MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: Seven Players Who Could Be Moved

Even with just three-plus days to go until the trade deadline, there’s not a whole lot of clarity regarding the sellers and the buyers. A 12-team postseason blurs the line between buyers and sellers — sometimes to the point where the sellers are closer to a playoff spot than the buyers.

The Kansas City Royals, who are 52–54 and four games out of the final American League wild-card spot, indicated they at least won’t sell by reportedly agreeing to an extension Sunday night with potential impending free agent Seth Lugo. Meanwhile, all signs point to the St. Louis Cardinals — at 54–53 and 3 1/2 games out of the last NL playoff berth — paring down over the next few days.

A whole bunch of teams in the middle still could go either way, with some doing mini-rebuilds while keeping an eye on returning to contention in 2026. And then there’s the San Diego Padres, who could sell and buy in A.J. Preller’s inimitable hyperactive fashion.

Here are seven players likely to change uniforms this week, listed in order of the impact they could make on a new team.

Eugenio Suárez, Diamondbacks 3B

One has to imagine the Diamondbacks — six games out of the last wild-card spot but just two years removed from a World Series run as an 84-win team — would like to go for it again. But Suárez, an impending free agent on a 50-homer pace, is the type of player who can bring back a haul and jumpstart a retool, especially in a market with so few sellers and headline names.

Ryan Helsley, Cardinals Closer

The Cardinals are just four years removed from overcoming a seven-game deficit and earning the second — and then-final — NL wild-card spot. But they’ve been stuck in neutral for three seasons, and Chaim Bloom is preparing to take over as president of baseball operations next season. Plenty of contenders could use a closer upgrade — or perhaps acquire Helsley with the idea he’d help form a super bullpen as a setup man.

Mitch Keller, Pirates Starting Pitcher

Frankly, the Pirates should just hasten the inevitable and jazz up this deadline by trading Paul Skenes — who will never be kept long term by the ever-cheap Bob Nutting — and would bring back an incredible return with five full seasons until he hits free agency. But the Pirates will also get a nice package for Keller, who is signed through 2028 and could thrive with a change of scenery. Keller’s career ERA of 4.43 is a half-run higher than his FIP (3.92).

Marcell Ozuna, Braves DH

Ozuna can’t play the field, comes with enough baggage to fill an airport, and is either going through his annual rollercoaster ride or is washed up. But in an era of diminished offense, someone is sure to hope Ozuna — who contended for the Triple Crown in 2020 and 2024 and whose .743 OPS this year is 9 percent better than league average — can regain his power-hitting form in a new locale.

Luis Robert Jr., White Sox OF

He’s never met expectations, has a hard time staying healthy, and has seemingly been on the South Side long enough to have called Ron Kittle a teammate. But Robert is still just a week shy of his 28th birthday, is two years removed from hitting 38 homers and making the All-Star team, and is 26-for-32 on the basepaths this season. He’s certainly worth a flier.

Luis Severino, Athletics P

The Athletics signed Severino to a $67 million deal last December in an attempt to prove to the union they’re actually trying. But the minor league park in Sacramento has been a nightmare for Severino, who has a 6.68 ERA at home and a 3.03 ERA on the road. A second straight healthy season is more than enough evidence he’s worth the price to someone else as a mid-rotation starter.

Danny Coulombe, Twins P

The Twins are in the process of being sold, so a complete teardown is unlikely — even though ace starter Joe Ryan and closer Jhoan Duran, each under team control through 2027, would become the best pitchers on the market were they made available. But the 35-year-old Coulombe, an impending free agent, has a 0.90 ERA this season and a 2.16 ERA since joining Minnesota in 2020. He’ll fetch plenty as the most desirable available southpaw.