25 MLB players who could be dealt at the trade deadline

What happened to Anderson? That's a question teams will likely be asking as they assess the shortstop's trade value. He was an All-Star as recently as last season, but hasn't hit a home run since July 15, 2022, and continues to struggle through injuries. As a result, Anderson's $14 million team option is very unlikely to be picked up, but he's still only 30 and formerly a Silver Slugger. Despite his struggles, it's likely someone will see what they can get out of Anderson at the deadline.

KC has already moved Aroldis Chapman, and Barlow could be next on the block. The Royals closer has another season before free agency, but his team has no logical need for a top closer with their struggles. Despite an ERA above 4.00 through 29 appearances, Barlow's strikeout rate has never been better.

Bellinger signed a one-year deal as a placeholder for the Cubs top prospects. He looked back on track in April (.297-7-18) before an IL stint earlier this season, but has certainly shown enough of his old MVP form to intrigue teams. The position flexibility should make him even more attractive.

Candelario is making the most of another opportunity after struggling in 2022, producing as one of Washington's best hitters on a one-year deal. As he showed in 2021 when he led the AL in doubles, Candelario continues to be a doubles machine and has also been viable defensively. He heads toward free agency after this season.

New York's playoff prospects appear bleak, though Carrasco could be on the chopping block regardless with Jose Quintana on the way back. The 36-year-old right-hander has shown signs of age with an ERA near 6.00 through 11 starts, but the desperation for healthy arms around the league is very real. Carrasco's experience could be useful in a long relief role if not as a starter.

Duvall looked like one of the steals of free agency in the first two weeks of the season, but missed two months due to injury. Back patrolling the outfield for Boston, Duvall's return could be too little, too late for Boston in the loaded AL East. The veteran still demolishes lefties, at the very least, and has a manageable one-year, $7 million contract.

Realistically, Giolito could be the biggest prize of the trade deadline. The former ace has found his footing in his walk year, with a 3.53 ERA and 3.72 K/BB ratio through 17 starts for the struggling White Sox. Inconsistent velocity and home run issues remain a big concern for Giolito, but he appears to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter at the very least now that things are going right for him again. Giolito will be a free agent this offseason.

It's apparent the Cubs have found their long-term answer at catcher in rookie Miguel Amaya. As such, it would make sense to move Gomes, a possible free agent after this season. Gomes turns 36 in July, but he remains highly regarded defensively and has been adequate offensively after a hot start to the season.

The four-year deal Grandal signed in 2020 has shown interesting results. He was one of the team's best players in 2021 before a complete nosedive last season. In the final year of the deal, Grandal has been mostly solid even if his defense has slipped. The 34-year-old's pop and leadership would certainly have value somewhere, though the White Sox might have to cover some of his remaining contract to get a deal done.

Hader came over from Milwaukee in a blockbuster trade last year, and has held up his end of the bargain this season as arguably the league's top closer. Unfortunately, the play around him hasn't held up in San Diego, and the team would be smart to net value for the pending free agent. Aside from a major slip-up with the long ball last year, Hader has been nothing but dominant since he was promoted in 2017, and could be looking at a nine-figure contract in the offseason.

Hendricks will forever be remembered fondly by Cubs fans, and he's the last holdover from the franchise's historic World Series in 2016. Following shoulder surgery, Hendricks has regained some of that old form that made him a Cy Young candidate, and the Cubs could net a haul if the soft-tosser's success continues into late July. Hendricks will be a free agent after this season at age 34.

Seattle's offseason acquisition of Hernandez hasn't worked out as hoped, though a recent power streak has salvaged the back of his baseball card. More concerning has been Hernandez's horrible strikeout rate and defense, two elements that could limit the trade return for the pending free agent.

Detroit has been plagued by pitching injuries this season, though Lorenzen has bucked his career trend to become a durable starter. His control has shown massive improvement, helping Lorenzen produce an ERA near 4.00 in the first half of the season. He's been as hoped on his one-year deal, and now could help a competitor with a need for innings.

Lynn's trends this season are truly head-scratching. He's been one of MLB's worst starting pitchers, leading the league in hits, home runs, and earned runs allowed through June. On the other hand, Lynn's 10.9 K/9 is the best of his career and shows huge upside if he can keep the ball down. His experience and strikeout numbers could make for an attractive acquisition in spite of the struggles.

Montgomery has been the only reliable starting pitcher for the Cardinals, and the team would be smart to lock him up long-term. However, the possible return via trade for the pending free agent could be useful. The lefty has an ERA below 4.00 for the third consecutive season, and has been very durable since returning from an early-career Tommy John surgery.

The talk of a possible Ohtani trade could be non-stop until the clock strikes midnight. The Angels remain in playoff contention and could opt to keep Ohtani around to help their cause in re-signing the pending free agent even if their July is disastrous, but that won't stop the rumors. The pending free agent is arguably having the greatest season in baseball history given his elite performance as a hitter and pitcher, and the potential return could resemble what the Nationals received for Juan Soto at last year's deadline.

O'Neill has been nursing a back injury for much of this season, but even before that point he seemed to fall out of favor in the Cardinals clubhouse. Injuries have been a huge bugaboo for the muscular outfielder, but he's won two Glove Gloves and posted a .912 OPS in 2021. The glut of outfield options in St. Louis makes O'Neill a strong trade candidate regardless of their circumstances in the playoff picture.

It's been one injury after another for Paxton, who made a total of six starters in the majors from 2020-2022. As a result, his return to form this season is a surprise and a pleasant one for his trade and free-agent value. The lefty looks like a top starter again, but the injury history could make teams cautious.

Not much has gone right for the Mets this season, but Pham is an exception. The veteran outfielder has gotten hot with more playing time recently, showing no signs of age despite turning 35 this year. The pending free agent was on the move during last year's deadline, and could see his name on the transaction wire again.

Profar signed late in Spring Training after his free agent market dried up. He's done nothing to get teams excited as Colorado's regular leadoff man with an OPS hovering around .700, but Profar is a veteran bat with the talent to contribute off the bench. 

Robertson was signed in the offseason to be Edwin Diaz's setup man, but the veteran has done a great job in closing duty since Diaz went down in the WBC. His experience in every high-leverage role should be attractive, and there isn't much reason for the non-competitive Mets to keep him around with an expiring contract.

Rodriguez makes for one of the most interesting trade cases at the deadline. He's rebounded from a terrible first season of his five-year deal signed last year. The rebound has been so impressive that Rodriguez could be attractive for teams looking to compete in the short term. While currently on the IL due to a finger injury, Rodriguez is on the comeback trail has carried a 2.13 ERA through 11 starts this season with the Tigers.

Scherzer is in only the second season of a massive three-year deal, but has been one of the Mets many disappointments. The team could look to reload for 2024, and the possibility of trading Scherzer could be in play in spite of his no-trade clause. Either adding a top prospect or freeing up money by trading Scherzer could be attractive for the Mets if they don't rebound in July.

Snell has been on quite a tear since an erratic April, showing some of the unhittable ability he had when he won the Cy Young Award with Tampa Bay in 2018. It's perfect timing for Snell's wallet as a pending free agent, and also potentially good for the return San Diego would see in a July trade. The lefty is far from efficient when he's on the mound, but he could be the most talented pitcher available.

Stroman will likely opt out of his contract after this season, and as the Cubs continue to fall out of the playoff race, the possibility that he will be traded elsewhere increases. He's established himself as a Cy Young candidate in the first half of the season, keeping the ball on the ground as usual. Stroman's inability to miss bats at an elite rate might be a red flag for teams with World Series aspirations, but his experience and effectiveness should help most contenders get in prime playoff position.