Ranking Trade Candidates If The Red Sox, Twins, Royals, Or Mets Sell At The Trade Deadline

[Brock Beauchamp]

We've collected experts on the Twins, Red Sox, Royals, and Mets to rank their respective teams' trade candidates and that player's likelihood of being traded before the MLB trade deadline on August 3.

If The Minnesota Twins Sell At The Trade Deadline

The Twins sit two games behind the final AL Wild Card spot in mid-June, close enough to dream but facing a difficult decision. Cody Christie of Twins Daily lays out who goes if they sell. In the "Definitely Traded" tier, ace Joe Ryan headlines; with another full season of team control remaining after 2026, Ryan offers contenders certainty beyond October, and his return could rival any package the org has recently received. Catcher Ryan Jeffers, a pending free agent who was hitting well before a broken hamate, profiles as a classic deadline move to flip an expiring contract to a contender. Also listed: 1B Josh Bell, LHP Taylor Rogers, and RHP Yoendrys Gómez, a cash-considerations pickup turned closer who is riding a high in performance. The "Possibly Traded" group covers OF Trevor Larnach, UTL Kody Clemens, LH reliever Anthony Banda, and Royce Lewis, a potential change-of-scenery candidate. Buxton (full no-trade protection, wants to stay) and Victor Caratini are deemed unlikely to move. Christie concludes Ryan and Jeffers are the likeliest headliners, with the standings dictating Zoll's direction.

Ranking Twins Trade Candidates If They Sell At MLB Trade Deadline - Twins - Twins Daily

TWINSDAILY.COM

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The American League remains a mess. Despite an inconsistent first half, the Minnesota Twins have played better over the last week and continue to hang around the Wild Card race. Entering...

If The Boston Red Sox Sell At The Trade Deadline

Alex Mayes frames Boston as a clear seller despite a recent hot stretch of play, including a sweep of the Yankees. In "Definitely Will Be Traded": closer Aroldis Chapman, described as arguably the AL's best closer and the top reliever likely available, and SP Sonny Gray, an affordable rental (the Cardinals are covering half his salary), who should return a package similar to or better than Chapman's. The "Possibly Could Be Traded" tier includes OF Jarren Duran (underperforming in an outfield that could be improved with Roman Anthony starting every day), UTIL Isiah Kiner-Falefa, RP Justin Slaten, 1B Willson Contreras, and C Connor Wong, who the team has reportedly been shopping. Contreras, the team's best hitter, is unlikely to move unless Boston is blown away, since dealing him would hurt the 2027 hopes of contention. In "Unlikely To Be Traded": two-time Gold Glove OF Wilyer Abreu, RP Garrett Whitlock (the closer-in-waiting), and SS Trevor Story, whose $23.33 million AAV and injury history make his deal almost certainly unmovable at this juncture.

Ranking Red Sox Trade Candidates If They Sell at MLB Trade Deadline - Red Sox - Talk Sox

TALKSOX.COM

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The Red Sox somehow still aren't completely out of the AL Wild Card picture, but they have been stacking losses as of late. It's time to turn towards the trade deadline and figure out who will...

If The Kansas City Royals Sell At The Trade Deadline

Kevin O'Brien writes that the Royals, 35-50 and last in the AL Central with 2.7% playoff odds per FanGraphs, should approach this deadline like 2023: dealing veterans for prospects rather than buying. "Definitely Traded" candidates: OF Lane Thomas (a useful righty platoon bat), 37-year-old OF Starling Marte, RP John Schreiber (the bullpen's lone bright spot in a unit ranking 30th in reliever ERA), SP Kris Bubic (returning from injury), and RP Matt Strahm, who has struggled but could rebound elsewhere. "Probably Traded" covers SP Michael Wacha, the team's best starter this season, though trading a pitcher who wants to stay risks  bad blood, plus the pricier SP Seth Lugo and relievers Daniel Lynch IV and Alex Lange (a local guy whose value has never been higher), and Lucas Erceg, who has slumped but retains 97-plus velocity. Unlikely to move: injured Kyle Isbel, slumping Vinnie Pasquantino (recovering from hamate surgery), and Salvador Perez, whom the team wants to retire a Royal.

Ranking Royals Trade Candidates If They Sell At MLB Trade Deadline - Royals - Royals Keep

ROYALSKEEP.COM

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Kansas City sits at the bottom of the AL Central Standings and could be quite active at this year's Trade Deadline. Here are some names to watch.

If The New York Mets Sell At The Trade Deadline

Michael Reed reports the Mets at 35-50, second-worst in the National League, with David Stearns potentially shedding payroll for the future ahead of the likely 2027 lockout. The "Will Be Traded" group is pitching-heavy: SP Freddy Peralta, acquired last offseason for Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams, whose name value should fetch a decent prospect haul despite uneven results; reliever Brooks Raley, a reliable veteran southpaw on an expiring deal; RP Huascar Brazobán, controllable through 2029, which Reed notes could make his value higher than expected; and lefty A.J. Minter, who has yet to allow an earned run since returning from a lat tear. The "Could Be Traded" tier features RP Luke Weaver (controlled through 2027, so the Mets could hold him), struggling closer Devin Williams (whose contract Stearns would likely need to eat partly), and SP Clay Holmes, recovering from a fractured fibula but on one of baseball's better contracts. Reed names the Cubs, Cardinals, White Sox, Rays, and A's as likely Peralta suitors. The article carries no "unlikely to trade" tier.

Ranking Mets Trade Candidates If They Sell At MLB Trade Deadline - Mets - Grand Central Mets

GRANDCENTRALMETS.COM

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The Mets remain on the outside looking in on the NL playoff race. if David Stearns decides to pull the plug on 2026, these are the most likely trade candidates.

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[Turning2]

Can't believe there isn't more buzz about Brooks Lee as a trade target. Would perfectly solve MIL's need for more power from 3B on the cheap and a short term commitment. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Just now, Turning2 said:

Can't believe there isn't more buzz about Brooks Lee as a trade target. Would perfectly solve MIL's need for more power from 3B on the cheap and a short term commitment. 

Do you mean Brooks Lee or Royce Lewis? Because Lee is under team control for... maybe five more years? While Lewis has 2-3 seasons left.

[Turning2]

13 hours ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Do you mean Brooks Lee or Royce Lewis? Because Lee is under team control for... maybe five more years? While Lewis has 2-3 seasons left.

Yes, Brooks Lee. If I'm reading Spotrac correctly (and if understand how the current team control stuff works), he is pre arb next year. So, this year plus 4 more years of control. Brewers probably only need him for this year and part of 2028 depending on the progress of Fischer, Made, Burke. Trade him then while he still is young and cheap(er) assuming he's not going to explode in value from massive offense. He's a 15-20 HR type hitter with a decent batting average. He also might just be having a career year and regress. It's a gamble, but if the Brewers want to make a more affordable move for this year, this is one they could probably absorb. I would have no problem if they sent Jett W, and a pitching prospect. Maybe Ty Black could be packaged in somehow. Or perhaps Bitonti or Boeve?  MIL has plenty to work with to make a trade like this work without gutting the farm in my mind.