As Major League Baseball inches closer to the 2026 trade deadline on August 3, teams are assessing their strengths and weaknesses. As we gear up for what promises to be an exhilarating swap meet, baseball executives are turning their attention to potential trade targets. After analyzing the pitching landscape last week, it’s time to highlight the top hitters who could shake up the market.
Evaluating the available hitters, we've compiled a list of the top ten players likely to be on the trade block. Each player is assigned an availability rating and a desirability rating, both on a scale of 0-10. The availability rating gives an estimate of how open a player's current team is to a trade, while the desirability rating indicates how coveted they would be if placed on the market. This rankings list organizes players based on their combined score from those two ratings.
The Prime Candidates
Starting off our list is Ian Happ of the Chicago Cubs. Despite a challenging 2026 season where he holds a batting average of .228 with 15 home runs and 36 RBIs, Happ's experience makes him an attractive option for teams looking to add veteran presence. He carries a contract worth $20.3 million and has a availability rating of 7.0 and a desirability rating of 5.5.
Right behind him are fellow Cubs’ slugger Seiya Suzuki and Brandon Lowe of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Suzuki, with a .252 batting average and 10 home runs, is on a $17 million contract, while Lowe, batting .249 with 17 home runs, has a contract of $11.5 million. Both players will likely draw interest if their teams shift into sell mode as the deadline approaches.
The Toronto Blue Jays' Daulton Varsho and St. Louis Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar round out our top five. Varsho, for his part, presents a solid option with a .256 average and decent power stats. Although Nootbaar has missed time due to injuries, teams seeking potential stars may consider taking a chance on the arbitration-eligible player for 2027.
Underperforming Stars
Among this year's disappointing performances, Ha-seong Kim with the Atlanta Braves and Eugenio Suárez of the Cincinnati Reds have raised eyebrows. Both were anticipated to be major contributors but have struggled. Despite Suárez's appealing contract of $15 million, his current production has left much to be desired. The Atlanta Braves might be keen to offload Kim if they see a glimmer of hope elsewhere.
For the Los Angeles Angels, Jorge Soler’s hot start fizzled out, making him less appealing as the deadline approaches. And injuries have hampered Baltimore's Ryan Mountcastle's prospects, likely lowering his desirability even further.
Established Players Under Scrutiny
Several notable players are tied to long-term contracts, making trades highly unlikely. Mike Trout's availability is questionable given his $160 million contract through 2030, and though the Houston Astros wouldn't part with their shining star Yordan Alvarez, the team is still navigating their way to relevance this season.
The San Francisco Giants find themselves in a precarious situation with expiring contracts looming over Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, and Matt Chapman. Each of these players carries hefty contracts that the Giants could consider unloading if they remain below .500.
Meanwhile, the resurgence of the Detroit Tigers has them maintaining more of their core, yet players like Gleyber Torres may still end up on the trade block given the team’s direction.
Final Candidates to Watch
As teams look for a potential spark in their lineups, players like Willson Contreras and Mickey Moniak might be appealing trade targets. Both have shown promising offensive capabilities that teams on the hunt for the playoffs may find irresistible.
Lastly, it is essential to keep an eye on the Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams. If the Nationals decide to become sellers, they could generate immense interest due to Abrams' offensive capabilities, as he’s enjoying an all-star caliber season at the plate.
In summation, as the trade deadline draws closer, expect a flurry of activity surrounding these hitters. Teams striving for playoff contention will be eager to acquire the right talents to bolster their rosters for the crucial stretch run. Stay tuned as the landscape of the MLB could change dramatically in the coming weeks.
