Hug watch season is officially upon us, and while there hasn’t been a big move in advance of the Aug. 3 trade deadline, things should pick up soon.
As the deadline draws near, teams will be picking up the phones, players will be shipped off to new locales, plenty of hugs will be had and new uniforms will be revealed. Some players are more likely to be on the move than others.
Here’s a look, in no particular order, at who will potentially have new duds when the dust settles.
TeamPlayerPosition
Luis Arraez
2B
Even if the Giants were speeding downhill on a joyride to October under Tony Vitello, which they certainly are not (except for the downhill part), it’d be difficult to imagine a future with Arraez after this season. Willy Adames will have to move off shortstop at some point, and given how he’s played this year, it’ll be sooner rather than later. Last year’s first-round pick, middle infielder Gavin Kilen, is making progress in the minor leagues. If Casey Schmitt continues to merit an everyday role, and Matt Chapman continues to inhabit third base, then second base would be a potential avenue. Clearly, if Arraez stayed, or signed a multiyear extension, he’d be blocking someone. So it’s a testament to the special brand of feisty exuberance he exhibits on the field that a sizable number of Giants fans don’t want to see him go. — Andrew Baggarly
TeamPlayerPosition
Jarren Duran
OF
Duran has been having a down year, struggling to hit above .200, but still shows flashes of the impact player he was in 2024 and, at times, in 2025. The Red Sox began the year with four outfielders in Duran, Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu, but Anthony has been out since May with a torn finger ligament. That’s given Duran more playing time, though of late he’s been platooning in left against certain lefties with various other players, most recently Jahmai Jones. The Red Sox don’t have an obvious replacement for Duran in the outfield, but they could use Jones or Nate Eaton in left. Including Duran in a package with prospects for a right-handed bat might strengthen any potential deal. A change of scenery might help him, too. — Jen McCaffrey
TeamPlayerPosition
Jasson Domínguez
OF
Envisioning Domínguez’s future with the Yankees is difficult. Trent Grisham will be a free agent at season’s end, but even if the club doesn’t re-sign him, the Yankees don’t believe in Domínguez’s ability in center field. Cody Bellinger just began a five-year contract, and Aaron Judge has right field locked down. The designated hitter spot could open soon, with Giancarlo Stanton only under contract for one more year. But Ben Rice could grab that spot, and Judge will likely get more DH days soon. So where does Domínguez fit? He may never be passable defensively, and his bat has been disappointing. Another club could view him as a former No. 1 prospect who is still only 23 years old. — Chris Kirschner
TeamPlayerPosition
Reid Detmers
LHP
The only players of value that the Angels have to trade this deadline are players with multiple years of control. Under recently fired GM Perry Minasian, and his boss, owner Arte Moreno, the Angels were loath to trade away such players. But under the more seasoned interim John Mozeliak, it appears the Angels are at least open to operating differently. Detmers is arguably one of the most valuable trade chips on the market. He has two-plus years of team control, with ace potential. Teams will view him as an elite change of scenery option. The Angels don’t need to trade him. But they need to trade some players, and Detmers arguably makes the most sense. — Sam Blum
TeamPlayerPosition
Carson Williams
INF
There are no Rays players on our Big Board of trade candidates, and we’re betting they’ll hold onto top prospect Theo Gillen, but former top prospect Carson Williams could be interesting trade bait. Williams struggled in a couple of looks at the big-league level, but he’s still 23 and not far removed from being a consensus top 50 — or higher — prospect in the entire sport. His value is down, but if the Rays aren’t sold on Williams as a part of their major league future — they’re still paying all-glove Taylor Walls at shortstop — maybe his combination of upside and big league readiness can help bring in a catcher or an outfielder who can hit. — Chad Jennings
TeamPlayerPosition
Brooks Raley
LHP
The Mets have a quintet of impending free agents likely to move at the deadline. Raley feels like the safest bet to go — and maybe the first to go. The lefty has made a remarkable recovery from Tommy John surgery: In the year since coming back, he’s been the best he’s ever been at age 38. Over the last five years, his ERA is under 2.50 and he’s consistently owned fellow lefties. This is unlikely to be the headline deal for the Mets or for the team that acquires Raley, but he’ll be a good get for the latter. — Tim Britton
TeamPlayerPosition
AJ Blubaugh
RHP
Blubaugh has already drawn interest from multiple teams and is one of the most realistic trade chips on the Astros’ major-league roster. The lanky 26-year-old ascended the Astros’ pitching hierarchy as a starting pitcher but has blossomed into a swingman in Houston’s bullpen during his first full major-league season. Blubaugh’s fastball can touch 98 mph and his sweeper is one of baseball’s most underrated pitches. That Blubaugh has thrown at least two innings in 20 of his first 37 appearances, has five more seasons of team control and can be converted back into a starter makes him an obvious target for any team talking with the Astros. — Chandler Rome
TeamPlayerPosition
Billy Carlson
SS
Carlson was Chicago’s first round draft pick in 2025, taken No. 10 overall as a high schooler out of California. The White Sox, notably, drafted another shortstop No. 1 overall earlier this month. That’s to say nothing of their current young shortstop, Colson Montgomery, who is a bona fide great player. So while you can never have too much shortstop talent in your system, parting with Carlson might make some sense to really bolster a club that could win the AL Central, and maybe even get a postseason bye. It’s been an incredible turnaround, and Chicago needs to capitalize at the deadline by adding some pitching. — Blum
TeamPlayerPosition
Cooper Ingle
C
Poor Cooper. I hope you’re not reading this. None of it is your fault. You cracked a couple top 100 prospects lists. You had a torrid start to the season at the plate. You made defensive strides at catcher. Then the Guardians went and traded for Patrick Bailey, and Austin Hedges decided to thrive at the plate for the first time in a dozen seasons, so you started playing left field and you were promoted to the majors soon after and it wasn’t pretty and you were sent back to Triple A. There’s not a convenient spot for you in Cleveland. It might be better for everyone if you head somewhere new, somewhere you can catch. — Zack Meisel
TeamPlayerPosition
Mickey Moniak
OF
Moniak is putting together a career season for the Rockies, but there are some reasons why he is more likely to be traded than others. The main one is his age and proximity to free agency. While the Rockies might be hesitant to trade too much from their young core, the 28-year-old Moniak will be a free agent after next season. He’s likely not in Colorado’s competitive window. Plus he’s more of a known commodity. The former No. 1 overall pick put up an .802 OPS with the Angels in 2023, proving this success isn’t completely tied to playing in Coors Field. — Blum
TeamPlayerPosition
Taylor Ward
OF
It would be more fun to predict an Adley Rutschman trade, but Ward is a safer bet as a pending free agent. An offseason acquisition meant to improve the Orioles’ right-handed power, Ward has indeed been one of their best hitters, but he’s done in an unexpected way with the highest on-base percentage and lowest slugging percentage of his career. The total offensive impact, as measured by wRC+, is still plenty valuable, and acquiring teams could hold out hope that Ward taps into his old power numbers down the stretch. — Jennings
TeamPlayerPosition
Ramon Marquez
RHP
Marquez fits the mold of prospect the Phillies have dealt at past deadlines; a pop-up starting pitcher who has considerable development time still ahead. They did it with Ben Brown in 2022, then Sam Aldegheri and George Klassen in 2024. Marquez grades well on rival teams’ models, according to analysts with several teams who were granted anonymity to speak freely. He has a plus changeup. He is throwing harder this season. The 20-year-old signed as an amateur from Mexico could project as a mid-rotation starter. — Matt Gelb
TeamPlayerPosition
Brady Singer
RHP
The Reds acquired Singer after the 2024 season to fortify the back of their rotation and he’s done just that. The impending free agent led the team in innings (169 2/3) in 2025 and has already cleared the 100-inning mark this season. Singer was in the bullpen for the Kansas City Royals for their 2024 playoff appearance and he likely wouldn’t make the playoff rotation for a team, but he will take the ball every five days and give the team a chance to win more often than not. — C. Trent Rosecrans
TeamPlayerPosition
Tarik Skubal
LHP
There is much still to be determined between now and Aug. 3. The Tigers are winning and building a compelling case to keep Skubal. But unless they can win enough games to give a more meaningful boost to their playoff odds, it might not matter. The promise of a big return for Skubal could be too good to pass up. The Tigers have a tough call to make, but they might still be more likely to trade Skubal than any other player. — Cody Stavenhagen
TeamPlayerPosition
Adrian Morejon
LHP
Whether A.J. Preller buys or sells, Morejon will become a coveted free agent this winter; the Padres must consider extracting value while they still can. A younger, more potent version of $72 million reliever Tanner Scott, Morejon has emerged as the hardest-throwing left-hander in baseball. He might end up as the best bullpen arm moved at the trade deadline (if Mason Miller stays put). — Dennis Lin
TeamPlayerPosition
Ryan Ward
OF
The Dodgers have already traded one of their outfield prospects, and it would qualify as somewhat of a surprise if they don’t move another. Ward is a candidate who the Dodgers listened in on earlier this season, and with a dearth of outfield options on the market, Ward (a consistent Triple-A performer who debuted this season) could be a stealth option for teams looking to add a bat. — Fabian Ardaya
TeamPlayerPosition
Michael Wacha
RHP
Eleven years after his first All-Star appearance, Wacha made the team for the second time earlier this month. He has posted a 3.66 ERA in 20 starts, similar to the 3.49 ERA he has put together since 2022. He offers any rotation stability in its middle, if not top-end potential. His $14 million salary for 2027 may scare away some cheaper suitors, though. — Andy McCullough
TeamPlayerPosition
David Hagaman
RHP
Hagaman is a 6-foot-4 right-hander with big extension and interesting strikeout numbers in High A. The Diamondbacks got him from the Rangers last year in exchange for Merrill Kelly. If the Diamondbacks end up buying, they have plenty of young pitching to offer other clubs. Hagaman has the sort of traits another team might be happy to take a chance on. — Stavenhagen
TeamPlayerPosition
Luke Adams
1B
The Brewers have a robust farm system, and they tend to be conservative about moving top prospects. So don’t expect to see Jésus Made or Luis Peña even mentioned in trade rumors this summer. But the team has a lot of quality beneath the top prospects. Adams has shown increased power this season at Triple A, and would make sense as part of a package. — McCullough
TeamPlayerPosition
Daulton Varsho
OF
Varsho is the Blue Jays’ one expiring player who is both unlikely to re-sign in Toronto and, despite recent struggles, will have significant value on the trade market. Any deadline selling from Toronto will include a Varsho trade. — Mitch Bannon
TeamPlayerPosition
JR Ritchie
RHP
Ritchie made his MLB debut this season, and has shuttled between Triple A and the majors through the year. He has a six-pitch mix, with his curveball leading the way, but has struggled with command, as he’s walked batters 14 percent of the time. He is just 22, and the right organization could help him elevate his game. — Jesús Cano
TeamPlayerPosition
Foster Griffin
LHP
With the Nationals’ contention window still seemingly one or two years away and with Griffin on an expiring contract, it is hard to see Washington holding on to its All-Star. Maybe the team goes on a heater. Maybe a last-minute contract extension materializes. The team could even plan to extend the qualifying offer this winter, which would either give it another season of Griffin or net draft-pick compensation. But this is a classic sell-high candidate. Someone will want a starter with sharp command and a sub-3.00 ERA, even if the stuff isn’t overpowering. — Spencer Nusbaum
TeamPlayerPosition
Jake Burger
1B
Decent right-handed bats are in short supply. Burger, despite disappointing numbers since he joined the Rangers, remains a decent right-handed bat with power. He’s under affordable club control for two more years, which could further entice teams in need of a weapon against left-handed pitching. — Lin
TeamPlayerPosition
Braxton Garrett
LHP
Garrett, who returned in March from elbow surgery, has thrived in Triple A and been shellacked in a couple of big-league starts. He’ll be out of minor-league options next year, and he was inherited by Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix. Given the leaguewide demand for controllable starting pitching, Garrett could be due for a change of scenery. — Lin
TeamPlayerPosition
Matt Wallner
OF
While Ryan Jeffers appears to be a likely candidate, Wallner is redundant and his future with the Twins is murky. Trevor Larnach is excelling in the leadoff spot. Even if he gets moved, Alan Roden is a superior defender to Wallner, and top prospect Walker Jenkins is healthy, hitting and ready for the call to the majors. Though he struggled before his demotion, Wallner is hitting once again at Triple A. His three-plus seasons of team control remaining should appeal. — Dan Hayes
TeamPlayerPosition
Jonny Farmelo
OF
The Mariners have a deep system, and in lieu of Farmelo, this answer could have been Michael Arroyo or Lazaro Montes. All three are 21-year-olds who could be ready for the majors in the next year or two. Seattle is certainly positioned to package a couple prospects for help for their big-league lineup and/or bullpen. If they want to get creative, they could deal someone from their starting rotation in a surplus-for-surplus structure, since they’ve been juggling a six-man crew, but that could be tough to execute. — Meisel
TeamPlayerPosition
Jonah Heim
C
No, not the catcher you were expecting here. Shea Langeliers could become the buzziest name at the deadline, but the A’s will resist the temptation to make the biggest big-leaguer-for-prospect splash for the second straight summer. Instead, they’ll send Heim to a team in need of some catching help, perhaps the Dodgers or Yankees or Rays, one of the teams that strikes out on acquiring Ryan Jeffers. — Meisel
TeamPlayerPosition
Hunter Barco
LHP
It’s primarily by process of elimination that we arrive at Barco as the Pirates’ most likely player to be traded. MLB clubs rarely trade top-100 prospects, and I’d be shocked if the Pirates bucked that trend. Seth Hernandez should be untouchable. Moving Edward Florentino, Murf Gray or Wyatt Sanford would only be warranted if it was to land San Diego Padres closer (and Pittsburgh kid) Mason Miller. The Pirates’ surplus lies in their starting pitching depth, and trading Barco — a 25-year-old lefty starter drafted in the second round in 2022 — would not hinder their hopes of contending this season. Frankly, I doubt other GMs are falling over each other to acquire the position-player prospects the Pirates would be most willing to move. But clubs’ seemingly insatiable appetite for controllable starting pitching makes Barco a nice fit in any trade. — Stephen J. Nesbitt
TeamPlayerPosition
Kevin Alcántara
OF
Alcántara has shown power and speed in the minors, though in the big leagues the former hasn’t shown up yet and the latter hasn’t kept him from making some baserunning mistakes. But he’s a plus defender in center who teams can dream on at the plate and still only 24. He’s out of options next year and isn’t guaranteed an everyday spot with the Cubs next year, so trying to maximize his value makes sense. — Sahadev Sharma
TeamPlayerPosition
Dustin May
RHP
It’s been an uneven season for the right-hander on a one-year deal. After a pair of rough starts early, he pitched like a potential All-Star, capped off by a one-hit shutout of the Padres. In his five starts since, his ERA is over nine. Everyone needs a starter, and May’s frequent glimpses of his potential and his strong peripherals are sure to tantalize one of those teams this summer. (He brought back real value at the deadline during a worse individual season last year.) While still in contention in the NL, St. Louis was never all-in on this season, and this is a chance to cash in a nice chip. — Britton
