Key Takeaways
- The 2025 MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching later this month.
- In this piece, we break down the five best players who could find themselves with a new team when August rolls around.
- Merrill Kelly, Ryan McMahon, and Eugenio Suarez could be on the move by July 31.
Eugenio Suarez of Diamondbacks (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
With the NHL and NBA free agency madness having calmed down, the focus now shifts to the MLB trade deadline on July 31. Some teams will be looking to improve their chances of making a deep postseason run this fall, while others will choose to be sellers. Regardless of the direction an organization takes, there’s no shortage of intriguing talent expected to be available later this month.
Here are the five best players who could be moved by the end of July, in no particular order.
Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins
Alcantara was once one of the best starters in baseball. Remember, he won the NL Cy Young Award in 2022. However, since then, the right-hander has been on a downward trajectory. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023 and ultimately missed all of 2024. This season, he’s looked like a completely different pitcher. The Dominican native owns a 4-8 record and an alarming 7.01 ERA. He’s allowed 67 earned runs in just 86 innings while walking 35 batters. Alcantara is struggling immensely with his command, and hitters are teeing off on him.
He’s allowed 12 earned runs across his last two outings. However, he did post a 4.34 ERA in June, which is a step in the right direction. The Marlins aren’t contending in the NL East. Alcantara is set to make more than $17 million in 2026 and potentially $21 million in 2027 (team option), so Miami could look to cut ties now, even with a thin rotation. A fresh start may be the best thing for Alcantara, and he could be a long-term option for a club seeking a starter. If he can rediscover his form, he may be of value to a contender. The Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers are two teams in need of a starter.
Eugenio Suárez, Arizona Diamondbacks
It’s unclear whether the Diamondbacks will decide to sell. Although they insist making the playoffs remains a priority, the club plays in a tough NL West and currently sits two games below .500 and 4.5 games out of the final wild-card spot. If they do throw in the towel, Suárez is a prime trade candidate for a contender looking for another impact bat. The third baseman is having a solid campaign, hitting .252 with 28 home runs and 72 RBIs.
Several teams could use an upgrade at the hot corner, including the Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers, and Cincinnati Reds. Suárez is a steady defender and offers legitimate power from the right side. The Mariners, of course, traded him to Arizona in 2023 and could benefit from a reunion. He consistently lifts the ball and has shown dependable power throughout the season. A trade wouldn’t be a surprise.
Merrill Kelly, Arizona Diamondbacks
We’ll stick with Arizona here. Kelly has never truly received the credit he deserves as one of the more consistent starters in the majors. He’s reinvented himself since making his MLB debut with the D-backs in 2019 following a stint in the KBO. This season, Kelly is 7-4 with a 3.55 ERA in 18 starts, striking out 103 batters in 104 innings. He’s been a clear bright spot in an otherwise struggling rotation.
While Kelly doesn’t feature overpowering stuff, he’s a workhorse who delivers every fifth day. As always, starting pitching is at a premium, and several teams—including the Cardinals, Cubs, Mariners, and possibly even the injury-depleted Braves—could be in the market. With a salary of around $7 million per season, Kelly is an affordable and attractive option. That is, of course, if Arizona decides to sell.
Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers
Yes, the Brewers are in a playoff spot, so it’s fair to wonder why they would trade their best starter. The answer: Peralta is under contract for only one more season, and the team expects several injured arms to return after the All-Star break. If Peralta becomes available, he’ll be in high demand alongside Kelly.
Remember, Milwaukee traded Josh Hader in the middle of the 2022 season and ended up missing the playoffs. While it seems unlikely they’ll move on from Peralta, trade buzz continues to surround him. He’s having a strong season, posting a 9-4 record with a 2.91 ERA in 18 starts. He’s struck out 104 batters in 99 innings and held opponents to a .202 average. Peralta would instantly bolster any rotation, and if traded, he could sign a long-term extension with his new club. Whether the Brewers repeat history remains to be seen.
Ryan McMahon, Colorado Rockies
Surprise, surprise. The Rockies are dreadful, and that doesn’t appear likely to change anytime soon. That makes trading their best player a logical move. Ryan McMahon is having a solid season and could net Colorado a meaningful return. The veteran isn’t young anymore, and while his surface-level stats are underwhelming—he’s hitting just .210 with 12 home runs and 25 RBIs—a deeper dive reveals some positives. He’s posted a career-high exit velocity of 93.7 mph and a career-best 12.7 barrel percentage.
In other words, McMahon is squaring up the baseball often—it’s just not always landing for hits. One potential landing spot is the Boston Red Sox, who could use another left-handed bat after the surprising trade of Rafael Devers. Boston still claims to be contending in 2025, so McMahon should be on their radar. He’d likely serve as a designated hitter as Alex Bregman has third base locked down. The Reds also have a glaring hole at third and could be a fit. You can't count out the title-chasing New York Yankees either, who have been linked to McMahon in the rumor mill.
