Theo Epstein isn't messing around in his quest for a repeat title. After gutting the top tier of his farm system, he may need to dip into the MLB roster to make a Gray-level trade happen and truly shore up a shaky starting rotation that could lose Jake Arrieta and John Lackey to free agency.
Despite his 2017 struggles, or perhaps because of them, the powerful and potential-laden Schwarber is the most likely MLB chip to go.
Chicago White Sox: LF Melky Cabrera
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After unloading Quintana, Frazier and Robertson, the White Sox might be done.
Then again, they might not.
Baseball's most aggressive sellers still have Melky Cabrera, with his .286 average and 11 homers, sitting in the outfield. As a lower-cost rental, the Melk Man could bolster many contenders.
"I would like to stay here, but that's not a decision for me to make," Cabrera said, per Paul Skrbina of the Chicago Tribune.
Spoken like many an about-to-be-traded player before him.
Cincinnati Reds: SS Zack Cozart
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Despite their status as NL Central cellar-dwellers, the Cincinnati Reds don't possess many obvious trade chips.
They do have one, however: shortstop Zack Cozart.
The recently minted All-Star, who turns 32 on August 12, is hitting .306 with a .919 OPS and typically strong defense. He's also an impending free agent.
The Reds won't give him away, nor should they, but they'll undoubtedly field offers. Cozart himself sounds open to the possibility.
"I know I'm going to be out there, being where I am in my career and where the Reds are," he said, per FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman.
Cleveland Indians: RHP Triston McKenzie
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The Indians don't have to pull off a blockbuster on the scale of 2016's Miller trade.
They could use security in an injury-depleted rotation, however, and possibly a bat. The defending Junior Circuit champs are leading the AL Central, but they aren't running away with anything.
The Tribe are "evaluating" Gray, per ESPN.com's Buster Olney. A get of that magnitude would require a rich package.
Cleveland is unlikely to part with top prospect Francisco Mejia, the organization's catcher of the near future. But soon-to-be-20-year-old right-hander Triston McKenzie, the No. 47 prospect in baseball according to MLB.com, could form the centerpiece of a Miller-esque swap.
The Indians, recall, possess the longest title drought in the game now that the Cubs buried the billy goat. That's what you call motivation.
Colorado Rockies: RHP Riley Pint
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Even as the third-place team in the NL West behind the Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers, the Colorado Rockies have an excellent shot at the second wild-card slot.
For a team that has never won the division or a World Series, that's a big deal.
Colorado, then, should look for upgrades, particularly in the bullpen and at shortstop. The latter position could be filled by Cozart, whose power would only increase at Mile High altitude.
The Rockies probably won't surrender No. 1 MiLB chip Brendan Rodgers, who could soon be manning a middle infield spot at Coors Field.
Right-hander Riley Pint, the club's top pick in 2016, would also be hard to part with. But the 19-year-old has the prospect cache to get a deal done and is still a few years away from contributing to the big club. Plus, the path for pitchers in the Rockies organization is always tenuous.
Detroit Tigers: LHP Justin Wilson
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With J.D. Martinez off the menu, expect to hear rumblings about Justin Verlander. Perhaps they'll be more than amusing speculation.
The Tiger most like to be dealt, however, is lefty reliever Justin Wilson.
Through 37 appearances, the 29-year-old southpaw owns a 2.29 ERA and 10 saves and "is the team's most popular trade target," per Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press.
Big bats and aces grab headlines, but reliable relievers are always a hot commodity come late July.
Houston Astros: RHP Francis Martes
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The Houston Astros own the best record in the AL at 63-31 and the biggest division lead in baseball at 16.5 games.
On one hand, that means the 'Stros could go into protect mode and keep their rich farm system intact.
On the other hand, they were in on Quintana before the Cubs snagged him and are in on Oakland's Gray, per Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle.
Houston boasts five prospects among Baseball America's top 60, meaning it can afford to ship out one or more if needed.
Right-hander Francis Martes has already made eight appearances and four starts for the Astros, and he is the type of controllable, MLB-ready arm Athletics executive Billy Beane covets.
Kansas City Royals: RHP Josh Staumont
12 of 30The Kansas City Royals looked like sellers for much of the first half. They were mired under .500 and had a core of impending free agents, including third baseman Mike Moustakas, first baseman Eric Hosmer and outfielder Lorenzo Cain.
Now, at 45-47, the Royals are just three games out in the AL Central. Look for them to make one more run, albeit a possibly ill-advised one.
K.C. doesn't possess the assets to pull off a trade like the one that netted Johnny Cueto in the summer of 2015 and ultimately led to a Commissioner's Trophy.
They could go for a lower-tier starting pitcher, however, as Bleacher Report's Scott Miller suggested and give up someone like hard-throwing 23-year-old right-hander Josh Staumont in the process.
Los Angeles Angels: RHP Bud Norris
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The Los Angeles Angels are caught in no man's land: not quite dead and not quite living.
At 46-50, they're 18 games out in the AL West with only a slim shot at a wild-card spot. Then again, they've got Mike Trout in his prime.
The Halos' biggest issue is a fallow farm system that Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter ranked the second-worst in baseball. Put simply, there isn't much to work with and not much point in working it.
Possibly the Angels will stand pat. If they keep slipping in the standings, however, reliever Bud Norris and his 2.35 ERA and 14 saves could be an appealing low-shelf commodity.
Los Angeles Dodgers: RHP Yadier Alvarez
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With the best record in baseball at 65-29, the Dodgers are primed to win their first NL or World Series championship since 1988.
But, as the team has learned over a frustrating stretch of futile playoff appearances, nothing is guaranteed.
The Dodgers could add a front-line starter to augment uber-ace Clayton Kershaw. They could get a shutdown bullpen arm to slot next to closer Kenley Jansen. Or they could snag an outfield bat to settle the uncertainty there.
No matter what, they probably aren't giving up outfielder Alex Verdugo, whom L.A.'s brass views as nearly untouchable, per Jeremy Dorn of FanRag Sports.
The Dodgers, as Dorn notes, have enjoyed a fine recent track record with potent homegrown position players, from Joc Pederson to Corey Seager to Cody Bellinger.
Instead, Los Angeles could dangle 21-year-old right-hander Yadier Alvarez, the No. 10 pitching prospect in baseball, per MLB.com.
Executive Andrew Friedman might eschew a massive trade this summer. But a nearly 30-year title drought is no joke, especially for the game's biggest spenders.
Miami Marlins: RHP David Phelps
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As Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer outlined, Giancarlo Stanton is the trade deadline's most enigmatic fish, pun sort of intended.
He and his massive contract are also unlikely to be traded until the sale of the team is finalized, which means it'll probably won't happen until this winter.
The Marlins are likewise not listening to offers on outfielders Marcell Ozuna and Christian Yelich, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
Instead, Miami is most inclined to sell from its bullpen and has more than 10 clubs interested in right-hander David Phelps (51 strikeouts in 47 innings), according to B/R's Miller. Closer AJ Ramos, Miller added, might also be on the block.
Milwaukee Brewers: CF Corey Ray
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This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Milwaukee Brewers, when they'd be dangling trade chips such as outfielder Ryan Braun at the deadline.
Instead, the Brewers are the surprise leaders in the NL Central and possibly looking to buy.
They shouldn't raid their recently rebuilt farm system. If it could net a significant upgrade to the pitching staff, however, Milwaukee may consider dealing speedy, powerful Corey Ray, who is further away from The Show than fellow outfielder and All-Star Futures Game participant Lewis Brinson.
Minnesota Twins: RHP Fernando Romero
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At 47-46, the Minnesota Twins are just 1.5 games out in the AL Central. That's quite a turnaround for a club that lost 103 games last season.
Then again, the Twins' minus-66 run differential if the fourth-worst in the AL. It seems like this contending coach is about to turn back into a rebuilding pumpkin.
The Twins shouldn't trade any of their top prospects, period. The temptation to keep competing, however, could prompt them to move someone like right-hander Fernando Romero, a 22-year-old with great raw stuff, in exchange for an MLB pitching upgrade.
New York Mets: RHP Addison Reed
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At 41-50, the New York Mets are going nowhere this season.
They aren't likely to blow up the roster two years removed from an NL pennant, but they've got rental assets to peddle.
Like right-hander Addison Reed, whose 2.47 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 43.2 innings should make him an attractive late-inning option for any contender seeking bullpen help—which is to say nearly every contender.
The Yankees are among the teams that have reached out about Reed, per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, though their interest may wane after acquiring Robertson.
New York Yankees: RHP Chance Adams
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The Yankees could be done dealing after the trade with the White Sox. Or not.
By acquiring Robertson and Frazier, the Yanks signaled they want to win this season.
Top youngsters such as shortstop Gleyber Torres and outfielder Clint Frazier aren't going anywhere. New York could try to leverage stud right-hander Chance Adams, who owns a 1.94 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A, in a deal for a top-shelf arm such as Gray.
There's a hole in rotation left by Michael Pineda's season-ending elbow injury. Whether the Yankees will sell big to fill it remains to be seen. They might even call up Adams to fill it.
Such is life in the Bronx, where a promising rebuild meets a perennial win-now mandate.
Oakland Athletics: 1B Yonder Alonso
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We've been talking a lot about Sonny Gray, who may indeed swap laundry before month's end.
First baseman Yonder Alonso, however, is the A's player most likely to be dealt.
The 30-year-old Cuban owns a .921 OPS with 21 home runs and would be a potent rental bat for a range of clubs, including the Red Sox.
Beane will ask for a sell-high return on Alonso, who is vastly outperforming his career averages, but it's difficult to imagine the Oakland basher remaining in the East Bay much longer.
Philadelphia Phillies: RHP Pat Neshek
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The Philadelphia Phillies have the worst record in baseball at 31-61. They have a 36-year-old relief pitcher on an expiring contract who owns a 1.21 ERA in 41 appearances.
Trade candidates don't get more obvious than that.
In addition to his All-Star numbers, Pat Neshek has postseason experience. He'd slot capably into the back end of any contender's bullpen.
"It would be really cool to stay around here," Neshek said in June, per Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com. "I like it here. I feel very comfortable here. But if that happens...I'm sure it will happen."
Pittsburgh Pirates: RF/CF Andrew McCutchen
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It can't be easy for Pittsburgh Pirates fans to watch Andrew McCutchen's resurgence.
Sure, it's nice to see the 2013 NL MVP playing like his old self, as he's now hitting .291 with 17 homers and a .894 OPS after a slow start.
With each knock, however, McCutchen increases his potential trade value. The Bucs, who tried to move him last winter, will surely listen to offers now.
McCutchen is more than a rental, as he has a $14.5 million option for 2018. And while his performance declined sharply in 2016, he's only 30 years old.
Pittsburgh doesn't have to deal him, but his price tag may never be higher.
San Diego Padres: LHP Brad Hand
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The San Diego Padres were supposed to be bad, and they have been.
Thanks to the travails of the San Francisco Giants, the Friars' 40-53 record isn't bad enough for last place in the NL West, but San Diego will be sellers.
Expect left-handed reliever Brad Hand, a 2017 All-Star who sports a 2.25 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 48 innings, to make the general manager A.J. Preller's phone buzz.
Preller wants "top prospects" in exchange for the 27-year-old southpaw, per Crasnick. Given Hand's numbers and the widespread demand for relief pitching, he may get exactly that.
San Francisco Giants: 3B Eduardo Nunez
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Speaking of those hapless Giants, they find themselves in the rare position of sellers.
Only catcher Buster Posey, left-hander Madison Bumgarner and shortstop Brandon Crawford are off-limits, per MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi.
The Giant most likely to leave town, however, is third baseman Eduardo Nunez.
Nunez, whom San Francisco acquired last season at the deadline from Minnesota, is hitting .295 with 17 stolen bases and has logged MLB innings at second base, third base, shortstop and in the outfield.
Trading him won't fix the Giants' troubles, but his speed and defensive versatility should net a decent return.
Seattle Mariners: RHP Nick Neidert
25 of 30After an injury-plagued start to 2017, the Seattle Mariners have won five of six and crept to the edge of the AL wild-card race.
The offense is strong, but the pitching staff could use a boost, particularly in the rotation.
General manager Jerry Dipoto likes to get creative on the trade market, meaning the M's could move any number of pieces around.
If Seattle decides to buy, however, Dipoto could leverage 20-year-old right-hander Nick Neidert, who owns a 2.76 ERA at High-A with 109 strikeouts in 104.1 innings, and swap him for an MLB arm.
The Mariners, recall, haven't tasted the postseason since 2001. That's a long drought, in the Pacific Northwest or anywhere else.
St. Louis Cardinals: RHP Luke Weaver
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At 46-47, the St. Louis Cardinals are in third place in the NL Central, two games back of the Cubs and 4.5 behind the Brewers.
They could sell, offloading assets such as right-hander Lance Lynn, whose name has popped in various trade scenarios.
It says here, however, that the perennially contending Cards will go for it in a winnable division.
That doesn't mean a massive mortgaging of prospects, but it could mean someone like touted right-hander Luke Weaver, who was recently optioned back to Triple-A, being moved for a bat.
In all probability, St. Louis will stand pat and ride it out. Don't discount the Redbirds' desire to win, however, especially with the archrival Cubbies scuffling.
Tampa Bay Rays: OF/1B Jake Bauers
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The Tampa Bay Rays are in playoff contention, just two games out in the AL East and in possession of the top wild-card spot.
They won't go crazy at the deadline; that's not their way.
They are, however, seeking lefty relief help, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, and have gained "some traction" in talks with the Tigers about Wilson.
It's unclear what it will take or what Tampa Bay would give up. Shortstop Willy Adames and right-handers Brent Honeywell and Jose De Leon may be off-limits, but outfielder/first baseman and No. 4 prospect Jake Bauers could generate some interest, as he's slashing .273/.375/.419 at Triple-A.
Texas Rangers: C Jonathan Lucroy
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The Texas Rangers can still contend for a wild-card spot even if the in-state rival Astros have all but buried their chance at a third straight division crown.
Still, Texas could be looking to unload veteran catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who has been getting more reps behind the dish lately, as Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram explained: "The surge in playing time could also be an attempt by the front office to showcase Lucroy ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. Some believe that [Robinson] Chirinos could handle everyday catching duties, with Brett Nicholas backing him up, and that a Lucroy trade could net the Rangers bullpen help."
Lucroy owns a pedestrian .658 OPS with just four home runs in 69 games, but the two-time All-Star could be an attractive get for clubs seeking veteran leadership behind the dish.
Toronto Blue Jays: LHP J.A. Happ
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Despite their last-place position in the AL East, the Toronto Blue Jays have "no plans for a complete rebuild," as GM Ross Atkins told Olney (via Sporting News' Ian Hunter).
Still, that leaves wiggle room for the Jays to jettison some pieces.
J.A. Happ, a 20-game winner last season, "is the most intriguing and realistically tradable asset the Blue Jays possess," per TSN's Scott Mitchell.
He won't bring back a bushel of blue chips, especially after battling elbow inflammation, but the 34-year-old left-hander could net enough to boost the farm system.
Washington Nationals: RF Juan Soto
30 of 30The Washington Nationals addressed their only glaring need by acquiring relievers Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson from the Athletics.
That might be the end of the wheeling and dealing for a squad that's poised to run away with the NL East and challenge the Dodgers for Senior Circuit supremacy.
Then again, the Nats have never advanced past the division series and might only have a couple more seasons with Bryce Harper before he bolts via free agency. The iron is hot.
Hence the rumor, via Morosi, that Washington is still seeking relief help and possibly starting pitching. Specifically, Morosi name-dropped the Tigers' Wilson.
Top prospect Victor Robles and right-hander Erick Fedde are likely on the no-fly list, barring a true blockbuster, but 18-year-old outfielder Juan Soto—the No. 91 prospect in baseball per MLB.com—could have the raw tools to snag an impact arm.
All statistics and standings current through July 18 and courtesy of MLB.com and Baseball Reference.
