10 trade targets to watch as Deadline approaches

From Cal Raleigh’s Home Run Derby win to the epic Hank Aaron Tribute to Kyle Schwarber’s power display in the swing-off, this week’s All-Star festivities were memorable on so many levels.

But with the season restarting its schedule on Friday, we’re getting awfully close to one of the most important days on the baseball calendar: the Trade Deadline.

We’re less than two weeks away from July 31, setting up a sprint that will help determine which clubs will buy, sell or stand pat as we enter the stretch run.

Considering how tight the postseason picture is in both leagues – all but three teams in the American League are within 4 1/2 games of a playoff spot, while 10 teams in the National League are within 5 1/2 games – the next 7-10 days on the schedule will be crucial.

Here’s a look at 10 names that could be on the move in the next two weeks (listed alphabetically):

• Everything you need to know about the MLB Trade Deadline

Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Marlins

First-half fWAR: 0.5

Since the moment Alcantara returned from Tommy John surgery this season, it has been widely assumed that the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner would be the premier arm to be moved before the Trade Deadline. A woeful start to the season – he was 2-7 with an 8.47 ERA in 11 starts through the end of May – created speculation that the Marlins might have to wait until the offseason to trade him, but Alcantara rebounded with a strong four-start stretch in June (2.74 ERA).

He's struggled since then, getting hit hard to the tune of a 9.53 ERA over his past three outings. Given his contract – he’s owed $17 million in 2026 and has a $21 million club option for 2027 – Alcantara could still be moved if another team believes in him, but the Marlins could also wait until the winter, hoping a strong second half helps reestablish his value.

David Bednar, RHP, Pirates

First-half fWAR: 1.1

An early-season demotion to Triple-A left many wondering what happened to Bednar, who made the NL All-Star team in both 2022 and '23. Bednar returned to the Majors on April 19 and looked like a different pitcher, regaining the closer role before the end of the month. Since April 25, Bednar is 12-for-12 in save opportunities with a 1.93 ERA in 30 outings, reestablishing himself as a trustworthy late-inning option. Given the number of clubs seeking bullpen help, Bednar (and teammate Dennis Santana) should garner plenty of interest.

Emmanuel Clase, RHP, Guardians

First-half fWAR: 1.1

Cleveland is technically still in the American League Wild Card race, sitting 4 1/2 games behind the Mariners for the third spot. But at 46-49, the Guardians are ninth among the Wild Card contenders, meaning they will have to pass six teams to move into postseason position. Cade Smith has closer stuff and could take over that job if Clase were traded, and while the Guardians control the three-time All-Star through 2028, he could be the perfect trade candidate for a club consistently seeking young talent. Clase struggled at the start of the season (6.75 ERA, two blown saves in seven opportunities through the end of April), but he’s looked like his All-Star self since, converting 15 of 17 save opportunities with a 1.20 ERA in 29 appearances.

Jarren Duran, OF, Red Sox

First-half fWAR: 1.4

Trading a controllable player such as Duran – he’s under club control through 2028 – might seem wild, but the Red Sox have a surplus of outfielders that could make the 28-year-old expendable if Boston is able to get a solid return. Duran hasn’t been able to follow up his breakout 2024 season with a similar campaign, though he’s still been a contributor to the Red Sox lineup. If Boston feels confident in the trio of Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu patrolling the outfield, Duran could help fill other holes – specifically in the rotation – for 2025 and beyond.

Mitch Keller, RHP, Pirates

First-half fWAR: 2.6

Keller’s 3-10 record is no indication of how well he’s pitched this season, as the right-hander has delivered 14 quality starts in his 20 outings while posting a 3.48 ERA – including five quality starts and a 2.32 ERA over his past seven. The 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 over the next three seasons. The Pirates are in need of Major League-ready hitters, and with a number of young starting pitchers in the organization – Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Bubba Chandler, Hunter Barco and Thomas Harrington could make up the rotation of the future – Pittsburgh’s best trade chip to add offense might be Keller.

Ryan McMahon, 3B, Rockies

First-half fWAR: 1.0

The Rockies have been reluctant to entertain trade offers for McMahon over the past two years, hoping to make the third baseman a building block in their rebuild. But Colorado is on pace to break the White Sox 2024 record for the most losses in a season, and McMahon – an All-Star in 2024 – is one of the few assets that could bring back a solid return. He has had a roller-coaster season, posting a .533 OPS in his first 31 games, a .909 OPS over the next 43, then a .433 OPS over the past 20. He’s signed for two more years at $16 million each, and as one of the better defensive third baseman in the league with strong peripherals – he ranks in the 95th percentile in average exit velocity and the top 25 percent of the league in hard-hit percentage, bat speed and walk percentage – he should have appeal to several clubs.

Charlie Morton, RHP, Orioles

First-half fWAR: 0.6

After losing in his first five starts while posting a 10.89 ERA, Morton seemed to be staring at the end of his 18-year career. The 41-year-old was demoted to the bullpen, though he rejoined the rotation a month later after Kyle Gibson was released. Since then, Morton has been incredibly effective, going 5-0 with a 2.76 ERA in eight starts. Baltimore looks to be an inevitable seller, with Morton – who is on a one-year, $15 million deal – all but certain to draw 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 2021 season, and while he hasn’t been able to replicate that performance over the past three years, the 30-year-old has remained above league average at the plate each season while excelling defensively. Mullins is earning $8.725 million in his final year before free agency, and with the Orioles carrying a 43-52 record and -90 run differential, Baltimore could look to get a return for Mullins rather than watching him walk via free agency.

Marcell Ozuna, DH, Braves

First-half fWAR: 1.0

Ozuna got off to a blazing start, posting a .901 OPS with 10 home runs through his first 55 games. Since June 3, however, the designated hitter has a .547 OPS with three homers in 35 games, struggling to find his early-season form. Ozuna is slated to become a free agent at the end of the year, and with the Braves seemingly headed nowhere after a 42-53 first half, the 34-year-old slugger will be one of Atlanta’s best trade chips.

Eugenio Suárez, 3B, Diamondbacks

First-half fWAR: 2.8

Suárez made his second career All-Star team this season, belting 31 home runs with a league-leading 78 RBIs in 95 games. Arizona has been teetering around the .500 mark for most of the season, their record peaking at 14-9 on April 22. But a 6-12 skid to finish the first half left the Diamondbacks at 47-50, putting them 5 1/2 games out of the final NL Wild Card spot. With six teams ahead of them in that race, Arizona could be headed on a seller’s path, and Suárez will be highly coveted by teams including the Yankees, Tigers, Brewers and Mariners.