By Mark Feisand- MLB.com
June swoon? Not for these guys.
With less than four weeks remaining until the July 30 Trade Deadline, clubs around the Majors have dispatched their scouts to watch potential trade candidates. For those who saw the players listed below, the interest level based on recent performance should be rising.
Let’s take a look at 16 potential trade candidates (listed in order of fWAR entering Thursday) whose stock is on the rise following their strong performances last month.
Garrett Crochet, LHP, White Sox
Current fWAR: 3.7
Crochet has been considered the crown jewel of this year’s pitching market, having posted a 3.02 ERA over 101 1/3 innings despite a rocky transition to the rotation. In six June starts, the 25-year-old pitched to a 1.91 ERA, striking out 56 batters against only six walks in 37 2/3 innings. Crochet is earning $800,000 and has two more years of club control, though having already surpassed his innings total from his first four years as a professional combined, there are some questions about how he will handle the workload during the second half.
Potential fits: Dodgers, Orioles
Jack Flaherty, RHP, Tigers
Current fWAR: 2.1
Flaherty figures to be one of the better starting pitchers on the trade market this month, and his June performance did nothing but raise the Tigers’ price tag. The 28-year-old went 3-1 with a 2.53 ERA in four starts, striking out 25 batters while walking only four in 21 1/3 innings. A back issue prompted Detroit to skip his latest turn in the rotation, but as long as the injury doesn’t linger, Flaherty — who is earning $14 million this season before becoming a free agent in the offseason — should have a number of suitors in the coming weeks.
Potential fits: Astros, Brewers
Chris Bassitt, RHP, Blue Jays
Current fWAR: 1.8
Bassitt has been solid over the past two months for the underachieving Blue Jays, but his performance in June surely caught the eye of teams seeking rotation help. The 35-year-old posted a 1.95 ERA in six starts (37 innings), throwing six-plus innings in four of his past six outings. Bassitt is earning $22 million this season and again in 2025.
Potential fits: Mets, Padres
Elias Díaz, C, Rockies
Current fWAR: 1.4
Last year’s All-Star Game MVP was having a strong June (.357/.419/.536 in eight games) before a calf strain landed him on the injured list for nearly three weeks. Díaz returned on June 30 and picked up where he left off; he’s hitting .306 with a .790 OPS this season, and with less than $3 million owed to him before he hits free agency this offseason, the 33-year-old could be one of the few impactful catchers moved this month.
Potential fits: Padres, Yankees
Get the latest from MiLB
Sign up to receive our weekly Ben’s Biz newsletter to stay updated on Minor League Baseball business and cultureSign up
Zach Eflin, RHP, Rays
Current fWAR: 1.4
Tampa Bay already traded Aaron Civale this week, but with Shane Baz returning from Tommy John surgery and Jeffrey Springs not far behind him, the Rays could listen to offers for Eflin, whose $11 million salary jumps to $18 million in 2025. Eflin has a 3.92 ERA in 15 starts this season, though he posted a 3.49 ERA over 28 1/3 innings in five June starts. This isn’t to say the Rays are headed for a sell-off, but Tampa Bay’s front office is one of the more creative in the game, so seeing them buy and sell wouldn’t surprise anybody.
Potential fits: Braves, Cardinals
Paul DeJong, SS, White Sox
Current fWAR: 1.3
After a woeful 2023 season (14 HR, 38 RBI, .613 OPS) that saw DeJong bounce between three teams, the 30-year-old has had a resurgent 2024 in Chicago, already hitting 15 homers with 34 RBIs and a .731 OPS. DeJong had a solid June, belting seven home runs with 16 RBIs and a .744 OPS, and for a market light on shortstop options, he could represent a nice upgrade for a contender.
Potential fits: Dodgers, Guardians
Jesse Winker, OF, Nationals
Current fWAR: 1.2
The recent promotion of top prospect James Wood could mean the end of Winker’s time in Washington, whether the Nationals become big sellers or not. The 30-year-old is having a solid season (nine homers, 38 RBIs, .787 OPS in 83 games), and his excellent June (.304/.421/.430) could give the Nats a trade chip to use to either improve this year’s club or bring in a prospect or two. Winker is earning $2 million this year and will be a free agent after the season.
Potential fits: Braves, Twins
Kirby Yates, RHP, Rangers
Current fWAR: 1.1
Yates’ one-year, $4.5 million deal is proving to be a tremendous one for the Rangers, as the lefty has a 0.92 ERA and 11 saves through his first 29 appearances. Yates had a 1.13 ERA in eight June outings, striking out 13 batters across eight innings, a 14.6 K/9 rate. The 37-year-old made his postseason debut last October with the Braves, and if the Rangers can’t get back in the race in the coming weeks, Yates — who ranks in the top 3 percentile in xERA, xBA, whiff percentage, strikeout percentage and barrel percentage — could find himself dealt to a bullpen-needy contender before the end of the month.
Potential fits: Orioles, Phillies
Brendan Rodgers, 2B, Rockies
Current fWAR: 0.8
Rodgers missed half of June with a hamstring injury, but the 27-year-old has played well of late, slashing .333/.365/.625 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 14 games last month. With the club’s No. 2 prospect Adael Amador knocking on the door, the Rockies could look to move Rodgers, who is earning $3.2 million this season and is arbitration-eligible for one more year.
Potential fits: Dodgers, Red Sox
Jul 3, 2024
Carlos Estévez is named AL Reliever of the Month
Carlos Estévez, RHP, Angels
Current fWAR: 0.7
To say Estevez excelled in June would be selling the closer short. In 10 appearances, the righty gave up two hits, didn’t walk a batter and had 10 strikeouts, starting the month with seven perfect outings. For the season, the 31-year-old is 16 of 19 in save opportunities, making Estevez one of the top relief options on this year’s market. He’s earning $6.75 million in 2024 and will be a free agent after the season.
Potential fits: Cardinals, Royals
Trevor Richards strikes out Gunnar Henderson
Trevor Richards, RHP, Blue Jays
Current fWAR: 0.5
While much of the talk about Toronto’s plans has focused on big names such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Chris Bassitt, Richards has become a very interesting trade candidate. The 31-year-old has a 2.44 ERA in 37 appearances this season, and his impressive June — he posted a 1.23 ERA in 14 2/3 innings over 11 outings — should have a number of teams looking at him. Richards is earning $2.15 million this year and will be a free agent in the offseason, making him an affordable rental option for any contender.
Potential fits: Mets, Padres
Justin Turner, INF/DH, Blue Jays
Current fWAR: 0.5
Turner may not be producing the power numbers he once did — he has five home runs and 27 RBIs in 74 games this season — but the 39-year-old can still hit. Turner slashed .343/.465/.449 (.914 OPS) in 22 games in June, walking 15 times against 13 strikeouts. The veteran is owed approximately $6 million this year and will be a free agent this offseason.
Potential fits: Mariners, Red Sox
https://www.mlb.com/stories/player/668227#visibilityState=prerender&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlb.com&showStoryUrlInfo=0&storyPlayer=v0&cap=swipe
Randy Arozarena, OF, Rays
Current fWAR: 0.4
The Rays have been hot and cold this season, one of the reasons they hit July 4 with a .500 record. Tampa Bay remains in the AL Wild Card race, but given Arozarena’s $8.1 million salary — and the fact that it will likely continue to rise during his final two years of arbitration — it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Rays shop the 2021 AL Rookie of the Year. Arozarena struggled badly during the first two months of the season, hitting .158 with a .568 OPS, but he turned things around in June, slashing .291/.424/.468, raising his OPS for the season by more than 100 points.
Potential fits: Braves, Phillies
https://www.mlb.com/stories/player/656945#visibilityState=prerender&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlb.com&showStoryUrlInfo=0&storyPlayer=v0&cap=swipe
Tanner Scott, LHP, Marlins
Current fWAR: 0.4
Scott is having another strong season for the Marlins, who will almost assuredly be trading the impending free agent this month. In 12 June outings, Scott posted a 1.38 ERA, 15 strikeouts and a 0.85 WHIP over 13 innings, giving him a 1.50 ERA in 35 games this season. Scott, who turns 30 on July 22, is earning $5.7 million this year, making him a reasonably priced rental option for clubs seeking late-innings help.
Potential fits: Mets, Yankees
Jun 5, 2024
José Ureña’s six strikeouts
José Ureña, RHP, Rangers
Current fWAR: 0.4
Having bounced around with five teams since 2020, Ureña is having the best season of his career in his first year with the Rangers. The 32-year-old has a 2.83 ERA in 20 appearances (including six starts), serving as an important swingman on the Texas staff. In five June outings (one start), Ureña allowed one run on seven hits and three walks over 18 innings (0.50 ERA). With a $1.75 million contract, the impending free agent could be a sneaky acquisition for a contender.
Potential fits: Mariners, Royals
Andrew Vaughn, 1B, White Sox
Current fWAR: -0.1
It remains to be seen just how much the White Sox sell, but if Chicago is going to do a major teardown and begin a long-term rebuild, Vaughn could bring back a nice package of prospects. The 26-year-old overcame a poor start to his season, slashing .337/.371/.561 in June (.932 OPS) with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 25 games. With a $3.25 million salary in 2024 and two more years of club control, Vaughn would be appealing to a number of contenders seeking corner-infield help.
Potential fits: Mariners, Yankees