13 top trade candidates and their potential fits

Identifying trade candidates in mid-June can be a tricky annual exercise, but this year’s standings have made it more difficult than ever before.

Entering play Friday, 12 teams in the American League were within 6 1/2 games of a postseason spot, while 13 teams in the National League were no more than 1 1/2 games out of a playoff spot.

• Trade Deadline Inbox: Who are the buyers and sellers?

With such a crowded field of potential contenders, trying to figure out which players might be on the move by July 30 is a challenge. Let’s take a look at 13 emerging trade candidates from the five teams that appear destined to become sellers -- the White Sox, Angels, Athletics, Marlins and Rockies -- along with potential fits for those players (listed alphabetically). All stats below are entering play on Friday.

Tyler Anderson, LHP, Angels
Anderson has rebounded from a down year with the Angels in 2023, posting a 2.48 ERA in his first 15 starts of '24. He’s signed for $13 million this season and next, but given the need for rotation help around the league, the Angels figure to have suitors if they opt to move the southpaw. Anderson has been excellent of late, pitching to a 2.00 ERA in 45 innings over his past seven starts.

Potential fits: Astros, Cardinals, Red Sox

Miguel Andujar, LF, Athletics
Andujar has hit well since making his season debut on May 24, batting .330 with two homers and 14 RBIs in 23 games. The 29-year-old is on his third team since 2022, but given his $1.7 million salary and additional year of control, Andujar could be a low-cost acquisition for a club seeking a right-handed outfield bat.

Potential fits: Braves, Pirates, Twins

Garrett Crochet, LHP, White Sox
The White Sox have several players they can move this summer, but Crochet is inarguably the one that will bring back the biggest return based on his production, age and club control. The lefty turned 25 on Friday, is earning only $800,000 this season and is arbitration-eligible for two more years, keeping him under club control through the 2026 season. Crochet’s conversion from the bullpen to the rotation was bumpy at first (6.37 ERA in his first six starts), but he’s posted a 1.68 ERA over his past 10, striking out 84 batters in 59 innings. His 124 strikeouts lead the AL, while his 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings lead all MLB qualified pitchers. Chicago’s asking price will be understandably high if it opts to move Crochet, but nothing gets a bidding war going like a young, controllable starter.

Potential fits: Brewers, Dodgers, Orioles

Paul DeJong, SS, White Sox
DeJong has already matched his home run total from all of 2023, belting 14 in his first 70 games with Chicago. The 30-year-old's .751 OPS is his highest value since his lone All-Star season in 2019 (.762), providing great value for his $1.75 million contract. DeJong is slated to become a free agent at the end of the season, and given the dearth of middle-infield talent expected to be moved this summer, he could become a popular target for contenders.

Potential fits: Dodgers, Giants, Guardians

Elias Díaz, C, Rockies
Díaz might be the best catcher available this summer, combining a solid mix of offense (.303/.352/.439) and defense (91% framing, 89% CS above average). Díaz was hot at the plate in recent weeks, posting an .838 OPS in 28 games since May 3, but he landed on the injured list with a left calf strain earlier in June. He’s earning $6 million this season, his last before becoming a free agent, but his recovery from the injury will determine his trade status as July approaches.

Potential fits: Cubs, Guardians, Tigers

Carlos Estévez, RHP, Angels
Virtually every contender out there will be looking for bullpen help in the coming weeks, one reason the Angels should consider jumping the market with Estévez, who is earning $6.75 million this season and headed for free agency in the fall. The closer has a 0.79 ERA and .327 OPS allowed in his past 11 outings, successfully converting all seven of his save opportunities. He’s pitched in setup roles in past seasons, making him a prime trade-rental candidate for clubs seeking either a closer or a late-inning bridge to their current ninth-inning man.

Potential fits: Mariners, Royals, Yankees

Erick Fedde, RHP, White Sox
Fedde’s return to the Majors has been solid, as the right-hander has a 5-1 record and 3.09 ERA over 87 1/3 innings in his first 15 starts. Fedde inked a two-year, $15 million deal, so an acquiring club would be taking on the remainder of his $7.5 million salary in 2024, plus $7.5 million next year -- a very reasonable price for a reliable starter.

Potential fits: Astros, Brewers, Cardinals

Matt Moore, LHP, Angels
The Angels signed Moore to a one-year, $9 million deal on Jan. 27, and while the 35-year-old struggled during the first month and a half (7.02 ERA in 16 2/3 innings through May 20), he’s allowed just two earned runs over his past 11 innings (1.64 ERA) dating back to May 21. Moore is still effective against lefties (.191/.292/.357), and he could provide bullpen depth for a contender.

Potential fits: Astros, D-backs, Royals

Cal Quantrill, RHP, Rockies
It’s not common for the Rockies to have a starting pitcher to deal around Deadline time, and although Quantrill has another year of control (he’s arbitration-eligible for a fourth and final time next winter), Colorado might look to seize on his strong first half in a pitching-needy market. Quantrill has a 2.25 ERA over his past nine starts, lowering his season ERA from 5.34 to 3.43 in the process. The 29-year-old is earning $6.55 million this season.

Potential fits: Padres, Orioles, Twins

Kevin Pillar, OF, Angels
Taylor Ward’s name is often mentioned as a trade candidate, but with two years of arbitration eligibility remaining, it will take a lot to pry him away from the Angels. Pillar, on the other hand, is owed only the league minimum. He will be a free agent after the season, and while the 35-year-old’s best days are behind him, he’s had a resurgence since joining Los Angeles, posting a .959 OPS with six homers and 25 RBIs in 33 games.

Potential fits: Braves, Orioles, Tigers

Luis Rengifo, INF, Angels
Rengifo has four homers, 20 RBIs, 18 stolen bases and a .313/.359/.428 slash line this season, and he is among the most versatile players who figure to be available this summer. The 27-year-old switch-hitter has started 30 games at third base and 21 at second this season, along with one at shortstop; he’s also played all three outfield spots during his career. Rengifo -- who is earning $4.4 million this season and has one more year of arbitration eligibility -- is an ideal candidate for a club seeking infield help.

Potential fits: Braves, Mariners, Twins

Tanner Scott, LHP, Marlins
Scott is having an excellent season, though he’s not being given many save opportunities with the last-place Marlins. Scott ranks in the top 10 percent of MLB in average exit velocity, expected batting average, whiff rate and ground ball rate, posting a 1.74 ERA in 31 innings. The southpaw is earning $5.7 million this season, his last before free agency, making him a prime rental candidate.

Potential fits: Orioles, Phillies, Yankees

Andrew Vaughn, 1B, White Sox
Unlike DeJong, Vaughn isn’t headed for free agency this offseason, so the White Sox might not be inclined to deal the 26-year-old. But the first baseman could be one of Chicago’s most intriguing trade chips, because Vaughn is earning $3.25 million this season and will be arbitration-eligible for two more years after 2024. Vaughn bounced back from a slow start, slashing .289/.336/.528 (.864 OPS) with nine home runs and 27 RBIs in his past 36 games since May 8, after posting a .471 OPS with no homers and seven RBIs in his first 34 contests.

Potential fits: Astros, Mariners, Yankees