Prospects Who Could Be Moved at the Trade Deadline

With the MLB Trade Deadline approaching, there are still many teams in the race for the playoffs. It goes without saying there are always some exciting moves every year around this time, some major but mostly minor. Some of the players below could be as close to untouchable as any in the minor leagues, but with so many teams looking to buy this season, anything could happen. For this article, I’ve only listed some of the top prospects in each organization who could be moved. Obviously there are many more who can and will be moved, but these are the more exciting names to keep an eye on as the deadline approaches.

American League

Baltimore Orioles
Samuel Basallo, C/1B
Coby Mayo, 3B
Connor Norby, 2B
Baltimore has a stacked farm system and could potentially trade for any of the upper-tier targets for the stretch run. If they are shopping at the high-end of the spectrum, they may have to give up any of these three. They are blocked at the major league level by Adley Rutschman, Jordan Westburg and Gunnar Henderson, to an extent, so they could be inclined to trade them.

New York Yankees
Chase Hampton, RHP
Spencer Jones, OF
George Lombard, Jr., SS
Despite recent struggles, the Yankees are right there in playoff contention and it’s not their style to sit back and see what happens, especially with Juan Soto potentially leaving after this season. Their pitching hasn’t been as strong as it was earlier in the year so a starter may be on their wish list. Jones was almost untouchable last season but they may be forced to move him in a big deal. Lombard is blocked by Anthony Volpe and could be moved in a deal too.

Boston Red Sox
Roman Anthony, OF
Boston has played better recently and could be tempted to make a deadline move. Trading Anthony would be difficult for them but, depending on the return, he may be the best opportunity to improve the major league squad. They have other nice prospects in the minors but they may not be inclined to make any moves from their system. *Editor note: Scott Greene says Boston is not trading the inaugural Futures Game Skills Challenge champion.

Cleveland Guardians
Kyle Manzardo. 1B
Cleveland could be tempted to make a move at the deadline and it would be symbolic if they move Manzardo, who they obtained last year in a deadline move. He is blocked at the major league level by Josh Naylor and struggled in a short stay in the majors.

Minnesota Twins
Zebby Matthews, RHP
It’s not the Twins style to move prospects, but with a wide-open shot at the playoffs, they may want to make a move to tighten up the offense a little bit. Matthews has looked great this season but Minnesota has other pitchers in their pipeline who could potentially contribute in the majors. Matthews would probably be the number one target for any trade partners.

Kansas City Royals
Frank Mozzicato, LHP
The Royals just moved third baseman Cayden Wallace in the deal for Hunter Harvey. Outfield is still an area that Kansas City has to solidify if they are to make the playoffs, but they don’t have the strongest system to deal from.  If anything, they may be limited to a minor move for a second or third-tier bat at the deadline.

Seattle Mariners
Cole Young, SS
Colt Emerson, SS
Felnin Celesten, SS
The Mariners surprisingly need some offense and have good shortstop prospects in the minors to deal from. Even though J.P. Crawford is signed through 2026, Seattle will fit one of them in if they develop as expected, if they aren’t moved.

Houston Astros
Jacob Melton, OF
Joey Loperfido, OF
Pedro Leon, OF
Pitching, pitching and more pitching. Houston has been decimated by injuries to its rotation and bullpen but have managed to stay in playoff contention. They don’t have any top-tier prospects but they could move some mid-tier prospects as part of a package. Loperfido hasn’t shown much in his inconsistent playing time, and Leon was a highly touted international signing who’s having a very good season at Triple-A Sugar Land.

National League

Philadelphia Phillies
Andrew Painter, RHP
Justin Crawford, OF
Aidan Miller, SS
Mick Abel, RHP
The Phillies have a major need in centerfield and are built to win now with the core stars getting older. They’ve been linked to Luis Robert, Jr and would have to move at least three of their top prospects in a deal for him.

Atlanta Braves
Owen Murphy, RHP
Hurston Waldrep, RHP
Atlanta is right in the middle of things, even with injuries to Ronald Acuna, Jr. and Spencer Strider. They could move from one of their many pitching prospects to shore up the outfield and rotation at the major league level. They could also stay status quo and reload for 2025 when they are fully healthy.

Milwaukee Brewers
Tyler Black, 2B/3B
Jeferson Quero, C
The Brewers have been bit by the injury bug in the rotation and they could look to trade for a starter. Black has struggled in his short stays in the majors, never getting any real consistent playing time. Quero could be blocked by William Contreras. A package of the two could help bring in a solid starter at the deadline.

St. Louis Cardinals
Thomas Saggese, 2B/3B
Ivan Herrera, C
St. Louis has a predominately older core that is built to contend now, so a move for a pitcher may be in the cards. Saggese has struggled this season and Herrera is blocked by Willson Contreras, but both may be enough to get a solid starter for their playoff run.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Dalton Rushing, C
Diego Cartaya, C
Thayron Liranzo, C
The Dodgers could move to solidify the bottom part of the lineup and have three solid catching prospects in the minor leagues blocked by Will Smith at the major league level. With the talent they have in the minor leagues, they could add to one of these guys and make a big splash.

San Diego Padres
Ethan Salas, C
Robby Snelling, LHP
The Padres have been very inconsistent at the major league level and could look to make a move for the playoff run. Salas struggled after having a successful 2023, but is still thought of very highly. It would be shocking if he is moved but stranger things have happened.