MLB trade season is in full swing, and several surprising deals have already been struck.
Much of the attention ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline will be on high-profile names like Chicago White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet. However, there is no shortage of underrated and cost-affordable players on the market capable of making a major impact for a potential playoff contender.
With that in mind, here are four trade candidates virtually every contender should consider acquiring. (All statistics are through Saturday’s games.)
RHP Erick Fedde, Chicago White Sox
The lowly White Sox will be one of the most fascinating teams to monitor leading up to the trade deadline since they have arguably the top pitcher and hitter available in Crochet and outfielder Luis Robert Jr. While it remains to be seen whether another team pays the lofty price to acquire Crochet, Fedde — a cheaper trade option — should be on every pitcher-needy club’s deadline shopping list.
After posting a 5.41 ERA across six seasons with the Washington Nationals, Fedde signed with the KBO’s NC Dinos in 2022. During his lone season with the Dinos, Fedde reinvented himself as a pitcher and even won the league’s MVP Award before signing with Chicago last offseason. In 21 starts for the White Sox, Fedde has looked the part of a quality major league pitcher, posting a 3.11 ERA and 1.142 WHIP with 108 strikeouts and 34 walks. He might not be best suited to start in the postseason, but Fedde is the type of acquisition who can help a team get there.
2B Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays
In recent days, the Rays have made several significant moves, trading star outfielder Randy Arozarena, as well as right-handers Zach Eflin and Jason Adam, in three separate deals to prepare for 2025 and beyond. Tampa Bay still has a number of intriguing trade candidates, and while third baseman Isaac Paredes is garnering plenty of interest, contenders in need of a middle infielder or a left-handed DH should inquire about Lowe.
The main concern surrounding Lowe, who has club options for both the 2025 and 2026 seasons, is his durability since he has played 231 games over the past three years, including just 57 in 2024. Even so, Lowe continues to be one of the more productive second basemen at the plate in the majors when healthy. This season, Lowe is slashing .257/.352/.524 with 12 home runs and 34 RBI while posting a 149 wRC+.
RHP Jameson Taillon, Chicago Cubs
Cubs president Jed Hoyer told reporters last week that, barring a significant win streak, the team would use the trade deadline as an opportunity to continue building for the future. Considering Chicago has dropped a series to the Milwaukee Brewers since Hoyer’s declaration, it will likely sell off some pieces of its core. Taillon appears to be one of the Cubs’ most valuable trade chips, as he’s on the radars of a few teams, including the Astros, Red Sox and Yankees, per multiple reports.
The veteran right-hander is in the second season of his four-year, $68M deal with the Cubs and would provide stability for any team hoping to upgrade its rotation. In 17 starts, Taillon has posted a 2.96 ERA, which is on pace to be a career-high, along with 78 strikeouts and 21 walks, the seventh-fewest among pitchers who have tossed at least 100 innings.
OF Mark Canha, Detroit Tigers
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Canha has a “robust” market, which may come as a surprise to many, given that he has produced a slash line of .233/.339/.355 with seven home runs and 38 RBI this season. However, the 35-year-old is an impending free agent who is a disciplined hitter with the defensive versatility to play on the corners in both the infield and outfield, making him an ideal fit for most contenders.
Teams interested in acquiring Canha are likely eyeing him for a platoon role against left-handed pitching, and for good reason. In 69 at-bats against lefties this season, Canha has slashed .290./405/.464 with 13 walks and eight RBI. Of his 20 hits against left-handers, eight went for extra bases, including a pair of home runs. With the hitters market still in a state of uncertainty, Canha could prove to be a low-risk, high-reward addition for teams unwilling to trade away high-end prospects.