MLB Trade Deadline: Next Team Odds and Picks for Hitters

• The MLB Trade Deadline is here, and contending teams are looking for offensive upgrades
• Struggling and fading clubs are listening on key players, hoping for the next Jeff Bagwell for Larry Andersen trade
• Some intriguing available bats and aggressive teams are making for an exciting few days
• Here are the most bandied-about hitters and their possible destinations

Adolis Garcia, RF – Texas Rangers

Garcia currently has a .666 OPS and 14 home runs. That’s in line with his full-season performance in 2024. At 32 and in a hitter’s park, it’s a worrisome trend that will significantly reduce the return the Rangers get if they choose to move him.

He has documented playoff success, earning an ALCS MVP in 2023 and a postseason batting average of .323 with 8 home runs and a 1.108 OPS in Texas’s World Series year.

The Rangers are in the middle of the AL playoff race, and with Garcia under team control through 2026, it makes little sense to trade him. They’re more likely to be MLB trade deadline buyers.

If they do deal him, he’s the type of player Padres President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller tends to pursue.

Eugenio Suarez, 3B – Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks are open for business and have already traded first baseman Josh Naylor to the Mariners and outfielder Randal Grichuk to the Royals.

Eugenio Suarez has 36 home runs and leads the majors in RBIs with 87. He’s a rental as a pending free agent.

The Yankees were the most frequently mentioned destination for Suarez, but they seemingly filled their hole at third base by acquiring Ryan McMahon. Given Aaron Judge’s elbow injury, there are growing questions as to how aggressive the Yankees will be.

Mariners president of baseball ops Jerry Dipoto has a good relationship with Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen. They just completed the Naylor trade, and the Mariners are interested in reuniting with Suarez. That is the probable landing spot.

Luis Robert, CF – Chicago White Sox

Robert won a Gold Glove in center field as a rookie in 2020. Two years ago, he hit 38 home runs, was an All-Star, and won the Silver Slugger.

Over the past two seasons, he has fallen on hard times, mirroring those experienced by his team, the White Sox.

In 2024, his OPS fell to .657, and he had 14 home runs in 425 plate appearances. This season, his OPS sits at .640, and he has 11 home runs. He’s stolen 26 bases in 32 attempts. Robert’s contract has two options in 2026-27.

The Mets were said to be interested with the White Sox asking for Mark Vientos in return. It’s difficult to see the Mets doing that.

The Tigers may be reasonably safe in first place in the mediocre AL Central and will almost assuredly make the playoffs, but they need a power bat and do not have an everyday center fielder. Robert is a perfect fit.

Marcell Ozuna, DH – Atlanta Braves

Ozuna has not played the outfield extensively in three years, so any team acquiring him is getting him to DH.

He is a free agent at the end of the season. His power numbers are down with only 14 homers and a .754 OPS. Perhaps moving to a club in a pennant race will ignite his bat.

The Brewers can desperately use the offensive upgrade Ozuna would bring, but that would require putting Christian Yelich back in the outfield, which could be a stressor on his surgically repaired back.

The Phillies’ primary left fielder, Max Kepler, has been terrible, but Philly is in a similar boat as the Brewers in that Kyle Schwarber is their DH. He can play the outfield if necessary. Ozuna will undoubtedly be agreeable about playing some outfield to go to a contender.

Ryan O’Hearn, DH/OF – Baltimore Orioles

O’Hearn is a free agent at the end of the season. He has been DHing a lot, but can play right and left field. This makes him ideal for the Brewers to pursue at the MLB trade deadline.

Milwaukee’s corner outfielders, Isaac Collins and Sal Frelick, have been solid overall with excellent defense and speed, but the Brew Crew needs some pop in the lineup, and O’Hearn would provide that.

Steven Kwan, LF – Cleveland Guardians

Kwan is a defensive ace and 3X Gold Glove winner in left field. He steals bases with a high success rate and has pop with 9 home runs this season. He’s under team control through 2027. In short, he will be costly.

Multiple contenders can use Kwan. But the Dodgers have a bigger need, a realistic chance at their second straight World Series, and the depth to get the Guardians to bite. Michael Conforto and Kiké Hernandez are both hitting below .200. Kwan is an ideal fit for them.