Trade chips for MLB clubs at 2024 Deadline

So which players could still be on the move? MLB.com takes a look at the best trade chip for each club, regardless of its status as a buyer or a seller. That’s not to say these players will be traded this week, but each of them could help their respective teams accomplish their Trade Deadline goals.

Toronto appears determined to hold on to its controllable players such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Chris Bassitt, but those with expiring contracts are almost certain to be traded, just as García was on Friday. Kikuchi leads that list for the Blue Jays, and while his numbers don’t stand out in general, he’s striking out more than 10 batters per nine innings and owns a career-best 5.9% walk rate.

It may seem odd to suggest that one of the league’s best teams could trade its starting first baseman, but given the wealth of high-end talent knocking on the door in their system, the Orioles could consider moving Mountcastle to open a spot for Coby Mayo and/or Ryan O’Hearn in the short term and potentially Samuel Basallo down the road. With a handful of clubs in desperate need of a first baseman, anything is possible if the right offer comes along. Baltimore already traded from its big-league roster with the Hays deal, showing the front office’s creativity to deal.

Rays: Yandy Díaz, 1B/3B
Under club control through: 2026

With Arozarena now in Seattle and Eflin on his way to Baltimore, the Rays will continue considering offers for any and all players. Díaz is already drawing interest, with the Astros, the Pirates and the Mariners among the potential landing spots for the corner infielder. Díaz is signed for $10 million in 2025 and has a $12 million club option (no buyout) for ‘26, making him a controllable asset for any club that acquires him.

Red Sox: Nick Yorke, 2B
Under club control through: at least 2030

The Red Sox have a lot of position-player depth in their system, and with their top three prospects Marcelo Mayer (No. 1), Roman Anthony (No. 2) and Kyle Teel (No. 3) all but untouchable, Yorke — the club’s No. 6 prospect who has a .912 OPS in 34 games at Triple-A this season — could be part of a Deadline package.

Yankees: Spencer Jones, OF
Under club control through: at least 2030

Previously thought to be an untouchable prospect, Jones — the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect — could be made available in the right deal. The 23-year-old slugger has 11 home runs and 49 RBIs with a .722 OPS in 79 games at Double-A this season, though his strikeout rate (135 in 318 at-bats) is somewhat concerning.

Guardians: Juan Brito, INF
Under club control through: at least 2030

Cleveland has a glut of young infielders, especially after drafting Travis Bazzana first overall this month. Brito, the Guardians’ No. 6 prospect, has 14 home runs, 59 RBIs and an .814 OPS in 95 games at Triple-A this season and is close to being ready to make his mark in the Majors.

Royals: Carter Jensen, C
Under club control through: at least 2030

Known for his solid plate discipline and ability to hit for power, Jensen (the Royals’ No. 9 prospect) was impressive enough at High-A Quad Cities to earn a promotion to Double-A Northwest Arkansas. Kansas City’s No. 1 prospect is catcher Blake Mitchell and they have three catchers among their Top 30 prospects, making the position an area of depth for trades.

Detroit figures to shop its expiring contracts this week, with none expected to fetch a bigger return than Flaherty. The right-hander is having a strong season, going 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA in his first 18 starts, making him one of the better starters available.

Twins: Marco Raya, RHP
Under club control through: at least 2030

The Twins are unlikely to deal their top five prospects, all of whom rank in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects. Raya sits in the No. 7 spot on Minnesota’s list, and although he has struggled at Double-A this season, the 2020 fourth-round Draft pick has an impressive fastball and slider, mixing in two other pitches to form a solid arsenal. The Twins don’t figure to be players for the big names on the market, but the 21-year-old Raya and other prospects outside of the team’s top five could be used to help improve the roster.

Chicago has a number of players available for trade, but none have garnered the same attention as Crochet, whose move to the rotation has been an unmitigated success this season. The price tag will be high to acquire the left-hander, and his demand for a contract extension in order to pitch in the postseason complicates things even further, making it no lock that he gets moved by Tuesday.

Every contender could use another reliever, and Estévez — who will be a free agent after the season — may be the best one available this month. The right-hander has been virtually unhittable over his past 18 appearances dating back to May 28, allowing only three hits and two walks while striking out 15 in 18 innings and successfully converting 13 straight save opportunities during that stretch.

Astros: Pedro León, OF
Under club control through: at least 2030

León was the Astros’ No. 2 prospect in 2021, but he’s slipped down the rankings in recent years, ranking fourth in 2022, eighth in 2023 and now 25th this season. The 26-year-old is having a great season at Triple-A, slashing .298/.378/.522 with 19 home runs, 74 RBIs and 23 stolen bases in 92 games, but he has no obvious spot on Houston’s roster, making him expendable in a potential trade for pitching.

Athletics: Brent Rooker, OF/DH
Under club control through: 2027

Although most of the talk has focused on All-Star closer Mason Miller, there appears to be a better chance that Oakland trades Rooker, who might be the best bat available on the trade market. The 29-year-old is having a superb season — he has 24 homers, 70 RBIs and a .944 OPS in 90 games — and has three years of club control remaining, making him an appealing option for any club seeking an offensive boost.

Mariners: Harry Ford, C
Under club control through: at least 2030

Seattle is desperate for offense, so it’s tough to rule out Jerry Dipoto moving any of the club’s top prospects to add another bat or two, even after trading for Arozarena. Ford is the Mariners’ No. 2 prospect, though with Cal Raleigh under control through 2027, trading Ford — a 21-year-old catcher — could be in the cards.

The Rangers have pulled themselves back into the AL West race, so while they won’t be selling, it’s still unclear how much they plan to buy. Texas is getting healthier, and the return of Dane Dunning, Jacob deGrom, Josh Jung, Tyler Mahle and Cody Bradford will be the equivalent of a huge Trade Deadline. The Rangers are unlikely to trade their top prospects, but pitchers such as Teodo (No. 15 prospect) or Winston Santos (No. 16) could be used to make some roster tweaks.

Atlanta’s No. 2 prospect, Waldrep could be made available in a significant deal, as Alex Anthopoulos has not been afraid to trade his former first-round Draft picks in the past. It would take a controllable player that could help the Braves in future seasons to trade the right-hander, but if the right deal comes along, other clubs could very well insist on Waldrep’s inclusion.

The Marlins will be looking to move any and all of their impending free agents, with Scott leading that group. The All-Star is one of three premier closers on the market, and given the number of teams seeking relief help, he should bring back a decent return despite being a two-month rental.

Mets: Brett Baty, 3B
Under club control through: 2028

If the Mets limit their buying to the bullpen, it’s unlikely they would give up Baty or any of their top prospects. But if a bigger deal presents itself, then the 24-year-old who might benefit from a change of scenery could be part of a potential package.

Top prospects Andrew Painter and Aiden Miller are close to untouchable, and while Crawford, the Phillies’ No. 3 prospect, is also highly regarded within the system, it’s possible he could be moved in the right deal. The Phils are in the market for an outfielder and bullpen help, so if the right controllable piece comes along, the 20-year-old Crawford could be part of a package.

Nationals: Lane Thomas, OF
Under club control through: 2025

The Nationals have added plenty of young talent in recent years, building a core that includes outfielders James Wood and Dylan Crews they hope will help them contend soon. Thomas could be part of that core, but with only one year remaining until free agency, the outfielder — who turns 29 on Aug. 23 — could net a strong return of controllable players.

Although Jackson Chourio isn’t going anywhere, the Brewers have a wealth of other young outfielders, with Mitchell joined by Sal Frelick, Blake Perkins and Joey Weimer. Mitchell, a first-round Draft pick in 2020, missed the first three months of the season after suffering a fractured finger late in spring, but he has solid numbers in limited big league time, slashing .265/.340/.429 with six homers, 20 RBIs and 11 steals in 62 games (192 plate appearances).

It was only three years ago that Carlson was considered to be a major part of the Cardinals’ future, finishing third in NL Rookie of the Year voting after hitting 18 home runs with 65 RBIs and a .780 OPS in 149 games. But Carlson’s stock has plummeted since, with both his numbers and playing time dropping significantly during the past three seasons. Carlson is still just 25 years old and is a prime change-of-scenery candidate.

With two years and $36 million remaining on Taillon’s contract, the Cubs are in position to hold on to him and either trade him in the offseason or keep him as part of their plans in 2025-26. But given the need for pitching around the league and Chicago’s plan to not add for 2024, it’s possible they could move Taillon to bring in more young talent. The Astros, the Orioles, the Red Sox and the Yankees are all believed to be interested in the right-hander.

Pirates: Hunter Barco, LHP
Under club control through: at least 2030

Pittsburgh has been one of the biggest surprises in the league thanks to its young pitching staff, and while the Pirates are in the thick of the NL Wild Card race, general manager Ben Cherington is unlikely to trade away any of his top prospects. Arms such as Barco, the club’s No. 12 prospect who was recently promoted to Double-A, or right-hander Zander Mueth (No. 11 prospect) could help Pittsburgh add in an effort to reach the postseason.

Cincinnati remains within striking distance of an NL Wild Card spot, but with six teams ahead of it in the standings, the chances of the Reds becoming big buyers seem remote. If the club opts to sell, Montas — who has a $20 million mutual option ($2 million buyout) for 2025 — should be a sought-after rental starter.

Arizona showed its hand with the acquisition of A.J. Puk on Thursday, but the D-backs will be reluctant to part with any of their top prospects, including Jordan Lawlar (No. 1), Tommy Troy (No. 2) or Druw Jones (No. 3). McCarthy is part of a deep outfield at the big league level, which currently features Corbin Carroll, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Alek Thomas as the starters and Randal Grichuk on the bench. The D-backs could deal from strength to add to the roster, possibly in the bullpen.

Dodgers: Dalton Rushing, C/1B
Under club control through: at least 2030

If the Dodgers want to acquire a controllable starter, those conversations might begin with Rushing, a 23-year-old power hitter taken in the second round of the 2022 Draft. Rushing has 11 homers and an .838 OPS in 68 games at Double-A this season, but given that both catcher and first base are locked up for at least the next three seasons, the Dodgers could use their No. 1 prospect as part of a package in a major trade.

Giants: Blake Snell, LHP
Under club control through: 2024

Don’t look now, but Snell has pitched well since returning from the injured list on July 9, posting a 1.00 ERA over three starts (18 innings). Snell possesses a $30 million player option for 2025, which could complicate a potential trade, though $15 million of that salary would be deferred until ‘27 if he exercises the option. Snell could be one of the biggest arms moved by the Trade Deadline if San Francisco decides to move him.

Padres: Leo De Vries, SS
Under club control through: at least 2030

Trading a 17-year-old who was the top international prospect this year would be an aggressive move, but when has general manager A.J. Preller been afraid to be aggressive? Any deal involving De Vries, the club’s No. 4 prospect, would likely have to include a borderline ace — and a controllable one, at that — but the Padres’ recent play has them squarely in the “buyers” camp, and they are in serious pursuit of pitching.

Rockies: Elias Díaz, C
Under club control through: 2024

The Rockies could get a haul in return for Ryan McMahon, but Colorado has told teams he is not available. That leaves Díaz, an impending free agent and the best available catcher on the market, and pitchers Cal Quantrill and Austin Gomber as the Rockies’ primary trade chips, and all three should garner some interest around the league. Trading Díaz would allow the Rockies to get a good look at No. 9 prospect Drew Romo, who is currently playing well at Triple-A.