The MLB trade deadline is fast approaching as World Series contenders and playoff hopefuls send scouts across the country to evaluate players who could make a difference down the stretch. While there aren’t any superstars available, we’re examining MLB trade targets for some of the best teams in baseball this season.
Let’s immediately dive into our list, highlighting one player who is an ideal target for the nine best MLB teams right now.
Detroit Tigers: Andrew Heaney, LHP
The Detroit Tigers are definitely one of the best MLB teams in 2025, but there’s certainly room for improvement on the roster. Since placing starter Jackson Jobe (Tommy John surgery) on the IL at the end of May, Detroit has also seen starter Alex Cobb (hip inflammation) suffer a setback. It’s another blow for a Tigers rotation that has just 29 quality starts in 91 games.
Andrew Heaney would be a cost-effective addition, as he’s on an expiring deal and owed less than half of his remaining $5.25 million salary for this season. The 34-year-old is holding opponents to a .231 batting average (FanGraphs) in 93 innings this year. He’s an effective innings eater (4.16 ERA), and acquiring him would still position Detroit to make a move for a third baseman, such as Heaney’s teammate Ke’Bryan Hayes.
Related: Detroit Tigers among teams interested in Gold Glove Award winner
Los Angeles Dodgers: Seth Lugo, RHP
The Los Angeles Dodgers don’t necessarily have to trade for anyone this summer. Blake Snell (shoulder) is on his way back, and he should rejoin the rotation a few weeks after Tyler Glasnow makes his return. However, Los Angeles is also banking on a lot of injury risks, and that’s a dangerous game to play in October. Fortunately, the Kansas City Royals might be willing to move Seth Lugo. Across his last 49 starts, the 6-foot-4 righty sports a 2.89 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP and a 264-78 K-BB line across 301.2 innings pitched. He’s a playoff-caliber starter who could be a better option for Los Angeles than Sandy Alcantara. That’s because Lugo’s $15 million player option for 2026 is almost certainly going to be declined, meaning his acquisition price is lowered as a half-season rental.
Houston Astros: Cedric Mullins, OF
The Houston Astros have been one of the best MLB teams for two months now, which is remarkable since Yordan Alvarez remains sidelined. There’s a glaring need in this Astros lineup, though: a left-handed bat. While Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins isn’t getting on base at a high rate in his contract year, he does have solid power numbers and has been especially effective against left-handed pitching this season. Baltimore will likely be willing to move him at the trade deadline, and he’s the perfect rental bat for Houston.
Chicago Cubs: Mitch Keller, SP
Even before the Jameson Taillon injury, the Chicago Cubs needed a quality starter to fill the void created when Justin Steele underwent elbow surgery. Acquiring a half-season rental is certainly an option, but it would be wise for Chicago to prioritize multiple years of club control, especially since the team already needs to re-sign Kyle Tucker this winter. Pittsburgh Pirates starter Mitch Keller is the answer. He’s under contract through 2028, and the All-Star starter is delivering a great season (3.64 ERA and 1.19 WHIP) on the mound. While Keller doesn’t have much swing-and-miss stuff, he’s on pace for his third consecutive season with 170-plus innings pitched. Durability and consistency over multiple seasons would help the Cubs in several ways.
Philadelphia Phillies: Kyle Stowers, OF
The Max Kepler signing has proven to be an abject failure for the Philadelphia Phillies. In 361 at-bats this season, Kepler has a .685 OPS overall, with a .213/.255/.340 triple-slash line against southpaws. Philadelphia needs to find a corner outfielder who can replace Kepler, especially one who can hit left-handed pitchers. Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers is the guy to go after. Fresh off earning his first All-Star selection, Stowers has an .866 OPS this year with a .313/.375/.406 line against left-handed pitchers.
Why would Miami move him? Because it’s selling high on a 27-year-old who had a career .600 OPS from 2022 to 2024. Philadelphia gets to upgrade its corner outfield with a hitter who isn’t even arbitration-eligible until 2027, while Miami gets a huge return a year after it acquired Stowers at a significant discount.
Toronto Blue Jays: Sandy Alcantara, RHP
Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said he intends to be ultra-aggressive at the MLB trade deadline. There may not be a better target under that approach than former NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara. The 29-year-old is certainly struggling in his first season back from Tommy John surgery, as evidenced by a 7.01 ERA and 1.44 WHIP, but teams still believe he has the stuff to be an ace. The Blue Jays’ rotation (4.33 ERA, 22nd in MLB) needs help, and a change of scenery could also benefit Alcantara. An added benefit for Toronto, which isn’t keen on spending a lot of money, is that Alcantara is under team control next season at a $17.3 million salary, with a $21 million club option for 2027.
New York Mets: Gavin Lux, IF/OF
The New York Mets lineup has imploded in the last few weeks, with Juan Soto and Pete Alonso the only true sources of run production. While some hitters will turn it around, the season-long numbers from New York’s second basemen (.227/.288/.355) make it clear this is a dire position of need. Cincinnati Reds versatile fielder Gavin Lux should be a top target. He is under team control for one more season, so Cincinnati might view this as a chance to make a “profit” off Lux after acquiring him this winter from the Dodgers. Lux, a left-handed hitter, sports a .270 batting average, .750 OPS, and 37 RBI this year. Plus, he can play second base, third base, and left field.
New York Yankees: Eugenio Suarez, 3B
The New York Yankees want to move Jazz Chisholm Jr. off third base and transition him back to second, which would push DJ LeMahieu (.674 OPS) into a utility role. However, the club doesn’t want to do that until it finds a quality starter to play the hot corner. That player is Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez. Since the 2024 All-Star Break, Suarez has a .276/.378/.579 triple-slash line with 48 home runs, 126 RBI, and a .907 OPS in 573 at-bats. Furthermore, he’s a great clubhouse guy, and that matters to the Yankees organization. In a contract year, Suarez would be a perfect addition to the Yankees lineup.
Related: New York Yankees trade targets to fortify starting rotation
San Diego Padres: Taylor Ward, OF
The San Diego Padres would love to acquire an everyday catcher, but those are rarely available at the MLB trade deadline, and the market is especially barren this year. So, the focus shifts to the corner outfield. Taylor Ward would be ideal if the Los Angeles Angels are willing to move him. Ward won’t hurt San Diego defensively in left field, but what matters most is the bat. The right-handed hitter already has 20 home runs this season, on pace to shatter his career high of 25 from last season. There’s also consistent production San Diego can count on, demonstrated by a 116 OPS+ over the last four seasons. Another added benefit: Ward is arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter.
