Top Positional MLB Trade Candidates 

As the calendar turns to July, so does the focus on the looming 7/31 MLB trade deadline. While many teams will use the next 2-3 weeks to decide their 2025 buy/sell fate, a few notable trade candidates have already emerged. We detail a player or two at each position group, including the remaining CBT salary on July 31st, and any future contract obligations going forward.

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Starting Pitching

Sandy Alcantara (Marlins, 29)

Deadline Tax Salary: $4.5M (includes $1M trade bonus)
Future Financials: $17.3M in 2026; $21M club option in 2027 ($2M buyout)

The numbers haven’t been sharp (6.98 ERA, 1.48 WHIP) since his return from Tommy John surgery, but there have been signs of consistency & improvement of late (with the Marlins as well). Is it enough to generate a trade offer that Miami will bite on? With 2 ½ years of term left on this deal, there’s no imminent rush.

Spotrac Predicts: No Trade

Seth Lugo (Royals, 35)

Deadline Tax Salary: $4.7M
Future Financials: $15M player option in 2026

Lugo has been as advertised since joining KC in 2024, and he’s posting career-best numbers as a starter through half of 2025. The Royals have a deep enough rotation (when healthy) for the foreseeable future, but shipping a player like Lugo at a more than fair 1.5 years, $20M price tag could help bolster the offense with a solid trade return.

Spotrac Predicts: Lugo is traded to the Dodgers

Nick Martinez (Reds, 34)

Deadline Tax Salary: $6.6M
Future Financials: UFA

Martinez turned a career year in 2024 into a signed $21M qualifying offer to return to Cincinnati. Things haven’t gone nearly as well but with experience both as a starter and out of the bullpen, still seems a solid fit for a contender down the stretch. The Reds will likely need to retain plenty of his $6.6M remaining.

Spotrac Predicts: Martinez is traded to the Blue Jays

Relief Pitching

Jhoan Duran (Twins, 27)

Deadline Tax Salary: $1.3M
Future Financials: 2 more years of arbitration, 2028 UFA

Duran enters July with an outstanding 251 ERA+, while the Twins enter 5 games under .500. With two years of arbitration remaining, there’s no rush to this move, but if made available, Duran becomes the top reliever on the block this month.

Spotrac Predicts: Minnesota’s asking price leads to No Trade

Pete Fairbanks (Rays, 31)

Deadline Tax Salary: $1.3M
Future Financials: $7M club option in 2026 ($1M buyout, escalators)

The Rays are in the hunt, so selling off one of the better closers in the game midseason doesn’t make a ton of baseball sense, but Tampa loves to shop players they might not be able to afford next year to keep the pipes full. Fairbanks’ team option could rise to as much as $10M based on escalators.

Spotrac Predicts: Fairbanks is traded to Detroit

Aroldis Chapman (Red Sox, 37)

Deadline Tax Salary: $3.4M
Future Financials: UFA

Chapman already has the same amount of Saves (14) in 37 appearances for Boston this season than he did in 68 games for Pittsburgh last season. The left-hander still averages nearly 100 mph on the fastball and could bring back a decent player (especially if Boston retains the remaining salary)

Spotrac Predicts: Chapman is traded to Philadelphia

Catcher

Danny Jansen (Rays, 30)

Deadline Tax Salary: $2.6M
Future Financials: $12M Mutual Option in 2026 ($500k buyout)

Jansen’s overall numbers have dipped, but the power has actually picked up since joining the Rays, who aren’t necessarily in full-sell mode (1.5 games out of AL East lead). The $12M mutual option in 2026 seems moot, so any team acquiring Jansen would be doing so as a 2-3 month rental.

Spotrac Predicts: No Trade

First Base

Ryan O'Hearn (Orioles, 31)

Deadline Tax Salary: $2.5M
Future Financials: UFA

After a down 2024, O’Hearn’s numbers (power and production) are up across the board in Baltimore. The 31-year-old will enter free agency for the first time this winter, but seems a lock to latch on with a contender prior to doing so.

Spotrac Predicts: O’Hearn is traded to San Francisco

Second Base

Luis Urias (Athletics, 28)

Deadline Tax Salary: $349k
Future Financials: UFA

The A’s have an uncharacteristically light trade pool this summer, and Urias certainly doesn’t provide enough production at the plate to make significant impact as a 3-month rental, but a player that can defend all over the infield and handle the bat is always valuable this time of year.

Spotrac Predicts: Urias is traded to the Guardians

Shortstop

Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Pirates, 30)

Deadline Tax Salary: $1.9M
Future Financials: UFA

Traded to Pittsburgh at least year’s deadline, IKF is still a serviceable defender who can fill up the bottom of a lineup day in and out as needed. There may be cheaper options to consider at the deadline, but experience is a big part of the deadline acquisition process.

Spotrac Predicts: IKF is traded to the Yankees.

Third Base

Eugenio Suarez (Diamondbacks, 33)

Deadline Tax Salary: $4.1M
Future Financials: UFA

One of the most consistent, productive third basemen of the past decade is slated for free agency this winter. Arizona remains adamant that they won’t be selling pieces this month, but legitimate contenders could change that with an overpay offer for Suarez in the coming weeks.

Spotrac Predicts: Suarez is traded to Detroit.

Outfield

Luis Robert Jr. (White Sox, 27)

Deadline Tax Salary: $2.6M
Future Financials: $20M club option in 2026 ($2M buyout)

Robert has been in trade discussions for nearly 2 years now, and a recent hamstring injury may delay that process even more. Combine that with career-low numbers through the first half of 2025, and the 27-year-old isn’t a very attractive option approaching the deadline. But it only takes one believer.

Spotrac Predicts: Robert is traded to the Mets

Adolis García (Rangers, 32)

Deadline Tax Salary: $2.6M
Future Financials: Arbitration-eligible in 2026; UFA in 2027

The wheels have really come off since Garcia’s outstanding 2023 campaign, so the Rangers would be selling fairly low here. One silver lining? The 32-year-old is still arbitration eligible one more time in 2026, and teams love a little extra control wherever they can find it.

Spotrac Predicts: Garcia is traded to Cleveland.

Taylor Ward (Angels, 31)

Deadline Tax Salary: $2.4M
Future Financials: Arbitration-eligible in 2026; UFA in 2027

Much of the Angels roster was built for the short-term, but Ward carries another year of arbitration with him to the deadline. He’s headed for career power numbers in 2025, and could be an instant jolt of offense to a fringe contender.

Spotrac Predicts: Ward is traded to San Diego.

Designated Hitter

Marcell Ozuna (Braves, 34)

Deadline Tax Salary: $4.75M
Future Financials: UFA

The Braves don’t seem to be in seller mode - yet - but they enter July 12 games under .500, and Ozuna is on an expiring contract. If any Brave is going to move, he seems the most likely.

Spotrac Predicts: Ozuna is traded to Seattle.