2024 MLB Trade Deadline candidates whose stock is rising

Trying to assess how this year’s Trade Deadline might play out can be an exercise in futility, with 24 of the 30 teams in the Majors entering play Tuesday within four games of a postseason spot.

That doesn’t mean we can’t give it a shot, right?

The White Sox, Angels, Athletics, Marlins and Rockies all figure to be sellers, while the Astros – who were 5 1/2 games out of an AL Wild Card spot despite their 30-37 record – appear to be leaning more toward buying than selling.

The majority of teams will likely wait until mid-to-late July before making any buy-or-sell declarations, but here’s a look at 10 players (listed alphabetically, with all stats entering Tuesday) whose recent performances have their trade stock rising as we enter the middle of June.

Alonso was hitting .205 with a .710 OPS after the Mets’ game on May 6, but the slugger’s bat has come alive since then. The 29-year-old is hitting .281 with an .898 OPS, six home runs, 12 doubles and 16 RBIs over his past 29 games, including a .936 OPS over his past dozen. Alonso is earning $20.5 million in his final year prior to free agency, and while the Mets entered Tuesday eight games below .500 and 16 1/2 games out in the NL East, they were only 3 1/2 games out of an NL Wild Card spot.

Anderson’s first year with the Angels resulted in a 5.43 ERA, a far cry from the 2.57 mark with the 2022 Dodgers that helped him land an All-Star selection and, ultimately, a three-year, $39 million deal in Anaheim. The southpaw’s second season with the Angels has been much better: He’s posted a 2.63 ERA in 13 starts – including a 2.20 mark in his past five. Anderson is earning $13 million this season and next, so an acquiring team would owe him roughly $20 million through the end of 2025.

Andujar didn’t make his season debut until May 24 following knee surgery, but the 29-year-old has been productive in his first 14 games, hitting .321 with two home runs, 12 RBIs and an .828 OPS. Andujar, who finished second in 2018 AL Rookie of the Year voting with the Yankees but has struggled to find consistency (and opportunity) ever since, is earning $1.7 million this season and remains arbitration-eligible for one more year.

Bell has been dealt in each of the past two summers, and given the state of the Marlins, it would be surprising if the 31-year-old didn’t make it a hat trick by this year’s Trade Deadline. Bell is hitting .333 with an .891 OPS, three home runs and 16 RBIs over his last 24 games, posting a 1.005 OPS over his last 11 contests. Bell’s $16.5 million salary is the largest on Miami’s roster, though he’ll be a free agent after the season.

Crochet’s first season as a starting pitcher has been the best development for the White Sox this season; the left-hander is 6-5 with a 3.33 ERA in his first 14 starts. After going 1-4 with a 5.97 ERA in his first seven outings, his last seven have been spectacular; Crochet – who turns 25 next week – is 5-1 with a 1.10 ERA since the beginning of May. Crochet is earning only $800,000 this season and is arbitration-eligible for two more years, making him perhaps the most valuable and sought-after trade candidate of the summer – assuming the White Sox have any plans to move him.

Not much has gone right offensively on the South Side this season, but DeJong is having a resurgence, looking like the player who made an All-Star team with the Cardinals in 2019. DeJong has five home runs, 10 RBIs and a 1.043 OPS over his past 11 games, giving him 12 homers and 27 RBIs in 61 games this season. He still strikes out a lot (70 in 213 plate appearances) and has only eight walks, but the 30-year-old is earning $1.75 million (with another $250,000 in potential performance bonuses based on plate appearances), making him an affordable trade candidate for clubs seeking middle-infield help.

Estévez had a few rocky outings in late April/early May, but the Angels’ closer has rebounded nicely, cashing in each of his last four save opportunities while posting a 1.08 ERA in eight appearances dating back to May 15. The 31-year-old has struck out 19 and walked only three batters – two of them intentionally – in 20 innings this season. Estévez is earning $6.75 million in 2024, his final season before becoming a free agent.

After an early-season hiccup, Finnegan has been one of the best closers in the game, rattling off 17 saves in 18 opportunities dating back to April 3. Finnegan has allowed two earned runs over his past 24 1/3 innings (0.74 ERA), holding opposing hitters to a .124/.209/.198 slash line. The right-hander is earning $5.1 million this season and is arbitration-eligible for one more year before becoming a free agent at the end of the 2025 season.

Quantrill’s first month with Colorado was uneven (0-3, 5.34 ERA), but the 29-year-old has turned things around since the beginning of May. The right-hander is 5-1 with a 2.20 ERA in seven starts since May 3, averaging nearly six innings per outing during that stretch. Quantrill is earning $6.55 million in 2024 and will be arbitration-eligible for the final time after the season, making him controllable through the end of 2025.

Since suffering a blown save and a loss against the Braves on April 14, Scott has been dominant while closing for the last-place Marlins. The lefty has not allowed an earned run over his last 18 appearances, going 6-for-6 in save opportunities with a 1.00 WHIP and a .444 opponents OPS. Scott is earning $5.7 million in 2024 and will be a free agent at the end of the season, making him one of the better rental relievers available this summer.