One difference-making trade for each AL team in the wild-card race

New York Times

8 hours ago

The San Francisco Giants have already won the trade deadline, and they did it earlier this week when they acquired Rafael Devers from the Red Sox for two major-league pitchers and two prospects. What a way to truly kick off the trade season.
With less than six weeks to go until the July 31 deadline, let's look at possible trades that could impact the wild-card races, which are again closely contested. Entering Friday, 10 American League teams are in a wild-card spot or within six games back of playoff position. In the National League, essentially eight teams can say the same. (The Mets and Phillies are tied atop the NL East and NL wild-card standings so count as one team in this tally.)
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The only teams in the majors that are not really in the postseason race are the White Sox and Athletics in the AL and the Nationals, Marlins, Pirates and Rockies in the NL. Therefore, with not a lot of sellers, at least at this stage, we could see several trades made between contenders, along with the usual seller-to-buyer type deals.
Here is one difference-making trade proposal for each of the 10 AL teams contending for a wild-card spot. Check back next week for a similar article on the NL wild-card contenders.
The Rays have been looking for a long-term solution at catcher and a trade for the Rockies' backstop would nicely fill that need. Goodman is having an All-Star caliber first half of the season, hitting .285 with 14 homers, 46 RBIs and a 126 OPS+. He's a bat-first catcher who ranks in the 91st percentile in hard-hit rate and the 88th percentile in average exit velocity, but defensively, he's in the bottom-third of the league among catchers with minus-5 Defensive Runs Saved. Goodman, 25, won't be arbitration-eligible until 2027.
In return, the Rockies would get Bradley, who could go right into their starting rotation. He has posted a 4.95 ERA with 73 strikeouts over 80 innings this season. In addition, the Rockies would also pick up Gillen, a first-round pick last year, whom The Athletic's Keith Law ranked as Tampa Bay's fourth-best prospect before this season. Gillen is a future impact leadoff hitter with strong on-base skills (.457 OBP) and speed (23 steals in 24 attempts) this season in Low A. This is an overpay for the Rays but would solve their biggest organizational need.
The Blue Jays are focused on acquiring a starting pitcher before the trade deadline and the veteran righty would be a good fit for them. Kelly, 36, is 6-3 with a 3.41 ERA over 15 starts and will be eligible for free agency at season's end. He went to high school and college in Arizona and would like to finish his career as a Diamondback. However, if the D-Backs fall out of the National League wild-card race, perhaps they'd trade him as a rental for two solid prospects and then look to re-sign him in the offseason.
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In this deal, Arizona would acquire Rojas, an intriguing 22-year-old lefty from Cuba. He has a plus fastball and slider but also comes with an injury history that includes shoulder issues, but there's enough upside there to take a gamble on him. Shaw, 20, is a versatile player who can play second base, center field and left field. He has a .420 on-base percentage this season in Low A.
The Red Sox have a hole at first base and Lowe would be a good fit. Last year he slashed .265/.361/.401 with 16 homers and 69 RBIs while playing plus defense at first base. This year with the Nationals, he's hitting just .227 but has 12 doubles, 10 home runs and 45 RBIs in 75 games. He'd be an upgrade for the Sox, who would control him through 2026. Lowe would be a solid place holder until prospect James Tibbs III, acquired in the Devers trade, is ready for the majors.
A second-round pick in 2024, Tolle has an eye-popping 70 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings this season in High A. This is the type of deal the Nationals need to make at the trade deadline: adding more power arms to their stable.
The Guardians have been searching for a veteran upgrade for their outfield and Robert would make a lot of sense for them. Robert, 27, is two years removed from a 38-homer season, and although he's having a down year (.190 average, six homers), he does have 22 steals in 27 attempts and has played above-average defense in center field. He badly needs a change of scenery, and it's expected he'll finally get dealt at this year's trade deadline. The Guardians would control Robert through 2027. He is making $15 million this season and his contract includes two team options, at $20 million per year.
In return for Robert, the White Sox would get Chourio, a top outfield prospect who has a .383 on-base percentage this season across Rookie ball and High A. Chourio, 20, is the younger brother of the Brewers' Jackson Chourio. Cleveland would also get Velazquez, 20, a first round pick in 2023. He's batting .202/.279/.418 with nine homers this season in High A. Both players are considered top-10 prospects (in the Guardians' system), which is what the White Sox are hoping to get in a Robert trade.
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The Mariners need to upgrade at first base and landing Naylor could be a game-changer for the middle of their lineup. Last year, he hit 31 home runs with 108 RBIs and helped lead the Guardians to the ALCS. This year, he has slashed .304/.359/.471 with nine homers and 49 RBIs. The Diamondbacks insist they'll be buying at the trade deadline, but that could change in the coming weeks. Closer to July 31, they could decide to trade their impending free agents, including Naylor, to acquire more talent for the future while still being able to re-sign those veteran players in free agency this winter.
In return for Naylor, the Diamondbacks would get Legumina, who could immediately help them in the bullpen, and Sloan, who would add important starting pitching depth to their farm system. Legumina, 28, has a 4.05 ERA over 27 appearances this season with the Mariners. Sloan, 19, is a top-10 prospect in Seattle's strong farm system; a second-round pick last year, he has a 4.54 ERA this season in Low A.
The Twins have made it clear to opposing general managers that they are looking for a left-handed-hitting outfielder. Sánchez is one of their trade targets. He has slashed .251/.324/.412 with seven doubles, seven homers and seven steals in 53 games. Last year he hit .252 with 18 home runs and 64 RBIs. He ranks in the 92nd percentile in bat speed and the 76th percentile in average exit velocity. Sánchez, 27, is under team control through 2027.
In return, the Marlins would get Hill, a 19-year-old righty whom the Twins selected in the second round of last year's draft. He's been dominant in the Low-A Florida State League this season, posting a 1.65 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings. This is the type of trade that Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix has prioritized.
The Royals are looking for power and acquiring Stowers from the Marlins would make a lot of sense. Stowers, 27, is slashing .272/.340/.460 (120 OPS+) with 10 homers and 34 RBIs. He would become the Royals' everyday left fielder. He is under team control through the 2029 season.
In return, Miami would get Shields, who was a second-round pick last year. The 18-year-old lefty's career is off to a promising start, posting a 3.26 ERA over eight outings in Rookie ball and Low A. The Marlins would also acquire Ramirez, who could become available because the Royals have two better catching prospects in Blake Mitchell and Carter Jensen. Ramirez, 20, has an .838 OPS with nine homers and 39 RBIs in 44 games this season in Low A. He's currently on the injured list and hasn't played this month.
The Angels (36-38) hope to stay in the race and want to buy at the trade deadline, so making a push for Cabrera makes some sense for them. Cabrera, 27, will be arbitration-eligible next offseason, which likely means Miami will test his trade market. He has a 3.81 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 12 starts this season with 63 strikeouts in 59 innings. He ranks in the 85th percentile in fastball velocity and the 81st percentile in breaking run value. Cabrera, who has dealt with a variety of injuries in the past, is under team control through 2028.
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The Marlins would get right-handers Klassen and Cortez in return. Klassen, 23, has a 5.65 ERA over 11 starts this season with 52 strikeouts in 43 innings. He was acquired by the Angels at last year's trade deadline in the Carlos Estévez trade with the Phillies. Cortez, 22, was a second-round pick in 2024, and the Angels have transitioned the former college reliever to a minor-league starter. He has a 3.39 ERA this season over 13 starts with 59 strikeouts and 43 walks in 63 2/3 innings. If his command and control improve, he profiles as either a back-of-the-rotation starter or possibly a high-leverage reliever.
The Rangers' offense has been inconsistent this season, and it looks like they need an impact middle-of-the order bat. Ozuna would be a potential solution if the Braves decide to sell at the trade deadline. (They are 5 1/2 games out of the final NL wild-card spot but are still five games below .500.). Ozuna, 34, is slashing .253/.381/.418 with 11 home runs and 39 RBIs. He's ranked fourth in the majors in walks (52) and is on pace to set a career-high. Ozuana batted .302 with 39 homers and 104 RBIs last year and will be a free agent after this season.
In return, the Braves would acquire Drake, an 11th-round pick in 2022, who has a 2.74 ERA over 11 starts with 68 strikeouts and 20 walks in 49 1/3 innings this season at Double A. Law ranked Drake, 24, 11th in the Rangers' farm system entering this season.
The Orioles desperately need an ace and Alcantara, if he continues to pitch well, could be a great fit — plus he's under team control through 2027. Alcantara has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last three starts. There have also been positive signs with his stuff and command, despite his subpar overall numbers (6.88 ERA, 1.47 WHIP), as the former Cy Young Award winner gets more comfortable in his first season since undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Obviously, the prospect price for Alcantara, if he's right, will be huge — which is reflected in this trade proposal. Basallo, 20, would be the headliner for the Marlins and would immediately become their top prospect, a player who should be able to hit in the middle of their lineup for years to come. He has a .974 OPS this season at Triple A. Povich, who is currently on the IL with left hip inflammation, would go into the Marlins' rotation when healthy. The 25-year-old lefty has a 5.15 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings this season. Kjerstad, 26, could take over a corner outfield position for Miami and finally get the runway as an everyday player to prove himself. He hit .192 before being optioned to Triple A earlier this month.
(Top photo of Kyle Stowers: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)