Two-time batting champion Luis Arraez’s trade to the Padres came extremely early for an impact deal and doesn’t necessarily signal that more big trades will soon follow (unless they involve other Marlins, more on that below.)
However, it isn’t too early to consider which big-time players could be traded by the deadline. Things can change depending on who’s contending and who’s fading (and ultimately, most are probably long shots to go), but here’s our first list of stars who could possibly be on the move:
1. Nolan Arenado: No one hates losing more, and the Cardinals are more than a year into their disastrous run, so he just might approve a trade. The Dodgers don’t really need him but that’s one team he might jump at.
The Dodgers could be one team that might jump at Cardinals star Nolan Arenado. AP2. Bo Bichette: Blue Jays fans who hoped for Shohei Ohtani would not react well to trades of stars. You’d think the Jays have too much talent to fall out of the extended wild-card race, and he’s got a year to go. Not too likely.
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3. Pete Alonso: Mets fans love him, and might revolt (at least initially), and word is so does owner Steve Cohen. But since the Met strongly considered an Alonso deal last summer and the Cubs are known to like him (and may need him), it can’t be completely ruled out if they fall out of it. Probably a long shot.
The Mets trading Pete Alonso is probably a long shot. Bill Kostroun for the NY Post4. Kyle Tucker: Alonso’s high school teammate is having a big year while everything around him is disintegrating. He has a year to go before free agency, and the Astros don’t like to surrender, so also unlikely.
5. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: The big-market Jays won’t give up easily, but at some point they may need to consider whether this group is going to break through.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has spent his entire MLB career with the Blue Jays. AP6. Luis Robert: One of the game’s most talented players is expected to return sometime in “mid-May” from a hip injury. The White Sox traded ace Dylan Cease, but this will take even more guts (and a greater return), as the team holds option years at reasonable rates beyond the guaranteed 2025 season.
7. Jesus Luzardo: Luzardo (elbow) threw 5 ²/₃ scoreless in a recent rehab game, and if he’s recovered, decent chance he and other top Marlins go.
7. Justin Verlander: He will have to pitch better than he did Tuesday night against the Yankees. Has full no trade, but the guess is he might accept L.A. or (close to hometown) Baltimore.
8. Alex Bregman: Free agent after the year so it makes sense.
9. Michael Conforto: The ex-Met is hitting well in a tough park (128 OPS plus) for the disappointing Giants.
10. Mason Miller: The would-be nomadic A’s are a nice early story, and Mason Miller’s velocity (he’s hit 103.7) is part of it — Travis Sawchik on X likened the situation to “Major League,” where the owner tries to ruin the franchise while the star fireballer and a rag-tag group shocks by winning. Anyway, he’d bring a haul with six years of control.
11. Luis Severino: The Mets could have a darned good sale with their prescient short-term signings. J.D. Martinez, Jose Quintana, Sean Manaea are among other logical trade candidates.
The Mets have plenty of strong options to consider trading ahead of the deadline, including Luis Severino. Noah K. Murray for the NY Post12. Yusei Kikuchi: If the Jays start trading, they may as well go all out. Kikuchi (2.72 ERA) is one of their brighter spots.
