As the Major League All-Star Game approaches, baseball is entering a particularly intense phase of the season.
This period is significant because the MLB trading deadline will follow closely behind.
In late July, fortunes can shift dramatically—not just for teams looking to fortify their lineups for playoff runs, but also for those ready to take advantage of standout seasons. With the trading deadline looming, there are several players worth keeping an eye on.
Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran
Last month, the Boston Red Sox surprised many by sending Rafael Devers to the trade market, prompting a series of moves from other teams, including the San Francisco Giants. Despite being 6.5 games back in the American League East and two games behind in the Wild Card race, Boston’s decision could allow them to make additional trades before the deadline.
While Alex Bregman often finds himself in trade discussions, his hefty $40 million salary complicates matters. However, could Jarren Duran be available? The talented outfielder is set to be loaned to a team aiming for a playoff push, especially since he has just one more season remaining on a contract with an $8 million player option. His performance has dipped from last year, but for teams looking for lineup boosts, he could still be a decent option, even if it’s just for half a season.
It seems like Boston wants to retain Duran, but they have a promising group of young outfielders, such as Rome Anthony, Sedanne Rafaela, and Wire Abreu, who might take on more significant roles in the future.
Sandy Alcantara, SP, Miami Marlins
All signs suggest that Sandy Alcantara is a leading candidate to be traded before the deadline. After winning the National League Cy Young Award unanimously in 2022, he took a step back before missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery in 2023.
Alcantara had a challenging start to this season but seemed to find his rhythm in June. However, recent outings—seven runs scored against the Diamondbacks and another five against the Brewers—raise some concerns. Still, he’s the same pitcher who returned from surgery and has a history of Cy Young caliber performances.
Ryan McMahon, 3B, Colorado Rockies
With the New York Yankees shifting Jazz Chisholm Jr. to first base, they could be on the lookout for a solid third baseman by the deadline. That might open the door for Ryan McMahon to join the Yankees.
McMahon has been on track for a fourth consecutive 20-home run season, but his current .213/.314/.377 slash line doesn’t exactly make him a hot commodity right now. However, moving to New York could potentially improve those numbers.
Ryan O’Hearn, 1B, Baltimore Orioles
It seems that discussions in my neighborhood in Maryland suggest a shift in focus for the Baltimore Orioles towards 2026 and beyond soon.
Ryan O’Hearn could be among those leaving the team quickly. Currently, he has 11 home runs with a .287/.378/.461 slash line, placing him in the top ranks in the majors.
His performance against left-handed pitchers isn’t as strong, with a .229/.315/.292 average, but teams in need of hitting should be checking in with Baltimore.
Josh Naylor, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks
A few weeks back, I’d argued that Arizona should be buyers rather than sellers. But with the Diamondbacks now 4.5 games out in the NL Wild Card race, that perspective might be shifting.
First baseman Josh Naylor is having a solid season with a .299/.358/.469 slash line and 11 home runs, marking a career year with 31 home runs overall. Additionally, he stole a career-best 11 bases this season, making him a bit more versatile than O’Hearn.
Adolis Garcia, Texas Rangers
With the Texas Rangers facing an uphill battle in the AL West and trailing in the wildcard race, they might consider selling.
Garcia has hit 25 home runs each of the last four seasons, but his current .228/.270/.380 line may give some teams pause.
Still, his expected weighted on-base average of .332 shows promise, and teams might view him as a player whose luck could turn around as the season progresses.
Moreover, he’s cost-controlled for the next two years.
Seth Lugo, SP, Kansas City Royals
Sandy Alcantara isn’t the only pitcher poised to be traded soon. Seth Lugo, who is set to exit Kansas City after this season, may also be on the move as the Royals slide out of playoff contention.
Lugo currently holds a 6-5 record with a 2.65 ERA and impressive numbers, improving on last year’s performance, and he was a strong contender for the American League Cy Young.
Freddy Peralta, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
Freddy Peralta could be another player to watch as the deadline approaches, especially since he’s been performing well with an ERA of 3.69 and recently completed six scoreless innings against the Dodgers.
He has an $8 million club option for 2026 before hitting free agency in 2027. The team acquiring him would gain a solid, cost-controlled starter for more than one season.
That’s definitely an attractive prospect.
Eugenio Suarez, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks
Another third baseman to keep an eye on is Eugenio Suarez, particularly with the Yankees needing to bolster that position. Just before the deadline, Suarez will turn 34, but he’s enjoying one of the best seasons of his career, having already hit 28 home runs before the All-Star Game.
He’s also driven in 74 runs so far, inching closer to his previous record of 101 runs. Even if the Diamondbacks are hesitant to sell, they might consider trading Suarez to make room for Jordan Roller, a young infielder who has excelled in Triple-A.
Though Roller has been sidelined for some weeks due to a hamstring issue, moving Suarez could clear a path for him once he’s back in action.
Mitch Keller, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Interestingly, there aren’t any starting pitchers from the Pirates on this list.
It’s true that some teams might dream of getting Paul Skenes; ESPN reviewed some such scenarios recently, but Pittsburgh would likely prefer to hold onto its star.
That said, teams in the market for pitching, like the Mets, have already shown interest in Mitch Keller. At about 29 years of age, Keller has spent his entire career with the Pirates, potentially having his best season to date, sporting a 3.64 ERA and a 1.194 WHIP. Yet, as the Pirates aim to enhance their roster for the future, Keller could be a player they trade as the deadline looms.
