30 players to watch before the Deadline

The Trade Deadline is quickly approaching, and the buyers and sellers are starting to come into focus. However, a lot could still change between now and then.

With this in mind, we asked MLB.com’s beat reporters to identify players across the Majors who could directly impact what their teams do at the Deadline.

Whether it’s someone returning from an injury, a young player trying to prove himself or a potential trade chip improving his stock, here are the 30 players to watch -- one for each team -- before the Trade Deadline on July 30.

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

Blue Jays: Cavan Biggio, 3B
Biggio has been better offensively since returning from the IL with a neck injury in June, but if there’s one position on the diamond where the Blue Jays could upgrade their already potent lineup, it’s likely third base. This isn’t necessarily a knock on Biggio, either. That would slide the versatile 26-year-old into more of a super-utility role with plenty of reps available, and that’s a role that could suit him well. Capable of playing third base, second base and the corner outfield spot, Biggio is also the club’s primary backup behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first now that Rowdy Tellez is gone. -- Keegan Matheson

Orioles: Trey Mancini, OF
Already inspiring, Mancini’s comeback season from Stage 3 colon cancer reached new levels with his performance at the T-Mobile Home Run Derby. That narrative is part of his outsized importance to this current Orioles team, for whom he’s served as the face of the franchise’s current rebuild. Would they really trade him? Mike Elias will be faced at this year’s Deadline with that question, perhaps the most difficult of his tenure as Orioles GM to date. Mancini is healthy, productive (16 homers, 116 OPS+), still just 29 and under team control through 2023. Teams are sure to come calling for him, as well as ace John Means. The Orioles must decide if either (or both) fit into their projected window of contention, and if they can handle the massive PR hit that would come with dealing either for prospects. -- Joe Trezza

Rays: Luis Patiño, RHP
The Rays were always expected to add to their roster in some way before the Trade Deadline, and while they’ve already added a big bat in Nelson Cruz, their most glaring need at the moment is probably a dependable starter who will shore up a rotation that hasn’t been quite the same since ace Tyler Glasnow’s injury. The right-hander hopes to be back at some point before the postseason, and Chris Archer will get healthy in the coming weeks. But it’s notable that Patiño is coming up from Triple-A Durham to join the rotation on Thursday night in Cleveland. The 21-year-old righty has a high ceiling, and if he proves that he can pitch up to his potential, he and fellow rookie Shane McClanahan could lessen the Rays’ short-term need for a starter. And that, in turn, could free up Tampa Bay’s front office to focus its attention on pursuing bigger, more creative trades with an eye on a return trip to the World Series. -- Adam Berry

Red Sox: Bobby Dalbec, 1B
The Red Sox continue to get too much swing-and-miss from Dalbec and not enough production. Unless Dalbec can perk up within the next week, chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom is likely going to be looking for a productive bat to add to the first-base equation. Danny Santana, currently on the Major League roster, and Franchy Cordero (on the Triple-A Worcester roster) are two internal options. One rumor that won’t go away is that the Red Sox could trade for Cubs veteran slugger Anthony Rizzo. This would be a compelling storyline when you consider Rizzo was drafted by the Red Sox and spent his first four pro seasons in their farm system before getting traded to the Padres in the deal for Adrian Gonzalez. If Dalbec can finally find his stroke, Bloom could explore other ways to upgrade the club. -- Ian Browne

Yankees: Gleyber Torres, SS
After reaching the All-Star break with just three homers in 279 at-bats, Torres slammed long balls in back-to-back games against the Red Sox this week, then added a double in a victory over the Phillies. It was a glimpse of the 2019-era Torres, who led the club with 38 home runs while notching his second All-Star selection in as many years. When Torres is right, he can carry an offense, and that is a presence that the Yankees have been lacking over the past two seasons. Torres, manager Aaron Boone and hitting coach Marcus Thames have said that the shortstop is focusing on his lower-half mechanics, work that appears to be yielding results. -- Bryan Hoch

AL CENTRAL

Indians: Cesar Hernandez, 2B
The Indians have a few names that could pop up in conversations around the Trade Deadline, but Hernandez is definitely one to watch over the next week. His average isn’t up to the level he’s used to seeing it, but his power has been the focal point so far this season. If he can continue to show that he can be a threat in the box and a decent defender, he could be a piece that’s used to bring back some young, controllable talent. It could be even easier for Cleveland to part ways with Hernandez if Andrés Giménez continues to rake at Triple-A Columbus and players like Owen Miller (and eventually Tyler Freeman) continue to trend toward being constant contributors at the big league level in the near future. -- Mandy Bell

Royals: Scott Barlow, RHP
Barlow is a young, high-leverage reliever who still has three years of control remaining. The way he’s pitched the past two years could give the Royals a big return from a contender looking for a bullpen piece -- if they decide to go that route. But Barlow could factor heavily into the Royals’ future, especially as he continues to cement himself as a core piece of the bullpen. Clubs will certainly come calling to check about his availability, so the Royals will need to decide what their window of contention is the next couple years and whether a large return for Barlow could be worth it. -- Anne Rogers

Tigers: Isaac Paredes, 2B
The Tigers gave Paredes a long look at second base in Spring Training in hopes he could play there regularly at some point this year. He hasn't hit well in two brief stints in Detroit this season, and he has cooled off at Triple-A Toledo. With Willi Castro struggling, the Tigers have a clear void in their middle infield, even before considering a potential Jonathan Schoop trade. If Paredes can get rolling, the door is open for him to get a late-season look at second that could help define whether he's a big part of the Tigers' future or a complementary player. -- Jason Beck

Twins: Michael Pineda, RHP
As the Twins continued to underperform into May and June, Pineda appeared primed to be one of Minnesota’s most appealing trade chips at the Deadline, considering his expiring contract at the end of this season and his consistency throughout his three-year tenure with the Twins. But after he was struck by a comebacker to his pitching arm against Baltimore on May 26, he hasn’t looked the same. Pineda attempted to pitch through the issue for three starts before he spent time on the injured list, and his first start off the IL looked rough. There’s reason to wonder whether his performance will recover in time for him to recoup a proper return. -- Do Hyoung-Park

White Sox: Eloy Jiménez, OF
Luis Robert would be another player to add to this list, but the five-tool talent in center just began his injury rehab assignment for a torn right hip flexor. Jiménez will return from his injury rehab assignment before the Trade Deadline and should be the biggest addition for the American League Central leaders. Andrew Vaughn has more than capably taken over in left field since Jiménez suffered a ruptured left pectoral tendon at the end of Spring Training, so it will be up to manager Tony La Russa as to whether Jiménez returns regularly to the outfield or sees most of his time at designated hitter. His comeback, with Robert close behind, could lessen the need for the White Sox to add an outfielder. -- Scott Merkin

AL WEST

Angels: Raisel Iglesias, RHP
Iglesias had a slow start to the season, but he has been impressive recently and has shown the ability to record multi-inning saves. His stock is certainly on the rise, while the Angels have struggled to open the second half. They appear likely to be sellers and Iglesias is due to be a free agent after the season. He could return a decent haul from a contender looking for a high-quality reliever. The Angels still aren’t clear sellers, but Iglesias is their best chip if they decide to go that route. -- Rhett Bollinger

Astros: Pedro Báez, RHP
Perhaps manager Dusty Baker put it best recently when he said the return of the veteran right-hander from the injured list would be like the Astros making a trade to bolster their bullpen without giving up anyone. Báez, who’s been out (COVID-19 and shoulder inflammation) since signing with Houston in January, is on a rehab assignment at Triple-A and could return by the end of the month. Will that be enough for general manager James Click to stand down from his quest to bolster the club’s shaky bullpen? -- Brian McTaggart

Athletics: Mitch Moreland, DH
Production out of the DH spot has been low all season, with A’s manager Bob Melvin attributing some of that to a less-than fully healthy Moreland dealing with a couple of injuries throughout the first half. Upon returning from the injured list at the start of the All-Star break, Melvin said the DH appears to finally be at full strength. For an A’s offense that has struggled to find consistency, Moreland’s performance here in the next week could dictate some of the club’s strategy at the Trade Deadline. Could Moreland become that reliable bat in the middle of the order, or will the A’s have to look elsewhere? -- Martín Gallegos

Mariners: Mitch Haniger, OF
The will-they-or-won’t-they questions will continue to mount -- and remain a massive intrigue -- given Haniger’s value and the Mariners’ standing in the postseason picture, currently six games above .500. Haniger has long been believed to be Jerry Dipoto’s biggest trade chip, but subtracting an outfielder who has been the team’s top run producer, it’s most valuable player by WAR and a veteran leader as a 30-year-old among the Majors’ youngest teams would be a tough sell to a clubhouse that continues to remain in the thick of things. -- Daniel Kramer

Rangers: Joey Gallo, OF
Although veteran pitchers Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy are more likely to be moved at the Deadline, all eyes will be on Gallo over the next week. Time is running out on the decision of whether to extend or trade the homegrown Gallo, and his stock was steadily rising heading into the All-Star break. A year and a half out from Gallo's free agency, the Rangers are at a juncture heading into the Trade Deadline. They have to decide how far along they think the organization is in the rebuild. Whatever decision is made at the deadline will show if Gallo will be a centerpiece of the next great Texas team. -- Kennedi Landry

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

Braves: Charlie Morton, RHP
Morton has pitched like a front-line starter for more than a month and his extended success could help keep the Braves in the NL East race. But if the team gets into sell mode, Morton seems to be one of Atlanta’s most attractive trade chips. Teams won’t grossly overspend for two months of the 37 year-old hurler. But his recent postseason success will help boost his value to clubs looking to bolster their rotation. -- Mark Bowman

Marlins: Starling Marte, OF
Entering Wednesday, the Marlins have dropped five of six to open the second half. That means other clubs are clamoring even more for Marte, who is Miami’s biggest trade piece. He can become a free agent after the season and test the market -- which won’t be packed with talented center fielders -- for the first time in his career. The 32-year-old entered play Wednesday 10-for-20 with six runs, one homer, four RBIs and two stolen bases since the All-Star break, with four consecutive multi-hit games. -- Christina De Nicola

Mets: J.D. Davis, 3B
The Mets are near-certain to upgrade their rotation and bullpen prior to the Deadline, but they don’t necessarily have to make a move at third base. Davis, who has spent most of the season to date on the injured list, is finally healthy and splitting time at the position with Jonathan Villar. If he catches fire between now and the Deadline, it could convince the Mets to save their Minor League assets for pitching acquisitions. But if Davis scuffles, perhaps the Mets will take a longer, harder look at Kris Bryant. -- Anthony DiComo

Nationals: Max Scherzer, RHP
Scherzer is the Nationals' best arm, and he also happens to be in the final year of his contract. His name has been in the mix of trade buzz since the start of the season, and that chatter is likely to get louder closer to the Trade Deadline as contending teams pursue a proven arm for a postseason push. Asked on Tuesday if he believes Scherzer will remain a member of the Nationals on July 31, general manager Mike Rizzo said he does. What could change? If the Nats go into full sell mode, which Rizzo said he does not anticipate. -- Jessica Camerato

Phillies: Aaron Nola, RHP
The Phillies have pitching problems, but Nola could make them look a little smaller with a big second half. He was 6-5 with a 4.53 ERA at the All-Star break, with an 8.35 ERA in his final four starts before the break. Nola finished third for the National League Cy Young Award in 2018. They don’t need him to replicate those numbers in the second half -- although it would be nice -- but if he can pitch like he pitched past two seasons (a 3.72 ERA in 46 starts) it would put less pressure on the Phillies’ Nos. 4 and 5 starters and less pressure on the bullpen. -- Todd Zolecki

NL CENTRAL

Brewers: Devin Williams, RHP
Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns traded for high-impact bullpen arms in 2017 (Anthony Swarzak and Jeremy Jeffress), '18 (Joakim Soria) and '19 (Drew Pomeranz), and after trading away relievers J.P. Feyereisen, Drew Rasmussen and Trevor Richards this year to help the offense, he’s likely to seek relief help at the Deadline once again. How significant the addition or additions are could hinge on the health of Williams, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year Award winner who is on the 10-day injured list with right elbow discomfort. Williams played catch Tuesday and reported feeling much better, and said he was hopeful it would be a minimum IL stint. If that’s the case, and seventh-inning man Brad Boxberger’s right shoulder issue proves as minor as the Brewers hope, perhaps Stearns will look to add more in the name of depth than a high-priced, high-impact arm. -- Adam McCalvy

Cardinals: Andrew Miller, LHP
Miller’s no-trade clause on his expiring deal complicates the ability for the Cardinals to flip him to a contender, as well as his loftier salary. But should he continue to pitch as well as he has since returning from the IL (0.73 ERA in 13 outings entering play Wednesday), some calls may start to come St. Louis’ way with interest in the veteran lefty with hoards of postseason experience. Miller will want to have to move, though, and will have to decide if the chase for his first ring is worth moving to his eighth team in 16 years. -- Zach Silver

Cubs: Kris Bryant, 1B/3B/OF
It was clear on Tuesday night in St. Louis that it’s officially “hug watch” season in baseball, and especially for the Cubs and their fans. Bryant left that night’s game with what was called right hamstring “fatigue” by the team and manager David Ross downplayed the injury. Ross even joked that he knew the early exit would set off a social media storm given the timing. The manager noted that the Cubs have been keeping track of “yardage” for their players and Bryant tops the list in terms of how much he’s played and how much he has moved around the diamond. You can bet Chicago will continue to take an ultra-conservative approach with Bryant (and other potential trade chips) in the days leading up to the Deadline. First and foremost, it is about protecting the players’ health. But there is also the matter of protecting their value. And Bryant is incredibly valuable as an impact bat capable of playing all three outfield spots and both corner infield positions. He also has a track record of diminished offensive production when playing through minor health setbacks. -- Jordan Bastian

Pirates: Richard Rodríguez, RHP
Adam Frazier is the most interesting trade piece for the Pirates, but the most interesting to watch will be Rodríguez. He began the year on a tear of scoreless outings, but he’s given up 10 runs in his past 17 1/3 innings. Five of those have come across two appearances in July. The right-gander will attract a lot of trade suitors, but with relievers, a few runs here and there can influence trade value, especially if there are questions about him being a closing option for contenders. -- Jake Crouse

Reds: Kyle Farmer, SS
No, the Reds do not intend to deal Farmer, but the utility player turned shortstop has solidified the position for the club defensively this season. He’s made all the routine plays and has demonstrated that he can make some difficult ones, too. But Farmer has also been banged up with numerous aches and pains, including an abdominal injury that has to be managed with periodic rest. He’s also batting just .227 with a .643 OPS this season. If the Reds remain buyers, one area where they could look to upgrade (besides the obvious need for bullpen help) is at shortstop. The question is whether Cincinnati -- after it shaved payroll in the offseason -- would take on the sizable salary of someone like Trevor Story or Javier Báez for the rest of the season? The organization also has Jose Barrero at Triple-A Louisville and he’s viewed as the shortstop of the future. But adding a rental player to help with a playoff push would help the Reds now. -- Mark Sheldon

NL WEST

D-backs: Eduardo Escobar, 2B/3B
Escobar is the most likely D-backs player to get dealt before the Trade Deadline. Fresh off his first All-Star Game appearance, Escobar would be a nice pickup for a contender given his positional versatility, offensive production and clubhouse presence. The D-backs would like to see him get hot to maybe boost his value, but more important than that, they need him to stay healthy before the Deadline. -- Steve Gilbert

Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw, LHP
The Dodgers expect Kershaw to return at some point in August, but his health will be a big indicator of just how many starters president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman will look to bring in at the Trade Deadline. With Kershaw out for another couple of weeks and Tony Gonsolin’s inconsistencies and uninspiring performances, the Dodgers will certainly be active on the starting pitching market. -- Juan Toribio

Giants: Aaron Sanchez, RHP
Sanchez was a member of the Giants’ Opening Day rotation, but he made only six starts before landing on the injured list with right biceps tightness on May 8. The 29-year-old right-hander’s return has been delayed by a blister issue, but he’s resumed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento and is getting closer to becoming another starting option for the Giants, who are expected to prioritize pitching depth at the Trade Deadline. If Sanchez shows that he’s healthy and effective, he could help bolster two areas of the roster, as San Francisco could potentially shift a young starter like Logan Webb or Sammy Long to their bullpen down the stretch. -- Maria Guardado

Padres: Ryan Weathers, LHP
Weathers is currently working his way back from a fractured right ankle and is a candidate to make a start for the Padres in Miami this weekend. With San Diego unlikely to move either of its top two prospects -- MacKenzie Gore and CJ Abrams -- Weathers feels like one of the best young players in the organization who might be available. He’s already proven himself capable of performing in the big leagues. Even if the Padres choose to keep Weathers, he’s worth watching as an integral piece on a team that is struggling to find productive starts from the back end of its rotation. -- AJ Cassavell

Rockies: Jon Gray, RHP
Gray has bounced back from a 2020 marred by struggles with decreased velocity and a shoulder injury. His numbers at Coors Field have been uncommonly strong -- really, over his entire career. He can help a contender two ways, as part of the rotation or -- especially in a postseason series -- in key relief spots, because he is a dependable strike-thrower. Gray is a free agent at season’s end and is in demand among other teams, which could dictate a move. However, Gray has unabashedly said he wants to re-sign and continue the effort to win at altitude. So does a team want to give up assets for someone who may not re-sign? Do the Rockies risk trading him and having Gray increase his value, or even find success and happiness with the new club? -- Thomas Harding