{"id":747091,"date":"2026-06-19T11:02:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T11:02:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/747091\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T11:02:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T11:02:11","slug":"mlb-trade-candidate-rankings-and-deadline-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/747091\/","title":{"rendered":"MLB Trade Candidate Rankings and Deadline Predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ad\">The MLB trade deadline is still about six weeks away, but the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/mlb\/giants\/best-trade-fits-rafael-devers-willy-adames-matt-chapman\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">rumor mill<\/a> has already started churning. Some names will dominate headlines all summer, while others will emerge as trade candidates once the line between buyers and sellers becomes more clear. Not every player linked to trade speculation is equally likely to move, though, and separating genuine possibilities from deadline noise is part of the fun of being a fan.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ag\">That\u2019s what this exercise aims to do. We\u2019ve ranked the 25 most valuable players who we see as realistic candidates to be traded if the cards break right over the next six weeks while also predicting whether each one will actually be dealt. Last season, we correctly predicted the fate of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/mlb\/trade-deadline-candidate-rankings-predictions\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">17 of 25 players<\/a> around this point in the calendar, and that number improved to 20 of 25 in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/mlb\/trade-candidate-rankings-deadline-predictions-2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">revised list<\/a> closer to the deadline.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"aj\">Let\u2019s see how we fare this time around.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"am\">All stats up to date through Wednesday\u2019s games.<\/p>\n<p>1. Tarik Skubal, Tigers SP<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"as\">2026 stats: 3\u20133, 2.81 ERA, 2.43 FIP, 0.98 WHIP, 49 K, 7 BB, 1.5 fWAR in 48 IP<br \/>Years of control: Through 2026<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/mlb\/tigers\/analyzing-best-tarik-skubal-trade-destinations\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Best fits<\/a>: Dodgers, Yankees, Rays, Braves, Cubs, Phillies, Padres, Blue Jays<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"av\">Despite Skubal\u2019s status as a rental, there\u2019s no doubt who the biggest potential trade chip is this season. The two-time Cy Young Award winner made a stunningly quick recovery from his elbow injury, and looked sharp in his return to the mound last week. Assuming he continues to maintain his form, Skubal should demand a hefty return in a trade if the Tigers remain out of contention. Any team that feels it\u2019s an ace away from being a legitimate World Series contender will be making calls to Detroit in the coming weeks. The New York Post\u2019s Jon Heyman reported that the Tigers are looking for controllable pitching and athletic position players close to the majors in return for Skubal. When specifics like that are getting leaked, you have to figure a deal will get done unless the Tigers roar back into contention.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ay\">Prediction: Traded<\/p>\n<p>2. Byron Buxton, Twins OF<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"b4\">2026 stats: .275\/.336\/.601, 23 HR, 51 R, 36 RBI, 7 SB, 153 wRC+, 2.9 fWAR in 63 games<br \/>Years of control: Through 2028<br \/>Best fits: Braves, Padres, Blue Jays<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"b7\">For most of his career, Buxton\u2019s biggest hurdle has been battling injuries to stay on the field. After logging 126 games in 2025\u2014his most since \u201817\u2014the talented center fielder has been healthy so far this season, and he\u2019s been as productive as ever. He\u2019s safely on pace for his second straight 30-homer campaign, while his speed remains elite enough to keep him in center field. There aren\u2019t many two-way threats of this caliber available midseason, and teams will line up to acquire a true difference-maker if Minnesota shows a willingness to make a big move.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ba\">Prediction: Not traded<\/p>\n<p>3. Joe Ryan, Twins SP<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"bg\">2026 stats: 4\u20133, 3.17 ERA, 2.89 FIP, 1.00 WHIP, 92 K, 16 BB, 2.4 fWAR in 82 \u2153 IP<br \/>Years of control: Through 2026<br \/>Best fits: A\u2019s, Cubs, Braves, Rays, White Sox, Padres, Phillies<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"bj\">Ryan has posted a 3.43 ERA and 22.8 K-BB% over the past three years, establishing himself as one of the league\u2019s most consistent front-line starters. His addition of a knuckle curve to his pitch mix has given him a more diversified arsenal, giving him more arrows in his quiver that should enable him to maintain effectiveness into his 30s. For this year\u2019s deadline, though, he\u2019ll just be a rental, and given the form he\u2019s displayed so far this season, teams should expect ace-like production for the stretch run.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-15\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"bm\">Prediction: Traded<\/p>\n<p>4. Jeremy Pe\u00f1a, Astros SS<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-17\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"bs\">2026 stats: .273\/.340\/.391, 3 HR, 5 SB, 25 R, 107 wRC+, 1.0 fWAR in 28 games<br \/>Years of control: Through 2027<br \/>Best fits: Braves, Rays, Blue Jays<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-18\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"bv\">Will Houston actually decide to move on from Pe\u00f1a? A franchise cornerstone who was the World Series MVP as a rookie, the 28-year-old bounced back from a hamstring injury earlier this year and is enjoying a productive campaign so far. He\u2019s running well and playing strong defense, and doing so while posting an above-average slash line for the second straight season. Dealing Pe\u00f1a would mark a significant pivot for Houston, but if he were made available, virtually every team would be interested.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-19\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"by\">Prediction: Not traded<\/p>\n<p>5. Reid Detmers, Angels SP<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-21\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"c4\">2026 stats: 3\u20135, 3.68 ERA, 2.81 FIP, 1.00 WHIP, 100 K, 24 BB, 2.8 fWAR in 88 IP<br \/>Years of control: Through 2028<br \/>Best fits: Cardinals, White Sox, Rays, Braves, Cubs,\u00a0<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-22\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"c7\">Detmers has had a roller coaster of a career thus far, and is currently riding a high with peripherals that make it feel as though he\u2019s finally turned a significant corner. After being demoted in 2024, he returned to the big leagues as an effective reliever in \u201825 before earning a rotation spot this season. The results have been fantastic, which means it\u2019s a great time to sell high for an organization that\u2019s nowhere near contention. It\u2019s the Angels, though, who have long resisted selling team-controlled players at the deadline. If they decide to pivot, though, trading Detmers would yield much-needed impact prospects for a farm system roundly considered among the worst in the sport.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-23\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ca\">Prediction: Not traded<\/p>\n<p>6. Hunter Goodman, Rockies C<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-25\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"cg\">2026 stats: .251\/.323\/.529, 20 HR, 45 R, 37 RBI, 5 SB, 119 wRC+, 1.5 fWAR in 68 G<br \/>Years of control: Through 2029<br \/>Best fits: Yankees, Red Sox<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-26\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"cj\">Goodman has developed into a true run producer for Colorado, anchoring the middle of the lineup while providing solid enough defense behind the dish. Under team control for three more seasons beyond this one, the Rockies will place a high asking price on him, and it\u2019s far from a sure thing he would get moved. With new leadership at the helm in the front office, though, nothing is off the table.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-27\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"cm\">Prediction: Not traded<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01kvf9rny9rfc1wxd74z.jpg\" alt=\"Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jose Soriano\" title=\"Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jose Soriano\" width=\"360\" height=\"203\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"cw\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Angels pitcher Jose Soriano started this season on a historic run but has since cooled off. | David Kirouac-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>7. Jose Soriano, Angels SP<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-30\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"d3\">2026 stats: 8\u20134, 2.79 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 1.23 WHIP, 92 K, 42 BB, 1.4 fWAR in 87 IP<br \/>Years of control: Through 2028<br \/>Best fits: Rays, Cardinals, White Sox, Braves<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-31\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"d6\">A scorching start to the year has receded, as Soriano has looked far more pedestrian since the start of May. Still, the hard-throwing righthander looks at the very least like a solid mid-rotation arm who keeps the ball on the ground at 53% clip. If he can miss bats at the same rate he did to begin the season, he\u2019ll be an ace. The same caveat with Detmers applies to Soriano, though\u2014the Angels have not demonstrated a willingness to trade players with this much team control.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-32\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"d9\">Prediction: Not traded<\/p>\n<p>8. Willson Contreras, Red Sox 1B<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-34\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"df\">2026 stats: .299\/.392\/.560, 16 HR, 43 RBI, 158 wRC+, 2.6 fWAR in 68 games<br \/>Years of control: Through 2027, with a team option for \u201828<br \/>Best fits: Guardians, Marlins, Mets<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-35\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"di\">Middle-of-the-order bats are a rarity at the trade deadline, and Contreras fits the bill as one of the game\u2019s best power options. His 157 wRC+ ranks seventh among qualified hitters, and .257 ISO ranks 16th. Contreras is under club control for a manageable $36 million for the two seasons after this one, so he could be a fixture in an acquiring team\u2019s intermediate plans.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-36\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"dl\">Prediction: Traded<\/p>\n<p>9. Freddy Peralta, Mets SP<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-38\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"dr\">2026 stats: 5\u20135, 3.90 ERA, 4.05 FIP, 1.30 WHIP, 81 K, 33 BB, 1.2 fWAR in 83 IP<br \/>Years of control: Through 2026<br \/>Best fits: Cubs, Padres, Yankees, Dodgers, Rays, White Sox<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-39\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"du\">With the Mets languishing in last place, Peralta&#8217;s time in Queens could be brief. While the righthander has been far from New York&#8217;s biggest issue, his production has fallen off a bit from what it was with the Brewers. His strikeout rate is down to 22.7%\u2014barely above league average and well below his career mark of 29.9% prior to this season\u2014while his ERA and FIP are his worst since becoming a full-time starter in 2021. Peralta is still stable enough to be a reliable option for a contending team to start in a playoff series, but expectations are lower than what they were when the Mets dealt two top prospects for him in January. Another consideration here is that if the Mets don\u2019t trade him and he signs elsewhere this offseason, the best compensatory pick they could get would be after the fourth round in next year\u2019s draft because of their luxury tax status.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-40\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"dx\">Prediction: Traded<\/p>\n<p>10. Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox RP<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-42\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"e3\">2026 stats: 0\u20131, 0.44 ERA, 1.84 FIP, 0.92 WHIP, 14 SV, 28 K, 9 BB, 0.9 fWAR in 20 \u2154 IP<br \/>Years of control: Through 2026, with a vesting option for \u201827<br \/>Best fits: Brewers, Mariners, Rays, Astros, Pirates, Dodgers, Reds, Nationals, Diamondbacks, Twins, A\u2019s<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-43\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"e6\">Chapman, 38, has been rejuvenated over the past two years, recording a 0.99 ERA since the beginning of last season. The flamethrowing lefty\u2019s strikeout rate is no longer at its astronomical peak of 17.7 K\/9 over a decade ago, but he\u2019s also exhibiting better control than he once did. Chapman was the only reliever to garner AL Cy Young votes last year, finishing seventh, and has allowed just one run this season. He\u2019ll be the top reliever on the block and it makes all the sense in the world for the last-place Red Sox to trade the soon-to-be free agent.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-44\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"e9\">Prediction: Traded<\/p>\n<p>11. Jarren Duran, Red Sox LF<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-46\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ef\">2026 stats: .214\/.270\/.398, 12 HR, 11 SB, 37 RBI, 79 wRC+, 0.7 fWAR in 65 games<br \/>Years of control: Through 2028<br \/>Best fits: Padres, Diamondbacks, Guardians, Astros, Braves, Marlins, Rays, Rangers, Phillies<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-47\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ei\">Duran\u2019s production at the plate has drastically declined for two years running since his fantastic 2024 campaign when he led the majors in doubles and triples. He\u2019s long been rumored as the most likely outfielder the Red Sox would trade to alleviate their logjam, but does that still ring true with his value the lowest it&#8217;s been in the last four seasons? His 35.1% whiff rate ranks in the bottom five percent of the league. The good news is his speed and glove still provide positive value, and some teams could see Duran as a premium change-of-scenery candidate.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-48\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"el\">Prediction: Not traded (but traded in offseason)<\/p>\n<p>12. Sandy Alcantara, Marlins SP<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-50\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"er\">2026 stats: 6\u20134, 4.25 ERA, 4.13 FIP, 1.22 WHIP, 71 K, 23 BB, 1.3 fWAR in 97 \u2153 IP<br \/>Years of control: Through 2026, with a team option for \u201827<br \/>Best fits: Cubs, Cardinals, White Sox, Blue Jays<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-51\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"eu\">Trade speculation followed Alcantara for nearly all of 2025, but his 7.22 ERA through last year\u2019s All-Star break severely tanked his market to the point that Miami held onto him. He\u2019s been much better in the first half in 2026, though not quite back to his Cy Young Award peak. Alcantara is giving up hard contact far less frequently than he did a year ago, though his strikeout rate is down to a career-low 17.8%. He has a $21 million team option for \u201827, which could make him more than a rental for any team that decides to trade for him. The Marlins remain on the periphery of the wild-card race, so they could ultimately decide to keep him again.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-52\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ex\">Prediction: Not traded<\/p>\n<p>13. Casey Mize, Tigers SP<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-54\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"f3\">2026 stats: 2\u20134, 2.58 ERA, 2.66 FIP, 1.01 WHIP, 52 K, 13 BB, 1.7 fWAR in 52 \u2153 IP<br \/>Years of control: Through 2026<br \/>Best fits: Cubs, Braves, A\u2019s, Padres, Rays<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-55\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"f6\">Mize returned from the injured list Wednesday after missing three weeks with abductor inflammation, and while he wasn\u2019t his sharpest, it was good to see him back on the mound to continue what had been an excellent start to the season. The No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft has posted below-average strikeout rates for most of his career, but is up to a 25.2% clip this season. That should encourage inquiring teams that he can be a top-end rotation piece for the stretch run.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-56\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"f9\">Prediction: Traded<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01kvf9t1shym6k3d71kz.jpg\" alt=\"San Francisco Giants infielder Matt Chapman\" title=\"San Francisco Giants infielder Matt Chapman\" width=\"360\" height=\"203\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"fj\"\/><\/p>\n<p>With the Giants struggling and weighed down by several big contracts, Matt Chapman may be on the move soon. | Robert Edwards-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>14. Matt Chapman, Giants 3B<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-59\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"fq\">2026 stats: .280\/.346\/.412, 7 HR, 40 RBI, 35 R, 115 wRC+, 1.7 fWAR in 72 games<br \/>Years of control: Through 2030<br \/>Best fits: Phillies, Yankees, Pirates, Reds, Marlins<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-60\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ft\">After a miserable start to the year, Chapman has heated up in a big way in June, lifting his season numbers back in line with his career norms. The five-time Gold Glove winner remains a standout defender at the hot corner, and he\u2019s yet to post a wRC+ below league average in any single season. His contract (he\u2019s owed $100 million from 2027 to \u201830) will price him out of some teams\u2019 market unless the Giants show a willingness to eat some money. ESPN\u2019s Buster Olney did report San Francisco is open to considering offers for Chapman, Rafael Devers and Willy Adames in an attempt to cut salary, and Chapman is arguably the only one with surplus value.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-61\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"fw\">Prediction: Traded<\/p>\n<p>15. Sonny Gray, Red Sox SP<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-63\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"g2\">2026 stats: 8\u20131, 3.12 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 1.18 WHIP, 55 K, 17 BB, 1.1 fWAR in 69 \u2153 IP<br \/>Years of control: Through 2026, with a mutual option for \u201827<br \/>Best fits: White Sox, Braves, Cubs, Padres, Rays<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-64\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"g5\">Gray\u2019s 19.9% strikeout rate is the lowest it\u2019s been in a decade, a predictable development for the 36-year-old whose velocity now ranks in the bottom 15th percentile. He can nevertheless still perform like a top-of-the-rotation arm, having allowed one run or fewer in seven of his 12 starts, and he led the AL with a 5.3 K\/BB ratio last season. A more realistic yet still valuable role for him is a mid-rotation starter who can comfortably take the mound in the playoffs. Gray does have a no-trade clause, but after his comments about the Red Sox \u201cnot being a good team right now,\u201d you have to wonder if he\u2019d be willing to go elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-65\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"g8\">Prediction: Traded<\/p>\n<p>16. Luis Arraez, Giants 2B<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-67\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ge\">2026 stats: .324\/.358\/.442, 2 HR, 5 SB, 36 R, 26 RBI, 121 wRC+, 2.7 fWAR in 70 games<br \/>Years of control: Through 2026<br \/>Best fits: Rangers, Padres, Twins, Rays<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-68\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"gh\">A year after posting a career-low 104 wRC+, Arraez has upped his offensive game back to his previous career norm, while elevating his defensive prowess considerably to the point where he\u2019s now a plus defender at second base (Giants infield coach Ron Washington continues to work magic at age 74). That should make teams more interested in adding him atop their lineup, as well as put the three-time batting champion in a better free agency position this offseason. Arraez also makes sense as a rare in-season extension candidate, especially if San Francisco can clear salary elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-69\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"gk\">Prediction: Traded<\/p>\n<p>17. Michael Wacha, Royals SP<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-71\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"gq\">2026 stats: 4\u20135, 3.64 ERA, 3.97 FIP, 1.17 WHIP, 72 K, 28 BB, 1.5 fWAR in 94 IP<br \/>Years of control: Through 2027, with a team option for \u201828<br \/>Best fits: Cardinals, A\u2019s, Blue Jays, White Sox<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-72\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"gt\">Since 2022, Wacha has logged a 3.48 ERA across 695 innings, establishing himself as one of the game\u2019s most reliable starters. He does not possess top-of-the-rotation stuff, as his strikeout rate has sat at 18% over the past two seasons and likely isn\u2019t getting above 20% again. But for a team in need of an extra rotation piece to get them into the playoff field, he\u2019d be an excellent addition. And with the Royals going nowhere fast, expect Wacha to be on the move.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-73\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"gw\">Prediction: Traded<\/p>\n<p>18. Gleyber Torres, Tigers 2B<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-75\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"h2\">2026 stats: .280\/.395\/.395, 4 HR, 26 R, 18 RBI, 126 wRC+, 0.9 fWAR in 43 games<br \/>Years of control: Through 2026<br \/>Best fits: Rangers, Padres, Rays, Red Sox<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-76\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"h5\">A strained left oblique landed Torres on the injured list this week, tough timing if Detroit is looking to shop the veteran second baseman. It\u2019s the second time this season Torres has been placed on the IL with the same injury, with the first stint costing him a month of action. After returning to the lineup on June 2, Torres had been on a tear, batting .341\/.413\/.585 in 11 games. The latest setback will certainly impact his market, and he\u2019ll need to return and prove he\u2019s still productive prior to the deadline if the Tigers hope to find a robust market for their second baseman.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-77\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"h8\">Prediction: Traded<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01kvf9vkhvbe5stmfwqx.jpg\" alt=\"Baltimore Orioles left fielder Taylor Ward\" title=\"Baltimore Orioles left fielder Taylor Ward\" width=\"360\" height=\"203\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"hi\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Orioles outfielder Taylor Ward has reworked his approach at the plate this season. | Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>19. Taylor Ward, Orioles OF<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-80\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"hp\">2026 stats: .257\/.402\/.354, 3 HR, 46 R, 20 RBI, 123 wRC+, 1.3 fWAR<br \/>Years of control: Through 2026<br \/>Best fits: Diamondbacks, Braves, Rays, Guardians, Blue Jays, Padres, Rangers, Phillies<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-81\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"hs\">Ward\u2019s profile has completely flipped since his breakout 2025 campaign in which he slugged a career-best 36 homers and 13.7% barrel rate. Through his first two-plus months this year, he\u2019s become an on-base machine with limited thump, walking at an 18.8% clip with just three home runs. That still grades out to a well above-average slash line, and makes him a viable leadoff hitter for a contending team should the Orioles decide to move off the impending free agent, either in exchange for pitching or after a pivot to selling.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-82\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"hv\">Prediction: Traded<\/p>\n<p>20. Ryan Jeffers, Twins C<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-84\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"i1\">2026 stats: .295\/.408\/.541, 7 HR, 26 R, 26 RBI, 163 wRC+, 1.7 fWAR in 37 games<br \/>Years of control: Through 2026<br \/>Best fits: Padres, Yankees, Rangers, Red Sox<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-85\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"i4\">Jeffers got off to a scorching start to the season but has been on the injured list since mid-May with a broken hamate bone. He\u2019s working his way back and should return before the All-Star break, giving him a few weeks to showcase his return to health for prospective teams looking to add some offense behind the dish. Jeffers owns a 121 wRC+ across 1,411 plate appearances since 2023, and particularly hammers lefties. Finding stellar hitting from the catcher spot at the deadline is an uphill climb, so offense-needy teams should be lining up to add some thump to their lineups.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-86\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"i7\">Prediction: Traded<\/p>\n<p>21. Christian Walker, Astros 1B<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-88\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"id\">2026 stats: .245\/.316\/.495, 18 HR, 42 R, 52 RBI, 122 wRC+, 1.4 fWAR in 74 games<br \/>Years of control: Through 2027<br \/>Best fits: Guardians, Marlins, Mets<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-89\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ig\">The first season of Walker\u2019s three-year, $60 million contract didn\u2019t go as planned, but in Year 2 the veteran slugger is back to what he\u2019s looked like for most of his 30s\u2014a 30-home run hitter who\u2019s around 20% above league average at the plate. Right-handed power will be in limited supply this summer, so the Astros should have plenty of suitors if they decide to sell (or if they simply want to get his contract off their books in case he regresses at age 36 next year).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-90\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ij\">Prediction: Not traded<\/p>\n<p>22. Seth Lugo, Royals SP<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-92\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ip\">2026 stats: 2\u20134, 3.86 ERA, 3.56 FIP, 1.35 WHIP, 66 K, 25 BB, 1.6 fWAR in 79 \u2153 IP<br \/>Years of control: Through 2027, with vesting\/club option for \u201828<br \/>Best fits: Cardinals, Blue Jays, White Sox<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-93\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"is\">Can you remember who the AL Cy Young Award runner-up was in 2024? That\u2019s right, it was Lugo. He didn\u2019t truly threaten Tarik Skubal in that race and he won\u2019t provide the same sort of impact going forward, but the 36-year-old eats innings and held his own in the playoffs a couple of years ago. Lugo did suffer a scary moment when he was hit on the head by a comebacker on June 10, but after a short stay on the concussion injured list, he\u2019s expected to return to the mound Friday. The righthander did sign an extension with the Royals last summer that pays him $20 million per season with an innings-based vesting option for 2028. But the Royals could be forced into some uncomfortable decisions if they continue to languish at the bottom of the AL Central. I\u2019m not so sure there are many teams out there willing to pay Lugo at the same rate Kansas City agreed to, though.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-94\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"iv\">Prediction: Not traded<\/p>\n<p>23\tJJ Bleday, Reds OF<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-96\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"j1\">2026 stats: .268\/.370\/.579, 13 HR, 27 R, 34 RBI, 155 wRC+, 1.6 fWAR in 44 games<br \/>Years of control: Through 2028<br \/>Best fits: Padres, Phillies, Astros, Diamondbacks, Guardians, Rangers, Phillies<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-97\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"j4\">Bleday was non-tendered by the Athletics over the offseason but caught on with the Reds and has been fantastic since being called up in late April. The former No. 4 overall pick by the Marlins was named the NL Player of the Month for May, becoming the first Red to receive the honor since Joey Votto in July 2021. Cincinnati is by no means obligated to trade Bleday, who has two more years of team control, while just three games back in the wild-card race. On the other hand, the Reds are the only NL Central team with a negative run differential (-52) and could take this opportunity to sell high on him if their record starts to more accurately reflect that. The question is if teams will value him closer to the elite hitter he\u2019s been this year or as the replacement-level player he was during most of his time with the A\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-98\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"j7\">Prediction: Not traded<\/p>\n<p>24. Isaac Paredes, Astros 3B<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-100\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"jd\">2026 stats: .233\/.343\/.413, 10 HR, 29 R, 35 RBI, 114 wRC+, 1.2 fWAR in 68 games<br \/>Years of control: Through 2026, with a team option for \u201827<br \/>Best fits: Marlins, Brewers, Phillies, Pirates, Guardians, Red Sox<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-101\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"jg\">Paredes probably won\u2019t make his third consecutive All-Star team this year, but he qualifies as discounted right-handed pop, which should be in high demand and short supply this summer. He also carries a $13.4 million team option for next year that could be worth exercising depending on how he finishes the season. The biggest obstacle to a move is that with Carlos Correa out for the year, Paredes is Houston\u2019s only quality option at third base\u2014and Astros owner Jim Crane doesn\u2019t like to throw in the towel on a season, especially with the AL West ripe for the taking.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-102\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"jj\">Prediction: Not traded<\/p>\n<p>25. Matt Shaw, Cubs 3B<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-104\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"jp\">2026 stats: .257\/.313\/.419, 3 HR, 3 SB, 14 RBI, 105 wRC+, 0.1 fWAR in 47 games<br \/>Years of control: Through 2031<br \/>Best fits: Marlins, Phillies, Red Sox<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-105\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"js\">Despite grading out as a below-average hitter during his rookie season last year, Shaw still produced 3.0 bWAR thanks to his stellar defense at third base. Unfortunately for him, the Cubs went out and acquired Alex Bregman during the offseason to supplant him. Shaw has capably bounced around the diamond in 2026, playing every position except pitcher and catcher, but he\u2019d be most valuable at the hot corner. And with Chicago needing quality pitching, he\u2019s a young player with big-league experience they could offer in return who\u2019d likely benefit from playing every day.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-106\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"jv\">Prediction: Not traded (but traded in offseason)<\/p>\n<p>More MLB on Sports Illustrated<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\" class=\"shrink-0\"\/>Add us as a preferred source on Google<a aria-label=\"Follow si.com on Google News\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=si.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" class=\"flex h-[30px] w-[30px] shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary font-group-large text-sm font-medium text-white transition-colors hover:bg-secondary focus:bg-secondary md:w-auto md:gap-2.5 md:px-4 md:py-[5px]\">Follow<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The MLB trade deadline is still about six weeks away, but the rumor mill has already started churning.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":747092,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[435],"tags":[49,48,462,82],"class_list":["post-747091","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mlb","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-mlb","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/747091","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=747091"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/747091\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/747092"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=747091"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=747091"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=747091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}