Ten Players to Watch Before the MLB Trade Deadline

From Cal Raleigh winning the Home Run Derby to the epic Hank Aaron tribute ceremony, and Kyle Schwarber showcasing his power in extra innings, this week's All-Star festivities have been memorable on multiple levels.

But as the schedule resumes on Friday, we are getting very close to one of the most significant dates on the baseball calendar: the trade deadline.

With less than two weeks until July 31, it will be a sprint that helps determine which clubs will make moves to buy, sell, or stand pat as we head into the final stretch.

Considering the tight playoff races in both leagues—the American League has all but three teams within 4.5 games of a playoff spot, while the National League has 10 teams within 5.5 games—the next 7-10 days on the schedule will be crucial.

Here are ten names that could be traded in the next two weeks (listed in alphabetical order):

Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Marlins
First Half fWAR: 0.5
Since Alcantara returned from Tommy John surgery this season, he has been widely regarded as the top pitcher likely to be traded before the deadline. His rough start to the season—an 8.47 ERA over 11 starts by the end of May, with a record of 2-7—raised speculation that the Marlins might have to wait until the offseason to deal him, but Alcantara rebounded in June with four strong starts (ERA of 2.74).
However, he has struggled since then, with a 9.53 ERA over his last three outings. Given his contract—$17 million owed in 2026, with a $21 million club option for 2027—if another team believes in him, Alcantara could still be traded, but the Marlins might also wait until winter, hoping a strong second half will help rebuild his value.

David Bednar, RHP, Pirates
First Half fWAR: 1.1
His early season demotion to Triple-A left many wondering what happened to Bednar, who made the National League All-Star team in 2022 and 2023. Bednar returned to the majors on April 19 and looked like a different pitcher, reclaiming the closer role by the end of the month. Since April 25, Bednar has been perfect in 12 save opportunities, with a 1.93 ERA over 30 appearances, reestablishing himself as a reliable late-inning option. Given the number of clubs seeking bullpen help, Bednar (along with teammate Dennis Santana) should attract significant interest.

Emmanuel Clase, RHP, Guardians
First Half fWAR: 1.1
Technically, Cleveland is still in the American League Wild Card race, trailing the Mariners by 4.5 games and sitting in third place. However, the Guardians, with a record of 46-49, rank ninth among Wild Card contenders, meaning they'll need to surpass six teams to reach a playoff spot. Cade Smith has closer potential, and if Clase is traded, he could take over that role, although the Guardians control the three-time All-Star through 2028. He might be a perfect trade candidate for a team continually seeking young talent. Clase struggled at the beginning of the season (with a 6.75 ERA by the end of April, blowing two saves in seven opportunities), but since then, he has resembled his All-Star self, succeeding in 15 of 17 save chances across 29 appearances with a 1.20 ERA.

Jarren Duran, OF, Red Sox
First Half fWAR: 1.4
Trading controllable players like Duran—who is under club control until 2028—might seem crazy, but the Red Sox have an overflow of outfielders, and if Boston can get a solid return, this 28-year-old could become expendable. Duran has not been able to replicate his breakout 2024 season, though he still contributes to the Red Sox lineup. If Boston is confident in Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu patrolling the outfield, Duran could help fill other gaps—especially in the rotation—for 2025 and beyond.

Mitch Keller, RHP, Pirates
First Half fWAR: 2.6
Keller's record of 3-10 does not reflect how well he has pitched this season, as the right-hander has posted 14 quality starts in 20 appearances, with a 3.48 ERA—including five quality starts and a 2.32 ERA in his last seven outings. This 29-year-old is in the second year of a five-year, $77 million contract, with salaries of $16.5 million, $18 million, and $20 million due over the next three seasons. The Pirates need Major League-ready hitters and have several young starting pitchers in their system—Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Bubba Chandler, Hunter Barco, and Thomas Harrington could form a future rotation—making Keller a prime trade chip for Pittsburgh to bolster their offense.

Ryan McMahon, 3B, Rockies
First Half fWAR: 1.0
For the past two years, the Rockies have been hesitant to consider trade offers for McMahon, hoping to make this third baseman a cornerstone of their rebuild. However, Colorado is trending toward breaking the White Sox's record for most losses in a season in 2024, and McMahon—an All-Star in 2024—is one of the few assets who could bring back a solid return. He has experienced an up-and-down season, with an OPS of .533 in his first 31 games, followed by .909 in the next 43, and then dropping to .433 in the past 20 games. He has two years left on his contract at $16 million per year and, as one of the better defensive third basemen in the league, along with strong peripherals—his average exit velocity ranks in the 95th percentile, and he is in the top 25% of the league in hard-hit percentage, bat speed, and walk percentage—he should be attractive to several clubs.

Charlie Morton, RHP, Orioles
First Half fWAR: 0.6
After losing all five of his first starts with an ERA of 10.89, Morton seemed to be facing the end of his 18-year career. The 41-year-old was demoted to the bullpen, but after Kyle Gibson was released a month later, he returned to the rotation. Since then, Morton has been incredibly efficient, going 5-0 in eight starts with a 2.76 ERA. Baltimore looks poised to become sellers, and Morton—who signed a one-year, $15 million deal—will almost certainly attract interest from contenders in need of starting pitching.

Cedric Mullins, OF, Orioles
First Half fWAR: 0.8
Mullins was an All-Star in his breakout 2019 season, and although he has not replicated that performance over the past three years, this 30-year-old still ranks above league average offensively each season while excelling defensively. Mullins is earning $8.725 million in his final year before free agency, and with the Orioles sitting at 43-52 with a -90 run differential, Baltimore may seek to get a return for Mullins rather than watch him leave via free agency.

Marcell Ozuna, DH, Braves
First Half fWAR: 1.0
Ozuna got off to a hot start, posting an OPS of .901 with 10 home runs in his first 55 games. However, since June 3, this designated hitter has struggled, with an OPS of only .547 in 35 games and just three home runs, failing to regain his early-season form. Ozuna plans to become a free agent at the end of this year, and with the Braves seemingly stagnant after a first half of 42-53, this 34-year-old slugger will be one of Atlanta's best trade chips.

Eugenio Suárez, 3B, Diamondbacks
First Half fWAR: 2.8
Suárez has made his second All-Star appearance this season, hitting 31 home runs and leading the league with 78 RBIs over 95 games. Arizona has been teetering around the .500 mark for most of the season, peaking at 14-9 on April 22. However, a 6-12 slump before the end of the first half has left the Diamondbacks at 47-50, putting them 5.5 games behind the final Wild Card spot in the National League. With six teams ahead of them in this race, Arizona could become sellers, and Suárez will be highly coveted by teams including the Yankees, Tigers, Brewers, and Mariners.