MLB Trade Deadline Predictions on the Top 20 Players in Rumors

The MLB trade deadline is exactly 36 hours away at the time of this article’s publication, and last night, the biggest domino fell when Tarik Skubal landed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Without Skubal on the market, other starting pitchers take center stage as trade talks continue to heat up.

The New York Mets have two of the top starters on the market with Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes, while the Detroit Tigers are still hanging onto a great trade chip with Casey Mize.

Big names have been floated, such as Mason Miller or Zach Neto being available, but there has been no indication that either will truly be on the move. Today, we are aiming to give you a glimpse into what is an ever-changing market with the deadline fast approaching.

We have 20 players listed here who could be game-changers for any contender’s playoff run. Each player either has a trade prediction on where they will land, or the prediction is simply that they won’t be traded.

Which star player could be headed to your team at this year’s trade deadline? Let’s dive into some fun trade fits that would help shake up the league for the stretch run.

Honorable Mentions: Top Shortstops Being Floated

• CJ Abrams, Washington Nationals
• Otto Lopez, Miami Marlins
• Jeremy Peña, Houston Astros

In the lead-up to the trade deadline, we have seen a lot of reports about teams listening on their players. Because it doesn’t hurt to listen, right?

The Reds apparently listened to the Red Sox try to acquire Elly De La Cruz according to recent reports, but those talks broke down quickly as it is pretty hard to deal a 24-year-old superstar. In 2028 or 2029, when De La Cruz gets within two years of free agency? Maybe. But not know.

The same likely goes for CJ Abrams, Otto Lopez and Jeremy Peña, who are all may be held in such high regard by their current teams that no one can meet their asking price on a trade.

1. Mason Miller, San Diego Padres

Trade Prediction: Not Traded

Another player who is just too valuable to be traded. The only man crazy enough to put a trade package together that could land Mason Miller is the one who did so last year. Barring another GM putting a Godfather offer together that can’t be refused, Miller and his 3.5 years of control will remain in San Diego.

2. Zach Neto, Los Angeles Angels

Trade Prediction: Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are in the market for a shortstop and also want a right-handed bat. Neto fits the billing in both regards. The Angels are said to be listening on Neto, although with 3.5 years of control, they don’t have to move him. But if Boston gets aggressive here, a deal can get done.

3. Casey Mize, Detroit Tigers

Trade Prediction: Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are a fit for pretty much every starting pitcher on this list, although Tarik Skubal feels like he is a bit out of their price range prospect-wise. Instead, the Cubs may target Skubal’s teammate, who won’t require nearly the same return.

4. Emerson Hancock, Seattle Mariners

Trade Prediction: Not Traded

Heading into the deadline, the Seattle Mariners had a glut of starting pitching, which is a first-class problem to have. But a problem nevertheless. Seattle has two outstanding pitching prospects in Ryan Sloan and Kade Anderson, and six viable starters in their rotation.

Because of this, Emerson Hancock’s name started to circulate, as the Mariners were looking to cash in on his trade value in the midst of a breakout season. Maybe other teams are wary of the lack of track record and are not valuing him to the degree that the Mariners are.

Instead, last night they traded Luis Castillo, seemingly clearing up the glut in their rotation.

5. George Kirby, Seattle Mariners

Trade Prediction: Not Traded

Alright, that was anti-climatic, I know. The issue I see here is that the Mariners want a right-handed bat, and maybe some high-leverage relief help at the deadline, and I struggle to find the team that could offer it.

Are the Mariners moving George Kirby for prospects? If the answer is yes, sure, they can find a deal to move him. But searching for the right big leaguer for a big leaguer trade is much tougher to do. Now that they moved Castillo, it feels like Hancock and Kirby stay put.

6. Luke Weaver, New York Mets

Trade Prediction: Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have been connected to Luke Weaver multiple times over the past week, with The Athletic reporting their interest in the Mets’ stellar set-up man. Weaver could even close games for the Cubs, and being under control for another playoff run in 2027 only makes him more intriguing.

7. Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels

Trade Prediction: Diamondbacks

According to a report from our own Peter Appel, the D-backs are one of the teams engaged in the market for Reid Detmers. Not only would he provide a boost to their run to make the postseason, but he comes with two more years of control after this season.

8. Freddy Peralta, New York Mets

Trade Prediction: Tampa Bay Rays

The trade market for Freddy Peralta heated up enough that the New York Mets decided to scratch him from his start last night to avoid the injury risk (or the risk that he would get lit up). Peralta has been linked to the Rays, Cubs, White Sox, Phillies, and Braves, amongst other teams.

The Rays just feel like an ideal fit to be able to get the most out of Peralta post-deadline, and are a team that will value the potential of what Peralta can be, rather than what he has been this season.

9. Michael Wacha, Kansas City Royals

Trade Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies need a No. 4 starter for their playoff rotation behind Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo. Can you imagine sliding Michael Wacha into that role?

This is Wacha’s fifth consecutive season pitching to a sub-4.00 ERA. He is pitching on a team-friendly contract that will pay him $14 million next year, with an affordable $14 million club option for 2028 (with a buyout of just $1 million).

Perfect move that would not only help the Phillies for this playoff run, but potentially for the next three.

10. Clay Holmes, New York Mets

Trade Prediction: Chicago White Sox

The New York Mets and Chicago White Sox have had some dialogue on making a deal for Freddy Peralta, but since I already have him heading to the Rays, let’s send Holmes to the White Sox instead. The White Sox can use a veteran to slot in near the top of their rotation, and Holmes could be the answer.

In nine starts this season, Holmes pitched to a 2.39 ERA before getting hit on the leg with a comebacker and breaking his fibula. He is healthy now and ready to join a big league rotation for the stretch run.

11. Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles

Trade Prediction: Not Traded

Joel Sherman of the New York Times today is reporting that the Orioles are listening to trade offers for Adley Rutschman, and it’s “60-40” that he is going to get traded. Still, I’m not buying it.

The Yankees are listed as one of the suitors for Rutschman, but are the Orioles really trading him in-division?

The White Sox are in the market for a catcher, but are they going to pay the price to land Adley?

Something tells me this is a conversation we explore again in the offseason, when the Orioles are down to just one year left of team control.

12. José Soriano, Los Angeles Angels

Trade Prediction: San Diego Padres

How about one out of left field?

The San Diego Padres are a tough team to make predictions for, because A.J. Preller is so unpredictable. Who knows which direction he will go, and what moves he will make.

The Padres need starting pitching, and not just for the stretch run, but also moving forward. A cost-controlled young starting pitcher would go a long way. And Jose Soriano might be the perfect fit because his trade market is not going to be there quite as much as teammate Reid Detmers, or some of the other arms we have already discussed.

13. Francisco Alvarez, New York Mets

Trade Prediction: Not traded

The New York Mets are going to conduct a fire sale here, but they aren’t going into a rebuild. They still want to win in 2027, and replacing Alvarez is going to be very difficult. They will listen to offers, but unless they are getting a top catching prospect back in the trade, or in another deal they line up at the deadline, the Mets would be hard-pressed to move Alvarez.

14. Liam Hicks, Miami Marlins

Trade Prediction: New York Yankees

Liam Hicks, on the other hand, is a catcher on a team that has a bit of a surplus. On the major league roster, Joe Mack has taken over as the primary catcher. Hicks still catches once a week, while playing some first base as well, but largely gets his at-bats as the DH.

The Marlins also still have Agustin Ramirez, who was optioned down to the minors after struggling this season, but is still only 24 years old and a year removed from hitting 21 homers in the big leagues. If the role is to DH some and catch once a week, Ramirez could fill that role in the short-term.

As for Hicks, this just might be an opportunity to cash in on his value when it’s at an all-time high.

A 118 wRC+ is more valuable from the catching position than it is over at first base and DH, so the Marlins could take advantage of a market that lacks catching and could sell high on Hicks.

The Yankees are the perfect landing spot, as they value trading for players with control at the deadline and would maybe empty their war chest some for a catcher that still has four years of control after this season.

15. Luis García Jr., Washington Nationals

Trade Prediction: Arizona Diamondbacks

The Washington Nationals have the opportunity to cash in on a breakout season from Luis García Jr., one which he looks ticketed to hit 30 home runs for the first time in his career. Unlike CJ Abrams, who has two and a half years of control, Garcia is only a National until 2028.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are sitting in a playoff spot right now, and should be looking to add a little offense to their lineup for the stretch run. Garcia can slide right in and play first base, while providing some protection for Ketel Marte in the middle of their lineup.

16. Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays

Trade Prediction: Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves need someone who can take the ball after Chris Sale in a playoff series, and while Kevin Gausman is not having the best of seasons, he led a team to the brink of a World Series title last year and won’t be afraid of the moment this time around either.

17. Adrián Morejón, San Diego Padres

Trade Prediction: Not traded

I just can’t see AJ Preller selling. He probably should here because Morejón will be a free agent after the season and would be valued at a premium by contenders. But I won’t believe he gets traded until I see the Passan bomb.

18. Luis Arraez, San Francisco Giants

Trade Prediction: Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays have been linked to Luis Arraez, and it truly couldn’t be a more perfect fit.

The Rays can let him stick at second base, and could bat him somewhere within the top four of their lineup along with Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero. Arraez would be the perfect left-handed complement to balance that quartet and juice this lineup for a stretch run.

19. Taylor Ward, Baltimore Orioles

Trade Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies could use a corner outfielder, particularly one who bats right-handed, and Taylor Ward is clearly the ideal fit. Ward is walking 17% of the time this year and is getting on base at a .384 clip. Last year, Ward hit 36 home runs.

While he has gotten there in drastically different ways, Ward has posted a 117 wRC+ two years running. That type of consistent at-bat would really lengthen a top-heavy Phillies lineup.

20. Robbie Ray, San Francisco Giants

Trade Prediction: Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins have been surprising buyers at this year’s trade deadline, and this team can still seriously use some starting pitching. Dean Kremer was an addition, but not necessarily one you make to start a playoff game for you. Robbie Ray can be that guy, and with the Giants willing to absorb some of his salary, maybe the Twins can put some more prospects together to get a deal done.