The trade deadline is about 100 hours away, which means four days of non-stop hype, rumors and – hopefully – deals.
Here’s a look at 12 players with a solid chance to be traded by Tuesday at 6:00 PM ET, starting with the most likely candidates.
1) Willson Contreras, Cubs C Introducing a new catcher can be difficult for a contender because it can take some time to learn a new pitching team. But Contreras is arguably the best bat available, so teams may look to acquire him as a designated hitter and part-time defender. Either way, the impending free agent looks like a lock to be moved.
Potential landing spots: Astros, Mets, Rays
2) Luis Castillo, Reds RHP (starter) Cincinnati has been doing the Castillo trade dance for the past year or two, but most believe the Reds will finally move their ace before this trade deadline. Castillo is having an All-Star season, is under club control through 2023 and could impact two pennant races and the postseasons. He is the best available starter and should bring good results for the Reds.
Potential landing spots: Dodgers, Blue Jays, Yankees
3) David Robertson, Cubs RHP (Relief) High-leverage relievers are always popular trade targets this time of year, but when they have relatively affordable deals, they become even more desirable. Robertson is owed just over $1.15 million this season (plus a $100,000 signing bonus and another $525,000 in potential performance bonuses, of which the acquiring club would be on the hook for a portion), but given his resurgence this season — he owns a 1.83 ERA in 35 appearances — and his vast postseason experience, the 37-year-old will be a big addition to a contender’s bullpen.
Potential landing spots: Mets, Rays, Yankees
4) Josh Bell, Nationals 1BJuan Soto isn’t the only Nationals player getting attention on the trade market this summer. Available power bats are relatively scarce this month, but Bell — an impending free agent who has 13 homers and an .877 OPS — should help add some pop to a first base or DH contender. He is owed approximately $3.3 million through the end of the season.
Potential landing spots: Astros, Brewers, Mets
5) Frankie Montas, Athletics RHP (starter) Montas’ shoulder problem earlier this month caused him to miss a pair of starts, but he returned after the All-Star break and pitched twice, allowing three runs over eight innings. Montas was in the 95-96 mph range in the early innings of his last start, and while his velocity dipped in the fourth and fifth, he looked like himself throughout the outing. Any concern about his arm could reduce the level of return, but with another year of club control, Oakland will likely wait to move him in the offseason if offers are lighter than expected. In this thin market, however, Montas is almost a lock to trade.
Potential landing spots: Cardinals, White Sox, Yankees
6) Brandon Drury, Reds INF. The 29-year-old impending free agent is having a career year, having already set a career high with 19 home runs. Drury’s ability to play multiple positions makes him an attractive addition to suitors, as does his bargain price (he’s owed roughly $300,000 for the rest of the season).
Potential landing spots: Braves, Dodgers, White Sox
7) Noah Syndergaard, Angels RHP (starter) Syndergaard’s decline in velocity this season — his fastball averages 94 mph, a sharp difference from his 98 mph heater before Tommy John surgery — has caused concern from other clubs , but the 29-year-old has pitched to a 3.83 ERA in 80 innings in 2022. Syndergaard is unlikely to be acquired as a top-of-the-rotation arm, but teams looking for rotation depth may be inclined to are taking a chance on the righty, who will be a free agent this winter. The Angels could probably get a better prospect if they’re willing to pay the $7 million he’s owed for the remainder of the season.
Potential landing spots: Blue Jays, Phillies, Twins
8) Jose Quintana, Pirates LHP (starter) Five years ago, Quintana was one of the biggest names on the trade market, eventually moving from the White Sox to the Cubs in a deal that landed Dylann Seaz and Eloy Jimenez on the South Side. It’s been a rough stretch for Quintana since then, but the left-hander is enjoying a successful season with the Pirates, giving Pittsburgh a solid trade chip at the deadline. With only about $650,000 left on his contract, Quintana will be a highly sought after rental.
Potential landing spots: Brewers, Guardians, Mariners
9) David Peralta, D-backs LFPeralta’s value is simple: He hits extremely well right-handed. His .830 OPS against righties this season makes him a legitimate left field/DH platoon candidate, and some of the league’s contenders have struggled against righties this season. The 34-year-old is in the final year of his three-year, $22 million extension, so he is owed less than $3 million for the rest of the season.
Potential landing spots: Padres, Rays, White Sox
10) Daniel Bard, Rockies RHP (reliever) Like Robertson, Bard is a 37-year-old closer who is enjoying a big year on a losing team at a relatively affordable salary ($4.4M). Unlike Robertson, who is in his first year with the Cubs, Bard has been with the Rockies since returning to the Majors in 2020, so it’s possible the two could try to continue their relationship with another extension. If no deal is reached, Bard is considered a popular trade target, as multiple teams have already expressed interest in the right-hander.
Potential landing spots: Cardinals, Dodgers, Yankees
11) Ian Happ, Cubs L Unlike Contreras and Robertson, Happ is the only Cubs trade candidate signed beyond 2022, so Chicago could wait to re-acquire him in the offseason. But Happ — who has played all three outfield positions during his career and can play three infield positions as a last resort — is coming off his first All-Star appearance, so the Cubs can try to take advantage of his solid season and move the forward by Tuesday.
Potential landing spots: Dodgers, Padres, Phillies
12) Juan Soto, Nationals RF You didn’t think we’d have this list and not include Soto, did you? The feeling in the industry is that the closer the deadline gets, the less likely it is that Soto will be moved by Tuesday. The Nationals rightly want perhaps the biggest package of young talent the game has ever seen, and while they wait out the offseason they’ll see Soto’s value down slightly — he could impact three pennant races and the postseason if he’s dealt this week. but only two if he moves this winter — Soto’s return in the offseason will still be astronomical.
Potential landing spots: Cardinals, Dodgers, Padres
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