Front offices across Major League Baseball are on the clock.
The 2024 MLB trade deadline is a day away away meaning clubs with postseason aspirations are running out of time to make any final additions via trade.
Two aces changed teams ahead of last year's deadline, with Justin Verlander rejoining the Houston Astros and Max Scherzer going to the eventual champion Texas Rangers. Could more big names be on the move this year?
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From the date to the top trade candidates, here's what to know about the 2024 MLB trade deadline:
When is the MLB trade deadline?
The 2024 trade deadline is on Tuesday, July 30.
What time is the MLB trade deadline?
The exact deadline to make deals by is 6 p.m. ET on July 30.
MLB clubs have started the trading earlier, with outfielders Randy Arozarena, Jorge Soler and Jesse Winker changing jerseys and pitchers Zach Eflin, Carlos Estévez and Frankie Montas on the move to new cities.
Who are the top MLB trade deadline candidates?
Here's a look at some of the top players who could be on the move ahead of the deadline (players listed alphabetically by last name, all stats through July 10):
Pete Alonso, 1B, New York Mets
Contract situation: Free agent after 2024 season
An Alonso trade seems less likely than it was when the Mets were 11 games under .500 in early June. That's because New York now finds itself right in the thick of a very crowded NL wild-card race, with FanGraphs' projections giving the club a 40.4% chance of making the playoffs. So how the Mets play in the lead-up to the deadline could determine Alonso's availability.
Alonso, 29, is set to hit free agency this offseason. The four-time All-Star and two-time Home Run Derby champion is batting .240/.320/.454 with 18 homers and 48 RBIs.
Tyler Anderson, LHP, Los Angeles Angels
Contract situation: One year, $13 million left on deal after 2024 season
The 34-year-old Anderson has been a bright spot in what's been another rough season overall in Anaheim. After struggling in Year 1 with the Angels, Anderson has rebounded by sporting a 2.81 ERA over 18 starts.
Chris Bassitt, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
Contract situation: One year, $22 million left on deal after 2024 season
The underperforming Blue Jays may be the most interesting team to watch at this year's deadline. Toronto, which has very slim playoff odds, boasts several enticing trade candidates, including Bassitt, should it decide to be sellers. The 35-year-old righty is sporting a sub-4.00 ERA (3.52) as he's done for the past several seasons, although his WHIP has jumped up to 1.44.
Cody Bellinger, OF, Chicago Cubs
Contract situation: Two years, $52.5 million left on deal after 2024 (player opt out available after 2024)
The Cubs decided not to deal Bellinger at last year's deadline and then signed him to a three-year, $80 million deal in the offseason. But Chicago now faces a decision on the 2019 NL MVP yet again.
Bellinger, who turns 29 this month, hasn't been as productive as he was in his bounce-back 2023 season, hitting .269/.331/.410 with nine homers and 37 RBIs. He also has the ability to opt out of the remaining two years and $52.5 million left on his deal after 2024.
Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays
Contract situation: One year, $17.6 million left on deal beyond 2024
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said in early June that "it doesn't make any sense" for the club to trade Bichette or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. But Toronto's continued struggles have led to speculation about whether either of its franchise cornerstones could be moved before entering contract years. The New York Post's Jon Heyman reported in late June that Toronto "never came close" to reaching long-term agreements with the two stars in past negotiations.
"And folks who know the pair believe the Jays have little to no chance to lock up Bichette, and maybe only a slightly better chance with Guerrero," Heyman added.
Bichette, 26, said in late June he wouldn't be surprised "at all" if he was dealt ahead of the deadline. The two-time All-Star is having a career-worst campaign, hitting just .222/.275/.321 with four homers and 30 RBIs. This would be his first season with a sub-.800 OPS.
Garrett Crochet, LHP, Chicago White Sox
Contract situation: Under club control through 2026
This time last year, Crochet was a full-time reliever recovering from Tommy John. Now, the 25-year-old southpaw leads all of Major League Baseball in strikeouts (146) while sporting a 3.08 ERA and 0.97 WHIP over 19 starts.
USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale reported in late June that the White Sox intend to trade their former No. 11 overall pick as they have "no optimism" about reaching an extension agreement.
Elias Díaz, C, Colorado Rockies
Contract situation: Free agent after 2024 season
The Rockies didn't move Díaz at last year's deadline, but it'd be surprising if that was the case again this year as the 2023 All-Star Game MVP heads toward free agency. The 33-year-old is enjoying an even better offensive season than his first All-Star campaign, hitting .296/.340/.417 with five homers and 30 RBIs.
Jack Flaherty, RHP, Detroit Tigers
Contract situation: Free agent after 2024 season
The Baltimore Orioles acquired Flaherty at last year's deadline, but the right-hander struggled mightily down the stretch with a 6.75 ERA over nine appearances. The 28-year-old right-hander has bounced back after signing a one-year, $14 million deal with Detroit, though, boasting a 3.24 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 15 starts.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Toronto Blue Jays
Contract situation: Under club control through 2025 season
Unlike Bichette, Vlad Jr. is putting together another strong season at the dish. The 25-year-old four-time All-Star is hitting .290/.364/.454 with 13 homers and 52 RBIs. Even if Toronto keeps Guerrero and Bichette beyond July 30, their 2025 free agency is looming.
Yusei Kikuchi, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
Contract situation: Free agent after 2024 season
In addition to Tyler Anderson and Jack Flaherty, Kikuchi is another rental option for any teams in need of rotation help. The 33-year-old right-hander has a 4.00 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 19 starts this season.
J.D. Martinez, DH, New York Mets
Contract situation: Free agent after 2024 season
Alonso isn't the only Mets slugger that rival clubs may be eyeing. Martinez has continued to fend off Father Time in his age-36 season, hitting .264/.349/.463 with 10 homers and 37 RBIs.
Mason Miller, RHP, Oakland Athletics
Contract situation: Under club control through 2029 season
Miller has quickly turned into one of the most dominant bullpen arms in all of baseball. The flame-thrower, who turns 26 next month, has gone 15-for-17 in save chances and boasts a 2.33 ERA. His average fastball speed of 100.9 mph leads MLB and he combines that with a slider averaging 87.4 mph. The lethal pitch combo has helped him strike out 68 hitters in 38.2 innings.
Miller isn't slated to hit free agency until 2030, either, so prying him away from the A's will require quite the haul.
Luis Robert Jr., OF, Chicago White Sox
Contract situation: Three years, $55 million left on deal after 2024 season ($20 million club option in 2026 and 2027)
Robert, like Chisholm, is a centerfielder who's been limited by injuries. He missed a combined 150-plus games from 2021-22 before his first All-Star season in 2023 when he made 145 appearances. Robert missed over 50 games earlier this season due to a right hip flexor strain, an injury he also sustained in 2021.
While Robert's health may be a concern, his ability to produce at the dish isn't. Robert, who turns 27 next month, boasts a career slash line of .274/.324/.500 and he hit 38 homers in 2023. In 40 games this year, he's hitting .220/.295/.493 with 11 homers and 21 RBIs.
Nightengale reported earlier this month that rival general managers are skeptical about whether any team will meet Chicago's high asking price for Robert.
Brent Rooker, DH/OF, Oakland Athletics
Contract situation: Under club control through 2027 season
Rooker is proving his 2023 All-Star season wasn't an outlier. The 29-year-old slugger is hitting .282/.362/.544 with 18 homers, 17 doubles and 55 RBIs. Rooker may not be the strongest fielder, but he can certainly mash.
It would make sense for the A's to also place a high price tag on Rooker, who's under club control for three more seasons beyond 2024.
Tanner Scott, LHP, Miami Marlins
Contract situation: Free agent after 2024 season
The Marlins closer has continued to build on his strong 2023 campaign. Scott, who turns 30 later this month, has a 1.42 ERA over 37 appearances. The first-time All-Star has struck out 42 hitters while completing 13 of 15 save opportunities.
Kirby Yates, RHP, Texas Rangers
Contract situation: Free agent after 2024 season
It's safe to say this isn't what the Rangers envisioned their title defense would look like. While Texas is still lingering in the playoff race, the defending champs have just a 9.6% chance of making the playoffs per FanGraphs.
Should the Rangers decide to sell, they may have the best rental bullpen arm on the trade market in Yates. The 37-year-old signed with Texas in the offseason on a one-year, $4.5 million deal and has gone on to post a career-best 0.84 ERA over 32 appearances. He's struck out 45 hitters and hasn't blown a save in 14 chances.
