Ranking Best Fits for Luis Robert and top Available MLB Stars at 2024 Trade Deadline (2024)

Major League Baseball's summer trade market has yet to really heat up, but don't worry. It's merely a question of which team is going to crank up the burner first.

And since a good number of stars could be moved before the trade deadline comes and goes on Tuesday, now is a good time to discuss where they fit best.

Ahead are profiles for the 10 best players on the market and rankings for each of their three best fits. These are naturally related to how badly the team in question needs the player, though farm system strength and whether the team is even interested were also considered.

It's also important to know who's not on this list. The New York Mets have gotten too good to trade Pete Alonso. Max Scherzer isn't interested in waiving his no-trade clause. Bo Bichette and Cody Bellinger are injured, and that one Justin Steele rumor sounds more conceptual than anything.

Let's get to it.

Note: Farm system rankings are by B/R's Joel Reuter.

Age: 34

2024 Stats: 18 GS, 106.0 IP, 84 H (14 HR), 104 K, 26 BB, 3.31 ERA

Contract Status: Year 2 of 2-year, $34 million deal, with 2025 vesting option

Best Fit No. 3: Boston Red Sox

Things started off well for the Red Sox's starting rotation, but now Brayan Bello is struggling and even Tanner Houck has taken his lumps of late. So, why not reunite with an old friend by trading for Eovaldi?

Well, there is the question of how invested the Red Sox are in this season. And also whether they want to mess with Eovaldi's $20 million option, which will vest with 50 more innings.

Best Fit No. 2: Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles need a proper co-ace for Corbin Burnes, and they might have more than just their top-five farm system to leverage in trade talks. David Rubenstein, the team's new owner, may be willing to push the club's payroll as well.

Yet as much as Eovaldi would fit well alongside Burnes, it's hard not to look at that farm system and think that the Orioles can and should aim higher.

Best Fit No. 1: St. Louis Cardinals

Eovaldi is a "likely" target for the Cardinals, according to John Denton of MLB.com. They certainly need his help, as their starters rank in the bottom five of MLB with 1.8 WAR.

Is adding another 30-something starter alongside Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, Miles Mikolas and Kyle Gibson the best idea? Arguably not, but it's some comfort that it would only be a short-term gamble. And lest anyone forget, these two front offices made a big deal just last year.

Age: 28

2024 Stats: 18 GS, 106.2 IP, 83 H (15 HR), 133 K, 19 BB, 2.95 ERA

Contract Status: Year 1 of 1-year, $14 million deal

Best Fit No. 3: Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies have discussed Flaherty, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, which indicates that they're not content to leave good enough alone with a starting rotation that leads MLB with a 3.18 ERA.

A starter nonetheless feels more like a want and less of a need for the Phillies, especially with Taijuan Walker and Spencer Turnbull slated to come off the IL next month.

Best Fit No. 2: Minnesota Twins

Twins starters are just about in the bottom third of MLB with 4.9 WAR, so a starting pitcher is very much a need for them. And according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic, they'd prefer to add a rental.

But can they afford to absorb the remainder of Flaherty's salary? It shouldn't be a good question, yet it is on account of the team's payroll limitations.

Best Fit No. 1: Cleveland Guardians

Elsewhere in the AL Central, the first-place Guardians rank dead-last with the 0.2 WAR they've gotten from their starting pitchers. They needed to be seeking upgrades even before Tanner Bibee left his start on Wednesday with an injury.

There's no solid connection between the Guardians and Flaherty, but he's the sort of top-of-the-rotation arm they must be prioritizing. And while trading with division opponents is never ideal, he'd cost them a lot less than, say, Garrett Crochet or Tarik Skubal.

Age: 29

2024 Stats: 89 G, 369 PA, 23 HR, 6 SB, .290 AVG, .369 OBP, .574 SLG

Contract Status: $750,000 salary, arbitration-eligible through 2027

Best Fit No. 3: Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies have their eye on Rooker, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. It's another "let's not leave good enough alone" situation, as it's not like Kyle Schwarber is letting the Phillies down in the DH spot.

This doesn't necessarily mean Rooker doesn't fit in Philly, but having to play either him or Schwarber more regularly in the outfield would be south of optimal for defensive purposes.

Best Fit No. 2: Kansas City Royals

If the Royals are serious about seeing their surprise contention run through to a satisfying conclusion, they need to address their offense. It could use more oomph, and especially at a DH spot that has produced only a .681 OPS.

Rooker played for the Royals in 2022, but the concept of a reunion comes with a hitch. He's not likely to come cheap, and the Royals have one of the three worst farm systems in MLB.

Best Fit No. 1: Seattle Mariners

You'd better get used to seeing the Mariners as the No. 1 fit for the impact hitters on this list. No contender is as weak offensively as they are, as only the Miami Marlins and Chicago White Sox have scored fewer runs this year.

The DH spot hasn't been Seattle's biggest offensive weak spot, but its dismal .203 batting average sticks out like a sore thumb. And with MLB's No. 1 farm system at their disposal, the Mariners can also afford any trade chip they want.

Age: 26

2024 Stats: 99 G, 420 PA, 13 HR, 21 SB, .251 AVG, .324 OBP, .413 SLG

Contract Status: $2.6 million salary, arbitration-eligible through 2026

Best Fit No. 3: New York Yankees

Either way, it's an awkward fit. Chisholm would presumably supplant Gleyber Torres at second base, resulting in the latter becoming a $14.1 million backup.

Best Fit No. 2: Philadelphia Phillies

It's the Phillies again, only this time the fit is more apparent. Center field has been a weakness for them since Day 1, and they've been linked to Chisholm as a solution by Jim Bowden of The Athletic.

Chisholm isn't an especially good defensive center fielder, so the Phillies would be sacrificing something in that regard. But if it means adding another power, speed and energy source to their lineup, then it's not a bad trade-off.

Best Fit No. 1: Seattle Mariners

According to Nightengale, it's the Mariners who have been "emerging as the favorites" to score Chisholm from the Marlins. That was as of July 14, but the fit hasn't gotten weaker since then.

The Mariners have an even deeper hole at second base than they do at DH, with the keystone having produced only a .200 average and a .605 OPS. If the Mariners really do want Chisholm, they should go get him.

Age: 29

2024 Stats: 99 G, 404 PA, 15 HR, 16 SB, .213 AVG, .319 OBP, .398 SLG

Contract Status: $8.1 million salary, arbitration-eligible through 2026

Best Fit No. 3: Kansas City Royals

Production from the outfield has been virtually nonexistent for the Royals in 2024. Their outfielders rank 27th with 1.2 WAR and 29th with a .640 OPS. As such, you can see why general manager J.J. Picollo wants to add an outfielder.

However, Picollo didn't sound overly committed to being aggressive on the trade market as of late June. He seems to know the club's contention window only just opened, which is to say nothing of the weak hand its farm system represents.

Best Fit No. 2: Los Angeles Dodgers

A source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com that the Dodgers are in on Arozarena, which is no great surprise. Their outfield has also been a sore spot throughout the year, with left field in particular producing just a .660 OPS.

There's no doubt that Arozarena would be an upgrade, nor is there any doubt that the Dodgers can afford him. The only question is whether they'll prioritize bigger prizes.

Best Fit No. 1: Seattle Mariners

Yup, it's the Mariners again. Because left field is yet another offensive black hole for them, thus far producing just a .663 OPS and 11 home runs.

The downside with Arozarena is that he'd bring more swing-and-miss to an offense that already leads MLB with 1,066 strikeouts. But at a certain point, help is help is help. The Mariners can't be closing the door on anyone who can offer it.

Age: 26

2024 Stats: 49 G, 204 PA, 12 HR, 12 SB, .227 AVG, .299 OBP, .476 SLG

Contract Status: Year 5 of 6-year, $50 million deal, with 2026-27 team options

Best Fit No. 3: Seattle Mariners

The Mariners have the resources to trade for Robert, and they now have an immediate need for him in center field after Julio Rodríguez sustained a high ankle sprain on Sunday. He's going to be out for a while.

J-Rod won't be out forever, though, and there's otherwise a case that Robert is too volatile a hitter for Seattle. He's striking out in 34.3 percent of his plate appearances.

Best Fit No. 2: Philadelphia Phillies

There "is no better fit than Philadelphia and Robert," wrote ESPN's Jeff Passan on Tuesday. And he's right, as Robert is both the offensive and defensive upgrade they need in center.

There should also be enough in the Phillies' 11th-ranked farm system to afford Robert. And as such, perhaps the only question is if a more aggressive team will beat them to him.

Best Fit No. 1: Los Angeles Dodgers

Like, for example, the Dodgers. They've already been linked to Robert by Nightengale, specifically by way of a potential megadeal centered on Crochet.

The Dodgers are last in MLB with the minus-0.3 WAR they've gotten from center field, and close to the bottom (i.e., 27th) with the .602 OPS coming from the position. And contrary to the Phillies, their overall lineup is in greater need of deepening.

Age: 25

2024 Stats: 101 G, 436 PA, 18 HR, 2 SB, .296 AVG, .367 OBP, .488 SLG

Contract Status: $19.9 million salary, arbitration-eligible through 2025

Best Fit No. 3: San Francisco Giants

The Giants could use more power everywhere, including from a first base spot that has produced only eight long balls. And besides, it's not like they can easily lure sluggers to San Francisco in free agency.

Such things paint Guerrero as at least a fun idea for the Giants, but the fit is far from perfect. They're only kinda-sorta in the NL playoff race and above the luxury tax threshold, to boot.

Best Fit No. 2: Houston Astros

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on July 4 that the Astros would like to upgrade at first base. And they darn well should, as the position ranks last in MLB with minus-1.4 WAR and its .586 OPS.

But do the Astros have the prospects to sway the (apparently reluctant) Blue Jays? They might not, and Houston is otherwise already $24.6 million over the luxury tax threshold.

Best Fit No. 1: Seattle Mariners

The Mariners finally waved the white flag on Ty France, and appropriately so by literally placing him on waivers. Ideally, they'll now go get someone else to boost the .657 OPS that first base has produced so far.

Heyman floated Guerrero as a possibility for Seattle on MLB Network on Monday. It's hard to imagine a better mood-booster for this lineup, as Guerrero has been as hot as anyone in hitting .325 with 15 homers since the start of May.

Age: 25

2024 Stats: 34 G, 40.2 IP, 20 H (3 HR), 70 K, 14 BB, 2.21 ERA

Contract Status: $740,000 salary, arbitration-eligible through 2029

Best Fit No. 3: New York Yankees

The Yankees' bullpen has been good on the whole, but it's shallow and Clay Holmes and the rest of the late-inning crew have had their share of issues over the last month. If it's stability they want, they can't do any better than a trade for Miller.

So immense is Miller's trade value, however, that the Yankees would potentially have to give up Jasson Domínguez or Spencer Jones to get him. Not impossible, perhaps, but I'll believe it when I see it.

Best Fit No. 2: Los Angeles Dodgers

Miller to the Dodgers was raised as a possibility by ESPN's Alden Gonzalez, who had a rival executive warn him not to rule it out. And since Evan Phillips has been weaker than usual at the back end of their pen, the fit does make some sense.

But if the Dodgers are going to fork over a haul of prospects for a major upgrade, they can aim for a more pressing need for relief help. Like, say, their rotation or their outfield.

Best Fit No. 1: Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles have been "in touch" with the A's on Miller, according to Heyman. And there's little question that they could use him, as Craig Kimbrel has been a little shaky in place of Félix Bautista while he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

Do the O's need a starting pitcher more? That's a yes, but they don't necessarily need to pick one or the other. Their farm system is deep enough to address both needs in a major way.

Editor's Note: Miller's trade status was further complicated Thursday as the A's placed the closer on the IL with a broken left hand, per FanSided's Robert Murray.

Age: 25

2024 Stats: 21 GS, 111.1 IP, 83 H (10 HR), 157 K, 25 BB, 3.07 ERA

Contract Status: $800,000 salary, arbitration-eligible through 2026

Best Fit No. 3: New York Yankees

The Yankees have been linked to Crochet here and there in recent weeks, with Nightengale reporting on Sunday that they're even willing to part with Jones in a trade for the ace lefty.

But would they, really? The Yankees are "not that into" Crochet, according to Heyman. Only they know why, but one does wonder if a young pitcher on an innings limit is the right fix for a rotation while it's in the middle of a volatile period.

Best Fit No. 2: Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles obviously have both the need and the prospects to do a Crochet deal, and his club control ought to make him even more appealing. They will, after all, need an ace to fill Burnes' shoes if he departs as a free agent this winter.

Yet Crochet's workload limitations can't be ignored here either. He fits best with a team that has the depth to give him the extra occasional rest day, and the Orioles don't match the description.

Best Fit No. 1: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers, on the other hand, are welcoming Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw back this week. They may also get Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto back before the end of the year, and Bobby Miller is also in the mix as well.

Crochet therefore makes more sense for them than he does for other teams, so it wasn't surprising when Gonzalez reported the lefty to be atop the club's trade deadline wish list.

Age: 27

2024 Stats: 20 GS, 123.0 IP, 91 H (10 HR), 146 K, 22 BB, 2.34 ERA

Contract Status: $2.7 million salary, arbitration-eligible through 2026

Best Fit No. 3: New York Yankees

Skubal makes more sense for the Yankees than Crochet, for reasons that can be summed up like so: the latter is only just coming into his prime as a starter, while the former has been the best pitcher in baseball for over a year.

The hiccup here pertains to the sheer size of Skubal's trade value. Suffice it to say that even if the Yankees offered Domínguez and Jones, the Tigers would be within their rights to demand even more.

Best Fit No. 2: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are engaged with the Tigers on Skubal, according to Nightengale, which only makes sense. If they're going to go after Crochet, they might as well see what's what on Skubal as well.

If it comes down to a bidding war between the two of them, the Dodgers can offer more than the Yankees. But from the sound of things, it's not the Yankees the Dodgers need to worry about.

Best Fit No. 1: Baltimore Orioles

Per Nightengale, the Orioles are the other team in on Skubal. He makes way more sense for them than Crochet, as Skubal is still racking up six or seven innings per start while Crochet has just three outings and 10 innings to show for July.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post made waves when he floated a Jackson Holliday-centered trade package for Skubal on MLB Network. But while that would get the job done in theory, it's not Baltimore's only hypothetical avenue to a satisfactory proposal.