Every MLB season, as the trade deadline approaches, the teams who are looking to the future trade valuable assets to teams looking to make a playoff run. Here is a list of 10 players who should be on the move this season:
Mike Trout, Angels
While Trout still has game and isn’t injured, the Angels should look to trade him for a package of younger players to build around.
Nolan Arenado, Cardinals
He is one of the few veterans left on the Cardinals, and he could help a number of teams around the league. They are unlikely to be competing come July, so moving him is in their best interest.
Sandy Alcantara, Marlins
He is a former Cy Young award winner who is back on the mound after missing over a full year. The Marlins would be smart to let him pitch for a couple of months, up his trade value, and then move him because they don’t need an ace while they are a last-place team.
Vlad Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
It seems like the Jays have missed their window to re-sign Vlad. He will be a free agent at season’s end, and if they are a 4th or 5th-place team in the division as expected, they should move Vlad before the deadline and get a haul.
Luis Robert, White Sox
He is one of the few MLB players in the organization that has any trade value. The rest of the guys with value are prospects. So, the White Sox should trade Robert to a team in need of OF help and continue to stock up on prospects.
Ryan McMahon, Rockies
He is a solid player who can play at multiple positions (3B, 2B, 1B). There will be a team in need of a lefty hitter who can fill one of those positions come the trade deadline, and the Rockies are lightyears away from being competitive.
Kenley Jansen, Angels
Kenley still has some gas left in the tank. He will close for the Angels for the next few months, but as a team, they will be out of contention come July, and that will be the perfect time to trade him to a playoff contender who is looking to bolster their bullpen.
Erick Fedde, Cardinals
Fedde had a solid season in 2024, and it got him a nice contract from the Cards for 2025. As I mentioned with Arenado, this is not a team expected to be in the playoff mix come July, so trading a solid starter who can provide depth for a playoff team is a smart move.
Dylan Cease, Padres
This is a trickier one than the rest. The Padres are a good team, so unless they feel like they won’t be playoff-bound or they can get there without Cease, it could be hard for them to trade him. Still, his name was on the trade block during the offseason, and with him set to become a free agent after this season, the Padres might make a smart long-term decision and pull the trigger on a trade.
Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays
He is only 1 year removed from being an ace and AL Cy Young contender. So, if Gausman can get off to a strong start this season and the Jays are not a top 2-3 team in the AL East by the summer, Gausman could be on the move to a pitching-hungry playoff contender.
