10 potential trade chips on the rise -- and where they could land

With the MLB Draft and All-Star Game in the rear-view mirror, front offices around the league will spend the next few weeks tweaking their rosters leading up to the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline.

Small sample sizes are exactly that, but players seeing an early-summer surge can often put themselves on the trade-market radar. With that in mind, let’s look at 10 potential trade candidates who have seen their stock rise during the past month.

• 6 All-Star trade targets to watch after the break

(Players listed alphabetically. All stats are through the end of the first half.)

Cody Bellinger, CF, Cubs
Bellinger was red-hot during the final two weeks of the first half, posting a 1.114 OPS and a .449/.482/.633 slash line in 13 games. Playing on a one-year, $12.5 million contract with a $25 million mutual option for 2024 ($5 million buyout), Bellinger seems like a lock to hit the free-agent market, making him a prime trade candidate if the Cubs decide to sell.

Potential fits: Giants, Guardians, Yankees

Jeimer Candelario, 3B, Nationals
Candelario has thrived at the plate over the past month, posting a .981 OPS with five home runs and an impressive .309/.364/.617 slash line in 21 games dating back to June 16. The 29-year-old signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Nationals prior to the season, so he’s an affordable expiring contract for clubs seeking help at the hot corner.

Potential fits: Cubs, Marlins, Yankees

Lucas Giolito, RHP, White Sox
The White Sox have a number of trade candidates, but none make more sense than Giolito, an impending free agent earning $10.4 million this season. The right-hander has excelled since early-June, posting a 2.45 ERA in seven starts (44 innings) since June 6. Giolito has held hitters to a .182 average during that stretch.

Potential fits: Dodgers, Orioles, Red Sox

Kyle Hendricks, RHP, Cubs
The right-hander didn’t make his debut this season until May 25, but he’s been superb since shaking off some initial rust. Since June 10, Hendricks is 3-1 with a 2.61 ERA in six starts, posting a 0.868 WHIP, .199 opponents’ batting average and .543 opponents’ OPS over 38 innings. Henrdicks is in the final year of his four-year, $55.5 million deal, though the Cubs have a $16 million option for 2024, giving potential suitors an additional year of club control to consider.

Potential fits: Orioles, Reds, D-backs

Jordan Hicks, RHP, Cardinals
Hicks has looked great since assuming the closer role in mid-June, posting a 1.80 ERA with seven saves in 10 appearances. The right-hander has fanned 13 batters in 10 innings, holding hitters to a .525 OPS in that span. Hicks is owed less than $1 million this season and will be a free agent at the end of the year, making him a logical candidate to be dealt.

Potential fits: D-backs, Dodgers, Rangers

Justin Lawrence, RHP, Rockies
The 28-year-old is having a breakout season, posting a 2.76 ERA and 182 ERA+ over 38 appearances. But Lawrence has been even better than that during the past month, allowing one earned run in 11 1/3 innings (0.79 ERA), though he continues to struggle with walks. Lawrence is earning the league minimum and won’t even be arbitration-eligible until 2025, so while the Rockies certainly don’t need to move him, teams in need of bullpen help could make it appealing to do so.

Potential fits: Brewers, Marlins, Reds

Lance Lynn, RHP, White Sox
The second White Sox starter on our list, Lynn has a 3.86 ERA over his past four starts, the first of which was his 16-strikeout performance against the Mariners on June 18. Lynn, who is holding hitters to a .198 average during that stretch, has 41 strikeouts over his last 25 2/3 innings, including an 11-strikeout game in his last start on July 6. The 36-year-old is in the second year of a two-year, $38 million deal, with a $1 million buyout on his $18 million club option for 2024.

Potential fits: Dodgers, Phillies, Red Sox

Jordan Montgomery, LHP, Cardinals
The 30-year-old lefty has been on fire of late, going 4-0 with a 1.46 ERA in his past six starts to close the first half. Montgomery has averaged more than six innings per start during that stretch, holding hitters to a .189 average. Playing on a one-year, $10 million deal prior to becoming a free agent this offseason, Montgomery will be an attractive trade option -- as long as the hamstring injury he suffered in his last start proves to be minor.

Potential fits: Blue Jays, D-backs, Red Sox

Tommy Pham, LF, Mets
Pham has been one of the Mets’ best hitters since early June, hitting .319 with six homers, 20 RBIs and a .935 OPS in 31 games dating back to June 4. Pham has settled in as the Mets’ everyday left fielder, but if New York can’t climb back into the race and opts to become a seller, the 35-year-old -- who is playing on a one-year, $5 million deal -- could be moved elsewhere.

Potential fits: Giants, Guardians, Twins

Blake Snell, LHP, Padres
Since he allowed six earned runs in four innings against the Red Sox on May 19, Snell has arguably been the best pitcher in the game, going 5-1 with a 0.68 ERA over his past nine starts. Snell -- who is earning $16 million this season, the final year of his five-year, $50 million deal -- has allowed just four earned runs over 53 innings during that stretch, striking out 84 batters while holding hitters to a .155 batting average and .458 OPS. San Diego could go either way at the Trade Deadline, but if the Padres sell, Snell will become a hot commodity.

Potential fits: Astros, Rangers, Red Sox