10 trade targets to watch after the All-Star break
When Emmanuel Clase struck out Bryan Reynolds to wrap up the American League’s All-Star Game victory Tuesday night, the baseball world immediately shifted its attention to the second half, where no less than 22 teams are still close enough to postseason spots to believe that anything can happen.
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The Trade Deadline is less than two weeks away, creating a 12-day sprint to July 30, during which time clubs must decide whether to buy, sell or stand pat.
Nearly every contender will likely look to bolster its pitching staff, some in the rotation, others in the bullpen, and for a number of teams, both.
Other questions will be answered as the calendar races toward the end of July. Do the Yankees need to add a catcher given Jose Trevino’s injury? Will the Mariners be able to improve their offense with one move, or are multiple bats necessary? Will the Braves continue to seek outfield help? Can the Orioles and Dodgers acquire enough pitching to make them favorites in their respective leagues? Do the Phillies even need to add anything?
A number of players will change teams between now and then, but as Major League Baseball prepares to begin the second half on Friday, here’s a look at 10 players (listed by their first-half fWAR) who could find themselves changing uniforms before the end of the month.
Brent Rooker, OF/DH, Athletics
Current fWAR: 3.0
It’s been fair to wonder whether the Athletics will trade their lone All-Star from this season, but acquiring Mason Miller will surely take a haul of prospects that will cause major hesitation from most teams. Rooker, last year’s Oakland All-Star representative, seems more likely to find himself on a new team by July 30 despite having three more years of club control, as he turns 30 later this year and might not fit into the Athletics’ long-term plans. Rooker followed up his 30-homer, 69-RBI 2023 season with 21 home runs and 62 RBIs before the break this year, posting a .942 OPS in 83 games.
Erick Fedde, RHP, White Sox
Current fWAR: 2.7
Fedde put together a solid first half after returning from a year playing in Korea, posting a 2.99 ERA in 19 starts (111 1/3 innings). The 31-year-old signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the White Sox, who are expected to be big sellers prior to the Deadline. Chicago could hold on to Fedde and shop him again in the offseason, but given the thin starting pitching market, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a contender make a move for the righty.
Jack Flaherty, RHP, Tigers
Current fWAR: 2.1
The 28-year-old may be on his way to his second straight Deadline deal, having been sent from St. Louis to Baltimore last August. Flaherty signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Tigers after his subpar 2023, but he’s bounced back in a big way this season, posting a 3.13 ERA over 95 innings (16 starts) prior to the break. In a market largely desperate for rotation help, Flaherty could be a huge trade chip for Detroit.
Jazz Chisholm Jr., INF/OF, Marlins
Current fWAR: 1.4
When the Marlins announced that Chisholm would be getting some time at second base after the break, it further fueled speculation that Miami planned to move the 26-year-old before the Deadline. Chisholm, who hit the break with 12 home runs, 18 stolen bases and a .728 OPS, is making $2,625,000 this season and is arbitration eligible for two more years after 2024.
Jesse Winker, OF, Nationals
Current fWAR: 1.3
The recent promotion of the team’s top prospect James Wood has relegated Winker to part-time DH duties, and given his expiring contract and the fact that he’s making $1,500,000 this season, the 30-year-old could be a good buy for a contender seeking outfield help. Winker reached the All-Star break with 11 homers, 43 RBIs, 12 steals and an .806 OPS.
Elias Díaz, C, Rockies
Current fWAR: 0.9
Díaz slumped before the break, but he’s slashing a respectable .286/.330/.403 with five home runs and 30 RBIs in 67 games, missing almost three weeks in June with a calf strain. Díaz, 33, is on the final year of a 3-year, $14,500,000 contract, and given the lack of available catching, last year’s All-Star Game MVP could draw interest.
Danny Jansen, C, Blue Jays
Current fWAR: 0.9
Along with Díaz, Jansen figures to be the other notable catcher available this month, and with a $5,200,000 contract this season, the 29-year-old impending free agent could be intriguing for catching-needy clubs. Jansen is having an off year at the plate, slashing .223/.316/.391 with six homers and 17 RBIs in 57 games, but he hit 32 home runs in 158 games between 2022-23, showing some good pop in his bat.
Carlos Estévez, RHP, Angels
Current fWAR: 0.9
Estévez’s contract year got off to a shaky start, as he posted a 4.76 ERA through the end of May. Since the calendar flipped to June, the right-hander has been virtually unhittable, allowing just three hits and one walk over 14 scoreless innings. Estévez is making $6,750,000 this season, after which he will be a free agent. Based on the way he’s pitched during the past few weeks, he could be a game-changer for a contender’s bullpen.
Tanner Scott, LHP, Marlins
Current fWAR: 0.6
Scott is as close to a lock to be traded as any player in the Majors, as the Marlins made their selling intentions clear in early May with the deal that sent Luis Arraez to the Padres. Scott, who turns 30 next week, is making $5,700,000 this season before he becomes a free agent. The lefty has a 1.34 ERA and 14 saves in 39 appearances this season and will be a big addition to any contender’s bullpen.
Kyle Finnegan, RHP, Nationals
Current fWAR: 0.2
A late addition to the NL All-Star team, Finnegan successfully converted 25 of 29 save opportunities before the break, posting a 2.45 ERA in 41 appearances. Washington traded Hunter Harvey to the Royals a few days ago, a signal that more deals could be on the way. Finnegan is making $5,100,000 this season and is arbitration eligible for one more year before becoming a free agent.