Scan the list of potential trade candidates and one thing becomes very clear: some positions are far more stacked than others.
Need a mid-rotation starter? There are plenty of them out there to be had. Corner infielder, perhaps? Regardless of which teams ultimately decide to sell, this market should have enough to satisfy most if not all of the corner-needy clubs.
Middle infield, you say? Good luck.
2025 MLB Trade Deadline: July 31, 6 p.m. ET
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MLB.com looks at the best player potentially available at each position, along with the “Buzz Factor” surrounding them as the Trade Deadline draws near.
C: Sean Murphy, Braves
Murphy appeared to be part of the Braves’ long-term plans when they acquired him in December 2022 and signed him to a six-year, $73 million extension two weeks later. He was an All-Star with a 5.0 fWAR in his first season with the Braves, but injuries limited him to 72 games in 2024, and although he’s having a solid year in 2025, the emergence of Drake Baldwin has provided depth behind the plate.
Buzz Factor: Medium
Murphy is signed through 2028 for $15 million per year with a $15 million club option for 2029, making the 30-year-old an attractive trade chip for a disappointing Atlanta team without much to sell, though that deal could also happen after the season.
1B: Ryan O'Hearn, Orioles
O’Hearn picked a good time to have a career season, making his first All-Star team in his final season before becoming a free agent. The eight-year veteran, who turns 32 on July 26, can provide lineup flexibility with his ability to play first base and both corner outfield spots, though first is his best defensive position.
Buzz Factor: High
The Orioles are going to sell, and as their lone All-Star with an expiring contract, O’Hearn feels like one of the most likely players in MLB to be dealt by July 31.
2B: Luis Urías, Athletics
It’s slim pickings for any club looking for help at second base, a position without many viable trade candidates. Urías got off to a solid start this season, hitting .270 with six home runs and an .801 OPS in his first 39 games, but his production has plummeted since then, with a .204 average, one homer and a .551 OPS in 33 games since May 24.
Buzz Factor: Low
Urías has superb bat-to-ball skills – he ranks among the top 20 percent of the league in chase percentage, whiff percentage and strikeout percentage – but his fielding continues to be an issue: He owns a negative Outs Above Average figure for the fifth straight season.
SS: Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Pirates
The middle-infield scarcity doesn’t only apply to second basemen. Clubs seeking help at shortstop are going to be disappointed at the lack of players available at that position. IKF doesn’t strike out much and can steal a base or two, and while he’s not having a good defensive year by the numbers (-3 Outs Above Average), the 30-year-old has long been considered a solid, steady defender.
Buzz Factor: Low
IKF was dealt from the Blue Jays to the Pirates prior to last year’s Deadline, and while it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him moved again – he’s headed for free agency at the end of the season – the underwhelming crop of available shortstops isn’t creating much buzz in general.
3B: Eugenio Suárez, Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks may not go into full-scale buy-or-sell mode until the final 48-72 hours prior to the Deadline, but Suárez’s value has never been higher than it is right now – especially after belting four more home runs over the weekend. With a number of impending free agents on the roster, there are many who believe Arizona is likely to trade Suárez whether GM Mike Hazen decides to be a big seller or not, because the demand for third basemen is high.
Buzz Factor: High
With contenders including the Tigers, Yankees, Mariners and Cubs all in need of help at the hot corner, the Diamondbacks might have the most desirable bat on this year’s market.
LF: Jarren Duran, Red Sox
One year ago, Duran had just played in his first All-Star Game and was on his way to a breakout season that saw him lead the Majors in doubles and triples while posting an .834 OPS and 6.8 fWAR. Although Duran has performed well this year, he hasn’t been able to replicate his success from 2024. But he’s still as durable as they come (he plays every day and leads the AL in plate appearances), hits the ball hard (88th percentile in exit velocity) and is one of the fastest players in the game.
Buzz Factor: Medium
The Red Sox don’t have a pressing need to trade Duran, who is under club control through 2028, but with a trio of young outfielders (Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu) in place to carry the load, Duran may be Boston’s best trade chip to add controllable pitching.
CF: Cedric Mullins, Orioles
Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox might be the most oft-named center fielder on the block, but he’s having another subpar season. Mullins’ year isn’t going to be confused for Pete Crow-Armstrong’s any time soon, but the 30-year-old is the best of the available bunch; he has 13 home runs, 42 RBIs and 14 stolen bases with a .705 OPS in 82 games, ranks in the upper third of the league in walk percentage and still plays a strong center field.
Buzz Factor: High
Mullins is one of nine players with expiring contracts on the Orioles, who seem unlikely to re-sign the 2021 All-Star. If Baltimore sells – which appears more probable by the day – then Mullins should get moved to a contender with a need in center.
RF: Adolis García, Rangers
García’s season has been underwhelming, but the right fielder has come on of late, posting an .801 OPS with four home runs in 15 games between June 30 and July 19. But the dearth of power bats on the market this month could result in an overpay by a contender in need of some pop, and his solid defense in right field makes him even more attractive. Texas has a glut of outfielders who can fill his spot if he’s moved, making him expendable if the right deal comes along.
Buzz Factor: Low
The Rangers are in the thick of the AL Wild Card race, so it remains to be seen whether Texas buys or sells by the end of the month. García is earning $10.5 million this season and is arbitration-eligible for one more year.
DH: Marcell Ozuna, Braves
In a market short on power bats, Ozuna should have some appeal for contenders seeking some pop at the designated hitter spot. Ozuna started off strong this season (.901 OPS through 55 games), and although he posted a .547 OPS over his next 35 contests, he’s still a power threat who can change a game with one swing.
Buzz Factor: Medium
Ozuna is in the final year of his contract, and with the Braves facing long odds for the postseason – and seemingly unlikely to re-sign the 34-year-old – Atlanta will likely try to move the DH for a prospect or two.
RH starting pitcher: Mitch Keller, Pirates
Starting pitching is always in demand this time of year, but controllable starting pitching can bring back really strong returns. Keller has been steady for the Pirates this season (3.48 ERA, 14 quality starts out of 20) while getting very little run support, dooming him to a 3-10 record at the break. There are some solid rental arms that could be available, but Keller’s performance and control make him one of the most desirable starters out there.
Buzz Factor: High
Keller is in the second year of a five-year, $77 million contract extension, with salaries of $16.9 million, $18.4 million and $20.4 million over the next three seasons. The Pirates aren’t trading Paul Skenes any time soon, but moving Keller for a proven bat might be the play here.
LH starting pitcher: Jeffrey Springs, Athletics
Following a rocky first month with the Athletics, Springs has been very consistent, throwing a quality start in 10 of 15 outings since May 1. The left-hander is set to earn $10.5 million in 2026 and has a $15 million club option for 2027, and at 32 years of age, Springs likely doesn’t fit into any of the Athletics’ long-term plans.
Buzz Factor: Medium
The Athletics acquired Springs in a trade with the Rays last winter, hoping to pair him and Luis Severino atop the rotation to help turn things around. The club’s 42-59 record shows there’s a long way to go, so moving Springs for young talent makes sense, especially with the need for starting pitching among many contenders.
RH relief pitcher: David Bednar, Pirates
You could certainly make a case for Emmanuel Clase or Jhoan Duran in this spot, but with multiple years of control remaining for both relievers, it’s no sure thing that either of them get moved. Bednar has been a popular name in this space for a few years, but with his $5.9 million salary and only one more year of arbitration eligibility, this feels like the time to trade him.
Buzz Factor: High
Pittsburgh saw how quickly a reliever can lose his value when Bednar imploded to start the year and was sent to Triple-A, but the two-time All-Star has been outstanding since his return in late April, posting a 1.69 ERA while going 13-for-13 in save opportunities over 34 appearances. Given the number of teams seeking bullpen help, the Pirates should get a strong return for Bednar.
LH relief pitcher: Reid Detmers, Angels
The Angels are typically hesitant to sell at the Deadline, and with their record hovering around .500 and the final Wild Card spot within sight, it’s still possible that they won’t move anybody. If they do, there should be plenty of interest in Detmers, who has excelled in a relief role – he has a 1.20 ERA over 29 appearances since May 9 – after a rocky transition to the bullpen.
Buzz Factor: Low
Detmers is earning $1.825 million this season and is arbitration-eligible for three more years, so it would likely take a big offer to pry him away from the Angels. But this time of year, big offers can emerge out of nowhere, so never say never.