17 players most likely to be traded in the next week
Scott Barlow, RHP, Royals
Barlow has drawn a lot of interest from teams, and despite a pair of rough outings in the past week, the reliever is expected to be moved by the Deadline. Barlow walks too many batters, but he excels at missing bats and induces weak contact, ranking in the top 5 percent in both average exit velocity and hard-hit percentage.
Potential fits: Dodgers, Rangers, Rays
Jeimer Candelario, 3B, Nationals
Washington doesn't have a lot of trade candidates, but Candelario seems like a lock to be moved by the Deadline. The impending free agent has an .821 OPS, 16 home runs and a 2.9 bWAR in 93 games and is owed less than $2 million for the remainder of the season. Outfielder Lane Thomas has also generated a lot of interest, but with two more years of control, he's far less likely to be dealt.
Potential fits: Marlins, Twins, Yankees
C.J. Cron, 1B, Rockies
One of the Rockies' four remaining impending free agents likely to move this week (the Rockies already dealt righty Pierce Johnson to the Braves), Cron has 11 home runs and a .779 OPS in 53 games this season. The 33-year-old is owed a little less than $2.5 million in the final year of his current contract and ranks in the top 10 percent of the league in barrel percentage and xSLG, showing he can still do damage at the plate while providing good defense at first base.
Potential fits: Astros, Brewers, Marlins
Jack Flaherty, RHP, Cardinals
One of the Cardinals' impending free agents, Flaherty has pitched better than his overall numbers indicate. He's allowed three or fewer earned runs in 13 of 19 starts, including eight starts of one or zero earned runs. Flaherty, who is owed less than $2 million this season, has also pitched well in three of four career postseason starts.
Potential fits: D-backs, Giants, Guardians
Lucas Giolito, RHP, White Sox
Giolito is perhaps the most obvious trade candidate in the league; he's headed for free agency and has pitched well for most of 2023, allowing two or fewer earned runs in 14 of his 21 starts. He's owed about $3.5 million over the final two months of the season.
Potential fits: Dodgers, Orioles, Reds
Randal Grichuk, OF, Rockies
Grichuk has performed well in his 59 games this season, hitting .309 with an .850 OPS while playing all three outfield spots for Colorado. The soon-to-be 32-year-old is in the final year of his five-year, $52 million deal, with a little more than $3 million owed to him for the remainder of the season.
Potential fits: Brewers, Guardians, Yankees
Brad Hand, LHP, Rockies
Another of Colorado's impending free agents, Hand has been far more effective against lefties (.499 OPS) than righties (.999 OPS), while his numbers on the road have been better than at Coors Field. The 33-year-old is owed just $500,000 this season and would be a nice complementary piece to a contending bullpen.
Potential fits: Angels, Brewers, Marlins
Jordan Hicks, RHP, Cardinals
Hicks is owed roughly $600,000 this season, making the impending free agent a very affordable bullpen option for contenders seeking bullpen help. The 26-year-old has a 1.91 ERA in 26 appearances dating back to May 8, and he's 8-for-9 in save opportunities since taking over the closer's role a month ago. Hicks ranks in the top 10 percent in average exit velocity, strikeout percentage, barrel percentage and xSLG this season.
Potential fits: Blue Jays, D-backs, Phillies
Tony Kemp, 2B/LF, Athletics
Kemp's offensive numbers this season are underwhelming (.595 OPS), but he's been productive since the All-Star break (.796 OPS) and offers defensive versatility in the infield and outfield. The 31-year-old will be a free agent at the end of the season and is owed just $1.25 million in 2023, so he could be a helpful bench piece for a contender.
Potential fits: Giants, Mariners, Red Sox
Reynaldo López, RHP, White Sox
The hard-throwing reliever is averaging 98.3 mph with his fastball, ranking in the top 25 percent of the league in whiff percentage. López hasn't allowed a run since June 26 and has a 1.75 ERA in 24 appearances dating back to May 14, overcoming a sluggish start that saw him post an 8.27 ERA in his first 19 outings. An impending free agent, López is owed roughly $1.2 million for the rest of the season.
Potential fits: Rangers, Red Sox, Reds
Lance Lynn, RHP, White Sox
Lynn hasn't been effective in his past two starts, but he's a veteran innings-eater who can help a contender with a need in the back end of the rotation. The 36-year-old is due roughly $6 million for the remainder of the season (plus a $1 million buyout of his $18 million club option for 2024), so the White Sox might have to pay down the contract to get a decent return.
Potential fits: Angels, Marlins, Rays
Keynan Middleton, RHP, White Sox
Middleton was one of Chicago's most effective relievers over the first two-plus months of the season, posting a 1.27 ERA in his first 23 appearances. He's struggled over the past six weeks (6.92 ERA in 14 outings since June 11), but the 29-year-old has 44 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings this season and ranks in the top 15 percent in the league in strikeout percentage, average exit velocity, chase rate and whiff percentage. Middleton is owed a little more than $300,000 and will be a free agent after the season.
Potential fits: D-backs, Marlins, Rays
Jordan Montgomery, LHP, Cardinals
When president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said last week that the Cardinals would be trading some players, Montgomery – an impending free agent owed a little more than $3 million this season – became an instant candidate to be dealt. The 30-year-old has been a reliable rotation option for the past three seasons, pitching to a 3.27 ERA in 31 starts since being traded to St. Louis a year ago.
Potential fits: Phillies, Rays, Red Sox
David Robertson, RHP, Mets
It remains to be seen whether the Mets decide to become big-time sellers (think Max Scherzer and/or Justin Verlander), but the 38-year-old Robertson is headed back to free agency after signing a one-year, $10 million deal with New York last offseason. Robertson has excelled in both setup and closing roles and has a wealth of postseason experience, making him a fit for virtually every contender out there.
Potential fits: Dodgers, Phillies, Rays
Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP, Tigers
Rodriguez can opt out of the final three years and $49 million of his contract, and based on his performance this season (2.69 ERA in 14 starts), that seems like a near certainty. The southpaw seems to be back in a groove after returning from the injured list, making him a popular option among the available starters.
Potential fits: Brewers, Orioles, Red Sox
Carlos Santana, 1B, Pirates
The 37-year-old veteran has had his ups and downs at the plate this season, but he remains a disciplined hitter with a high walk percentage and low strikeout rate. Since June 14, Santana -- an impending free agent due roughly $2.25 million this season -- has a .753 OPS and remains a solid glove at first base.
Potential fits: Mariners, Marlins, Phillies
Brent Suter, LHP, Rockies
Suter has had an outstanding season for the Rockies, posting a 2.62 ERA in 33 appearances. The 33-year-old is owed about $1 million as he enters free agency, ranking in the top three percent of the league in average exit velocity, hard-hit percentage and barrel percentage, repeatedly showing the ability to induce soft contact. Suter has actually been better against righties (.510 OPS) than lefties (.726 OPS), allowing one home run to each over 181 total batters faced.
Potential fits: Blue Jays, Rays, Reds
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