The top players available as contenders make big moves ahead of MLB trade deadline

New York Post

2 days ago

The clock is ticking on contenders looking to fortify their playoff pushes, and the pool of available players is no longer as robust.
Wednesday's flurry of action, including the Mets landing two top relievers, the Phillies acquiring star closer Jhoan Duran and the Mariners trading for top slugger Eugenio Suarez, has narrowed the field of difference-making players for pursuit.
The relief market still includes some top options, the starting pitching options are largely former elite starters who are now struggling and several potential center fielders could be on the move.
Here's a look at the top five players rumored to be in trade talks ahead of Thursday's 6 p.m. ET deadline.
3 Will the A's move their 100-mph flamethrower?
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A's closer Mason Miller
There are questions about whether the A's will move their star closer, but they are engaging teams on the flamethrower, including the Padres, per The Post's Jon Heyman.
The A's held Miller out of a closing situation Wednesday night and manager Mark Kotsay simply said he was 'unavailable,' adding intrigue to the situation.
The Post's Joel Sherman reported that any package to acquire Miller may require a top-25 prospect since the righty is under contract through the 2028 season.
Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan
The Guardians' season has gone off the rails and they have the chance to cash in with Kwan, who has team control through the 2027 season.
The Dodgers have been linked to Kwan, especially with Michael Conforto underperforming this season, while Sherman also noted the Padres and Phillies as possible options.
Kwan provides exceptional defense, posting a plus-14 defensive runs saved mark, per FanGraphs.
Pirates closer David Bednar
For those who missed out on Duran and Ryan Helsley, and perhaps don't want to pony up for Miller, Bednar could be a cheaper alternative.
The righty is 2-5 with a 2.37 ERA, striking out 51 batters in 38 innings.
The Yankees are among those interested in the 30-year-old, while the Dodgers, Mariners and Tigers are also rumored to be in the hunt for help in the late innings.
3 Could David Bednar be on the move?
AP
Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara
Alcantara is a former Cy Young winner struggling through the worst season in his career, posting a 6-9 record with a 6.36 ERA in his return from Tommy John surgery.
An acquiring team would have him under control through the 2026 season with an affordable $21 million option for 2027.
The question is whether a contender feels he can turn his season around over the next two months, and if that's worth the potential high price it could cost.
Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen
Gallen is similar to Alcantara in that he's also enduring the worst season of his career, posting a 5.60 ERA, but he's a pending free agent and thus should cost less.
The Diamondbacks have already sold Suarez and first baseman Josh Naylor, and they could sell off their pitching pieces Thursday in Gallen, fellow starter Merrill Kelly and reliever Jalen Beeks.
An acquiring team could hope that getting Gallen out a hitter-friendly environment in Arizona and pitching in a playoff race could galvanize a turnaround.
3 Zac Gallen may have pitched his final game for the Diamondbacks.
AP
Honorable mentions: Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins, White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., Padres starter Dylan Cease, Padres closer Robert Suarez, Orioles starter Charlie Morton