As the trade deadline rapidly approaches, here are the 15 MLB international players most likely to be on the move.
1. Luis Robert Jr. (CWS) Center Field – Guantanamo, Cuba
Teams looking for a young, athletic outfield bat will target Luis Robert. He is having his worst year at the plate in his five-year career, batting just over .200. However, the upside of the 26-year-old center fielder is hard to ignore. The White Sox will be most likely selling at the trade deadline and Robert is their most valuable asset.
Possible suitors – Phillies, Nationals, Royals
2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) First Base – Montreal, Canada
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been terrific for the Blue Jays this year. However, the Blue Jays are at the bottom of the stacked AL East and have to re-evaluate their roster. The Blue Jays are far from competing with the Yankees and the Orioles and will have to rebuild the roster completely to ensure they do not get stuck in mediocrity for the next couple of seasons. Guerrero, from Montreal, Canada, is the most valuable player on the Blue Jays roster. Vladdy would be worth a ton of farm talent on the trade market and is an intriguing piece to add for nearly every team in the MLB.
Possible suitors – Padres, Mariners, Yankees
3. Eloy Jiménez (CWS) Designated Hitter/Outfield – Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Eloy Jiménez has had a rough first half of the season for the White Sox. Jimenez has his worst batting average of his career in 2024 and has a -.2 WAR. Jiménez is another valuable piece that the White Sox could be looking to move in efforts to start their rebuild. Although Jimenez has not hit the long ball well this year, Jimenez has shown a rare ability to hit for power and average during his six-year career. Teams looking for a designated hitter or an outfield bat will be eying Jimenez at the deadline.
Possible suitors – Phillies, Mariners, Royals
4. Wenceel Perez (DET) Right Field – Azua, Dominican Republic
Wenceel Perez is hitting at a .264 clip in his first year in Major League Baseball. Perez is a player that not only can have an immediate impact for a team; but, can also be developed into a superstar in the upcoming year. The Detroit Tigers are having another dreadful season and could ship Perez to boost their farm system. Teams who are approaching their win window will look at the right fielder from Azua, Dominican Republic as a valuable asset to help them compete in the next couple years.
Possible suitors – Pirates, Mariners, Cardinals
5. Dany Jimenez (OAK) Relief Pitcher – San Christobal, Dominican Republic
Dany Jimenez is probably not the relief pitcher you think will be dealt by the Athletics at the deadline, with rumors of Mason Miller being traded running rampant. However, the Athletics will hold on to Miller. Jimenez hails from San Christobal, Dominican Republic, and in 2024 had the best ERA of his four-year career. Tons of teams could bolster their bullpen, and Jimenez would be a great addition to a contending team come playoff time.
Possible suitors – Astros, Braves, Mets
6. Jesús Luzardo (MIA) Starting Pitcher – Lima, Peru
Jesus Luzardo has had an up-and-down career in the MLB. Some years, he has looked like an ace, and others, he looked as if he might be cut. However, a change of scenery would serve Luzardo well. Luzardo is only 26 years old and could be a great player to add to the back end of a starting rotation or as a long relief pitcher for a contender.
Possible suitors – Rangers, Diamondbacks, Twins
7. Elías Díaz (COL) Catcher – Maracaibo, Venezuela
Maracaibo, Venezuela, native Elias Diaz is an undervalued catcher. Diaz splits games with Jacob Stallings in Colorado and has been far more productive hitting the baseball than Stallings this year. The 33-year-old catcher is solid behind the plate defensively and could help out teams who can’t stop teams from stealing bases.
Possible suitors – Cubs, Giants, Cardinals
8. Eddie Rosario (WAS) Right Field – Guayama, Puerto Rico
The Nationals are in fourth place in the NL East and do not have the firepower to compete with the Phillies, Braves, and Mets. Since winning the World Series in 2019, the Nationals have gone through several non-contending years, and it looks like that will continue this year. Rosario would be an obvious player for the Nationals to move to a contender for developmental pieces.
Possible suitors – Red Sox, Mariners, Cubs
9. Yusei Kikuchi (TOR) Pitcher – Morioka, Japan
Yusei Kikuchi is a six-year MLB veteran who has become increasingly productive throughout his years as a starting pitcher. Kikuchi has started 29 or more games in four of his five complete seasons and will most likely be targeted by teams searching for help in their starting pitching rotation or looking for a long reliever come playoff time. There have been rumors that the Astros might look to acquire Kikuchi and this would be a perfect fit.
Possible suitors – Astros, Giants, Reds
10. Jazz Chisholm Jr. (MIA) Center Field – Nassau, Bahamas
The 2023 “MLB The Show” cover athlete Jazz Chisholm Jr. could be on the move at the trade deadline. The Marlins have taken a step back from last year, and Chisholm has not progressed like he hoped he would. The Nassau, Bahamas, native has an extremely high ceiling that will intrigue a lot of teams. Additionally, Chisholm is a box office player who will help teams sell tickets and merchandise. The asking price might be high for a guy who has never batted over .260; however, teams will be willing to take the risk.
Possible suitors – Cardinals, Red Sox, Cubs
11. Randy Arozarena (TB) Left Field – Mantua, Cuba
Randy Arozarena has not had a batting average under .250 in his career before entering this season. In the 2024 season, Arozarena is hitting under .200. Arozarena is a super talented player that could benefit from a change of scenery. A contending team could use Arozarena as a playoff hitter and would be a great addition to a world series contender looking to boost their roster to elite status.
Possible suitors – Pirates, Orioles, Mets
12. Edmundo Sosa (PHI) Infielder – Panama City, Panama
Edmundo Sosa has been extremely reliable for the Phillies this season. When Trea Turner went down with a month-long injury, Sosa was given extra opportunities to perform for the Phillies. Sosa is hitting .270 this season and, throughout his career, has increased his home run numbers. Although the Phillies love the production that they have gotten out of Sosa, he is a starting-caliber shortstop with the versatility to play second base and third base. Because of this, teams needing a proven infielder to come in and start will likely have their eyes on the Phillies utility backup, Edmundo Sosa.
Possible suitors – Yankees, Guardians, Cardinals
13. Javier Assad (CHC) Pitcher – Tijuana, Mexico
Javier Assad has been an above-average starting pitcher in the MLB since he entered in 2022. Additionally, Assad has gotten better every year he has been in the MLB. Assad boasts an impressive 1.28 WHIP and a 3.04 ERA. The ace from Tijuana, Mexico, will be extremely sought after come the trade deadline and could be a tradable asset for the Cubs to get some much-needed hitting in their lineup.
Possible suitors – Diamondbacks, Mets, Twins
14. Miguel Andujar (OAK) Left Field – San Christobal, Dominican Republic
Miguel Andujar has been one of the best contact hitters in baseball this season. The San Christobal, Dominican Republic, left fielder has been terrific for the Athletics and can hit at the top of any lineup in the MLB. Any team in win-now mode, who could use a bat, would be foolish not to target Andujar.
Possible suitors – Braves, Reds, Guardians
15. Gleyber Torres – Caracas, Venezuela (NYY) Second Base
You may be shocked to see Gleyber Torres on this list; however, the 27-year-old has struggled this season and could be part of a monster trade at the deadline. Look for the Yankees to throw Torres in a deal with the Athletics to get their hands on Mason Miller or another big-name player. It would be a “Yankee move” to target Mason Miller in hopes of landing an elite closer for the next decade.
Possible suitors – Athletics, Cardinals, Brewers
Photo Credit: Luis Robert Jr. #88 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates his home run during the third inning Mariners at T-Mobile Park on June 13, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
