The 2024 MLB Trade Deadline Primer

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertJuly 25, 2024
© USA TODAY Sports

As the July 30th MLB Trade Deadline approaches, many teams have already begun to maneuver for the dog-day stretch of the 2024 season. The Oakland Athletics have already started their annual “trade, demote, or designate anyone with a million dollar salary” process. The smaller markets (Kansas City/Baltimore) have taken a head start into trade season, adding to their respective bullpens before the real fun begins. And of course, the need to watch the standings on a daily basis has become as important as ever, as we all collectively attempt to decipher which teams will be buyers, sellers, or a little bit of both over the next 8 days.

Spotrac has scoured the internets, listened to all of the relevant podcasts, and of course run through hours and hours of game film to generate the most complete list of players at least marginally rumored to be on the move this summer. Some will, many won’t, a few will have never even been in the running - but for the most part, this is a decent guide to use for the next week.

Our list includes a positional grouping of players, their remaining 2024 salary at the July 30th deadline, and their future contract status (UFA, Arbitration eligibility, guaranteed salary, etc…).

POSITIVE & NEGATIVE TAX TEAMS

But first, a quick update as to where certain teams stand in terms of the CBT heading toward August. As you might imagine, the Mets are currently positioned in the worst shape, carrying a projected $342M tax payroll ($105M over the threshold). They stand to owe an estimated $91M bill at year end. The Dodgers ($329M) & Yankees ($315M) round out the $300M+ club right now, with Atlanta ($269M), Houston ($261M), Philly ($261M), San Francisco ($252M), Texas ($251M), & Toronto ($245M) rounding out the remaining teams who currently sit over the $237M league threshold.

Look for San Francisco, Texas, & Toronto to make a concerted attempt to get under that $237M in the coming days (easier said than done).

Also near the tax line are the Cubs ($236M) who remain on the Buy/Sell split line as we speak, but may opt to shave a few million for business purposes, while keeping their focus on establishing a contending team for 2025.

Contenders with ample tax space to burn?

  • Baltimore: $121M
  • Pittsburgh: $117M
  • Cleveland: $102M
  • Milwaukee: $84M
  • Seattle: $77M
  • Kansas City: $76M
  • Minnesota: $75M

RELATED: MLB Team Tax Space

TRADE CANDIDATES

Catchers

A small, expiring crew on the surface but a contending team taking a swing for Diaz (who stands apart as the big fish here), could prove extremely valuable down the stretch.

Danny Jansen (TOR, $1.6M, UFA)
Elias Diaz (COL, $1.9M, UFA)
Jacob Stallings (COL, $483k, Mutual Option)
Carson Kelly (DET, $1.1M, UFA)

1st Basemen

The position group that holds maybe the biggest “swings” this week, though it seems less and less likely that either Alonso or Vlad Jr. are moved. A monster offer for Paredes might be in play here, as he holds 3 years of team control.

Andrew Vaughn (CHW, $1M, Arbitration thru 2026)
Spencer Torkelson (DET, $238k, Arbitration thru 2028)
Josh Bell (MIA, $5.3M UFA)
Pete Alonso (NYM, $6.6M, UFA)
Wilmer Flores (SF, $2M, Player Option)
Isaac Paredes (TB, $1M, Arbitration thru 2027)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR, $6.4M, Arbitration thru 2025)

2nd Basemen

Rengifo may be the most likely trade candidate here (as the Angels are primed for another sell-off), but India could be one of the bigger sleepers on this entire page. He’s got contender potential and 1 more year of control.

Jonathan India (CIN, $1.2M, Control thru 2026)
Brendan Rodgers (COL, $1M, Arbitration thru 2025)
Luis Rengifo (LAA, $1.4M, Arbitration thru 2025)
Thairo Estrada (SF, $1.5M, Arbitration thru 2025)
Brandon Lowe (TB, $2.8M, Club Option)

Shortstops

DeJong was a castaway player 12 months ago (released 3 different times) but has done enough to warrant interest at this deadline (16 HRs, 12 doubles). With that said, teams looking at DeJong may find it makes more sense to snag one of the below UTIL players instead.

Paul DeJong (CHW, $564k, UFA)

UTIL Players

Urshela can play anywhere on the infield, and Rosario has middle infield/outfield experience for a few organizations. They seem perfect bench adds for teams looking to be relevant in the fall.

Giovanny Urshela (DET, $483k, UFA)
Amed Rosario (TB, $483k, UFA)

Outfielders

Robert’s name keeps coming in and out of focus at the deadline, but a blockbuster move that includes both he and Garrett Crochet might be the headline of this entire week. Chisholm has also become a late yet prominent addition to the rumor mill.

Luis Robert Jr. (CHW, $4M, Control thru 2027)
Tommy Pham (CHW, $967k, UFA)
Jake Cave (COL, $322k, Arbitration thru 2025)
Kevin Pillar (LAA, $322k, UFA)
Taylor Ward (LAA, $1.5M, Arbitration thru 2026)
Jazz Chisholm (MIA, $846k, Arbitration thru 2025)
Harrison Bader (NYM, $3M, UFA)
Miguel Andujar (OAK, $548k, Arbitration thru 2025)
Michael Conforto (SF, $5.8M, UFA)
Mike Yastrzemski (SF, $2.5M, Arbitration thru 2025)
Randy Arozarena (TB, $2.6M, Arbitration thru 2026)
Lane Thomas (WSH, $1.75M, Arbitration thru 2025)

Designated Hitters

Winker seems a slam dunk to move (flipping him at the deadline was basically written into his initial contract), while the A’s will almost certainly need a franchise changing offer to let Rooker or RP Mason Miller loose this month.

Justin Turner (TOR, $4.2M, UFA)
J.D. Martinez (NYM, $3M, UFA)
Jesse Winker (WSH, $483k, UFA)
Brent Rooker (OAK, $241k, Arbitration thru 2027)

Starting Pitchers

Of this lot, Fedde, Flaherty, Anderson, & Kikuchi may be considered most likely to be moved. Even if a full sail sell isn’t in the Mets cards anymore, moving one of their expiring starters seems like good business. Keep an eye on the Giants, who have a half dozen names on this page, but may be most motivated to cash in on Snell before he opts out into free agency this winter (maybe?).

Jameson Taillon (CHC, $5.8M, 2 yrs, $36M)
Garrett Crochet (CHW, $258k, Arbitration thru 2026)
Erick Fedde (CHW, $2.4M, 1 yr, $7.5M)
Frankie Montas (CIN, $4.5M, Mutual Option)
Cal Quantrill (COL, $2.1M, Arbitration thru 2025)
Austin Gomber (COL, $1M, Arbitration thru 2025)
Jack Flaherty (DET, $4.5M, UFA)
Tarik Skubal (DET, $854k, Arbitration thru 2026)
Tyler Anderson (LAA, $4.2M, 1 yr, $13M)
Trevor Rogers (MIA, $493k, Arbitration thru 2026)
Sean Manaea (NYM, $4.6M, Player Option)
Jose Quintana (NYM, $4.2M, UFA)
Luis Severino (NYM, $4.2M, UFA)
Blake Snell (SF, $4.8M, Player Option)
Zach Eflin (TB, $3.5M, 1 yr, $18M)
Zack Littell (TB, $596k, Arbitration thru 2025)
Michael Lorenzen (TEX, $1.45M, UFA)
Andrew Heaney (TEX, $4.2M, UFA)
Jon Gray (TEX, $4.2M, 1 yr, $13M)
Yusei Kikuchi (TOR, $3.2M, UFA)

Relief Pitchers

As per usual, the reliever list comes in as the biggest list, the most likely to be moved list, and the most needed position group across the league. If 10 of these names aren’t moved in the next week, we’ll be absolutely shocked.

John Brebbia (CHW, $1.3M, Mutual Option)
Michael Kopech (CHW, $967k, Arbitration thru 2025)
Fernando Cruz (CIN, $242k, Control thru 2028)
Lucas Sims (CIN, $919k, UFA)
Brent Suter (CIN, $806k, Club Option)
Justin Wilson (CIN, $483k, UFA)
Jalen Beeks (COL, $540k, UFA)
Andrew Chafin (DET, $1.3M, Club Option)
Matt Moore (LAA, $2.9M, UFA)
Carlos Estevez (LAA, $2.1M, UFA)
Luis Garcia (LAA, $1.3M, UFA)
Tanner Scott (MIA, $1.8M, UFA)
A.J. Puk (MIA, $580k, Arbitration thru 2026)
Adam Ottavino (NYM, $1.4M, UFA)
Scott Alexander (OAK, $725k, UFA)
T.J. McFarland (OAK, $483k, UFA)
Austin Adams (OAK, $258k, Arbitration thru 2025)
Mason Miller (OAK, $238k, Control thru 2029)
Lucas Erceg (OAK, $241k, Control thru 2029)
Camilo Doval (SF, $248k, Arbitration thru 2027)
Pete Fairbanks (TB, $1.1M, 1 yr, $3.6M)
Kirby Yates (TEX, $1.4M, UFA)
David Robertson (TEX, $3.2M, Mutual Option)
José Ureña (TEX, $483k, UFA)
Yimi Garcia (TOR, $1.9M, UFA)
Trevor Richards (TOR, $693k, UFA)
Kyle Finnegan (WSH, $1.6M, Arbitration thru 2025)
Dylan Floro (WSH, $725k, UFA)

 

RELATED: 2025 MLB Free Agents


Top