25 MLB players receiving buzz ahead of the trade deadline

Bassitt has been extremely consistent since signing a three-year deal with Toronto last season, and he's still due $22 million next season. However, Toronto faces a decision with the right-hander turning 36 next season, and could opt to get out of the contract while resetting payroll for next year. Bassitt has started the season 7-6 with a 3.24 ERA in 17 starts.

Bell is unlikely to have a robust market with his defensive limitations and poor .668 OPS in 84 games. However, his bat took off after getting traded last season, and he could help a team vs. southpaws. The 31-year-old's contract expires at the end of this season.

Bellinger signed a one-year deal with two player options during Spring Training that he's unlikely to exercise. With the Cubs struggling, they could be open to moving him and playing their youngsters like Owen Caissie and Matt Mervis down the stretch. Bellinger's bat has slowed somewhat this season, but he had an .881 OPS last year and offers defensive versatility.

Berrios could be the least likely of Toronto's starting pitchers to be moved with four years remaining on his contract, but it's not out of the question. He's run into some struggles lately but has numbers mostly on par with last season, with a 3.63 ERA through 18 starts.

Canha has contributed veteran leadership to the Tigers this season after being acquired from Milwaukee. While the offense lacks overall, he's a viable bat vs. lefties and has an expiring contract.

Chisholm is certainly one of the biggest prizes at the trade deadline if the Marlins opt to move him. The oft-injured center fielder has stayed healthy this season, hitting .256-10-30 with 14 steals in 82 games. He's arbitration-eligible after this season but controllable for the next two years.

Crochet is controllable for two more seasons, but with the White Sox failure to extend the lefty, he's a strong trade candidate. He's a legitimate Cy Young contender in his breakout season, posting a 3.02 ERA and 12.5 K/9 in 18 starts. There could be innings limitations down the stretch, but Crochet is a potential No. 1 starter.

DeJong has saved his career this season with the White Sox after struggling with three teams last season. He's well on his way to hitting over 20 homers for the third time in his career and could help a team before heading into free agency.

After an excellent 2023 season, Drury has struggled with injuries this year. He could still be a useful piece down the stretch, especially against left-handed pitching. The 31-year-old will be out to show he has something left before hitting free agency again.

Estevez struggled down the stretch for the Angels last year, but he's been a consistent closer with suddenly great control this year. The hard-thrower should be a hot commodity as he approaches free agency.

Fedde saved his career after working on his game in Korea last season, and his improvement has carried over to this season with the White Sox. He's due a reasonable $7.5 million next year, and started this season with a 3.23 ERA in 17 starts. The White Sox don't have to move Fedde, but could net a significant return.

After several years of injuries in St. Louis, Flaherty has regained his early-career form on a one-year contract with Detroit. Unfortunately, the team's lack of hitting will likely prevent them from a playoff berth, so Flaherty could be one of the biggest prizes at the deadline. His effectiveness following a recent back injury could temper the market, but Flaherty's elite 8.21 K/BB ratio shows he is an elite pitcher.

Garcia has shown an uptick in velocity this season, and it's possible that increase led to the elbow problems he suffered in June. Still, he should draw interest at the trade deadline as a pending free agent and shutdown late-inning reliever with a career-best 11.9 K/9 and an excellent 2.57 ERA.

Jansen has played an up-and-down career as he approaches free agency. An early-season injury made way for a quick start at the plate, though Jansen's bat has quieted recently. However, multiple contenders could use help behind the plate, and the pending free agent remains above average in most areas.

Kiermaier's bat has been anemic this season, like many of his teammates, but it hasn't carried over into the field. He remains one of baseball's top defensive center fielders, and is a capable defensive replacement and pinch runner down the stretch. After signing a one-year deal in the offseason, Toronto seems likely to offload Kiermaier.

Kikuchi has been inconsistent in the third year of his three-year contract, yet his overall numbers are viable. Through 18 starts, Kikuchi has a 4.12 ERA and a career-best 4.26 K/BB ratio with continued excellent velocity at age 33. Toronto should be able to net a quality package for the lefty at the deadline.

Kopech was shifted from starter to relief in Spring Training, yet the results haven't been much better. He's served as the White Sox primary closer, but still posted a 4.50 ERA through 36 appearances due to poor control and inability to keep the ball in the park. There should be teams willing to take a chance on his upper-echelon stuff, especially with another year of team control remaining.

It's been a very long year for Lux as he's made his way back from a torn ACL. He shifted from shortstop to second base during Spring Training due to issues throwing to first base, and his lack of hitting could push him out of the lineup entirely when Mookie Betts returns. Lux was a plus hitter in 2022 and a former top prospect, so he could net a return as the Dodgers head for an all-or-nothing playoff run.

The experienced Neris has been anything but reliable since the Cubs installed him as their closer this season. His 6.7 BB/9 is the worst of his career, leading to a terrible 1.62 WHIP. The slippage ins his velocity last season has continued this year, but the Cubs might be able to get a low-level prospect in return.

The 36-year-old Pham signed late with the White Sox, and has drawn rave reviews from the young team. The offense has slipped slightly, but Pham could still help as a role player with a 105 OPS+ through 51 games played.

Added from Cleveland in the offseason, Quantrill has revived his career as Colorado's ace in 2024. He still struggles to miss bats, but Quantrill has a 3.78 ERA through 17 starts as he continues to keep the ball down. He has one more year of control after this season and could be a fine back-of-the-rotation option.

Among hitters, Robert could be the biggest trade deadline prize. The oft-injured center fielder won the Silver Slugger last season with 38 home runs and has continued to show big power this season with 10 home runs in his first 33 games played. His $15 million salary next season looks reasonable, though Robert has reached 100 games played only once since his promotion in 2020.

Scott emerged as an excellent closer for the Marlins last season, and has continued to be very reliable this year in spite of poor control. He's posted a 1.50 ERA in his first 35 appearances, missing bats and getting grounders to counteract a terrible 5.8 BB/9. The pending free agent offers high-leverage ability from the left side as he heads toward free agency.

For all the inconsistency Turner has shown at the plate this season, the 39-year-old still has a decent 112 OPS+ through 74 games played. He's very limited defensively at this point, but Turner has long been considered an excellent clubhouse presence who can be a viable bench option for a contender. Toronto is likely to ship Turner out after he signed a one-year deal in the offseason.

The Angels don't have much to trade in another lost year, but the streaky Ward is a possibility. They shouldn't feel pressure with two years of team control remaining, though he's a plus bat with the ability to mash against lefties. Ward has a cumulative 117 OPS+ since 2021 and can carry an offense when he's hot.