10 MLB transfers we’d like to see in July, including the Chicago Cubs’ Cody Bellinger deal

After Garrett Crochet rejected offers from the Chicago White Sox for a contract extension, the chances of him being traded increased significantly. Crochet, who underwent Tommy John surgery two years ago, has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this year. However, Chicago is in the very first phase of a rebuild. Dalton Rushing is a blue-chip prospect for the White Sox who can play in 2025, while Kyle Hurt could be an immediate addition to the White Sox rotation. Additionally, George is a promising prospect with an elite tool (speed).

As for Los Angeles, the motivation is simple. Paul DeJong brings much-needed momentum to the Dodgers’ lineup at shortstop and is even better defensively than Bo Bichette. Crochet is a short-term risk as he is well past his career high in innings and needs to have his workload reduced. However, with a contract through 2026, he would give Los Angeles another top-tier starter.

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The Cleveland Guardians’ bullpen is one of the best in baseball, but they’re a little short on starting pitchers. Cleveland isn’t the kind of team that would go aggressive, but it could use its abundance of relievers to get a back-end starter. Jose Quintana (4.22 ERA and 1.34 WHIP) shouldn’t be in the playoff rotation, but he would help stabilize Cleveland’s starting pitching.

• The New York Mets receive: Cade Smith
• Cleveland Guardians receive: Jose Quintana, Alex Ramirez (Mets’ No. 16 prospect)

With this deal, the Mets fill their hole in the rotation with Christian Scott. Meanwhile, Cade Smith comes in as a top-flight right-handed reliever to bolster New York’s bullpen. Smith is only 25 years old and has a WHIP of 0.98 with a 2.56 ERA in 38.2 innings. He has also struck out 52 batters this season.

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The Houston Astros’ rotation has overcome devastating injuries to several starters this season. Houston has also been the best team in baseball since June 1. The summer turnaround has the Astros becoming buyers at the MLB transfer deadline, and Jack Flaherty is the perfect target. Flaherty (3.24 ERA, 115 Ks and 1.00 WHIP) can be a high-profile starter for Houston as he is on loan for half a season, lowering his acquisition cost.

As for the Detroit Tigers, they are making the best of a bad situation. Detroit can’t seem to get out of a rut, but at least the signing of Flaherty as a free agent has brought something positive for the future. Jose Fleury has some potential, especially in an organization that has done a good job of developing starting pitchers.

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The Seattle Mariners’ lineup has been a huge disappointment this season. While the M’s have the pitching needed to win the AL West and make the playoffs, none of that will happen unless run production improves. Fortunately, Justin Turner is a big step toward solving the problem. Turner has an OPS of .734 and an OBP of .359 this season. Considering his age (39) and contract, signing him should be relatively affordable.

This deal doesn’t necessarily mean that the Toronto Blue Jays will have to trade Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or Bo Bichette. The Blue Jays could keep both All-Stars and simply trade Turner and Yusei Kikuchi instead. At the very least, this deal gives Toronto an interesting young player at third base who could make his MLB debut in 2026.

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The Minnesota Twins’ lineup has been outstanding for over a month. That’s one of the main reasons Minnesota maintains its position in the American League and is poised to make another postseason appearance. However, there is a need for pitchers. Starter Tyler Anderson (3.03 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) and reliever Carlos Estevez (3.00 ERA, 0.81 WHIP) will bolster the Twins’ rotation and bullpen.

For the Los Angeles Angels, the cash move improves the quality of talent received in return. Additionally, since this is a multi-year restructure, Anderson and Estevez have no real future in Los Angeles. Marco Raya, 21, would become one of the best pitching prospects in the Angels’ farm system, and Rosario has some potential as a corner outfielder who could be good defensively with above-average hitting power.

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Considering what the San Diego Padres sacrificed to sign Dylan Cease before Opening Day, it’s unlikely they’ll be one of the teams making blockbuster trades in MLB. Instead, a reunion could be on the cards. Cal Quantrill made his MLB debut with San Diego in 2019, then played with the Cleveland Guardians (2020-23) and now with the Colorado Rockies. Anderson is no more than a back-end starter (3.77 ERA, 1.33 WHIP), but the 29-year-old right-hander can handle some innings.

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The Philadelphia Phillies have just enough firepower in their farm system to pull off one of MLB’s biggest trades this summer, but that seems extremely unlikely. Instead, Philadelphia’s best move might be to find the best value on the transfer market, and Taylor Ward stands out as one of those.

Ward, 30, has a contract through 2026, so the Phillies are getting an affordable corner outfielder ($4.8 million salary) with several years of team control. Additionally, Ward has slashed .260/.341/.443 with a 120 wRC+, 51 home runs and an .884 OPS since the 2022 season.

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The Baltimore Orioles have both the best young players and the depth in their farm system to accomplish just about anything. However, Garrett Crochet’s downside (workload) immediately limits the options for front-line pitchers. Although Chris Bassitt is more of a mid-rotation starter, he would have a positive impact on the Orioles’ rotation.

Bassitt, a 35-year-old right-hander who has been very solid on the mound this year. While he has a 1.42 WHIP in 102.1 innings pitched, Bassitt also holds a 3.43 ERA with a 21.1% K-rate and a .262 batting average allowed. Bassitt is due a $22 million salary in 2025, which could lead to Los Angeles attaching money to the deal to get a second top-15 prospect from the Orioles’ farm.

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The Milwaukee Brewers made one of the first MLB trades in July, acquiring Aaron Civale from the Tampa Bay Rays. While Milwaukee isn’t expected to make any big moves, signing Civale isn’t enough to make up for the injuries this Brewers rotation has suffered.

Erick Fedde has the added benefit of another season of control of the team and a $7.5 million salary for the 2025 season. Considering how well the 31-year-old has pitched this season (3.13 ERA, 1.13 WHIP), the Brewers can justify that payment. Given the hitter depth in Milwaukee’s farm system, they can afford to part with the struggling Eric Brown Jr. (.524 OPS in 219 at-bats this season).

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Christian Walker is the ideal trade target for the New York Yankees, but the Arizona Diamondbacks don’t seem inclined to trade him. Instead, New York is banking on the versatile Cody Bellinger, who would add some oomph to the Yankees’ lineup and fill the void at first base. Bellinger (.747 OPS) is a small financial risk because he can exercise his $27.5 million player option next season, but he’s a great fit at Yankee Stadium.

For the Chicago Cubs, it’s about putting an unfortunate season behind them. Trading Bellinger means he won’t have to pay his salary next season. It also allows the Cubs’ front office to rebalance things. Pereira can join the Cubs as a starting outfielder in 2025, while Beeter would be a long-term starter in Chicago.

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