The best player at every position who could be available for trade

Scouts are currently spread across the Majors, monitoring teams and players that may be available between now and the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline.

Depending on each team’s specific need, however, there may be a limited number of players to choose from, especially with the crowded field of contenders still trying to decide whether to buy, sell or stand pat.

So let's look at the best player potentially available at each position, along with the “Buzz Factor” surrounding them with less than two weeks remaining until the Trade Deadline.

C: Ryan Jeffers, Twins

It’s difficult to remember a year in which so many teams were seeking midseason catching upgrades, but with the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers among the clubs in search of a catcher, Jeffers -- who is headed for free agency -- could be the most attainable. Hunter Goodman, Shea Langeliers, Francisco Alvarez and Adley Rutschman all have club control beyond 2026, leaving Jeffers as the most notable expiring contract at the position. Tyler Stephenson and Jonah Heim could also be options.

Buzz Factor: Medium

The Twins have indicated that they plan to be buyers at the Deadline, but after finally climbing back to .500 for the first time since April 22, Minnesota lost three straight. Depending on how the next 10 days go, the Twins could choose either to go for it or become one of the most impactful sellers, with players such as Jeffers and Joe Ryan potentially on the block.

1B: Ty France, Padres

France has been one of the best under-the-radar signings in 2026, signing a Minor League deal with San Diego that is paying him $1.35 million. The 32-year-old has 15 home runs, 40 RBIs and an .887 OPS in 74 games this season, ranking in the 93rd percentile with six outs above average.

Buzz Factor: Medium

Despite a 50-51 record, the Padres are only two games out of the third Wild Card spot. Four teams stand between San Diego and that spot, however, with FanGraphs listing the club's playoff odds at 11.4 percent. If president of baseball operations A.J. Preller decides to sell to any extent, France would be a prime candidate to be dealt, given the lack of solid first-base options on the market.

2B: Luis Arraez, Giants

No player in baseball seems more likely to be dealt than Arraez, who has been in vintage form at the plate in 2026 after hitting a career-low .292 last season. Arraez is batting .323, while his 10 outs above average rank second among all second basemen and fourth among all infielders this season.

Buzz Factor: High

Arraez has said he will only play second base for a new club, limiting his appeal to teams without a hole at that position. But the Giants are out of the race, and while they would love to unload some of their big contracts, expiring free agents such as Arraez and Robbie Ray figure to be their best trade chips.

SS: CJ Abrams, Nationals

Abrams is having a career year, hitting 24 home runs with 76 RBIs and an .892 OPS in his first 98 games. At 51-51, the Nationals are only 1 1/2 games out of the final NL Wild Card spot, so Washington may not sell by the Deadline if it remains in the thick of the race. That said, Abrams is arbitration-eligible for two more years, making him a very valuable asset for president of baseball operations Paul Toboni if he chooses to make a big move.

Buzz Factor: Low

Do we think the Nationals are going to trade Abrams? The odds appear less than 50-50, but given the lack of shortstops available, he’s the clear-cut No. 1 option if a club wants to try overwhelming Washington with an offer. Names such as Francisco Lindor, Jeremy Peña and Zach Neto have been mentioned as trade candidates, but the chances of them being dealt are even slimmer than Abrams.

3B: Eugenio Suárez, Reds

One of the hottest names on the trade market a year ago, Suárez is having a down year after signing a one-year, $15 million deal with the Reds last winter. Suárez’s deal includes a $16 million mutual option with no buyout -- one that will almost certainly be declined -- essentially making him a free agent after the season. Suárez is hitting .208 with 13 home runs, 37 RBIs and a .682 OPS in 72 games, but history shows he has the ability to carry a lineup if he gets hot.

Buzz Factor: Low

Suárez’s subpar season isn’t exactly causing potential suitors to line up, but the 35-year-old helped the Mariners reach the ALCS last season, the fourth time in his career that he has played in the postseason. Suárez could serve as a DH for a contender looking for some pop, and the cost of acquiring him likely wouldn’t be very high.

LF: Taylor Ward, Orioles

Ward hasn’t been the impact bat the Orioles were hoping to add to their lineup this season, but the 32-year-old remains an on-base machine (.386 OBP) thanks to his league-high 79 walks and the best chase percentage in baseball. Despite his lack of power this season -- he has only seven home runs in 100 games -- Ward’s 1.7 fWAR has him on pace to finish in the same range as the past two seasons, when he hit 36 and 25 homers, respectively.

Buzz Factor: Medium

A seven-game winning streak pulled the Orioles back into the AL Wild Card mix, and they're only three games out of the final spot. Like many other teams in that situation, Baltimore is on the fence with less than two weeks to go until the Deadline, making the next 10 days crucial to its buy/sell decision. The Orioles probably aren’t thinking about selling at the moment, but the situation remains fluid.

CF: Jake McCarthy, Rockies

McCarthy is in the midst of the best season of his career, already setting a personal best with 10 home runs and equalling his previous high with his 56th RBI on Tuesday night. His .864 OPS is nearly 130 points above his career average, and he’s been slightly above average defensively. McCarthy is owed roughly $500,000 this season and is arbitration-eligible for two more years, making him a cost-controlled asset for Colorado.

Buzz Factor: Medium

The Rockies certainly don’t have to move McCarthy, but given their rebuilding timeline, capitalizing on his strong season could be the way to go. First-year president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta will likely look at any and all options leading up to the Deadline, and with so few teams firmly in the “sell” camp, the Rockies may be in a strong position to maximize the return for their trade chips.

RF: Spencer Steer, Reds

Another potential trade candidate for the Reds, Steer is one of the most interesting options on this year’s market. The 28-year-old is the ultimate Swiss Army knife, playing every position other than shortstop and catcher this season, getting at least 20 starts at first base, right field and left field.

Buzz Factor: Medium

Steer is arbitration-eligible for two more years, so the Reds are in no rush to move him, and given his potential value to contenders, the asking price will likely be high. But Cincinnati is 46-54, 5 1/2 games behind the third NL Wild Card spot with five other teams in front in the chase for that final berth. If the Reds sell, Steer should generate plenty of interest.

DH: Jorge Soler, Angels

Soler’s two years with the Angels have not gone well. He hit 12 home runs with a .680 OPS in 82 games in 2025, and while he’s been healthier this year, he has 11 home runs with a .669 OPS in 79 games. Soler has plenty of postseason experience and has been a member of two World Series champions, winning MVP honors in the 2021 Fall Classic with the Braves. Soler is owed a little more than $5 million this season before becoming a free agent, so a team seeking a power bat with a track record in October might roll the dice.

Buzz Factor: Low

It’s never easy to predict what the Angels will do, though interim general manager John Mozeliak will likely try to use the Trade Deadline to shed some salary and bring on young prospects, even lottery-ticket types of players. Soler could be a “what the heck” acquisition for a team hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

RH starting pitcher: Clay Holmes, Mets

With Ryan and Sonny Gray seemingly off the table for now and the Tigers’ situation regarding the availability of Casey Mize unclear, Holmes is the most interesting name to watch. The 33-year-old was off to a great start (2.39 ERA through nine outings) before a fractured right fibula brought his season to a sudden halt. Holmes had his first rehab start washed away by rain, settling for a 45-pitch bullpen session as he rounds back into shape. If he’s able to make a rehab start -- or even return to the Mets -- before the Deadline, Holmes will likely be a target for pitching-needy contenders.

Buzz Factor: High

The only thing standing in the way of a Holmes trade is his health, though that seems to be trending in the right direction. The Mets thought Freddy Peralta would be their best trade chip, but his recent performances have hurt his value in a major way. Holmes is owed a little more than $4 million this season and can opt out of the final year and $12 million of his contract after the season, which appears to be a likely scenario. Teams are likely to treat Holmes as a rental, though that won’t stop them from pursuing him.

LH starting pitcher: Tarik Skubal, Tigers

Skubal has calmed any fears about his health following elbow surgery, posting a 2.97 ERA in seven starts since his return and a 1.57 ERA over his past four. The Tigers clawed their way back into the postseason picture with a 25-16 record over their last 41 games, but they trail the first-place White Sox by 6 1/2 games in the AL Central and face a five-game deficit in the AL Wild Card race.

Buzz Factor: High

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch recently said his team has been “playing Game 7 since May,” which is what happens when you get out to a 22-38 start to the season. The Tigers have 10 days to prove to the front office that they should be buyers or even stand pat; if not, Skubal instantly becomes the crown jewel of the trade market.

RH relief pitcher: Luke Weaver, Mets

Weaver signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Mets last winter, and although not much has gone right for New York in 2026, Weaver has been one of the few bright spots. The 32-year-old owns a 1.98 ERA in 41 innings, striking out more than a batter per inning. Weaver has limited closing experience, but he has been a solid setup man since moving to the bullpen in 2024.

Buzz Factor: Medium

With one year and $11 million remaining on Weaver’s contract, the Mets could hold on to him with an eye on contending next season. But given their lack of movable assets and the fact that relievers are often in high demand around the Deadline, the Mets could move Weaver to add young talent to the system, then address the bullpen again in the offseason.

LH relief pitcher: Adrian Morejon, Padres

While All-Star closer Mason Miller has been the focus of trade rumors in recent weeks, Morejon is the Padres reliever most likely to be moved if San Diego opts to sell. Morejon, a 2025 All-Star, ranks in the top 10 percent of the league in fastball velocity, chase percentage, whiff percentage, barrel percentage, hard-hit percentage and ground-ball rate. So why would the Padres trade the 27-year-old? Unlike Miller, who is under control through 2029, Morejon is headed for free agency this offseason.

Buzz Factor: Low

As we mentioned earlier, the Padres are firmly in the NL Wild Card mix, but that doesn’t mean Preller won’t deal from his strong bullpen to address another area of need. Morejon would be a highly coveted relief arm around the league if he was made available.