The 2024 Major League Baseball season is here and with it comes a lot of exciting blockbuster trades that will shape the playoffs and postseason. With plenty of teams rebuilding and others contending, there are plenty of impactful MLB trade candidates in 2024.
The 2024 MLB trade deadline is on July 30, so there’s plenty of time for deals to be made. Whether a team needs an All-Star closer or a middle-of-the-order hitter, there is something for everyone around the league.
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Dylan Cease, starting pitcher, Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease attracted significant interest this offseason, but the club decided to hang onto him. Named to the All-MLB Second Team in 2022, the 28-year-old righty struggled last season with a 4.59 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. However, he had the eighth-most strikeouts (214) and after posting a 2.20 ERA during the 2022 season, World Series contenders needing a front-line starter will be highly interested in Cease who isn’t a free agent until 2026.
Willy Adames, shortstop, Milwaukee Brewers
After trading away All-Star pitcher Corbin Burnes, Milwaukee Brewers infielder Willy Adames could be the next star player shipped out by the team. The 28-year-old shortstop came over from the Tampa Bay Rays in a 2021 deal and has been one of Milwaukee’s best players ever since. Adames is one of the best defensive infielders in baseball, ranking in the 95th percentile for Fielding Run Value. While he doesn’t hit for a high average, the top free agent this winter has combined for 55 home runs with a .737 OPS from 2022-’23.
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Edward Cabrera, starting pitcher, Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins have a wealth of pitching, making starting pitchers Jesus Luzardo and Edward Cabrera both MLB trade candidates to watch in 2024. Cabrera, in his age-26 season, doesn’t have a ton of MLB experience with just 197.2 career innings pitched entering Opening Day. However, the 6-foot-5 righty offers an electric fastball-slider combo that helped generate a 26.2 percent strikeout rate in his first 43 major-league appearances. Plus, he’s not even arbitration-eligible until 2025 and won’t qualify for free agency until 2029.
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Luis Robert Jr, outfielder, Chicago White Sox
Dylan Cease isn’t the only Chicago White Sox player who will be floated in MLB trade rumors this season. Luis Robert Jr, who only turns 27 years old in August, is one of the best players contenders will be targeting. After earning a Gold Glove Award in 2020, Robert broke out at the plate during the 2023 season. He earned his first All-Star selection and won the Silver Slugger Award after hitting 38 home runs, stealing 20 bases and posting an .857 OPS in 145 games. Robert Jr. is under contract through 2027, thanks to $20 million club options in 2026 and ’27.
Shane Bieber, starting pitcher, Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber has been floated as one of the top MLB trade candidates in the last two years. For an organization with a tendency of flipping top talents before they become free agents, there’s a real possibility of Bieber being traded in 2024 as he’s poised to become a free agent this offseason. A two-time All-Starer and the AL Cy Young Award winner in 2020, the right-handed pitcher is responsible for a 3.24 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over his last 52 starts since the 2022 season.
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Pete Alonso, first baseman, New York Mets
The New York Mets entertained trade offers for All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso ahead of the 2023 trade deadline, but a deal never came to fruition. Ahead of spring training, the Mets announced they wouldn’t sign him to a contract extension this year. Entering a contract season, Alonso could become one of the biggest MLB trade candidates if the Mets fall out of the playoff race by July. Over the last three seasons, Alonso hit 123 home runs with a .851 OPS.
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Devin Williams, closer, Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers traded away All-Star closer Josh Hader midway through the 2022 season when they were in playoff contention. Two years later, history could repeat itself. Devin Williams filled the void at closer after the Hader trade and he’s earned All-Star selections in each of the past two years. The 29-year-old closer holds a 1.73 ERA with a 0.96 WHIP and 13.8 K/9 over his last 119.1 innings pitched from 2022-’23. With a $10.5 million team option for the 2025 season, now is the perfect time for Milwaukee to maximize Williams’ value and there’s always a market for closers.
Randy Arozarena, outfielder, Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a rare example of a perennial playoff contender who can also operate as both buyers and sellers on the trade market. Randy Arozarena, who Tampa Bay acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in January 2020, is an All-Star hitter and a playoff hero. Heading into his age-29 season, Arozarena is responsible for three consecutive seasons with a .770-plus OPS with 20-plus steals and 20-plus home runs. Arbitration-eligible through 2026, Tampa Bay could flip him this year to create a more well-rounded roster with more depth for their farm system.
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Jake Cronenworth, infielder, San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres already started shedding payroll this past winter, letting Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell walk in free agency and trading Juan Soto to the New York Yankees. All-Star infielder Jake Cronenworth, age 30, could be the next to leave San Diego. A two-time All-Star selection (2021-’22), Cronenworth struggled last season – .229/./312/.378 – after posting a .256/.338/.431 slash line through his first three MLB seasons. Owed over $80 million total through 2030, San Diego will likely attempt to dump Cronenworth’s salary this season to a contender seeking a versatile infielder.
Kenley Jansen, closer, Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox spent a majority of their offseason dumping salaries, trading outfielder Alex Verdugo to the New York Yankees and starting pitcher Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves. Kenley Jansen is likely the next out the door. Last season in Boston, Jansen recorded 29 saves with a 3.63 ERA and a 10.5 K/9 across 44.2 innings pitched. MLB teams willing to take on a majority of Jansen’s contract – $16 million salary in 2024 – can likely get a high-end reliever on a discount. Heading into 2024, Jansen has the seventh-most saves in MLB history (420) and can surpass Billy Wagner (422), John Franco (424) and potentially Francisco Rodriguez (437) this season.
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