Top 5 MLB Players Likely To Be Traded @ Trade Deadline

With just over a month remaining until the MLB trade deadline, rumors and discussions of some of the best players in the league could find themselves on new teams. Like in all sports, the deadline is a chance for teams to shake their Etch A Sketch, sell off veteran players in hopes of building for the future, or push their chips in for hopes of a title. Let’s dive into the five players I believe will be traded at or before the August 3rd deadline!

5. Zac Gallen

MLB, Arizona Diamondbacks, Zac Gallen — Diamondbacks’ Pitcher Zac Gallen – MLBONFOX / via X

Zac Gallen’s name has come up in trailers the past two seasons, and this is when the Diamondbacks need to make a move. They resigned him to a one-year contract this past offseason, and it hasn’t been working out this season. Currently sitting how to get back in the NLS behind the San Diego Padres, they need a spark to look towards the future. I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s shipped off at the deadline, despite just being re-signed this past offseason.

4. Freddie Peralta

Speaking of transactions that haven’t worked out. The New York Mets are in a prime position to make a statement and potentially have a dominant run in the NL East and the MLB this season. With the additions, the off-season hasn’t worked with all the talent they have. When you acquire an above-average pitch like Freddy Peralta, you would hope the season didn’t turn out this way. However, what the Mets need to do is what many teams that go into seasons with high expectations and fall short need to do: look in the mirror.

Peralta is still only 30 years old and has had a less-than-desirable season by his standards. However, many teams could use a one B pitcher like Peralta is and can be. It would not shock me one bit that, with less than a full season in New York under his belt, he has moved at the trade deadline. He is a free agent next season, and I don’t see the Mets coughing up the money it would take to keep him.

3. Rafael Devers

Rafael Devers, San Francisco Giants, MLB — Giants’ 3B Rafael Devers – BRWalkoff / via X

How the mighty have fallen. After the San Francisco Giants traded for Rafael Devers last season from the Boston Red Sox, this was an excellent move by a team that just needed a strong, powerful bat in their lineup. What has happened since the train has been mind-boggling. Not only has Devers not been what they hoped for, but they have also been dreadful.

Devers has not had the same impact on the West Coast as he did for Boston. On the season, he has a .240 batting average, 35 RBIs, and 10 home runs. That might seem solid on paper, but the team and the MLB world would’ve liked to see slightly better numbers over the course of his time in San Francisco. With a record of 31 and 43 seasons, it’s time to move on and do some self-scouting and realize that they swung and missed, no pun intended. One of the MLB’s heaviest bats should be on the move.

2. Aroldis Chapman

It is no secret that the Boston Red Sox are not going anywhere. With a record of 29 and 42 on the season, it would take a miracle for them to get into postseason contention. They do have one of the best closers in the MLB with Aroldis Chapman. Chapman has had an exceptional season thus far with a .44 ERA, 14 saves, and a whip of 0.919. The 38-year-old left you still has a howitzer of an arm.

Velocity has never been a problem for the Cuban missile. With the Red Sox not going anywhere and every contending team needing a dominant Closer, it is almost inevitable that the eight-time All-Star is on the move come the MLB trade deadline.

1. MLB’s Best Pitcher: Tarik Skubal

Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers, MLB — Photo Credit: @MLB on X

With the MLB’s reigning two-time National League Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal, a pending free agent, he is the white whale of this trade deadline. It has been clear since last season that the Detroit Tigers are reluctant to pay the dominant lefty. If you weren’t going to pay him after the back-to-back seasons that he has had, it is best for both parties involved to trade him for the best package available.

The 29-year-old superstar has had a subpar start to his season; however, injuries have cost him the better part of his 2026 campaign. Sitting at a 30- 44 record on the season, it only makes sense for the Tigers to be sellers at the deadline.

With teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves appearing to contend for a World Series push this season, it only makes sense for one of the MLB’s elite to pick up the phone and call Detroit. Let’s be real, who couldn’t use a dominant ace? All 29 other teams should be making offers; however, I see him ending up on one of the teams looking to win the World Series this season.

Final Thoughts

As always, thank you so much for checking out my thoughts on the five players that should be traded at the MLB trade deadline! Be sure to check out our other amazing content here at New Leaf News! Thank you for making us part of your day, and look forward to seeing you again soon.