20 early MLB trade candidates

We're two months away from the trade deadline, but some teams already find themselves well out of the postseason race and can be considered sellers. Here are 20 players that could potentially be moved:

1. Luis Castillo, Reds

Position: SP
Age: 29
Contract: $7.35M (Arb 3 in 2023)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Castillo is a bona fide top starter who could take a rotation to the next level for a team with World Series aspirations. The 2019 All-Star is also relatively cheap and isn't eligible to hit free agency until after the 2023 campaign. Cincinnati's front office kept the right-hander despite slashing significant payroll during the offseason. However, moving him now makes sense with the club already out of contention and on the verge of a full rebuild.

2. Frankie Montas, Athletics

Position: SP
Age: 29
Contract: $5.025 (Arb 3 in 2023)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Montas is right there with Castillo for the best hurler available. Only two American League pitchers (Gerrit Cole and Dylan Cease) accrued a better fWAR than the right-hander since the start of last season. Montas also owns a 3.33 ERA over 251 2/3 innings during that time while allowing less than a homer per nine innings.

3. Andrew Benintendi, Royals

Position: OF
Age: 27
Contract: 1-year, $8.5M
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Benintendi isn't a superstar, but he can be a nice complementary piece for a contender. His left-handed swing, ability to hit the ball to all fields, and solid defense checks off a lot of boxes for prospective clubs. Benintendi also hardly ever strikes out, boasting a career-low 14.5 K%.

4. Willson Contreras, Cubs

Position: C
Age: 30
Contract: $9M or $10.25M
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Contreras is one of the few catchers having a strong offensive season, leading all qualified backstops in homers and OPS (by over 200 points). He's hit at least 20 long balls in two of the last three seasons and recorded seven homers in 57 games during the COVID-19 year. The 30-year-old has already posted 16 extra-base hits this campaign and is having a solid defensive season, throwing out 32% of base stealers. He's yet to have his arbitration hearing to determine his 2022 salary.

5. Josh Bell, Nationals

Position: 1B
Age: 29
Contract: $10M
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bell is a lock to be dealt with the Nationals sitting in the NL East basement and his free agency looming. He's a switch-hitter with plenty of power, going deep at least 26 times in three of the last five full campaigns, including a career-high 37 homers during his 2019 All-Star season.

6. Ian Happ, Cubs

Position: OF
Age: 27
Contract: $6.85M (Arb 3 in 2023)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Happ was considered a key piece of a farm system that was supposed to push Chicago from curse-breaker to bona fide dynasty. He ranked behind only Gleyber Torres and Contreras on the 2016 Cubs prospect list. The following year, Happ was behind just Eloy Jimenez. Partly due to injuries, the switch-hitting slugger hasn't fully lived up to expectations. However, Happ has been quietly excellent. He's posted a 115 wRC+ since the beginning of 2019, which puts him between Chris Taylor and Joc Pederson. Happ's a good defender in the corner outfield and could be a key role player on a contender.

7. David Bednar, Pirates

Position: RP
Age: 27
Contract: $750K (Arb 1 in 2024)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

It would take a lot for the Pirates to move their closer. He's very cheap and isn't arbitration-eligible until 2024. The right-hander also owns a career 2.77 ERA with 11.3 K/9 over 99 appearances. Pittsburgh isn't close to competing for a playoff spot, so getting a haul for a reliever might be a smart move in the long run.

8. Tyler Mahle, Reds

Position: SP
Age: 27
Contract: $5.2M (Arb 3 in 2023)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Don't let Mahle's overall numbers scare you off. He's actually been better lately. The right-hander had a pair of absolute clunkers - allowing 15 combined runs in two starts on April 17 and May 24 - but he's also allowed two or fewer runs in six of 11 starts. With an additional year of control in 2023, he'll likely attract numerous suitors.

9. Tyler Naquin, Reds

Position: OF
Age: 31
Contract: $4.025M
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Naquin will likely wear another uniform before the season is over - he's heading for free agency and plays for the Reds. The 31-year-old would be a solid fourth outfielder on a contending team. Naquin's also a left-handed bat and can provide some pop off the bench.

10. Scott Barlow, Royals

Position: RP
Age: 29
Contract: $2.4M (Arb 2 in 2023)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Barlow has been excellent over the past two seasons, handling leverage situations effectively. The 29-year-old racked up 16 saves for the Royals in 2021 and boasts a 2.24 ERA and 10.4 K/9 since the start of last season. Barlow still has two years of arbitration ahead, so acquiring him won't be cheap.

11. Garrett Cooper, Marlins

Position: 1B
Age: 31
Contract: $2.5M (Arb 3 in 2023)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cooper is a very under-the-radar player. Despite injuries limiting him, he's proven to be an impressive hitter since joining the majors full time in 2019. His 123 wRC+ over the past four seasons puts him in the same neighborhood as Anthony Rizzo, Austin Meadows, Starling Marte, and Salvador Perez. However, Cooper doesn't feature a lot of pop for a first baseman, posting a slugging percentage lower than those four other guys. His flexibility as an outfielder has also seemed to wane, costing the Marlins five runs on defense in right field last year. That being said, Cooper's a right-handed impact bat who is under team control through next season, and he has an excellent understanding of the strike zone.

12. Jesus Aguilar, Marlins

Position: 1B
Age: 31
Contract: $7.3M (2023 mutual option)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Unfortunately, Aguilar is the type of player who gets overlooked in the modern game. He's a slow slugger who, sure, racks up homers and doubles like it's nobody's business, but he strikes out too often and can't play anywhere except first base. That skill set had Aguilar bouncing between teams before he found stability with the Marlins. He crushed 30 homers over 182 games across the previous two years. Aguilar has somewhat regressed this season, and he only narrowly holds a slugging percentage north of .400. But a team looking for a righty power bat wouldn't have to pay much and could do worse.

13. Dominic Smith, Mets

Position: 1B/OF
Age: 27
Contract: $3.95M (Arb 3 in 2023)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Smith's days in Queens appear to be numbered after the Mets optioned him to Triple-A on Tuesday. There's talent in his bat, as evidenced by his .937 OPS over 139 games across 2019-20, but he needs to find somewhere he can play every day. There are enough rebuilding clubs that could give Smith a shot, and it might only cost a reliever in return.

14. Wade Miley, Cubs

Position: SP
Age: 35
Contract: $10M
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Miley has battled injuries in 2022 and is currently on the shelf for a shoulder strain, his second injured-list stint of the season. If the 35-year-old can return to health, he could be a heady acquisition for a team needing pitching. Miley won't blow anyone away at this stage of his career, but he's been successful in limited action for the Cubs and consistently finds a way to give his team a chance to win.

15. Joe Jimenez, Tigers

Position: RP
Age: 27
Contract: $1.79M (Arb 3 in 2023)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jimenez was once thought to be the Tigers' closer of the future. However, injuries and inconsistency have hindered the right-hander. The 27-year-old is off to the best start of his career in 2022 and could be a cost-effective option for a team looking for a relief arm who can miss bats at an effective clip.

16. David Robertson, Cubs

Position: RP
Age: 37
Contract: $3.5M
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Robertson is sipping from the Fountain of Youth. The former All-Star has solidified the ninth inning for the Cubs, and his track record of success pitching in high-leverage situations should appeal to contending teams. Although he's 37 years old, Robertson is still racking up strikeouts with an 12.1 K/9.

17. Robbie Grossman, Tigers

Position: OF
Age: 32
Contract: $5M
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It's unclear whether the Tigers could find a buyer for Grossman, who's currently on the injured list. Detroit would certainly be motivated to move the veteran outfielder, though. An elite on-base guy without much pop at all, Grossman has made it work up until this year and is posting an abysmal .241 slugging percentage. However, he's managed to record a 13.5% walk rate since 2016, which ranks 21st among all major leaguers. The switch-hitter could be a valuable member of a club needing some plate discipline, and the acquisition cost would be close to nil.

18. Jackie Bradley Jr., Red Sox

Position: OF
Age: 32
Contract: $9.139M
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Red Sox will eventually need to decide on Jarren Duran's future, and if it's in Boston, the club has to clear out a roster spot. Bradley's return to the Red Sox always seemed like an awkward fit. After a slow start, he slashed .268/.310/.427 across 26 games in May, but that's buoyed by hitting at Fenway Park. Bradley owns a .862 OPS at home this season compared to a .396 OPS on the road. He remains a great defensive outfielder with an elite arm. Bradley is still owed more than $6 million in his deal's final year, so the acquisition cost would likely be low.

19. Jose Quintana, Pirates

Position: SP
Age: 33
Contract: $2M
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Quintana has bounced back after a rough 2021 when he recorded a 6.43 ERA. The 33-year-old isn't overpowering hitters at this stage of his career. But he can command all of his offerings and is doing a good job keeping opponents off balance. Quintana is inducing more soft contact (19.3%) than in any season of his career.

20. Nelson Cruz, Nationals

Position: DH
Age: 41
Contract: $12M ($16M team option in 2023)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

For a while, it seemed like Cruz would never hit his decline phase. The prolific slugger turns 42 next month, though, and it finally appears like he's regressing. Getting out of his full financial obligations might be impossible for the Nats, but the owner of 453 career homers could still have something left in the tank if he joins a team with more lineup protection.