
Post-spring college football power rankings
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adminEven with 10 players selected in last week’s NFL draft, the Georgia Bulldogs remain No. 1 in the second version of the 2023 Way-Too-Early Top 25.
Just like a year ago, when the Bulldogs had to replace a record 15 players who were chosen in the NFL draft, including five first-rounders on defense, Kirby Smart’s roster is built to reload, keeping the defending national champs at the top of our list.
Michigan, Florida State, USC and Ohio State round out the top five as we’ve updated the rankings with the spring season and the latest transfer portal maneuvering behind us.
Previous ranking: 1
2022 record: 15-0, 8-0 SEC
Expected returning starters: 6 offense, 7 defense, 1 special teams
Post-spring outlook: The two-time defending national champions will have plenty of new faces on offense after former coordinator Todd Monken left for the NFL and quarterback Stetson Bennett departed. Former Georgia quarterback Mike Bobo takes over the playcalling again, and Carson Beck seemed to have the edge over Brock Vandagriff during the spring. The Bulldogs might have their deepest receiver rotation in years to help All-America tight end Brock Bowers. Missouri transfer Dominic Lovett, Dillon Bell and Arian Smith had big performances in the spring. The offensive line should be very good. Even with another round of starters leaving for the NFL, Georgia’s defense, led by edge rusher Mykel Williams, linebackers Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Smael Mondon and safety Malaki Starks, is still overflowing with talent.
Previous ranking: 3
2022 record: 13-1, 9-0 Big Ten
Expected returning starters: 6 offense, 7 defense, 0 special teams
Post-spring outlook: With Jim Harbaugh firmly committed to staying at his alma mater, the Wolverines seem to have turned the corner — on the field and the recruiting trail. They defeated rival Ohio State and reached the College Football Playoff in each of the past two seasons. The next step, obviously, is winning a game in the CFP. Harbaugh and his staff dipped deep into the transfer portal to shore up the offensive line. They didn’t have LaDarius Henderson, a left tackle from Arizona State, in the spring. Stanford transfers Drake Nugent and Myles Hinton were banged up. Receiver Peyton O’Leary, a former walk-on, and Benjamin Hall, a lightly recruited tailback, were big surprises in the spring game. Josaiah Stewart, a star pass-rusher at Coastal Carolina, had five tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. Linebacker Ernest Hausmann, a starter at Nebraska, had eight tackles and a forced fumble.
Previous ranking: 4
2022 record: 10-3, 5-3 ACC
Expected returning starters: 8 offense, 8 defense, 2 special teams
Post-spring outlook: Florida State believes quarterback Jordan Travis is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate, and coach Mike Norvell added a couple of key pieces to give him more options this season. Jaheim Bell (South Carolina) and Kyle Morlock (Division II Shorter) are big upgrades at tight end. Receiver Kentron Poitier seems ready to break out and freshman Vandrevius Jacobs is another budding star on the perimeter. Braden Fiske, a Western Michigan transfer, and edge rusher Patrick Payton performed well in the spring, which should be big for a defensive line that already includes star pass-rusher Jared Verse.
Previous ranking: 7
2022 record: 11-3, 8-1 Pac-12
Expected returning starters: 6 offense, 8 defense, 2 special teams
Post-spring outlook: Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams is back to lead an explosive offense that might get even better with the additions of receiver Dorian Singer (Arizona) and tailback MarShawn Lloyd (South Carolina). USC’s offensive line might have three seniors and two juniors starting this season. Coach Lincoln Riley hired former Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury as an offensive analyst, and he’ll work closely with Williams. Of course, the question is whether the Trojans will be able to stop anybody on defense. Riley feels better about the front seven with the additions of linemen Bear Alexander (Georgia), Anthony Lucas (Texas A&M) and Kyon Barrs (Arizona). Former Oklahoma State linebacker Mason Cobb might be the best newcomer on defense.
Previous ranking: 2
2022 record: 11-2, 8-1 Big Ten
Expected returning starters: 7 offense, 5 defense, 1 special teams
Post-spring outlook: Junior Kyle McCord took the first step in taking over the reins from C.J. Stroud with a solid performance in the spring. Sophomore Devin Brown, another contender, missed the spring game with a finger injury. Coach Ryan Day won’t name a starting quarterback until preseason camp. The Buckeyes are loaded at running back and receiver (Carnell Tate, a freshman from IMG Academy, was a star in the spring), but the offensive line remains a work in progress. Senior Josh Fryar was the No. 1 left tackle in the spring; sophomore Tegra Tshabola was working on the right. After ugly performances in losses to Georgia and TCU in CFP semifinals the past two seasons, the defense seemed to make some much-needed strides in the spring. Safety Cameron Martinez might help shore up a leaky secondary. Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau are going to be stars up front.
Previous ranking: 5
2022 record: 11-2, 6-2 SEC
Expected returning starters: 4 offense, 5 defense, 1 special teams
Post-spring outlook: Neither Jalen Milroe nor Ty Simpson looked ready to fill former quarterback Bryce Young‘s shoes this spring, so the Crimson Tide are bringing in Tyler Buchner from the transfer portal. The former Notre Dame starter was recruited and coached by new Tide offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. Tailback Justice Haynes, whose father, Verron, played at Georgia, looks ready to contribute. The defense, even without star edge rusher Dallas Turner, who missed the spring while recovering from surgery, performed well under new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele. Caleb Downs, the No. 1 safety in the 2023 ESPN 300, might crack the starting lineup in a very talented secondary.
Previous ranking: 8
2022 record: 10-4, 6-2 SEC
Expected returning starters: 8 offense, 5 defense, 2 special teams
Post-spring outlook: Are the Tigers ready to return to the top of the SEC West under second-year coach Brian Kelly? They took down Alabama in overtime last season, but then nearly lost at Arkansas and were blown out by a bad Texas A&M team on the road. Quarterback Jayden Daniels should be better in his second season in the LSU offense and added weight in the offseason. He’ll have a great receiver corps at his disposal in Malik Nabers, Aaron Anderson (Alabama) and Kyren Lacy, who had a big spring. Daniels was very good last season, but he needs to throw the ball down the field more efficiently. With Maason Smith returning from a torn ACL to join Mekhi Wingo, the Tigers might have one of the best defensive lines in the FBS. Star linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. was just as disruptive after moving inside this spring.
Previous ranking: 6
2022 record: 11-2, 7-2 Big Ten
Expected returning starters: 8 offense, 6 defense, 1 special teams
Post-spring outlook: Can the Nittany Lions finally get past Michigan and Ohio State in the Big Ten East and contend for their first league title since 2016? It’s going to be difficult to do it this season, but they feel like they’ve got one of their better chances with Drew Allar, the No. 2 pocket passer in the 2022 ESPN 300, taking over the offense. Penn State has two very good tailbacks in Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. Kent State transfer Dante Cephas should help a receiver corps that already includes KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Harrison Wallace III. The offensive line, led by left tackle Olu Fashanu, should be better and deeper. The defense was much better under coordinator Manny Diaz last season, and cornerback Kalen King and linebacker Abdul Carter are stars.
Previous ranking: 15
2022 record: 11-3, 8-0 ACC
Expected returning starters: 7 offense, 8 defense, 1 special teams
Post-spring outlook: Clemson’s program seemed to be slipping, and coach Dabo Swinney responded by making one of the biggest hires of the offseason. New offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, who helped lead TCU to the CFP national championship game in 2022, was lured away to get the most out of quarterback Cade Klubnik. Because of injuries at receiver and the offensive line, Clemson fans didn’t get a full look at Riley’s version of the Air Raid offense this spring. Clemson’s defense is going to be dominant. Freshman defensive tackle Peter Woods made a big impression this spring and will play on a very talented line. Swinney referred to him as a “Halley’s Comet” because of his physical skills and mental traits.
Previous ranking: 16
2022 record: 8-5, 6-3 Big 12
Expected returning starters: 9 offense, 6 defense, 1 special teams
Post-spring outlook: Oh, boy. Here we go again. Despite losing star tailback Bijan Robinson to the NFL draft, the Longhorns seem poised to win the Big 12 in their final season before leaving for the SEC. Quarterback Quinn Ewers has cleaned up his act and left no doubt who’s going to start under center this season. He added muscle, cut his mullet and is making better decisions on the field. Receivers Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington and Adonai Mitchell (Georgia) and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders provide him with plenty of options. Four starters are back on the offensive line, which had two true freshmen and a sophomore starting in 2022. The Longhorns have to learn to win close games (they lost five contests by seven points or less last season) and avoid losing to teams they should beat to finally turn the corner. Steve Sarkisian, whose teams have never won more than nine games in a season, likes his roster.
Previous ranking: 10
2022 record: 11-2, 6-2 SEC
Expected returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense, 0 special teams
Post-spring outlook: Did the Volunteers catch lightning in a bottle last year with quarterback Hendon Hooker and receivers Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman? We’re going to find out this season as all three of them will be playing in the NFL. Michigan transfer quarterback Joe Milton III worked with the No. 1 offense throughout the spring after performing well in a 31-14 victory over Clemson in the Capital One Orange Bowl. Freshman Nicholaus Iamaleava, the No. 6 pocket passer in the ESPN 300, looked the part. He’s 6-foot-6 and wasn’t overwhelmed by the tempo of coach Josh Heupel’s hurry-up offense. Receiver Bru McCoy missed the spring and Oregon transfer Dont’e Thornton was held out of the spring game. The Volunteers have to get a lot better on defense if they’re going to contend with Georgia in the SEC East.
Previous ranking: 11
2022 record: 11-2, 7-2 Pac-12
Expected returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense, 1 special teams
Post-spring outlook: Washington’s priorities in the spring included rebuilding its offensive line, which lost both starting guards and its center. The good news: Guards Nate Kalepo and Julius Buelow and center Matteo Mele played quite a bit while rotating in the lineup last season. If the front can be solidified, Washington’s offense, led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr., should be very good again after averaging 39.7 points in 2022. The Huskies added a pair of running backs through the portal: Dillon Johnson (Mississippi State) and Daniyel Ngata (Arizona State). The Huskies had to get better in the secondary to compete in the pass-happy Pac-12. Oklahoma State transfer Jabbar Muhammad looks like an upgrade at cornerback, and Elijah Jackson and Thaddeus Dixon were competing at the other spot.
Previous ranking: 14
2022 record: 9-4
Expected returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense, 1 special teams
Post-spring outlook: Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman hoped to have a quarterback competition stretching into August. That won’t happen after Tyler Buchner decided to transfer to Alabama, leaving former Wake Forest starter Sam Hartman as the man in South Bend, Indiana, this coming season. He threw for nearly 13,000 yards with 110 touchdowns during five seasons with the Demon Deacons. Tailback Logan Diggs, the second-leading rusher last season, entered the transfer portal Thursday. Jaden Greathouse, the No. 4 tight end/H-back in the ESPN 300, looked like he’ll be able to contribute right away. The Fighting Irish lost top pass-rushers Isaiah Foskey and Jayson Ademilola. Nose guard Jason Onye and end Jordan Botelho made some strides in helping this spring.
Previous ranking: 13
2022 record: 10-4, 7-2 Pac-12
Expected returning starters: 6 offense, 8 defense, 2 special teams
Post-spring outlook: With quarterback Cameron Rising recovering from a torn ACL in his left leg, redshirt freshman Brandon Rose got a lot of work with the No. 1 offense this spring. Utes coach Kyle Whittingham said Rising is on schedule in his recovery and he’s “cautiously optimistic” he’ll be ready for the opener. The two-time defending Pac-12 champs have depth at running back with converted quarterback Ja’Quinden Jackson picking up where he left off at the end of the 2022 season. Micah Bernard is also back after entering the transfer portal. Freshman receiver Mikey Matthews was a nice surprise during the spring. Ole Miss transfer Miles Battle should help shore up a secondary that lost star Clark Phillips III. Colorado transfer Cole Becker looks like a big upgrade in place-kicking from the past couple of seasons.
Previous ranking: 9
2022 record: 10-3, 7-2 Pac-12
Expected returning starters: 5 offense, 7 defense, 2 special teams
Post-spring outlook: There has been quite a bit of turnover in Eugene, Oregon, since the Ducks defeated North Carolina 28-27 in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl to finish 10-3 in coach Dan Lanning’s first season. Quarterback Bo Nix has yet another offensive coordinator after UTSA’s Will Stein was hired to replace Kenny Dillingham, who was named Arizona State’s head coach. Nix had a couple of new targets in the spring: Traeshon Holden (Alabama) and Tez Johnson (Troy). Four starters on the offensive line departed; new center Jackson Powers-Johnson had a good spring. Lanning believes his team will be more physical this season. South Carolina transfer Jordan Burch should help improve the pass rush. Oregon had just 18 sacks in 13 games in 2022, the program’s fewest since 1986. Transfers Tysheem Johnson (Ole Miss), Khyree Jackson (Alabama) and Evan Williams (Fresno State) seem ready to contribute in the secondary.
Previous ranking: 12
2022 record: 13-2, 9-0 Big 12
Expected returning starters: 3 offense, 8 defense, 0 special teams
Post-spring outlook: There’s no question the Horned Frogs are going to miss the core of players who guided them to last season’s CFP national championship game: quarterback Max Duggan, receiver Quentin Johnson, tailback Kendre Miller and guard Steve Avila. Riley leaving for Clemson also was a big blow, but coach Sonny Dykes lured offensive coordinator Kendal Briles away from Arkansas to call plays. Chandler Morris was the starting quarterback going into the 2022 season before he was hurt and is more than capable of running the high-tempo offense. Transfer receivers JoJo Earle (Alabama), John Paul Richardson (Oklahoma State) and Dylan Wright (Minnesota) will help compensate for Johnson’s departure. There were also some big personnel losses on defense, especially linebacker Dee Winters and cornerback Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson.
Previous ranking: 17
2022 record: 10-3, 6-3 Pac-12
Expected returning starters: 8 offense, 5 defense, 1 special teams
Post-spring outlook: Oregon State’s quarterback battle is undecided heading into the summer. Clemson transfer DJ Uiagalelei and returning starter Ben Gulbranson got some unexpected competition from freshman Aidan Chiles, a dual-threat passer from Downey, California. Uiagalelei might benefit from a full summer learning the system. The Beavers were 105th in the FBS in passing last season, so they need to figure out how to get better. On defense, inside linebacker Easton Mascarenas and cornerback Tyrice Ivy, a 6-foot-3 transfer from College of San Mateo, are potential breakout stars. The secondary suffered a blow during the spring, as projected starter Skyler Thomas tore an ACL and will miss the 2023 season.
Previous ranking: 18
2022 record: 10-4, 7-2 Big 12
Expected returning starters: 7 offense, 5 defense, 1 special teams
Post-spring outlook: Kansas State coach Chris Klieman doesn’t believe in spring games — he didn’t have them at North Dakota State, either — so much of the defending Big 12 champions’ work was done behind closed doors this spring. Quarterback Will Howard is back, and tailbacks DJ Giddens and Treshaun Ward (Florida State) are the favorites to replace star Deuce Vaughn. The Wildcats lost first-round NFL draft pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah and nose tackle Eli Huggins up front. Mississippi State transfer Jevon Banks and Uso Seumalo will be counted on to plug holes. There are also good ongoing battles at cornerback (starters Julius Brents and Ekow Boye-Doe departed) and safety (Drake Cheatum, Josh Hayes and Cincere Mason left).
Previous ranking: 19
2022 record: 12-2, 7-1 AAC
Expected returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense, 2 special teams
Post-spring outlook: After leading the Green Wave to an AAC title and stunning upset of USC in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, coach Willie Fritz had a busy offseason. He was in the mix to take over at Georgia Tech, but elected to stay in New Orleans. Then he lost defensive coordinator Chris Hampton to Oregon — and the coach he hired, Lance Guidry, left for Miami after less than a month on the job. Tulane hired Troy’s Shiel Woods, whose unit held eight of its past nine opponents under 20 points last season. Quarterback Michael Pratt returns, along with four of five starting offensive linemen. Running back Tyjae Spears and receivers Duece Watts and Shae Wyatt departed. The defense will have to replace its top four tacklers. Darius Swanson, a transfer from Division II Nebraska-Kearney, was working as the No. 1 free safety in the spring.
Previous ranking: 23
2022 record: 8-5, 5-4 Big 12
Expected returning starters: 8 offense, 6 defense, 1 special teams
Post-spring outlook: I’m taking a flier on the Red Raiders, who won their last four games in 2022, including a 42-25 victory against Ole Miss in the TaxAct Texas Bowl. The loss of defensive end Tyree Wilson, the No. 7 pick in last week’s NFL draft, is going to sting. But eight seniors might be starting on Tim DeRuyter’s defense this season. Myles Cole was working at Wilson’s spot in the spring (Joseph Adedire was sidelined), and Syracuse transfer Steve Linton is another player to watch on the edge. Safety CJ Baskerville (San Diego State) had a big spring in the secondary. Quarterback Tyler Shough and Behren Morton were locked in a pretty good battle for the starting job, although it’s probably still Shough’s job to lose.
Previous ranking: 21
2022 record: 9-5, 6-2 ACC
Expected returning starters: 6 offense, 8 defense, 2 special teams
Post-spring outlook: Coach Mack Brown’s priorities this offseason were finding quarterback Drake Maye some help and turning around his team’s woeful defense. Transfer receivers Nate McCollum (Georgia Tech) and Devontez Walker (Kent State) developed chemistry with Maye quickly, and Chip Lindsey was hired after offensive coordinator Phil Longo left for Wisconsin. Brown thinks his team’s defensive line is more skilled and disruptive, and Kaimon Rucker, Jaybron Harvey and Beau Atkinson were bright spots in the spring and might help star Myles Murphy up front. East Tennessee State transfer Alijah Huzzie made quite an impression in the secondary. Another cornerback, Virginia Tech transfer Armani Chatman, missed the spring because of shoulder surgery.
Previous ranking: 20
2022 record: 8-5, 4-4 SEC
Expected returning starters: 8 offense, 5 defense, 1 special teams
Post-spring outlook: Few FBS teams had as much turnover as the Rebels, who underwent dramatic roster and coaching staff changes after they dropped their final four games in 2022. Coach Lane Kiffin brought in six new assistant coaches, including former Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding, who will try to improve a unit that allowed 34.5 points per game during the late-season swoon. Quarterback Jaxson Dart probably remains the starter heading into the summer, after battling transfers Spencer Sanders (Oklahoma State) and Walker Howard (LSU) in the spring. Linebacker Monty Montgomery (Louisville), cornerback Zamari Walton (Georgia Tech) and safety John Saunders Jr. (Miami, Ohio) look like key additions on defense.
Previous ranking: 22
2022 record: 11-3, 8-0 C-USA
Expected returning starters: 8 offense, 7 defense, 1 special teams
Post-spring outlook: After winning two straight Conference USA titles, the Roadrunners were able to keep coach Jeff Traylor and quarterback Frank Harris, who is back for a seventh season after throwing for 4,063 yards with 32 touchdowns in 2022. Those were big wins for a program that is preparing to play its first season in the AAC. Associate head coach/co-offensive coordinator Justin Burke is taking over the playcalling after Will Stein left for Oregon. Harris and receivers De’Corian Clark, Joshua Cephus and Zakhari Franklin were held out of the spring while recovering from injuries. Franklin, who caught 93 passes for 1,137 yards with 15 touchdowns in 2022, unexpectedly entered the transfer portal Friday.
Previous ranking: NR
2022 record: 7-6, 3-5 SEC
Expected returning starters: 8 offense, 6 defense, 2 special teams
Post-spring outlook: While much of the attention this spring might have been on the transfers replacing quarterback Will Levis (former NC State starter Devin Leary) and tailback Chris Rodriguez Jr. (former Vanderbilt starter Ray Davis), rebuilding a porous offensive line was a primary focus for coach Mark Stoops and new offensive coordinator Liam Coen. The Wildcats ranked 112th in the FBS in scoring (20.4 points) and 116th in total offense (324.7 yards) in 2022. Kentucky surrendered 46 sacks last season, the most by any Power 5 program. Northern Illinois transfer Marques Cox was working at left tackle and Eli Cox moved back to right guard from center. Jager Burton was working at center. Last week, the Wildcats received a commitment from USC’s Courtland Ford, who could fill a hole at right tackle.
Previous ranking: NR
2022 record: 7-6, 4-5 Big Ten
Expected returning starters: 8 offense, 7 defense, 1 special teams
Post-spring outlook: Under new coach Luke Fickell, the Badgers have ditched the “three yards and a cloud of dust” offense that had been a staple since Barry Alvarez was roaming the sidelines. Now, Wisconsin is running offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s version of the up-tempo Air Raid attack. Quarterback Tanner Mordecai, a two-year starter at SMU, struggled in the spring game but performed well otherwise. Four transfer receivers — Quincy Burroughs (Cincinnati), Will Pauling (Cincinnati), CJ Williams (USC) and Bryson Green (Oklahoma State) — were also brought in to help with the transformation. Longo wants the Badgers to be balanced; tailbacks Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi combined to run for 1,715 yards in 2022.
Dropped out: James Madison, Iowa
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Deadline week update! Rankings for the top 50 MLB trade deadline candidates
Published
10 hours agoon
July 28, 2025By
admin
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Kiley McDaniel
CloseKiley McDaniel
ESPN MLB Insider
- ESPN MLB Insider
- Kiley McDaniel covers MLB prospects, the MLB Draft and more, including trades and free agency.
- Has worked for three MLB teams.
Co-author of Author of ‘Future Value’
Jul 27, 2025, 06:00 PM ET
The July 31 MLB trade deadline is just days away, so it’s time for a deadline week update to our top 50 trade candidates ranking.
Major League Baseball’s trade market is ever evolving, and to keep you updated, ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan have put together a list of potential trade candidates based on players’ performance — and that of the teams that could be involved in potential deals.
This is the most up-to-date accounting of where MLB’s trade market stands. While some of the players on the list are unlikely to be dealt, they’re at least being discussed in potential deals. Others might be making the list for the first time this week as their team’s fortunes have changed.
Note: Players ranked by value for their new team if traded, not likelihood of being dealt.
Chance of trade: 90%
Suarez is in a contract year and playing like one of the best players in baseball. Only Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge have more home runs than his 33. Despite turning 34 years old before the trade deadline, Suarez is sitting near career highs in isolated power and wRC+ (which measures overall performance). His fielding metrics have declined in recent years, but he’s still an acceptable defender at third base. Even if the Diamondbacks don’t offload all their free agents to be, Suarez could move because they’ve got Jordan Lawlar raking in Triple-A and primed to take over at third.
Best fits: Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies
Chance of trade: 10%
Ryan is one of the best pitchers in baseball, with a mix of stuff and pitchability, and teams in search of long-term fits dream of the possibility the Twins will actually move him. That is unlikely, but this is deadline season, so there is always the chance a team surveys the market, finds nothing to its liking and overpays. The Twins don’t necessarily want to move Ryan; they are more in listening mode on nearly everyone that occupies a roster spot — and with Ryan not a free agent until after the 2027 season, teams are trying, with little success thus far, to pry him away.
Best fits: Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, New York Mets
Chance of trade: 10%
While the general sense is that Gore won’t go anywhere, the Nationals are, at the very least, listening — and that warrants a spot atop the list regardless of the minimal likelihood interim general manager Mike DeBartolo deals him. The prospect of Gore moving is tempting enough to want to engage: 144 strikeouts in 117⅔ innings with enough control that he’s walking a career-low 3.4 per nine innings. Even if stuff-plus models aren’t crazy for Gore, he gets elite swing-and-miss and is the sort of pitcher that could tempt teams to overpay.
Best fits: Boston, Chicago Cubs, Toronto, New York Yankees, Baltimore, Houston, New York Mets
Chance of trade: 25%
Another late entry to the proceedings, Cease is throwing as hard as he did in his prime and is here more as a function of the Padres not having payroll flexibility or a deep minor league system than some sort of desire to deal him. As an impending free agent, he wouldn’t bring back nearly the haul of Ryan or Gore. And there are genuine questions about whether the holes the Padres would try to fill by moving Cease would only be exacerbated on the starting-pitching side were he to go. Regardless, they’re at the very least listening, and with Cincinnati and San Francisco breathing down their necks for the final NL wild-card slot, president of baseball operations A.J. Preller could try to get creative in upgrading his roster.
Best fits: Boston, Chicago Cubs, Toronto, New York Yankees, New York Mets
Chance of trade: 10%
An All-Star the last two years and Gold Glove winner in all three of his previous big league seasons, Kwan is a do-everything left fielder with elite bat-to-ball skills and two years of club control after 2025. Cleveland doesn’t want to deal him, but with a dearth of available bats, the Guardians at very least will listen to see if teams are willing to blow them away with offers.
Best fits: Philadelphia, New York Mets, Cincinnati, Toronto, San Diego, Los Angeles Dodgers
Chance of trade: 25%
Duran had a huge breakout season in 2024, posting the seventh-best fWAR in the majors at 6.8. He overperformed his underlying metrics, though — i.e. had some lucky outcomes — and those metrics have regressed a bit this year as has his luck. Duran’s projected to finish the season with around 3.0 WAR, which is more in line with how the league sees him. With Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu, the Red Sox have the outfield depth to consider moving Duran for controllable, top-end pitching.
Best fits: San Diego, Atlanta, Cleveland, Kansas City, San Francisco, Philadelphia
7. Jhoan Duran, RP, Minnesota Twins
Chance of trade: 30%
Duran is one of the best relievers in the sport, thanks to his nasty stuff, headlined by a fastball that averages 100.4 mph and a splinker that sits 97.6 mph. He has two more years of team control after this season, so he’d demand a big trade package.
Best fits: Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia, Toronto, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Detroit, Texas
Chance of trade: 20%
Clase was nearly unhittable last season, but his numbers have regressed this year. He has issued more walks and gotten fewer ground balls while allowing more damage on his cutter that averages 99 mph — in part due to more center-cut locations. Under contract for less than $30 million through 2028, he would bring a big return to Cleveland.
Best fits: Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia, Toronto, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Detroit, Texas
9. Cade Smith, RP, Cleveland Guardians
Chance of trade: 20%
Smith has been the best reliever in baseball by WAR since the beginning of the 2024 season, and with more than 13 strikeouts per nine innings this year, he is the solution to many teams’ late-inning woes. With four more years of control, he’s also going to be prohibitively expensive for most teams, making a deal difficult to come by.
Best fits: Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia, Toronto, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Detroit, Texas
10. Griffin Jax, RP, Minnesota Twins
Chance of trade: 30%
Despite a 3.92 ERA that says otherwise, Jax has been one of the top relievers in baseball this season — the best by xFIP and toward the top in other similar metrics. Over the last two seasons, he’s second in the sport behind Cade Smith in reliever WAR. Only Fernando Cruz and Mason Miller have a better strikeout rate than Jax’s 14.37 per nine, and his sweeper-heavy arsenal induces as much swing-and-miss as anyone.
Best fits: Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia, Toronto, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Detroit, Texas
11. Merrill Kelly, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Chance of trade: 70%
Kelly doesn’t have big raw stuff, posting the second-lowest average fastball velocity (92.1 mph) among pitchers with 125 innings pitched this season. His changeup is his best pitch by a wide margin, and he gets by with location and offspeed stuff. He was a stalwart in the Diamondbacks’ run to the 2023 World Series, striking out 28 in 24 innings with a 2.25 ERA.
Best fits: Toronto, Boston, Houston, Chicago Cubs
Chance of trade: 65%
Not only is Keller in the midst of a career-best season with a 3.53 ERA, he’s under contract for another three years at a very reasonable $55.7 million. The Pirates need bats, and moving Keller is the likeliest way to fill that void. Teams could be scared off slightly by the quality of contact against him — his average exit velocity and hard-hit rate have spiked while his strikeouts are down — but in an environment with little pitching, Keller is nevertheless desirable.
Best fits: Chicago Cubs, Boston, Toronto, Houston
Chance of trade: 30%
All the potential the Marlins have seen in the 27-year-old right-hander is finally coming into focus this season. While Cabrera’s 97 mph fastball gets hitters’ attention, it’s his curveball and slider that are doing most of the work. And with a changeup that in years past has been his best pitch, the cost to acquire Cabrera will be high because of his full arsenal and three more years of club control.
Best fits: Chicago Cubs, Boston, New York Mets, Toronto, Houston, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees
Chance of trade: 50%
Alcantara was arguably the best pitcher in baseball in 2022, winning the NL Cy Young unanimously. He was more solid than spectacular in 2023 and missed 2024 with Tommy John surgery. He has been tinkering this season to try to get his pitch mix and locations right in hopes of regaining his former glory. His 6.66 ERA is frightening, and with the Marlins still valuing him as a top starter, they could hold onto him until the winter, when teams like the Orioles would be more inclined to acquire him and the final two years of his contract.
Best fits: Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Boston, Toronto, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego, Baltimore
15. Zac Gallen, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Chance of trade: 70%
Gallen was excellent for the last three seasons but now, in a contract year, is posting career-worst numbers in almost every category. His stuff looks pretty similar, but he’s allowing much more damage when hitters make contact. That said, his strikeout-to-walk ratio is back to normal in his last six starts, at 35-to-6, despite a 6.55 ERA in that span.
Best fits: Toronto, San Diego, Houston, Chicago Cubs
16. Ryan O’Hearn, 1B, Baltimore Orioles
Chance of trade: 85%
O’Hearn is having an out-of-nowhere career year, with an OPS+ of 132 (and he’s been unlucky with ball-in-play luck, to boot) along with being on pace for a career high in homers. He doesn’t face lefty pitchers much at all and his splits suggest that he shouldn’t.
Best fits: Houston, Boston, San Francisco, Texas
17. David Bednar, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Chance of trade: 70%
In a market replete with relief options, the 30-year-old Bednar brings high-end performance without quite the price tag of his peers. His swing-and-miss stuff has been elite since his return from Triple-A, and he has more than salvaged his trade value: Over his last 23 outings, Bednar has struck out 29, walked five and posted a 0.00 ERA.
Best fits: Detroit, Toronto, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Seattle
Chance of trade: 80%
Helsley had the fourth-best WAR among relievers last season and is in a contract year, but he has been notably worse this season. His stuff and locations are pretty similar, but the main difference is his fastball is getting hit hard — with one byproduct being his spiking home run rate.
Best fits: Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia, New York Yankees, Toronto, Detroit, New York Mets, Seattle
Chance of trade: 20%
Fairbanks raised his slot a bit this year, and now his 97.3-mph fastball has more cutting action while his slurvy slider has more depth with both pitches playing a notch better than they did last season. He’s got a club option for 2026 that, with escalators, should wind up around the $10 million range. Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes and bullpen injuries have cut into the likelihood Fairbanks moves.
Best fits: Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia, Detroit, Toronto, Texas
20. Shane Bieber, SP, Cleveland Guardians
Chance of trade: 50%
A late entrant into the trade market, Bieber still hasn’t thrown a big league pitch this season and is coming back from Tommy John surgery. With his fastball up to 94 mph and his slider looking like its old sharp self, though, he’s generating plenty of interest and could be one of the bigger names moved at the deadline.
Best fits: San Diego, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Boston, Toronto
Chance of trade: 60%
Ward comes with an additional year of team control after this season and he’s having a strong 2025 campaign, just one homer away from last year’s career high total of 25 — and in 52 fewer games.
Best fits: Cincinnati, San Diego, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco
Chance of trade: 50%
Robert has been extremely unlucky with ball-in-play results this season, but that has begun to turn around recently. He remains a strong defender and baserunner, with a career-high 24 steals already. But the slashline is unsightly, and his trade value has cratered over the last two seasons. He’s got a pair of $20 million-a-year club options that the acquiring team will be hesitant to exercise absent a turnaround. Finding a match with a team willing to pay more for Robert’s upside than his productivity could be challenging.
Best fits: San Diego, Philadelphia, New York Mets, Cincinnati, San Francisco
23. Nolan Arenado, 3B, St. Louis Cardinals
Chance of trade: 20%
Arenado’s strikeout rate is around his career best and he’s still an above-average defender, but his power and patience are both trending down to around the worst of his career. He’s still a solid starter but no longer a star, and the team taking him on a deal would still have to pay him like one. Potentially complicating any deal: a full no-trade clause.
Best fits: Detroit, Milwaukee, Seattle
Chance of trade: 70%
Ozuna is a stone-cold DH, playing two games in the field in 2023 as his last regular-season experience defensively. He’s also in a contract year, but his power numbers are down a notch from his standout .302 average and 39-homer performance last season. His on-base percentage remains among the highest of potential trade candidates. If anyone is moving from Atlanta, he’s the likeliest candidate, with free agency beckoning.
Best fits: San Diego, Seattle, Texas, Detroit, San Francisco
Chance of trade: 50%
Garcia averaged 30 homers in 2021-24, but he’s fallen off since his 2023 career year. It’s worth noting that per xwOBA, he’s been the 13th-most unlucky hitter in the big leagues this year. He also has another year of team control, so some teams could see a buy-low opportunity.
Best fits: Philadelphia, Seattle, Cincinnati, San Diego, San Francisco
26. Reid Detmers, RP, Los Angeles Angels
Chance of trade: 15%
The No. 10 pick from the 2020 draft transitioned to relief this season and has found similar success to other highly-drafted college lefties, including A.J. Puk, Andrew Miller and Drew Pomeranz. He comes with three more years of control after this season and his velo is up 1.7 mph in the new role, so this might be where he fits long term — and he could fetch a hefty return. Some teams still see Detmers as a starter.
Best fits: New York Mets, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Detroit, Toronto
Chance of trade: 90%
Following a dreadful start to the season, Morton found his curveball and has righted himself. Between his stuff and playoff experience, he has leapt up teams’ boards as a true target and almost certainly will move before the deadline.
Best fits: New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Boston, San Diego, Toronto
28. Adrian Houser, SP, Chicago White Sox
Chance of trade: 90%
Houser’s resurgence is a success story for the White Sox. He opted out of a minor league deal with Texas to sign with the White Sox in mid-May and has limited home runs to post a 2.10 ERA in nearly 70 innings. He’ll eat innings for sure, but some scouts see his stuff as good enough to warrant a spot in a postseason rotation.
Best fits: Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Boston, San Diego, Toronto
Chance of trade: 80%
Mullins is a 30-year-old center fielder in a contract year who contributes in a number of ways, though he’s hitting only .217 and his defensive metrics have regressed to be below average in center. His walk rate and power numbers are up this season, making him a solid contributor on a contender.
Best fits: Philadelphia, Houston, New York Mets
30. Willi Castro, UT, Minnesota Twins
Castro has played six of the eight field positions this year and has been a solid, versatile utility type since a breakout season in 2023. He doesn’t offer eye-popping numbers or tools, but is around average at most things while playing all over the field on an everyday basis.
Nos. 31-57
31. Seth Halvorsen, RP, Colorado Rockies
32. Zack Littell, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
33. Jeffrey Springs, SP, Athletics
34. Jesus Sanchez, RF, Miami Marlins
35. Bryan Reynolds, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
36. Dennis Santana, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates
37. JP Sears, SP, Athletics
38. Michael Soroka, SP, Washington Nationals
39. Tyler Anderson, SP, Los Angeles Angels
40. Kyle Finnegan, RP, Washington Nationals
41. Luis Severino, SP, Athletics
42. Zach Eflin, SP, Baltimore Orioles
43. Pierce Johnson, RP, Atlanta Braves
44. Phil Maton, RP, St. Louis Cardinals
45. Steven Matz, RP, St. Louis Cardinals
46. Harrison Bader, CF, Minnesota Twins
47. Jake Bird, RP, Colorado Rockies
48. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates
49. Yoan Moncada, 3B, Los Angeles Angels
50. Andrew Heaney, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
51. Chris Paddack, SP, Minnesota Twins
52. Raisel Iglesias, RP, Atlanta Braves
53. Tomoyuki Sugano, SP, Baltimore Orioles
54. Ramon Urias, 3B, Baltimore Orioles
55. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, UT, Pittsburgh Pirates
56. Luis Urias, 2B, Athletics
57. Shelby Miller, RP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Sports
Ichiro shows funny side, joins CC, Wagner in HOF
Published
14 hours agoon
July 28, 2025By
admin
-
Bradford DoolittleJul 27, 2025, 06:34 PM ET
Close- MLB writer and analyst for ESPN.com
- Former NBA writer and analyst for ESPN.com
- Been with ESPN since 2013
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Ichiro Suzuki became the first Japanese-born player to be enshrined into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, one of five new members of baseball’s hallowed institution.
After enduring the baseball tradition known as a rain delay, the five speeches went off without a hitch as the deluge subsided and the weather became hot and humid. Joining Suzuki were pitchers CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner, and sluggers Dick Allen and Dave Parker, both of whom were enshrined posthumously.
“For the third time, I am a rookie,” Suzuki said, delivering his comments in English despite his long preference for conducting his public appearances in Japanese with the aid of an interpreter.
For the American audience, this provided a rare glimpse into Suzuki’s playful side. Teammates long spoke of his sense of humor behind the closed doors of the clubhouse — something the public rarely saw — but it was on full display Sunday.
When Hall voting was announced, Suzuki fell one vote shy of becoming the second unanimous selection for the Hall. He thanked the writers for their support — with an exception.
“Three-thousand [career] hits or 262 hits in one season are achievements recognized by the writers,” Suzuki said. “Except, oh, one of you.”
After the laughter subsided, Suzuki mentioned the gracious comments he made when balloting results were announced, when he offered to invite the writer who didn’t vote for him home for dinner to learn his reasoning. Turns out, it’s too late.
“The offer to the one writer to have dinner at my home has now … expired!” Suzuki said.
Suzuki’s attention to detail and unmatched work ethic have continued into the present day, more than five years since he played his last big league game. That was central to his message Sunday, at least when he wasn’t landing a joke.
“If you consistently do the little things, there’s no limit to what you can achieve,” Suzuki said. “Look at me. I’m 5-11 and 170 pounds. When I came to America, many people said I was too skinny to compete with bigger major leaguers.”
After becoming one of the biggest stars in Japanese baseball, hitting .353 over nine seasons for the Orix BlueWave, Suzuki exploded on the scene as a 27-year-old rookie for the Seattle Mariners, batting .350 and winning the AL Rookie of the Year and MVP honors.
Chants of “Ichiro!” that once were omnipresent at Mariners games erupted from the crowd sprawled across the grounds of the complex while the all-time single-season hits leader (262 in 2004) posed with his plaque alongside commissioner Rob Manfred and Hall of Fame chairman Jane Forbes Clark.
Despite his late start in MLB, Suzuki finished with 3,089 hits in the majors and 4,367 including his time in Japan. Suzuki listed some of his feats, such as the hit total, and his 10 Gold Gloves.
“Not bad,” he said.
Sabathia’s weekend got off to a mildly rough start when his wife’s car broke down shortly after the family caravan departed for Cooperstown. They arrived in plenty of time though, and Sabathia was greeted warmly by numerous Yankees fans who made the trip.
After breaking in with Cleveland at age 20, Sabathia rocketed to stardom with a 17-5 rookie season. Alas, that came in 2001, the same year that Suzuki landed in the American League.
“Thank you most of all to the great players sitting behind me,” Sabathia said. “I am so proud and humbled to join you as a Hall of Famer, even Ichiro, who stole my Rookie of the Year Award in 2001.”
Sabathia focused the bulk of his comments on the support he has received over the years from his friends and family, especially his wife, Amber.
“The first time we met was at a house party when I was a junior in high school,” Sabathia said. “We spent the whole night talking, and that conversation has been going on for 29 years.”
Parker, 74, died from complications of Parkinson’s disease on June 28, less than a month before the induction ceremony. Representing him at the dais was his son, Dave Parker II, and though the moment was bittersweet, it was hardly somber.
Parker II finished the speech with a moving poem written by his father that, for a few minutes, made it feel as if the player nicknamed “The Cobra” were present.
“Thanks for staying by my side,” Parker’s poem concluded. “I told y’all Cooperstown would be my last rap, so the star of Dave will be in the sky tonight. Watch it glow. But I didn’t lie in my documentary — I told you I wouldn’t show.”
Parker finished with 2,712 hits and 339 homers, won two Gold Gloves on the strength of his legendary right-field arm and was named NL MVP in 1978. He spent his first 11 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and entered the Hall representing the Bucs.
Wagner, whose 422 career saves ranks eighth on the all-time list, delivered an emotional but humorous speech about a small-town guy with a small-for-a-pitcher 5-foot-10 stature who made it big.
“I feel like my baseball life has come full circle,” Wagner said. “I was a fan before I could play. Back when baseball wasn’t so available on TV, every Saturday morning I watched Johnny Bench and so many of the other greats on a show ‘The Baseball Bunch.'”
In one of the moments of baseball serendipity that only Cooperstown can provide, the telecast flashed to Bench, sitting a few feet away from where Wagner was speaking.
Allen’s widow, Willa, delivered a touching tribute to her late husband, who died in 2020 after years of feeling overlooked for his outstanding career. The 1964 NL Rookie of the Year for the Phillies, Allen won the 1972 AL MVP for the Chicago White Sox.
“Baseball was his first love,” Willa said. “He used to say, ‘I’d have played for nothing,’ and I believe he meant it. But of course, if you compare today’s salary, he played almost for nothing.”
Willa focused on the softer side of a player who in his time was perhaps unfairly characterized for a contentious relationship with the media.
“He was devoted to people, not just fans, but especially his teammates,” Willa said. “If he heard someone was sick or going through a tough time, he’ll turn to me and say, ‘Willa, they have to hear from us.'”
Sports
Braves get starting pitcher Fedde from Cardinals
Published
14 hours agoon
July 28, 2025By
admin
-
Alden GonzalezJul 27, 2025, 06:42 PM ET
Close- ESPN baseball reporter. Covered the L.A. Rams for ESPN from 2016 to 2018 and the L.A. Angels for MLB.com from 2012 to 2016.
The Atlanta Braves acquired veteran starting pitcher Erick Fedde from the St. Louis Cardinals for a player to be named later or cash, both teams announced Sunday.
As part of the deal, the Cardinals will cover the majority of what remains of Fedde’s $7.5 million salary for 2025, a source told ESPN.
Fedde, 32, is a free agent at season’s end, making him a surprising pickup for a Braves team that was swept by the Texas Rangers over the weekend and is 16 games below .500, trailing the first-place New York Mets by 16½ games.
But the Braves have sustained a slew of injuries to their starting rotation of late, with AJ Smith-Shawver (torn ulnar collateral ligament), Spencer Schwellenbach (fractured elbow), Chris Sale (fractured ribcage) and, more recently, Grant Holmes (elbow inflammation) landing on the injured list since the start of June.
Fedde reestablished himself in South Korea in 2023, parlaying a dominant season into a two-year, $15 million contract to return stateside with the Chicago White Sox. Fedde continued that success in 2024, posting a 3.30 ERA in 177⅓ innings with the White Sox and Cardinals.
This year, though, it has been a struggle for a crafty right-hander who doesn’t generate a lot of strikeouts. Twenty starts in, Fedde is 3-10 with a 5.22 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP.
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