MLB trade deadline: Ranking the best trade targets for contenders

The American League All-Stars dominated the National League yet again on Tuesday, July 14, winning 4-0 and earning their 11th victory of the last 13 Midsummer Classics.

With that out of the way, attention turns to the MLB trade deadline on Aug. 3. With less than a month away, the time has come for teams to decide whether they will buyers or sellers.

Some teams have obviously already fallen into one of those categories. The Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels are too far out of contention to be buying at this point, but each of those teams have great players that contenders would love to have for the remainder of the season.

Superstars such as Byron Buxton, back-to-back Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal and All-Star closer Mason Miller have all emerged as likely trade candidates. And of each them would instantly elevate any team they joined.

Here are our rankings of the top 10 MLB trade deadline targets:

Power ranking the ten best MLB trade deadline targets

Honorable mentions: 2B Luis Arraez, 3B Matt Chapman, RHP Casey Mize, SS CJ Abrams, RHP Sonny Gray, 1B Willson Contreras, LHP Josh Hader, RHP Jose Soriano, RHP Michael Wacha, LHP Robbie Ray, RHP Freddy Peralta

10. UTIL Casey Schmitt, Giants

Schmitt has burst onto the scene in 2026, offering solid offense and capable defense at a variety of positions. In just 2026 alone, the 27-year-old has played in the outfield and at every position on the infield. Couple that versatility in the field with 19 home runs and an OPS over .800 and that’s a very solid player that any team would love to have.

Schmitt will enter his first year of arbitration in 2027, meaning he could be under team control for the next three years, albeit at likely increasing cost.

2026 stats: .280/.308/.497, 19 HR, 50 RBI, 1.6 bWAR, 126 OPS+

9. LHP Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox

Even at 38 years old, Aroldis Chapman is showing that he can still be an incredibly valuable arm. Chapman is in the midst of his second consecutive All-Star season and has recorded a 2.20 ERA with 19 saves through the first half.

While Chapman’s price tag is hefty, this is an arm that could be worth it for the postseason. Not only has Chapman won two World Series in his career, but he’s boasted an outstanding 2.30 ERA in the playoffs since 2016.

2026 stats: 2.20 ERA, 19 saves, 2.40 FIP, 11.3 K/9

8. LHP Reid Detmers, Angels

Detmers’ 4.38 ERA is not indicative of what he brings to the table. He is a great strikeout pitcher with a remarkable offspeed arsenal. His 3.35 FIP and 3.38 xERA point that he has been rather unlucky this year.

The biggest issue with a potential Detmers trade is the likely cost. Reports indicate that the Angels will be looking for a package similar to what the Tigers would get for Tarik Skubal, the reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young winner. That price could drive several teams away.

That said, Detmers still has two years of arbitration left, meaning he could be a top of the rotation arm that costs a fraction of what Skubal does.

2026 stats: 3-6, 4.39 ERA, 3.35 FIP, 10.2 K/9

7. OF Jung Hoo Lee, Giants

A classic top-of-the-lineup bat, Lee offers remarkable contact skills, serviceable outfield defense, and low but enough pop to the gaps to be worth his price tag of $21 million/year over the next three seasons. He’s currently experiencing his best season in the bigs and is entering his prime at 27 years old.

His high batting average and low strikeout rate make for a combination that any team could use to produce runs, and moving him out of Oracle Park could see his offensive numbers improve.

2026 stats: .302/.333/.429, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 116 OPS+

6. RHP Joe Ryan, Twins

An underrated arm in the big leagues for years now, Ryan is on a rather team-friendly contract with potentially another year under team control. The draw is obvious. Only six qualified pitchers have a better strikeout-to-walk ratio. His 2.85 ERA is far and away the best of his career, and he’s still just 30 years old.

Ryan is a front-line starter on a team known for having enormous fire sales at the deadline. Ryan isn’t just a likely candidate to be traded, he’s a candidate that will draw numerous suitors and a hefty haul.

2026 stats: 6-5, 2.85 ERA, 2.77 FIP, 10.4 K/9

5. SS Jeremy Peña, Astros

Although Peña can be inconsistent when it comes to pitch selection, his plus defense and solid power/speed combo makes him an enticing option for any team struggling to find offensive production at shortstop. That said, there is a chance that the Astros hold onto Peña.

The Astros are still holding onto hope that they can contend for a World Series title despite lacking the roster to do so. Their farm system is also atrocious, meaning a trade of this magnitude could do their future good. Will they actually pull the trigger though? That’s yet to be seen.

2026 stats: .287/.347/.426, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 116 OPS+

4. C Ryan Jeffers, Twins

Any time a team can find value behind the plate, it provides them with a massive advantage over their opponent. The New York Yankees are the first team that comes to mind when considering who could be interested in grabbing Jeffers’ services. After all, their catchers have combined for -1.1 Wins Above Average, per Baseball Reference, good for 27th in MLB.

Jeffers’ .538 slugging from behind home plate would give the Yankees’ offense a massive boost almost immediately. Well, it would give any offense a huge boost immediately.

2026 stats: .292/.404/.538, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 160 OPS+

3. OF Byron Buxton, Twins

When healthy, Byron Buxton is one of the best center fielders in baseball, providing an immaculate power-speed combo and incredible defense at one of the sport’s toughest positions. The three-time All-Star may be 32 years old and carry a history of injury problems, but he has played in atleast 100 games in two straight years and is on pace to do so again in 2026.

At just over $15 million a year and with team control through the 2028 season, Buxton would be an absolute steal if he can remain healthy through the rest of his contract.

2026 stats: .271/.328/.575, 25 HR, 45 RBI, 146 OPS+

2. RHP Mason Miller, Padres

It’s hard to determine a definitive best player at any position, but Mason Miller might be as close to a unanimous selection as anyone. Undeniably one of the premier closers in baseball, Miller boasts electric stuff. His Baseball Savant page is littered with deep red. He’s in the upper echelon of pitchers in every single countable stat with a fastball averaging more than 101 mph.

Of course, the question is whether or not the Padres are going to be willing to sell Miller. The Padres have said that they are unlikely to ship their All-Star closer elsewhere, but they have admitted to being open to the idea. That alone will be enough to get a myriad of calls as the deadline approaches.

2026 stats: 0.91 ERA, 25 saves, 0.53 FIP, 16.3 K/9

1. LHP Tarik Skubal, Tigers

What needs to be said about someone who has won back-to-back Cy Young Awards? While Skubal will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, he’s done more than enough to prove how valuable he could be to a franchise looking to make a final push into the postseason. He’s a pitcher that gives your team an indescribable advantage every time he steps onto the field.

While 2026 has seen Skubal deal with some injuries, he still boasts a remarkable 3.09 ERA and 3.06 FIP. He’s also boasting the best strikeout-to-walk ratio of his career.

2026 stats: 5-5, 3.09 ERA, 3.06 FIP, 10.6 K/9

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: MLB trade deadline: Ranking the best trade targets for contenders