
We’ve been talking about a lot of the same trade candidates in recent weeks, but as front offices scout the players who could potentially be available, their recent results often weigh heavily in those assessments.
Which potential trade candidates have been doing their best to enhance their value with two weeks remaining until the Trade Deadline? MLB.com looks at 10 names to watch (listed alphabetically) as Aug. 3 rapidly approaches.
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Francisco Alvarez, C, Mets
With a number of high-profile teams in need of catching help -- the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers, for example -- the lack of quality backstops should put teams with available catchers in a strong position to sell. The Mets are reportedly open to moving nearly everyone on their roster, and given that Alvarez is under club control through 2028, he’s one of the few players New York seems willing to move that could net a strong return. Alvarez has 11 homers, 24 RBIs and a .766 OPS in 66 games this season. He’s been especially productive since returning from the injured list on June 9, hitting seven homers with 14 RBIs and an .826 OPS in 29 games.
Luis Arraez, 2B, Giants
Arraez has looked like his old self this season, hitting .326 in 94 games, putting him on pace for his third career 200-hit season. The 29-year-old has been on a heater, hitting .337 with an .862 OPS over his past 42 games dating back to May 27. Arraez -- who has been one of the best defensive second basemen in the Majors in 2026 -- is owed approximately $4 million for the remainder of the season and will be a free agent at the end of the year.
Ty France, 1B, Padres
In 73 games this season, France has 14 home runs with 39 RBIs and an .871 OPS, but the bulk of those numbers have come in the past month. Since June 19, the 32-year-old has eight home runs, 20 RBIs and a 1.138 OPS in 22 games, doing his part to keep the Padres in the NL Wild Card race. San Diego was only 2 1/2 games out of a playoff spot entering the week, though four clubs sit in between the Padres and the third Wild Card spot, giving president of baseball operations A.J. Preller much to think about. France is owed roughly $450,000 for the rest of 2026, making him one of the best bargains for clubs seeking a lineup boost.
Luis García Jr., 1B/2B, Nationals
The Nationals remain in the thick of the NL Wild Card mix, so Washington might wind up being buyers instead of sellers. But if they do opt to sell, García -- who is in the midst of the best year of his career -- could be in play with only one year of club control remaining. García has 20 home runs, 68 RBIs and an .857 OPS in 92 games this season, but his past 32 games dating back to June 8 have seen the 26-year-old look like a different player with 13 home runs, 31 RBIs and a 1.096 OPS during that stretch. García is owed roughly $2.3 million for the rest of the season and will surely be in line for a raise from his $6.875 million salary in his final year of arbitration.
Foster Griffin, LHP, Nationals
As mentioned above, the Nationals are no lock to sell, especially if they can pull closer to a Wild Card berth in the next two weeks. Either way, president of baseball operations Paul Toboni could move Griffin, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, in exchange for controllable young talent. The first-time All-Star, who turns 31 next week, is 11-2 with a 2.68 ERA this season, but he has a 1.47 ERA over his past 10 starts, allowing one or zero runs in nine of those outings. Griffin is owed less than $2 million for the rest of the season, a price nearly every contender would be willing to pay given the lack of quality available starting pitching.
Jonah Heim, C, Athletics
With a lack of catchers seemingly available this trade season, Heim could be a target for catching-needy clubs. The 31-year-old has been the primary backup to Shea Langeliers this season, and while teams may try to pry the All-Star catcher away from the Athletics, they might have to settle on Heim if he’s available. Heim got off to a slow start this season, hitting .197 with two homers, 11 RBIs and a .632 OPS in 22 games with the Braves and A’s through the end of May. Since the beginning of June, Heim has seven homers, 19 RBIs and a .790 OPS, giving the A’s a solid bat from the catcher’s position when Langeliers serves as DH.
Jake McCarthy, OF, Rockies
Having lingered as a part-time player in Arizona for five seasons, McCarthy is having the best year of his career in his first year with the Rockies. McCarthy, who turns 29 next week, has 10 home runs and 55 RBIs with an .860 OPS in 86 games, but he’s been on fire for the past month, hitting six homers with 28 RBIs and a 1.005 OPS over his past 28 games. McCarthy is owed about $500,000 for the rest of the year and is arbitration-eligible for two more years, so while the Rockies may see him as a significant part of their future, it’s also possible that Colorado might take advantage of his strong season to bring back some younger talent.
Robbie Ray, LHP, Giants
While the Giants would like to move one of their bigger contracts -- specifically Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, Matt Chapman or Jung Hoo Lee -- their expiring contracts figure to be the more tradable assets. Ray is 8-6 with a 3.33 ERA in 20 outings (19 starts) this season, but he has excelled over the past month, going 4-0 with a 1.21 ERA in his last six starts since June 16. Ray is owed roughly $10 million for the remainder of the season before heading back to free agency.
Brady Singer, RHP, Reds
Singer is 4-9 with a 4.56 ERA in 19 starts this season, but after opening the year with a 6.18 ERA in 11 starts through the end of May, Singer has a 2.76 ERA over his past eight starts dating back to the beginning of June. The 29-year-old, who turns 30 on Aug. 4, is owed roughly $4 million through the end of the season, after which he will become a free agent.
Lane Thomas, OF, Royals
Thomas’ numbers this season are underwhelming; he has nine home runs, 34 RBIs and a .758 OPS in 85 games with the Royals. Since June 13, however, Thomas has hit seven of those homers with 19 RBIs and an .864 OPS. The 30-year-old is owed about $1.75 million for the remainder of the season and is headed for free agency, giving the Royals a veteran bat to move before the Deadline.


