The Trade Deadline is fast approaching, with teams having until 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 1 to swap players and try to improve their present or future. With two-thirds of the 30 clubs having at least somewhat plausible hopes of reaching the postseason, there should be several moves made in the next two weeks.
Every year at this time, we create a list of potentially tradeable prospects for every organization. It’s a highly speculative exercise, and we know that last-place teams such as the Athletics and Rockies aren’t going to surrender young talent. Those truths don’t stop us from coming up with a name for all 30 teams.
Our 2022 list featured two prospects who were included in Deadline deals. The Braves sent Tucker Davidson to the Angels as part of a trade for Raisel Iglesias, while the Twins shipped Spencer Steer to the Reds in a package for Tyler Mahle. A third player mentioned, Xavier Edwards, went from the Rays to the Marlins in a November move for a pair of prospects.
Blue Jays: Orelvis Martinez, SS/3B (Blue Jays’ No. 4 prospect)
Martinez’s name has long been attached in trade rumors as a shortstop behind Bo Bichette on the depth chart, and after a terrific turnaround of late, his stock is as high as it’s been in the last two years. The 21-year-old hit .287/.414/.579 with 13 homers and a 40/35 K/BB ratio in his final 50 games at Double-A New Hampshire, leading to a Triple-A debut on Tuesday in which he (of course) went deep. Martinez’s improved approach may make him a third-base option for the Jays in 2024 should Matt Chapman depart, but if they want to pull off a blockbuster, you can bet his name will come up in discussions.
Orioles: Joey Ortiz, INF (No. 5/MLB No. 63)
The Orioles have the second-best record in the AL and more young infielders than they can possibly fit into one lineup, so that could make Ortiz a valuable trade chip if they decide to seek pitching. The 2019 fourth-round pick from New Mexico State is a slick fielder who has developed into a better hitter than expected, posting a .337/.394/.553 line with five homers and nine steals in 47 Triple-A games.
Rays: Osleivis Basabe, INF (No. 6)
Tampa Bay tends to hold onto its best prospects, so you can likely rule out the Top 100 names. Basabe sits just outside that group and could garner some interest as a near-ready infield bat. The 22-year-old is all hit-tool with a .300 average and 15 percent K rate in 74 games with Triple-A Durham this year, and he has some versatility with time at second, short and third. The Rays have better infield prospects in Junior Caminero, Carson Williams and Curtis Mead, but might be willing to part with Basabe in their hunt for pitching.
Red Sox: Nathan Hickey, C (No. 15)
The caught-in-the-middle Red Sox aren’t going to part with their top prospects, but Hickey is a mid-level talent who could be of interest to other teams. A 2021 fifth-rounder from Florida who signed for an over-slot $1 million, he has an offensive profile similar to Kyle Schwarber’s and is batting .280/.374/.526 with 13 homers in 58 games between High-A and Double-A. His catching is very much a work in progress.
Yankees: Spencer Jones, OF (No. 3)
If the struggling Yankees want to make a major move, they have an abundance of outfield prospects they could offer. A Vanderbilt product drafted 25th overall a year ago, Jones is a 6-foot-6 athlete who’s hitting .267/.341/.476 with 11 homers and 21 steals in 72 games in High-A.
Guardians: Brayan Rocchio, SS/2B (No. 5/MLB No. 52)
While the Guardians value Rocchio, they also have a seemingly endless supply of sweet-swinging middle infielders. Known as “The Professor” for his high baseball IQ, Rocchio signed for $125,000 out of Venezuela in 2017 and is batting .294/.382/.419 with 18 steals in 80 Triple-A contests.
Royals: Angel Zerpa, LHP (No. 7)
Amidst another rough year, the Royals aren’t in any position to trade away notable prospects, but there’s always a chance a club could seek Zerpa – a left-hander with Major League experience – as part of a larger deal. The 23-year-old southpaw was just activated off the 60-day IL (shoulder) but had been making rehab appearances since June, showing a pair of 93-95 mph fastballs, along with an upper-80s change and an 82-85 mph slider. So long as he’s truly healthy, that repertoire could be helpful to a contender and help deepen KC’s system with its return. Again, if attached to a bigger name.
Tigers: Brendan White, RHP (No. 26)
Detroit approaches the Deadline in sell mode and should listen on most of its arms, perhaps including White if there’s interest in a larger swap. The 24-year-old righty has leaned heavily on his breaking stuff (both a sweeper and a tighter slider) in the Majors, resulting in a 26 percent K rate. He also has shown good control and an ability to keep the ball on the ground, making him better than his 5.29 ERA suggests.
Twins: Matt Wallner, OF (No. 5)
Wallner has yet to claim a full-time role with the AL Central-leading Twins, who could part with some of their outfield depth if they want an upgrade elsewhere. The 2019 supplemental first-rounder from Southern Mississippi offers enticing power and is batting .291/.403/.524 with 11 homers in 67 Triple-A contests.
White Sox: Lenyn Sosa, INF (No. 7)
Sosa had a breakout 2022 season but has floundered in three stints in Chicago, so it could be time for a change of scenery. Signed for $325,000 out of Venezuela in 2016, he has 20-homer upside and is hitting .293/.342/.559 with 12 blasts in 47 Triple-A games.
Angels: Edgar Quero, C (No. 2/MLB No. 67)
The speculation in Anaheim centers around whether Shohei Ohtani will have a new address rather than the Angels parting with prospects. But if they were to choose the latter route, they do have two impressive young catchers in Logan O’Hoppe and Quero. A Cuban, the offensive-minded Quero signed for $200,000 in 2021 and is hitting .246/.383/.339 with three homers in 64 games as a 20-year-old in Double-A.
Astros: Jacob Melton, OF (No. 2)
Outfielders hold six of the top seven spots on our Top 30 Prospects list for the Astros, who have made six straight AL Championship series appearances, winning three pennants and two World Series during that span. A 2022 second-round choice from Oregon State, Melton has the potential for solid tools across the board and is batting .241/.344/.471 with 16 homers and 34 steals in 66 games at High-A Asheville.
Athletics: Daniel Susac, C (No. 4)
Yes, there’s no chance that the A’s are going to trade away prospects this summer. But if they do, they have a pair of promising catchers in Oakland already in Shea Langeliers and Tyler Soderstrom, so they could deal ’22 first-rounder Susac. The Arizona product has the tools to be an asset on both sides of the ball and is hitting .305/.371/.433 with four homers in 75 games in High-A.
Mariners: Jonatan Clase, OF (No. 11)
Striving for their first back-to-back playoff appearances since 2000-01, the Mariners have a surplus of young outfielders if GM Jerry DiPoto wants to make yet another trade. Signed for just $35,000 from the Dominican Republic in 2018, Clase packs a lot of tools in his 5-foot-9 frame, most notably plus-plus speed. He’s batting .254/.378/.498 with 16 homers and 52 steals (third in the Minors) in 78 games between High-A and Double-A.
Rangers: Justin Foscue, 2B/3B (No. 6)
All Foscue does is hit, but he seems hopelessly blocked with the Rangers, a legitimate World Series contender that will be active at the Deadline. An offensive-minded second baseman drafted in 2020’s first round out of Mississippi State, he’s batting .275/.397/.494 with 11 homers and seven steals in 70 Triple-A contests.
Braves: Spencer Schwellenbach, RHP (No. 6)
Atlanta boasts arguably the Majors’ most complete team, but every team could use some polish. Starting pitching might be what it seeks, ruling out a deal for rotation option AJ Smith-Shawver. But Schwellenbach – the club’s Futures Game rep – is much further down the board at High-A. An infielder at Nebraska, the 23-year-old righty has flashed potential from the hill with a mid-90s fastball, a plus slider and an above-average changeup. He’s still coming into his own, too, after Tommy John surgery knocked him out for 2022. So an acquiring club could still develop him in their style over time.
Marlins: Patrick Monteverde, LHP (No. 28)
The Marlins had lost at least 93 games in each of their last four full seasons, yet they’re not going away in the Wild Card race, need more offense and have pitching to spare. An eighth-round pick out of Texas Tech as a fifth-year senior in 2021, Monteverde is having a breakout season, ranking fourth in the Minors with a 1.91 ERA while striking out 87 in 80 Double-A innings. He commands his 89-92 mph fastball well and uses it to set up a solid low-80s changeup with depth.
Mets: Blade Tidwell, RHP (No. 5)
New York’s Deadline strategy is still very much TBD. Should it decide to become a buyer – which is more fun for this exercise – Tidwell would be an intriguing discussion point. The ’22 second-rounder can show Top-100-style stuff with a mid-90s fastball and impressive mid-80s slider, but his control hasn’t quite been up to snuff (40 walks in 70 1/3 innings) at High-A in his first full season. Tidwell could strike that balance between being a decent prospect centerpiece without causing the Mets to lose one of their bigger prospects.
Nationals: Drew Millas, C (No. 28)
Another case of a club clearly unlikely to move anyone with prospect eligibility remaining. The only reason to include Millas here is that he’s defensively capable of helping out a Major League club as a backup catcher right now, so maybe a team in need of backstop help includes him in an ask about Lane Thomas, Jeimer Candelario or one of the other available Nats big leaguers. The bat would be the biggest question mark, though Millas’ 15.4 percent K rate is solid enough to translate.
Phillies: Griff McGarry, RHP (No. 4)
The reigning NL champs could be looking for starting pitching and outfield help before Aug. 1, and if they want to hold onto their Top 100 core, McGarry could garner some interest. On a pitch-by-pitch basis, the 24-year-old righty is as talented as they come for the Phils, with a fastball that can reach the upper-90s and three above-average secondaries in his curve, slider and changeup. Control has been a real issue throughout his career, including this season with 27 walks in 38 2/3 innings at Double-A. But there might be a few clubs out there that would be champing at the bit to add McGarry’s potential to their core of arms.
Brewers: Tyler Black, 3B/OF/2B (No. 5)
How big of a swing does Milwaukee want to take in its hunt for a National League Central crown? If it’s a relatively big one, perhaps the club considers moving Black at a time when his stock has never been higher. The 33rd overall pick in the ’21 Draft, Black has long been considered a plus hitter and has backed that up with a .282 average and .427 OBP this season. He’s proved to be a menace on the basepaths, too, with a Double-A-best 42 steals. The glove is more of a question, but he’s moved around plenty in the pros.
Cardinals: Moises Gómez, OF (No. 11)
St. Louis brass has already declared the club will be selling this year, adding that it’s targeting pitching. Even during the Major League team’s struggles, the Cards have struggled to get enough opportunities for its many outfielders. So if it’s outfield bats they have and arms they seek, it makes you wonder if Gómez – the prodigious slugger with 60 homers over the last two seasons – might get included with a more prominent name. It might be a stretch, but a change of scenery would offer a chance for the 24-year-old at his first shot at the bigs, which hasn’t transpired in Cardinal red.
Cubs: Alexander Canario, OF (No. 10)
The Cubs are fringe contenders, but if they want to make a deal, one of the strengths of their improving farm system is outfield depth. Acquired from the Giants in the 2021 Kris Bryant trade, Canario fits the right-field profile with power and arm strength. After ranking second in the Minors with 37 homers last year, he broke his left ankle and dislocated his left shoulder in a baserunning mishap in the Dominican Winter League, costing him most of the first three months of this season.
Pirates: Travis Swaggerty, OF (No. 20)
We’ll take the easy lane on a team still clearly rebuilding. The Bucs designated Swaggerty for assignment on Monday, meaning they have seven days to trade him or let him go on waivers. (He can move to Triple-A after that period if he remains in the organization.) The 2018 10th overall pick has struggled offensively (.200/.278/.369) at Triple-A this season and has spent time on the IL, most recently for vertigo-like symptoms. When healthy, he can still help an organization with plus speed and solid outfield defense.
Reds: Sal Stewart, 3B (No. 7)
After Cincinnati pulled off major deals for Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle last year, the shoe is on the other foot this Deadline season. Even with Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain and now Christian Encarnacion-Strand in the Majors, the Reds’ system remains flush with infielders, particularly third basemen, and the club could deal from a point of strength here. Last year’s 32nd overall pick, Stewart continues to show promising power at Single-A Daytona and has an advanced approach with a near-even 52/51 K/BB ratio, making him an intriguing option in trade discussions.
D-backs: Blaze Alexander, SS/2B/3B (No. 8)
Despite rough recent results, Arizona remains very much in the hunt in both the NL West and Wild Card races and should be looking to add help at the Deadline, especially in the bullpen. While big names like Jordan Lawlar and Druw Jones might not be available, Alexander could be in talks now that he’s recovered from a broken thumb and is nearly MLB-ready. He shows above-average power potential and has a rocket arm that can play anywhere on the dirt.
Dodgers: Emmet Sheehan, RHP (No. 6/MLB No. 73)
Headed toward their 11th straight postseason appearance, the NL West-leading Dodgers also keep churning out quality prospects that position them to make a blockbuster deal whenever they want. Sheehan went from 2021 sixth-round pick out of Boston College to big leaguer in less than two years, thanks to a mid-90s fastball with outstanding carry, a diving low-80s changeup and an improved low-80s slider. After destroying Double-A (1.86 ERA, .131 opponent average, 88 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings) to start the season, he has gone 3-0 with a 4.91 ERA in his first five big league starts.
Giants: Carson Whisenhunt, LHP (No. 4/MLB No. 94)
Currently atop the NL Wild Card standings, the Giants have two of the game’s best lefty pitching prospects in their system. While Kyle Harrison might be all but untouchable, could they give up Whisenhunt as part of a mega-deal for Ohtani? The ’22 second-rounder from East Carolina has ridden his exquisite changeup to a 2.63 ERA, .174 opponent average and 78 strikeouts in 54 2/3 innings while rising from Single-A to Double-A.
Padres: Jairo Iriarte, RHP (No. 11)
Like with the Mets, there isn’t a clear indication just yet about which direction the Padres will head at the Deadline. Even if they decide to push forward and build around a talented roster, it’s difficult to expect they’d want to ransack their farm system for a second summer. Iriarte, though, would be an interesting trade option, with three pitches that flash plus in his fastball, slider and change. The 21-year-old just reached Double-A after posting a 3.10 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 61 innings at High-A.
Rockies: Gavin Hollowell, RHP (No. 20)
As their Draft strategy makes clear every year, the Rockies need as many arms as they can hold onto, so moving a homegrown 6-foot-7 reliever isn’t exactly realistic. But there’s always a possibility there could be a team or two looking to include Hollowell in asks for Major League arms. The 25-year-old throws his four-seamer and two-seamer at 93-94 mph with elite spin and gets whiffs with a low-80s slider.