When Emmanuel Clase struck out Bryan Reynolds on Tuesday night to secure the American League’s All-Star Game victory, the baseball world immediately turned its attention to the second half, in which a whopping 22 teams remain close enough to a playoff spot to believe anything can still happen.
The transfer deadline is less than two weeks away, creating a 12-day sprint until July 30, during which time clubs must decide whether to buy, sell or not renew their contracts.
Nearly every contender will want to bolster their pitching staff, some in the rotation, others in the bullpen and for some teams even both.
Other questions will be answered as the calendar races toward the end of July. Should the Yankees add a catcher given Jose Trevino’s injury? Can the Mariners improve their offense with one move, or are multiple bats needed? Will the Braves continue to seek outfield help? Can the Orioles and Dodgers get enough pitching to make them favorites in their respective leagues? Should the Phillies add anything at all?
A number of players will be changing teams in the meantime, but as Major League Baseball prepares for the second half on Friday, here is a look at 10 players (ranked by first-half fWAR) who may be forced to change teams before the end of the month.
Brent Rooker, OF/DH, Track and Field
Current fWAR: 3.0
It’s fair to wonder if the Athletics will trade their lone All-Star this season, but bringing in Mason Miller would certainly bring in a slew of prospects that would make most teams hesitant. Rooker, last year’s Oakland All-Star representative, seems more likely to find himself on a new team before July 30 despite having three more years under club control, as he turns 30 later this year and may not fit into the Athletics’ long-term plans. Rooker followed up his 30-homer, 69-RBI 2023 season with 21 homers and 62 RBIs before the break this year, with a .942 OPS in 83 games.
Erick Fedde, RHP, White Sox
Current fWAR: 2.7
Fedde posted a solid first half after returning from a year of playing in Korea, posting a 2.99 ERA in 19 starts (111 1/3 innings). The 31-year-old signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the White Sox, who are expected to be big sellers ahead of the Deadline. Chicago could hold on to Fedde and re-trade him in the offseason, but given the thin market for starting pitchers, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a contender make a move for the righty.
Jack Flaherty, RHP, Tigers
Current fWAR: 2.1
The 28-year-old could be on his way to his second straight Deadline deal after being traded from St. Louis to Baltimore last August. Flaherty signed a one-year, $14 million contract with the Tigers following his subpar 2023, but he’s bounced back in a big way this season, posting a 3.13 ERA in 95 innings (16 starts) before the break. In a market largely desperate for rotation help, Flaherty could be a huge trade asset for Detroit.
Jazz Chisholm Jr., INF/OF, Marlins
Current fWAR: 1.4
When the Marlins announced that Chisholm would see some time at second base after the break, it fueled speculation that Miami was planning to move the 26-year-old before the deadline. Chisholm, who entered the break with 12 homers, 18 stolen bases and a .728 OPS, is making $2,625,000 this season and will have two years of arbitration eligibility remaining after 2024.
Jesse Winker, OF, Nationals
Current fWAR: 1.3
The recent promotion of the team’s top prospect James Wood has relegated Winker to part-time DH duties, and given his expiring contract and the fact that he’s making $1.5 million this season, the 30-year-old could be a good buy for a contender looking for outfield help. Winker reached the All-Star break with 11 homers, 43 RBIs, 12 steals and an .806 OPS.
Elias Diaz, C, Rockies
Current fWAR: 0.9
Díaz slumped before the break, but he is hitting a respectable .286/.330/.403 with five homers and 30 RBIs in 67 games, missing nearly three weeks in June with a calf injury. Díaz, 33, is in the final year of a three-year, $14.5 million contract, and given the dearth of available catchers, last year’s All-Star Game MVP could attract interest.
Danny Jansen, C, Blue Jays
Current fWAR: 0.9
Along with Díaz, Jansen appears to be the other notable catcher available this month, and with a $5.2 million contract coming this season, the 29-year-old free agent prospect could be of interest to clubs looking for a catcher. Jansen is having a down year at the plate, hitting .223/.316/.391 with six homers and 17 RBI in 57 games, but he has 32 homers in 158 games from 2022-23, showing some nice pop in his bat.
Carlos Estévez, RHP, Angels
Current fWAR: 0.9
Estévez’s contract year got off to a shaky start, as he posted a 4.76 ERA through late May. Since the calendar turned to June, the right-handed pitcher has been virtually unbeatable, allowing just three hits and one walk in 14 scoreless innings. Estévez is set to earn $6.75 million this season, after which he will be a free agent. Based on the way he’s pitched the past few weeks, he could be a game-changer for a contender’s bullpen.
Tanner Scott, left-handed pitcher, Marlins
Current fWAR: 0.6
Scott is the closest to a sure thing to be traded of any player in the majors, as the Marlins made their intentions clear in early May with the deal that sent Luis Arraez to the Padres. Scott, who turns 30 next week, is making $5.7 million this season before becoming a free agent. The left-hander has a 1.34 ERA and 14 saves in 39 appearances this season and will be a big addition to any contender’s bullpen.
Kyle Finnegan, RHP, Nationals
Current fWAR: 0.2
Finnegan, a late addition to the NL All-Star team, converted 25 of 29 save opportunities before the break, posting a 2.45 ERA in 41 appearances. Washington traded Hunter Harvey to the Royals a few days ago, a sign that more deals could be on the way. Finnegan is making $5.1 million this season and is eligible for arbitration for one more year before becoming a free agent.