It is hard to believe that the All Star game is upon us. While many may take this period to take a break from fantasy baseball, savvy managers will be very active. The trade deadline in Major League Baseball is July 30. Most likely, several players will be on the move from pretenders to contenders soon. Identifying these players and getting them on the roster before they are traded is key. Who are these players? This Fantasy Trade Deadline Candidates Report is here to help.

While more than a few players are listed below, many, many more could be listed. As with all of my articles, debate and discussion are strongly encouraged. Is a player you are targeting missing from the list? Let’s talk about it! Lastly, everyone enjoy the All Star festivities, including the home run derby. With that out of the way, let’s get to it.

Luis Robert, OF, Chicago White

At one time baseball’s top prospect, Luis Robert has been held back by injuries. Last season, Robert seemed to put that behind him with 145 games played with 38 homers and 20 steals. Unfortunately, he wound up back on the I.L. this season and has only played in 40 games.

Even so, since returning June 8th, Robert has played in 30 games. In that time, he has been healthy and productive, hitting nine homers and driving in 17 runs. Since July 27, Robert has hits in 10 of 13 games, including eight straight. Without doubt, his .220 BA and .295 OBP will not excite.

However, Robert has a 119 OPS+. Further, he has been unfortunate this season, as his .262 BAbip is well below his career average (.328). His walk rate (9.6) is above his norm (5.8), which shows he is showing patience at the plate.

In the end, Robert is still only 26. With the health he has shown over the past month or so, a contender will certainly come calling. If that happens, his stock goes through the roof. If possible, getting Robert onto a fantasy team before the deadline would be a wise investment.

Garrett Crochet, LHP, Chicago White Sox

Without question, fantasy managers will want to search their league mates for Chicago White Sox players. After Robert, Garrett Crochet should be next on the list, especially if pitching is a need. Let’s face it, who doesn’t have that need?. In short, Crochet has been phenomenal this season (6-6, 3.08 ERA, league high 19 starts and 146 strikeouts in 105.1 innings). Check out his FIP: it is actually better than his ERA: 2.43, which also leads the league.

In his last four starts, Crochet hasn’t slowed down, pitching into the sixth inning in all of them. In that time, he has 38 strikeouts to just two walks. In reading all of that, why would Chicago want to trade Crochet? Before 2024, he has had just one full season in the bigs, and that was as a reliever in 2021. He had Tommy John surgery in 2022 and pitched just 12.2 innings last season. Without question, that will be in the back of minds of every contender.

Obviously, he is pitching well and he is under club control until 2026. Crochet will never be as attractive to other clubs as he is right now. As that is the case, he should collect the best package of players for the White Sox. It will take a heck of a package to get an owner to trade Crochet, but doing so could net the pitcher that leads a playoff fantasy team to victory.

Other Notable White Sox Players That Could be Traded:

Tommy Pham, OF, Michael Kopech, RHP, Erick Fedde, RHP

Elias Diaz, C, Colorado Rockies

For the life of me, I can’t imagine that many Rockies hitters are high on other club’s wish lists going into the trade deadline. There is, however, one player that should receive plenty of intest, especially among teams that need catching help. That player is Elias Diaz. Without doubt, the biggest obstacle in many Colorado hitter’s resumes is their hitting on the home versus road.

In the case of Diaz, though, the difference isn’t so wide. In 34 games at home, he is hitting .305. In 31 road contests, he is hitting .284. For the season, Diaz is hitting .296-5-30 with a .340/.417 slash line and a 106 OPS+. More than likely, he won’t maintain his .347 BAbip. Even so, there shouldn’t be a steep decline coming. In 2023, Diaz had a .324 mark.

At a time when many catchers need multiple days off a week, Diaz played in a career high 141 games last season. If he is picked up by a contender, Diaz’ value would take a huge step forward. A manager may be contending for the fantasy playoffs, but the catching is lacking. If so, making a move for Diaz would be highly recommended on this Fantasy Trade Deadline Candidates Report.

Colorado Pitchers That May Be on the Move

While hitters won’t be high on many contender lists, surprisingly, there are two Colorado pitchers that should capture much interest:

Austin Gomber, LH (only 2.2% rostered) and Cal Quantrill, RH (only 6.6% rostered)

Tyler Anderson, LHP, Los Angeles Angels

Just like every season, pitching will be a premium target for contenders at the deadline. Doubtless, given all of the injuries to their starting staff, the Dodgers will be looking to add a pitcher. Or two. They may not have to make too many long distance calls to locate one, as there is one right in their backyard. That starter is Tyler Anderson.

Pitching in the 11th season of his career, Anderson is enjoying a successful campaign. Currently, he is 8-8 with a 2.81 ERA in 112 innings. Further, he has an 151 ERA+, a 1.179 WHIP, a 4.53 FIP, a .209 BA against and a .229 BAbip. Given his age (34), a few middling prospects should be enough to fetch the left hander.

If Anderson is traded to the Dodgers, or any other contender, his value would sky rocket. Best of all, at 34.1% rostered, he may just be available in a lot of leagues. If so, making the move now could pay big dividends later. If he is on another manager’s roster, making an offer before his value goes any higher would be the smart play.

Other Angels Pitchers of Note:

Jose Soriano, RH. He hasn’t pitched well of late. If he doesn’t pick it up soon, there will have no interest in him. Stay tuned.

Carlos Estevez, RH. Unlike Soriano, Estevez has been lights out on the mound. He last gave up an earned run on May 20. He’s 32 and will be a free agent at season’s end. If traded, his value will spike.

Tanner Scott, LHP, Miami Marlins

When it comes to the search for trade targets, Miami might be the center of the universe. They have multiple players that contenders will be calling about. Going to the top of the list, possibly, is reliever Tanner Scott. As of this writing, Scott is 6-5 with a 1.42 ERA, a 1,079 WHIP,a 312 ERA+ and a 3.46 FIP. Additionally, he has 13 saves in 37 games with a .142 BA against and a .193 BAbip.

Amazingly, Scott accounts for 19 of the Marlins’ 32 victories. Even more remarkably, he has allowed an earned run in only three games this season, none since June 13. Last season, in a career high 74 games, Scott struck out 104 batters in 79 innings. He could be a relieving game changer for any contender.

As with the others on this Fantasy Trade Deadline Candidates Report, making a move now will provide countless rewards during the fantasy playoffs.

Other Miami Players That Could be on the Trade Block:

Jazz Chisholm, OF, Josh Bell, 1B

Jack Flaherty, RH, Detroit Tigers

While there was much optimism surrounding Detroit during Spring Training, the Tigers have been one of the biggest disappointments of the season. Even so, blame for that can’t be laid at Jack Flaherty‘s feet. After winning just eight games in 2023, Flaherty is already up to six this season. If he maintains his ERA (3.13) the rest of the way, it would be his lowest since 2019.

Meanwhile, the rest of Flaherty’s stats are strong. In 16 starts and 95 innings, he has 119 Ks against just 16 BBs. Further, his 133 ERA+, 3.18 FIB and 0.979 WHIP are excellent. His .219 BA against, .288 BAbip, 32.1 K% and miniscule 4.3 BB% are, of course, all noteworthy. At just 28 years old, Flaherty is sure to attract attention from multiple teams in both leagues.

It has been rumored that Detroit is toying with the idea of trading Tarik Skubal. In truth, that makes no sense. Simply put, you don’t trade ace pitchers in their prime. I wouldn’t listen to any of that. Skubal is going nowhere. However, almost assuredly, Flaherty is headed out of town. He is rostered almost everywhere. Knowing that, a manager will have to make a trade to get him. Even so, landing a pitcher of this sort for the stretch run and playoffs is a move this Fantasy Trade Deadline Candidates Report can’t possibly recommend highly enough.

Keep an Eye on the Rangers

After playing some miserable baseball over the first half, the Texas Rangers have rallied a little. However, they are still well out of contention. If they don’t get much closer to the teams currently holding playoff spots, they may start selling players. If that happens, look for Nathan Eovaldi and Kirby Yates, among others, to go on the market. Both could net sizable returns for Texas. At the same time, getting traded to a contender would set their fantasy managers up really well for the second half.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this Fantasy Trade Deadline Candidates Report! Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!

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