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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
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
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
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.
















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