Top Rental Arms and Bats on the Block at the MLB Trade Deadline
The top priority for all sellers at the deadline is to trade players who are set to hit free agency. Which rentals will be on the block soon?
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Reading the trade market in the middle of June is a difficult thing to do, as so much can happen throughout the marathon of a baseball season. Teams will get hot and cold in ebbs and flows, and that can make it very hard to identify which teams will be buyers and which will be sellers until the deadline is truly upon us.
Until teams start shopping players coming out of the All-Star break, it is anyone’s guess who will really be on the table come the deadline, but if there is one easy place to start, look at the rentals.
Players who are in contract years are always more likely to be traded than those that have team control, as they are quite literally expiring assets. If a team is in contention, they are going to keep their best players regardless, but teams on the verge of missing October have to be aware of who will and who won’t be on the team next year.
Sometimes, it is beneficial to move a rental so that playing time can be afforded to younger players or prospects who will have to step into bigger roles next season. Other times it is not about the current roster at all, but just about getting any type of asset for a player before they can leave for nothing.
With the trade deadline seven weeks away, we wanted to come up with a comprehensive list of every rental that could be on the table, from starting pitchers to position players and finally, the top bullpen arms.
Some of these players are on the contending teams who likely won’t be selling, but they also could fall off before the deadline, and suddenly these top trade pieces could be on the table.
Let’s dive into the names of the players who could be shaking the MLB landscape in a massive way come July 31st.
Rental Starting Pitchers That Could Be Traded
If there is one thing that is most valuable at the trade deadline every year, it’s pitching. Particularly frontline starting pitching. Last year, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ trade to acquire Jack Flaherty proved to be one of the key factors in their ability to win it all.
We can all go back in history even further than that, and remember the classic runs of aces getting dealt at the deadline and the mercenary run they go on once they are there. Sometimes it’s the ace heading towards the massive payday, like when C.C. Sabathia put together the greatest run of all-time for the Milwaukee Brewers back in 2008.
Other times, it’s the middle-of-the-rotation starter that turns into the ace, like when Jordan Montgomery stepped up and helped lead the Rangers to a World Series title in 2023.
Let’s dive into our list of all the potential rental starting pitchers who could be shopped depending on their team’s circumstances at the trade deadline.
Aces on the Table?
Framber Valdez, Houston Astros: If there is a rental ace that contending teams should be eyeing at this year’s trade deadline, it is Framber Valdez. Now there is no guarantee that Valdez will even be on the market, but if the Astros decide to put him on the table, they could receive a haul.
Valdez has been one of the most effective starting pitchers in all of baseball, as he has pitched to a sub-3.50 ERA in every season since the 2021 campaign, all while making almost every start. He has one legendary postseason run under his belt, when he pitched to a 1.44 ERA as the ace of the 2022 World Series champion Houston Astros.
This year, Valdez is looking like an All-Star (would be his third selection), having pitched to a 3.09 ERA across his first 15 starts. There are pitchers with control who might fetch a bigger haul, but there is no better rental that could be put on the table than Valdez.
Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks: Another frontline starting pitcher on a team that is caught in the middle of contending and selling right now. Over the past three seasons, Gallen has been a staple atop the D-Backs rotation, and he has two top-five Cy Young finishes to show for it.
The plan was for Gallen to form a dynamic 1-2 punch with Corbin Burnes this season that would push Arizona back into contention to return to the World Series. Unfortunately, Burnes is on the shelf with an elbow injury, and the D-Backs are trying to hang on in the early Wild Card race.
With Gallen set to hit free agency after the season, the D-Backs would be irresponsible not to listen to what they can get back for their 29-year-old ace. Gallen has pitched to a 5.19 ERA through his first 15 starts, so his value is not near Valdez’s right now, but his upside is certainly still attractive.
The D-Backs will just have to weigh their chances to contend this year, and whether they can get something better than the comp pick they would receive if Gallen turns down a qualifying offer and signs elsewhere.
Seth Lugo, Kansas City Royals: The Royals inking Lugo to a deal that only pays him $15 million a year is looking more and more savvy by the day. The 35 year-old pitched to a 3.00 ERA last season in 206.2 innings and is currently at a 3.05 ERA this year. He’s been about as stable as they come.
However, Lugo is pitching too well for the Royals and will likely opt-out of his final year and look for more money and term this winter. Although it has been a good marriage, I doubt Kansas City will look to pay top dollar to a pitcher entering the later part of his career.
The Royals offense is simply not good enough to compete right now and last years season is looking closer to a fluke than the new standard. Signing Lugo was a smart move but now it’s time to make another smart move and ship him out to the highest bidder. The return on value will be too good to pass up.
Other Starters Who Could Be on the Table
Merill Kelly, Arizona Diamondbacks: Everything we just said about Zac Gallen can be copied and pasted onto Merrill Kelly. The difference is that Kelly has never quite been considered an ace, and may not be quite the same candidate to receive the qualifying offer after the season.
A late bloomer, Kelly is going to hit free agency for the first time at 37 years old, so a one-year balloon payment of a QO is something he would likely jump at, because he may only get a two-year deal anyway. This incentives the D-Backs to move Kelly, especially because he is pitching better this year.
Through 15 starts, Kelly has pitched to a 3.41 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP. It also helps that Kelly was nails in his lone postseason run in 2023, pitching to a 2.15 ERA across four starts, which included a seven-inning, three-hit, one-run, nine-strikeout performance against the Astros in the World Series.
Zach Eflin, Baltimore Orioles: What is happening in Baltimore is nothing short of a disaster. A terrible season brought on by lackluster roster construction has propelled the O’s back into familiar territory: selling.
Eflin, 31, is set to hit the open market after this season and is pitching well enough to be an intriguing option to a contender. His numbers have trended in the wrong direction with a 4.81 ERA, 5.01 FIP, and only 5.90 K/9, but his track record is solid enough for a team to roll the dice.
Teams who might not have the prospect pool to lure Gallen or other top arms can acquire Eflin for pennies on the dollar, especially if they are willing to take a large portion of his $18 million due to him.
Zack Littell, Tampa Bay Rays: Another Tampa Bay pitcher success story, Littell has carved out a role as a starter in Tampa while pitching to a 3.88 ERA and 5.32 FIP across 15 starts. His strikeouts have taken a major hit dropping from 8.12 K/9 to 5.92 K/9 which does raise some concerns.
Low strikeouts and a lot of hard contact is why his FIP is north of five but his elite command has limited base runners and therefore, damage. Littell profiles as a back-end option for most teams and would shift to the bullpen in the playoffs. At a $5.72 million price tag he’s a fine option but not one teams are lining up to acquire.
The reality is several teams will miss out on their top option and have to pivot to the Zack Littells of the world. We all know Tampa is willing to move him.
Tyler Mahle, Texas Rangers: Mahle is a tough one to read. He’s been up and down throughout his career and is no stranger to the injured list, where he currently resides. A ridiculously hot start to his year has resulted in a 2.34 ERA and 3.34 FIP, but I think we all had our reservations.
The underlying metrics tell a different story. One that might lead to a poor ending sooner or later. A 4.13 xERA and 4.30 xFIP are much more inline with the Tyler Mahle we have come to know over the past few seasons. Flashes of excellence, lots of injuries, and not enough consistency. His K/9 has dropped below seven and the recent injury news might keep some teams away.
Mahle is wrapping up a two-year, $22 million deal that was offset with $16.5 million coming in 2025. That’s a lot of money to move for a player with more question marks than answers but we have seen desperate teams make desperate moves before.
Jose Quintana, Milwaukee Brewers: You and I both know the Brewers operate in a different way than most teams. Trading a starter with a 3.35 ERA while you are in contention is not unusual business in Milwaukee. I’d argue the Brewers got their $4.25 million worth and would like to move on.
Quintana, 36, is a crafty lefty who knows how to move through a lineup and miss barrels. He’s been effective, but signs of age are starting to show. His numbers are starting to decline across the board and his heavy reliance on groundballs without much else is risky.
With such a small monetary contract on a one-year deal, Quintana should be easy to move. He can help eat innings down the stretch and provides a veteran presence in the rotation and clubhouse.
Erick Fedde, St. Louis Cardinals: Fedde returned from the KBO to surprise the baseball world last season and landed in St. Louis at the deadline. Now, only a year later, he could be on the move again. The 32 year-old is on a cheap $7.50 million expiring deal and has pitched well enough over the past two seasons to generate some buzz.
Fedde’s 2025 has not been as successful as 2024. His 3.65 ERA looks fine on the surface but a 4.98 xERA and 4.13 FIP tell a different story. He’s walking more batters, not getting many strikeouts, and allowing a lot of loud contact.
Fedde feels more like a ticking time bomb than a rotation stabilizer. However, we see teams get desperate every year and there’s enough success for a team to take a chance.
Andrew Heaney, Pittsburgh Pirates: Heaney has turned into a journeyman over the past few seasons and is no stranger to being a deadline move. Through 14 starts with Pittsburgh he has a 3.33 ERA and 4.42 FIP, which match some of his best seasons as a pro.
Heaney has reinvented himself over the past few years and no longer offers the strikeout stuff he once did. However, he’s added a slower curveball and sinker this season and still have a very good changeup. Teams are always looking for lefties to round out a rotation and Heaney comes with intrigue.
The Pirates are a dumpster fire and signed Heaney in hopes of trading him. Luckily, he’s pitched his way into having some value so now the Pirates front office can celebrate what they think is “winning” in baseball.
Nick Martinez, Cincinnati Reds: Nick Martinez accepted the qualifying offer this past winter giving him a one-year, $21 million deal for the 2025 season. That’s a steep price for a 3.92 ERA and 4.02 FIP pitcher but he has been good enough to make the deal something the Reds could stomach.
Cincinnati is in a playoff hunt and their rotation has been a strength. Considering they typically work on the cheaper side of things, and need offensive help, a unique trade moving Martinez out for a player to help lengthen their lineup (maybe someone on this list) is funky enough to maybe work.
Martinez has excelled in several different roles over the past few seasons making him one of the more useful arms at the deadline. No matter where you slot him he can help your team. Eating innings and then moving to a bulk role out of the bullpen come playoff time is valuable.
Adrian Houser, Chicago White Sox: No, Houser is not the sexiest name on the trade market. However, he can be a useful pitcher for a team needed some innings. In his five starts with the White Sox he has a 2.15 ERA and 3.47 FIP. Chicago will likely let him go for anything making him very likely to be moved.
A veteran who can be a fifth starter or bulk reliver is a need for enough teams. Think teams like Cincinnati who make deadline moves but rarely high impact ones. Cheap to acquire, cheap to pay.
Aaron Civale, Chicago White Sox: What a year it’s been for Aaron Civale. Perhaps the least impressive player to ever request a trade was granted his wish and now is pitching on the south side of Chicago. The White Sox have little use for him but hope he can pitch well enough to interest a contender.
I doubt many teams think of Civale in a better light than the Brewers did. It will take a few injuries before teams start to target him.
Tyler Anderson, Los Angeles Angels: Anderson, who’s 35 and on an expiring deal, should be traded. However, remember that the Angels rarely work in the same way as other teams. They are not exactly out of it and could elect to hold Anderson.
Anderson is about what you would expect. A back-end option with a 4.44 ERA and 4.97 FIP who has proved his lone year with the Dodgers (2022 – 2.57 ERA) was an outlier. His contract is for $13 million this year, which is higher than several more attractive or similar lefties in his realm. The Angels would have to pay down some of the remaining money which makes this even more difficult.
Michael Lorenzen, Kansas City Royals: Lorenzen could be on the move for the third straight deadline. He’s pretty much the perfect deadline piece each season – a veteran who doesn’t cost too much and is effective enough to help a team.
Lorenzen’s 4.91 ERA and 4.79 FIP are the highest he has had since leaving Cincinnati. However, his command is still good, and a team might be willing to bet on better pitching with a change of scenery.
Rental Positon Players Who Could Be Traded
Whether a team is looking for that platoon bat to crush lefties or the starting center fielder to hold their outfield together, there is always a spot in the lineup where a team can improve.
Let’s take a look at the top bats that could be moved, starting with the ones who are almost certain to be dealt.
Rental Bats That WILL Be Moved
Cedric Mullins, Baltimore Orioles: There isn’t a world where it makes sense for Cedric Mullins to be playing on the Baltimore Orioles come August 1st. The Orioles are not going to make the playoffs, he is a rental, and he plays a premium position in center field.
Adding a potential plus bat in center field can mean all the difference to lengthen out a playoff lineup, so there is sure to be plenty of interest. Mullins is also one of those free agents who falls just below being extended a qualifying offer, as he may jump at the $20+ million payday. (Think Jurickson Profar last year).
If the Orioles aren’t going to extend the QO, get the best prospect you can before it is too late.
Ryan O’Hearn, Baltimore Orioles: Everything we just wrote about Mullins can be rinsed and repeated here with Ryan O’Hearn. The Orioles are unlikely to extend him a QO, and he is going to be a free agent this winter. The time is now to sell. The good news is that O’Hearn is tearing the cover off the ball this year, angling for his first-ever All-Star appearance.
Mike Tauchman, Chicago White Sox: Might not get you much more than a PTBNL, but someone has to acknowledge that Mike Tauchman is having himself a fine season. Everyone wants to read about Luis Robert Jr., but here is Tauchman with a 141 wRC+ in 26 games.
Any team that is looking for a left-handed platoon bat that will play you solid defense in the corner outfield spots, and center field in a pinch, should be looking to add a solid vet like Tauchman.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Pittsburgh Pirates: A utility infielder who will compete in at-bats, steal bases, and provide solid defense wherever you put him. IKF is not going to get the Pirates a haul, but he can go help someone’s bench for a playoff push.
Top Rental Bats on the Bubble to Be Moved
Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays: Bichette’s relationship with the Blue Jays has gone back and forth over the past year. Not long ago it looked like there was no chance of him staying in Toronto but that since has changed, apparently. But, does Toronto want him?
The Blue Jays inked a number of deals and extensions since Bichette was rumored to want out and I wonder where they stand with a possible long term commitment. They are currently a playoff team (wild-card) and probably would not move him unless something dramatically changes.
However, Toronto is starting to get pretty old and with a number of expiring deals you have to wonder where, exactly, they stand. Do they move a few older pieces and retool or continue to be second or third in their division?
If Bichette is on the market you can expect a few of the top teams to be willing to part with a blue chip prospect (and more) to add his bat into the lineup. A .275/.317/.437 slash with a 22-home run pace would be ideal for many contenders.
Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves: The Atlanta Braves are not going to be full-on sellers at the deadline, but they should be opportunistic to help their path back to the top in 2026. A free agent after the season, Ozuna is an obvious trade candidate for the Braves. He is still swinging a great bat at 34 years old, and can plug any team’s DH spot.
What the Braves would get for Ozuna is the question, as they are likely going to be close enough in the Wild Card race where it might be more worth it to them to ride out the contract and see if they can get hot down the stretch.
What we will say to tease ahead in the piece is that the Braves need to take this deadline as an opportunity to clear everyday at-bats for Drake Baldwin. Whether that is at DH, catcher, or a combination of both.
Rhys Hoskins, Milwaukee Brewers: As we mentioned with Quintana, the Brewers are never afraid to make a move that might feel like a headscratcher. Capitalizing on value, especially expiring deals, is something that organization does not pass up.
Hoskins is slashing .242/.337/.411 with 10 home runs and a 109 wRC+. The power has not been the same since his injury and leaving Philadelphia, but it is still enough to be attractive. His career is back to the consistent .240 average, 10% BB%, and high K% only now with less power.
I would not go as far to suggest the Andrew Vaughn addition to the Brewers organization means Hoskins is out, but it is worth noting. The Brewers are not going to re-sign Hoskins and they rarely let a player play out a contract and walk in free agency.
Josh Naylor, Arizona Diamondbacks: Naylor is an interesting case for Arizona. After acquiring him prior to the season the Diamondbacks could look to extend him or explore the qualifying offer. With so many other names they could be focused on moving I wonder just how many trades they can realistically pull off.
Naylor has slashed .305/.358/.474 with nine home runs and a sneaky nine stolen bases. He has only struck out 12.7% of the time and has a great blend of both contact and above average power. He turns 28 next month so offers enough youth to be considered in future plans for either Arizona or the acquiring team.
His power is a bit funky. The expected home runs change drastically depending on which ballpark he would call his home and his line drive bat path brings to question the home run output a team could expect from him at first, a power position. I guess it comes down to how much a team believes in his 31 home runs last year as being true or a fluke.
Eugenio Suarez, Arizona Diamondbacks: Suarez is in the final year of an extension he signed with Cincinnati which was then traded to Seattle and later Arizona. His expiring deal carries only a $15 million price tag which is a bargain for an .825 OPS and 21 home run hitter.
Suarez is having his best power output since hitting 49 home runs in 2019. Third base is relatively slim on the trade market which should drive his price up to an amount that the Diamondbacks cannot afford to pass up. Trying to work deals for both Gallen and Suarez separately will be a lot of moving pieces, but how about packaging them together?
Not only does Suarez come with game-changing power but he’s a major addition to the clubhouse. Beloved by teammates, the acquiring team will likely push toward an extension and not just a rental. Power, track record, proven health year in and year out, and a clubhouse presence. Pony up, because it won’t come cheap.
Willi Castro, Minnesota Twins: Willi Castro has rejuvenated his career since joining the Twins and might be this years Tommy Edman. The ability to not only play all over the field, but to play a starting level caliber, makes him on of the more valuable pieces to a team.
Castro has raised his level this season slashing .286/.363/.473 with seven home runs, good for a 138 wRC+ through 53 games. He’s played himself into a nice contract this offseason and a dollar amount the Twins will unlikely be willing to match.
The Twins are still very much in the wild-card race which could make it difficult to part with such a valuable chess piece. I do think the team would be willing to move Castro is the offer is too good to pass up, regardless of where they are in the standings. This thought has more to do with the Twins money/ownership situation than anything.
Harrison Bader, Minnesota Twins: Harrison Bader is still one of the better defenders in the outfield, but his bat is playing up a level this season. His .253/.341/.421 slash and 118 wRC+ is tracking toward career-best numbers, but I have my reservations.
Bader’s quality of contact is still low and many of his metrics look similar to years past. At 31 years old and nine years in the majors, I think he is what he is. A below-average hitter and great defender who should plug a fourth outfield spot or platoon role. His hot stretch this season won’t fool many.
I could see the Twins holding Bader based solely off the fact that his return might be light and they could still be contenders. Moving Castro for a better return and keeping Bader makes sense. If they do elect to move him expect a fourth outfielder level of return.
Carlos Santana, Cleveland Guardians: The ageless wonder has continued to hit even into his age 39 season. While Santana’s power has taken a step back he still provides a team with some of the best at bats you will see. A switch-hitter that walks at a 12% clip and doesn’t strike out much lengthens lineups and adds to pitch counts.
Cleveland is never afraid to move players and find ways to get younger. With Kyle Manzardo in the mix, Santana becomes more expendable and can help a team at DH or first without any long term commitment. At $12 million the money isn’t cheap but neither should the cost to acquire.
I think Santana will be viewed more as an injury replacement/ platoon bat and not the answer to a team’s offensive woes.
Top Bullpen Rentals Who Could Be Moved
Ryan Helsley, St. Louis Cardinals: The question the St. Louis Cardinals are going to have to ask themselves at the deadline is if they want to fight in a crowded NL Wild Card race or lean into a short rebuild by selling some of their pitching. The top name on that list is their closer, Ryan Helsley.
In a contract year, Helsley is not having his best season so far, but that is not going to stop every contender from dreaming about slotting him into the back-end of their bullpen. Stuff plays when trading for relievers, and “Hells Bells” has all the stuff you can want.
Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox: It looks like Netflix picked the wrong year to follow the Red Sox. Boston has been a bit of a dramatic mess and since trading Devers a number of stories have come out in a negative light about the way the organization is being ran.
Chapman immediately becomes the best lefty bullpen option on the market. Although he’s 37 his fastball still averages 99 mph and he’s striking out 12.48 per nine. Also, his command has improved walking a career best 2.61 per nine.
A 1.45 ERA and 2.00 FIP to go along with his experience and track record make him a top priority for some teams. Boston would expect a pretty good return especially if they are willing to eat any of his $10.75 million contract.
The last few times Chapman has been traded, his acquiring team has won the World Series. Just something to think about…
Phil Maton, St. Louis Cardinals: Signed to a one-year, $2 million deal, this is the type of arm that is so easy to move at the deadline. Maton was traded to the Mets prior to the deadline last year and pitched to a 2.51 ERA across 31 appearances.
This year, he is rocking a 2.05 ERA through his first 28 appearances, striking out 11.6 batters per nine. The 32-year-old is throwing his curveball more than ever and is finding great success. Maton is in the 99th percentile in Average Exit Velocity and the 90th percentile in K%. That’ll play in any bullpen.
Steven Matz, St. Louis Cardinals: In spring training, nobody would have had Steven Matz on the radar as an arm that could be moved, as he was playing out the final year of what had largely been a disappointing four-year, $44 million contract. This year, however, Matz has been a revelation pitching out of the bullpen.
The former starting pitcher has been used as a multi-inning specialist and occasional opener, who has racked up 39 innings across his first 20 appearances and has pitched to a 2.31 ERA. If the Cardinals eat some of his $11 million salary, Matz might fetch them a solid prospect.
Shelby Miller, Arizona Diamondbacks: From being released by the Tigers last season to closing games for the Diamondbacks this year. Miller dropped his slider and leaned into a splitter/four seamer combo that is producing a 30% whiff rate and 36.1% chase rate.
An expiring deal with a $1 million price tag for 2.17 ERA and strikeout stuff? Miller will be a fit in a number of bullpens and should generate a mini bidding war considering his low price tag.
Jalen Beeks, Arizona Diamondbacks: Beeks has been another pleasant surprise out of the Diamondbacks bullpen. The lefty is pitching to a 3.15 ERA and 3.44 FIP thanks to a 55.8% groundball rate and only 87.3 mph average exit velocity.
Like I have said throughout this article, Arizona has too many pieces to pull this many trades. They will either need to package deals or get to moving players early. Beeks should have interest as the lefty bullpen options this year could be slim.
Kyle Finnegan, Washington Nationals: Finnegan continues to put up very good numbers despite the peripherals looking mediocre. He’s a groundball pitcher with a sub-four ERA in each of his six major league seasons with experience as a closer.
The baseball world doesn’t seem to like Finnegan as much as I do but the consistency speaks for it’s self. He’s cut his HR/FB rate in half this year which might attract more teams looking for late inning help.
Danny Coulombe, Minnesota Twins: Coulombe is a lefty specialist with plus command and strikeout stuff. The 11-year vet has been fantastic for a number of years and currently holds a 0.48 ERA and 1.30 FIP. The Twins need to take advantage and move him.
Coulombe’s ability to get tough lefties out will be huge in the playoffs. I wouldn’t be surprised if the return is better than you would expect for a 35-year-old on an expiring deal.
Jakob Junis, Cleveland Guardians: I can’t quite figure out what the league thinks of Junis. He’s bounced around but pitched relatively well year in and year out. He’s a pitch to contact guy who relies on soft contact to work through the order but can provide bulk innings and spot starts.
Andrew Chafin, Washington Nationals: Chaflin has had a bizarre past year. Traded by Detroit at last years deadline, joined Detroit prior to the season but only pitched in Triple-A, opted out, joined the Nationals and is pitching to a 3.18 ERA and 3.51 FIP.
The lefty comes with a ton of experience and the stuff to rack up strikeouts but his command is completely gone. Chafin is currently on the injured nursing a hamstring injury, but he’ll be cheap to acquire and betting on his track record isn’t a bad idea.
Emilio Pagan, Cincinnati Reds: Pagan is back and looking great after injuries shortened his 2024 season. The veteran has a 3.23 ERA and 3.88 FIP and is back to striking out over 11 K/9 for the first time since 2022.
Pagan’s expiring deal has an $8 million price tag which is reasonable for his level of pitching. It’s going to take a few more losses before the Reds part with him but he’s an underrated name to watch for.
Taylor Rogers, Cincinnati Reds: Rogers came to Cincinnati in what was a salary dump deal clearing his $6 million off the Giants books. The veteran lefty has pitched to a 2.82 ERA and 3.56 FIP relying on his sweeper and sinker to produce soft contact and plenty of groundballs.
If the Reds fall out of the race several teams should be interested in a veteran lefty with loads of experience. Especially one who is not prone to blow up outings due to a high groundball rate.