Ten Baseball Players Most Likely To Be Traded By July 31 Deadline

In the wake of the blockbuster trade that sent Rafael Devers across league lines from the Red Sox to the Giants, baseball general managers are working overtime with one eye on the standings and the other on the July 31 trade deadline.

Pending free agents are most likely to move – even though they may turn into two-month rentals for the stretch drive.

But some clubs who consider themselves buyers might try to acquire a big-name player with the hope of signing him before he can test free agency.

Because of expanded playoffs that include six teams per league, many clubs close to contention think they can reach the postseason with the right move or two.

At the same time, sellers may seek to slice salaries as they look toward next season.

On the Move

That being said, here are ten players who could be on the move by the end of the month:

1. Seth Lugo, Kansas City Royals – Plagued by injuries to their starting rotation, the New York Mets would love to bring back this solid right-hander, whom they used as a swingman when they had him last. Lugo proved them wrong last year when he finished second in the voting for American League Cy Young Award and continued pitching well this year, with a 2.21 earned run average over his first 15 starts. He’s earning $15 million and has a 2026 player option for the same amount, though he’s likely to decline it and declare himself a free agent.

2. Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves – A hip injury plus advancing athletic age (34) put a big damper on the power production of this designated hitter. Suddenly a selective hitter, he spent much of this year leading both leagues in walks. But the famous Ozuna power disappeared as his average fell. The Braves are unlikely to exercise the club option in his contract, especially with blue-chip rookie Drake Baldwin already primed as his successor. Two young pitchers should be enough to acquire what’s left of Ozuna’s $16 million contract.

3. Luis Severino, Athletics – After signing a surprise three-year, $72 million contract that broke the bank of this Twilight Zone team, Severino complained bitterly about pitching in Sutter Health Park, the minor-league Sacramento facility that serves as a bridge between Oakland and Las Vegas. Still solid on the road, Severino would be good trade bait for either of his former teams — the Mets or Yankees – if they’re willing to assume what remains on his inflated pact.

Injuries Intervene

4. Luis Robert, Jr., Chicago White Sox – Another Luis likely to move has youth on his side (27) but a history of poor performance coupled with injuries. A center-fielder whose speed and defense haven’t declined as much as his hitting, Robert could be one of those guys who just needs a change of scenery – especially if he lands with a contender. The Dodgers and Mets, high-payroll clubs that might gamble on his $15 million contract, would meet that standard.

5. Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox – A 2024 All-Star feeling a squeeze from rookie Roman Anthony, he offers speed, defense, 20-homer power, a left-handed bat, and the ability to play center or left field. Plus he’s earning only $3.85 million this year and has three years of arbitration eligibility remaining. The Sox can demand a mint for Duran, especially if they include veteran starter Walker Buehler in the deal, even though his batting average is down 30 points this year. It’s probably just a blip on his radar.

6. Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks – Even with Corbin Burnes sidelined by Tommy John surgery, this erstwhile All-Star is a durable right-handed starter with a solid resume before this season. Available only because his contract is expiring, Gallen pitched so well in 2023 that he started the All-Star Game for the National League, then helped the D’backs win the pennant.
His current contract pays him $13.5 million – a bargain price for such a talented pitcher.

7. Charlie Morton, Baltimore Orioles – He started 0-7 for his new team after signing a one-year, $15 million deal at age 41 but then resurrected the ship, winning five in a row. Virtually certain to retire after this season, he’d be a great rental for a club that needs a mentor for young staff as well as a back-of-the-rotation curveballer with big-game experience. He might even resurface in Atlanta, which lost Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Reynaldo Lopez to crippling injuries.

Coveted Pitcher

8. Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins – Already the object of a bidding war, this stalwart right-hander is far off the form he showed when he won the National League’s Cy Young Award by unanimous vote in 2022. Still struggling after returning from Tommy John elbow surgery, he’s only 29 but has looked good only in brief spurts this season. Still, the Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees are among the teams clamoring to claim him behind the scenes. He’s cheap too: his contract calls for $17 million this season and next, followed by a $21 million club option or $2 million buyout.

9. Pete Fairbanks, Tampa Bay Rays – Perhaps the most economical buy among available pitchers is this terrific closer, a steal at $3.82 million (with an $8 million club option or $1 million buyout for next year). A durable righty virtually certain to exceed his previous peaks of 49 appearances and 25 saves, Fairbanks is more of a groundball specialist than a strikeout pitcher these days but it’s tough to argue with success (2.45 ERA in his first 17 outings). Plus he’d bring a lot from a contender that needs a reliable closer – maybe even the Yankees if the Rays are willing to deal with a divisional rival.

10. Kyle Finnegan, Washington Nationals – Another closer who could help a challenger, he’s earning $6 million this year after re-signing with the Nats, who had non-tendered him. After saving 66 games in 2023-24, he established himself as a dependable under-the-radar reliever capable of closing games with regularity.

Honorable Mention: Walker Buehler and Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox; Eugenio Suarez, Diamondbacks; Bryan Reynolds, Pirates; Raisel Iglesias and Ozzie Albies, Braves; Kenley Jansen, Angels; Carlos Estevez, Royals; Jeff McNeil, Mets; Cedric Mullins, Orioles; and Jake Bird, Rockies.