The addition of the wild card has transformed MLB’s trade deadline. The expanded playoff field has created a surplus of buyers and a shortage of sellers.
Players such as Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara, Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins, St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado and Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert are expected to dominate the headlines in the rumor mill.
However, several under-the-radar options could dramatically move the needle for the league’s top contenders. Here are four of them who could be available at the July 31 trade deadline:
Ryan Weathers, SP, Miami Marlins
Best Destination: Chicago Cubs
Weathers has been a rare bright spot on the Miami Marlins pitching staff. Former Cy Young winner Alcantara has struggled mightily in his first season back from the injured list. Cal Quantrill, the team’s marquee offseason acquisition, has a 6.09 ERA. Max Meyer has also battled inconsistency.
In many ways, Weathers has emerged as Miami’s de facto ace. His improved fastball velocity has allowed the former top prospect to break out in a major way. The Marlins could retain the 25-year-old as a foundational piece of their rebuild, but president of baseball operations Peter Bendix has a track record of flipping established talent for prospect capital.
Most contending clubs require rotation help, but few viable starters appear to be available.
This is a prime opportunity for Bendix to sell high, potentially sending Weathers to the Cubs, Red Sox, Mets, or Orioles.
Pete Fairbanks, RP, Tampa Bay Rays
Best Destination: Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies boast one of the most complete rosters in baseball. Their starting rotation is deep and talented. Their lineup is full of veteran heavyweights. And their recent postseason pedigree speaks for itself.
However, the bullpen is a major area of concern. The club lacked a clear closer entering the season. Since then, Jordan Romano has flashed dominance but has also performed poorly enough to be on the verge of a minor league demotion.
To make matters worse, high-leverage reliever José Alvarado has been suspended for 80 games because of a performance-enhancing substance violation.
If the Phillies are serious about winning their first World Series since 2008, the bullpen must be addressed.
Enter Fairbanks. The longtime Rays reliever has a career 3.17 ERA and and 73 saves over seven seasons. If Romano finds his form, Fairbanks could be an elite setup option. If not, he’s more than capable of taking over the closer role and providing the depth and insurance the Phillies desperately need.
Anthony Bender, RP, Miami Marlins
Best Destination: Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers have had a strange start to the 2025 season. Their once-elite offense ranks among the league’s bottom three. While the starting rotation has overperformed expectations, the bullpen —anchored by Robert Garcia, Luke Jackson and Shawn Armstrong — has been a rollercoaster of inconsistency.
For Texas to rebound from its sluggish start, it will need to win more close games. Bender’s career 3.11 ERA — including a stellar 1.59 mark in 2025 — would immediately make him the most reliable option in the Rangers’ high-leverage situations.
Reid Detmers, SP, Los Angeles Angels
Best Destination: New York Mets
Detmers’ career arc has been anything but linear. The 10th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft flashed early brilliance, becoming the youngest pitcher to record a no-hitter in Angels history. Unfortunately, he now holds a career ERA of 5.01.
The New York Mets have quietly built one of MLB’s best pitching development systems. No organization is better equipped to help Detmers tap back into his potential. They’ve already helped rejuvenate the careers of right-hander Luis Severino, left-hander Sean Manaea, right-hander Griffin Canning and right-hander Clay Holmes.
