1 trade chip for every team ahead of 2026 Deadline

1:44 AM UTC

Whether it's promising prospects, star players or veterans enjoying surprising seasons, every team has something to bargain with at the 2026 Trade Deadline (6 p.m. ET, Aug. 3).

With the help of MLB.com's beat writers, here is one trade chip for all 30 teams this season.

Jump to: AL East | AL Central | AL West | NL East | NL Central | NL West

American League East

Blue Jays: RHP
If the Blue Jays want to swing big at this Trade Deadline, they’ll have the prospects and financial muscle to make it happen. Stanifer, the Blue Jays' No. 5 prospect, is 22 and pitching well in Double-A, making him an attractive “near term” arm for rebuilding clubs. Think back to last year, when the Blue Jays dealt righty to the Guardians for and lefty to the Twins in the deal. The Blue Jays also have some higher-upside arms, like No. 3 prospect , and this front office has shown a clear willingness to move top prospects for legitimate MLB pieces over and over again. -- Keegan Matheson

Orioles: C/1B
As long as the O’s stay in the postseason picture, they’re likely to be buyers at the Deadline. And if that’s the case, they’ll need to dip into their farm system and part with some prospects in order to bolster the big league roster. One potential trade chip is Willems (Baltimore’s No. 17 prospect), who is putting up big numbers at Triple-A Norfolk. Entering Monday, the 23-year-old was hitting .283 with two doubles, 13 home runs, 38 RBIs and an .881 OPS over 52 games. It could be difficult for Willems to crack the Orioles’ roster in the future, with catcher ( and ) and first base () both locked down long term. -- Jake Rill

Rays: Prospect depth
President of baseball operations Erik Neander has shown a willingness to be aggressive when the team is in position to win the division, so don’t be surprised if the Rays leverage their Minor League system’s greatest strength -- its incredible depth -- to fortify their roster. How deep is Tampa Bay’s system? The Rays' Minor League Pitcher of the Month in April, no-hitter author Aidan Cremarosa, isn’t among their Top 30 Prospects, according to MLB Pipeline. Nor is their most recent Player of the Month, infielder Émilien Pitre, who had a .500 OBP in May. The Rays' abundance of quality prospects gives them the ability to consider just about anything … and by the way, their system will have added the No. 2 pick in this year’s Draft by the time the Deadline rolls around. -- Adam Berry

Red Sox: LHP
It has been a struggle for the Red Sox to gain momentum this season, and if that continues over the next few weeks, the club could be tempted to deal Chapman, perhaps their most dominant performer. Chapman has converted his last 28 save opportunities dating back to July 26, 2025, giving up zero runs and three hits in those appearances. At 38, the lefty has shown zero signs of slowing down. He could land Boston a nice return. -- Ian Browne

Yankees: OF
Lauded as one of the organization’s top prospects for years, the 6-foot-7 Jones got his first taste of the big leagues this season, then was recalled when Aaron Judge landed on the injured list. There’s some question about how seriously the Yankees view Jones as part of their future. His power and speed combo would make him an appealing centerpiece if the Yankees seek to address needs this summer -- particularly if they can trade for a starting catcher. -- Bryan Hoch

AL Central

Guardians: SS
Genao does not have a clear path to the Majors right now, which could make him a trade chip if the AL Central-leading Guardians want to make a big move at the Deadline. The 22-year-old (who's ranked as Cleveland's No. 2 prospect and No. 44 overall by MLB Pipeline) was promoted to Triple-A Columbus on May 4. He’s a natural shortstop with experience playing second and third base. But the Guardians' infield includes shortstop (who's having a breakout season), second baseman (who has shined in his rookie campaign) and superstar third baseman José Ramírez. -- Tim Stebbins

Royals: RHP
The Royals won’t tear it all down, but they do have desirable arms who could net them what they need for the immediate future. is the most likely, if he’s able to get healthy, with free agency coming this offseason. But Wacha tops the list in terms of performance, with a 3.44 ERA in his first 13 starts. And he comes with at least one more year of control, potentially two with the club option for 2028. Wacha has been one of the most consistent starters since joining Kansas City ahead of '24, with a 3.58 ERA in 73 starts as a Royal. -- Anne Rogers

Tigers: RHP
Yeah, we get it, will be the biggest name in baseball around the Deadline. But if the Tigers indeed end up becoming sellers, Mize is a sneaky name to watch. The former No. 1 overall pick is off to the best start of his career, even better than his All-Star campaign last year. He entered Sunday ranked seventh in bWAR among AL pitchers at 2.2 despite missing time on the injured list with an adductor strain. His splitter is back to being a nasty out pitch, allowing him to raise his strikeout rate to a career-best 26.5%. And like Skubal, Mize is a free agent at season’s end. -- Jason Beck

Twins: RHP
There’s no being sure that the Twins will sell, especially if the AL Wild Card continues to be a race to the low 80s. But if they do, Ryan instantly becomes one of the most compelling names on the market. He’s under team control through 2027, and though he had an injury scare earlier this year, he’s actually been better since that day than before. -- Matthew Leach

White Sox: Prospect depth
The White Sox look to be legitimate American League postseason contenders. Thus, any veterans viewed in February as possible trade chips for an ongoing rebuild will be needed for the push forward to October. But as far as the young core goes, general manager Chris Getz won’t tear apart what they have meticulously built just to jump up for one season. They would move players from their system in return for players who won’t just help in 2026 but also in '27 and possibly beyond. -- Scott Merkin

AL West

Angels: RHP
Soriano got off to an incredible start to the season, and while he’s cooled off a bit, he still has an impressive arsenal of pitches that includes his power sinker, knuckle curve and splitter. The Angels could be reluctant to trade him but could get a big haul, as he’s under team control through 2028. He still has issues with walks but has improved his strikeout rate and induces ground balls at an elite rate. -- Rhett Bollinger

Astros: SS
The Astros, who have gotten several stars back from the injured list in the past couple of weeks, still think they can make a run at the postseason now that they’re getting closer to full strength and are in a weak division, so it’s unlikely they would trade anyone from their Major League roster. If they do fall out of contention by the Trade Deadline, Peña becomes a possible trade chip. He will be a free agent after next season and has already turned down a contract offer to remain in Houston beyond 2027. -- Brian McTaggart

Athletics: OF
The A’s are aiming for the playoffs this season and will likely seek to add pitching. Their best chance to do that would almost certainly involve dealing from their strong outfield depth. Thomas is a former top prospect who mashes lefties and provides solid defense at all three outfield spots. He’s in a platoon role with the A’s, but the 25-year-old outfielder is talented enough to blossom into an everyday player. -- Martín Gallegos

Mariners: RHP
Seattle's most seasoned arm has turned things around after going three turns through a piggyback with Bryce Miller, which manifested after Miller's return from the IL gave the club six healthy starters. The Mariners have had extreme trepidation to deal from their rotation in years past and probably will have pause again come July. But if they were to move on from one, Castillo is the clearest, though he does come with a $24.15 million price tag for this year and next. -- Daniel Kramer

Rangers: A starting pitcher
The Rangers are unlikely to tear it all down if they’re within striking distance of a weak AL West or even a Wild Card spot. And while president of baseball operations Chris Young will continuously remind you that you can never have too much starting pitching, Texas’ rotation will be seven deep by the Deadline if and continue progressing smoothly from their respective UCL injuries. The offense has progressed well and gotten healthy over the last few weeks, but another big bat could be a necessity for the final stretch of the season. -- Kennedi Landry

National League East

Braves: SS
Kim wouldn’t be the centerpiece of any deal. But it doesn’t feel like he has a fit in Atlanta with both and looking like better options at the shortstop position. Pairing Kim with a top pitching prospect and agreeing to pay the remaining portion of his $20 million salary to a middle infield-needy team could net a decent return. -- Mark Bowman

Marlins: RHP
Alcantara, 30, has been the subject of trade rumors for several years, and that's not going to change. He is being paid $17.3 million in the final year of his extension, which includes a $21 million club option or $2 million buyout for 2027. Alcantara leads MLB in innings pitched (89 1/3), is tied for third in quality starts (nine) and had an expected ERA of 3.95 entering Sunday. -- Christina De Nicola

Mets: RHP
With each passing week, the Mets are looking more and more like Deadline sellers. If that comes to pass for the second time in four years, Peralta would be the most obvious candidate to move, given that he can be a free agent after the season. Although Peralta hasn’t pitched like an ace, he’s playoff tested and would bolster nearly any staff in baseball. The Mets also have to sell, but his price would almost certainly be discounted as he recovers from a fractured right fibula. -- Anthony DiComo

Nationals: SS
Abrams was a topic of trade buzz during the offseason, and his All-Star-caliber performance has heightened his trade value. Abrams, 25, has an enticing contract situation: He is arbitration eligible for two more seasons after this year. Among National League shortstops, Abrams entered Sunday ranked first in home runs, RBIs, wRC+, wOBA, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. -- Jessica Camerato

Phillies: RHP
The Phillies don’t want to trade Wood, their No. 2 prospect, and in a perfect world, he may be in a spot to impact the big league bullpen as soon as later this season. However, if the Phils get to a point where they decide they need to make a substantial splash at the Deadline, they’d almost certainly have to include Wood in any trade package. Top prospect will be sidelined until right around the Deadline with his back injury, and none of the Phillies’ other top-five prospects are making much noise in the Minors. The club doesn’t have a ton of flexibility to make a big move … unless Wood is involved. -- Paul Casella

NL Central

Brewers: OF
If the Brewers want to add an impact pitcher or hitter to make another run for a postseason spot, they may have to deal a premium player from MLB Pipeline’s top-ranked farm system. They don’t want to trade baseball’s top overall prospect, , and club No. 2 prospect Luis Peña might have too many red flags from recent health scares. No. 4 Cooper Pratt just inked an eight-year contract in April, so he’s not moving, and No. 3 Jett Williams is so well fitted to the Brewers because of his positional versatility that it’s hard to envision the team dealing him away less than a year after getting him from the Mets. So, how about Lara (Brewers No. 5, overall No. 91), who is in the midst of a breakthrough season at Triple-A and plays a position -- outfield -- at which the Brewers are well stocked with young talent. -- Adam McCalvy

Cardinals: LHP
The Cardinals are getting younger, so don’t be surprised if they make an attempt to trade Romero, 29, for a low-level prospect or a bench player. In fact, according to an opposing National League scout, there are a handful of teams who would love to have Romero in their bullpen. This year, Romero is currently a quality setup man for St. Louis, but can be a ninth-inning stopper. Remember, after right-hander was dealt to the Mets last July, Romero saved eight games for St. Louis. Romero will make $4.26 million in 2026 and can be a free agent as early as 2027. -- Bill Ladson

Cubs: INF
With third baseman signed to a long-term deal and second baseman locked in on an extension, Shaw is currently without a home on the diamond. He has served as a fill-in all over the infield and taken on outfield this year, too. The 24-year-old could possibly find a place as a corner outfielder with the Cubs after 2026, but other teams might see him as a great fit on the infield now. Chicago likes Shaw in his current versatile role, but if the teams wants to make a blockbuster pitching addition, expect teams to ask about his availability. -- Jordan Bastian

Pirates: C
Pittsburgh could lean on its catching depth in the Minor Leagues to acquire a bullpen piece or even another catcher to bolster its big league club and snap a decade-long playoff drought. The Pirates currently have five catchers among their Top 30 prospects, and Plaz is the No. 19 prospect in the club's farm system, per MLB Pipeline. The 20-year-old out of San Felix, Venezuela, has excelled in his first year at High-A Greensboro with a .987 OPS, although he hasn't played since May 26. -- Aiden Stepansky

Reds: 1B/3B
If the Reds can overcome their recent struggles and stay afloat long enough as contenders to be buyers come late July, tapping into their prospect capital could be the way to address needs in the bullpen and lineup. One prospect who could be intriguing is Collier, who is at Double-A Chattanooga but is blocked at the big league level by at first base, while third baseman is signed through 2029. In his fifth Minor League season but still only 21 years old, Collier is the Reds' No. 6 prospect and offers a lefty power potential that still hasn't been fully realized. -- Mark Sheldon

NL West

D-backs: INF/OF
GM Mike Hazen said in the offseason that he was willing to trade prospects like Lawlar if he could improve the 2026 team. Lawlar made the Opening Day roster, and his play -- both defensively in the outfield and at the plate -- was evidence of why Arizona made him the sixth overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. Parting with Lawlar would be difficult, but the Diamondbacks have a lot of outfield depth both at the big league level and in the Minors. -- Steve Gilbert

Dodgers: OF
The Dodgers' farm system is rich in outfielders, and De Paula is the cream of the crop. It would be surprising if L.A. dealt its top prospect (No. 8 overall) at the Deadline, but this is more about what he represents. Fellow outfielders , and , to name a few, could each realistically headline a package if the Dodgers feel that they need to make a significant Deadline addition to bolster their three-peat bid. -- Sonja Chen

Giants: 2B
Arraez joined the Giants on a one-year, $12 million deal over the offseason, so he should be an attractive target for teams who are looking to upgrade at second base this summer. The three-time batting champion is known for his elite bat-to-ball skills, but he’s also taken a huge step forward defensively, which should make him even more valuable for contenders down the stretch. -- Maria Guardado

Padres: LHP
The Padres have an overabundance of relief weapons, and Matsui is off to an excellent start to the season with a 1.45 ERA through his first 12 appearances. If the Padres could move Matsui (and his $13.5 million remaining salary over the next couple seasons), they’d have the bullpen depth to make up for his absence. And Matsui might be interesting enough to land something of a return. -- AJ Cassavell

Rockies: RHP
A longtime starting rotation member, Senzatela struggled and finished last year in the bullpen. This year, he returned with an expanded pitch mix that makes him useful at all points of the game. There is little risk, since Senzatela is at the end of his five-year, $50.5 million contract with a 2027 club option. -- Thomas Harding