
NHL Power Rankings: The most captivating game left for every team in December
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3 years agoon
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adminThe big news of the week in the hockey world was Alex Ovechkin scoring a hat trick against the Chicago Blackhawks to reach 800 goals, becoming the third player in NHL history to do so. As Ovi has been on this recent goal-scoring heater, his Washington Capitals have won eight of their last 11 games. How high did the Caps rise in this week’s Power Rankings?
Find out the answer to that question, as well as our take on the biggest game of the next two weeks for each club, as we get ready to flip the calendar to 2023.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors rates teams against one another — taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule — and those results are tabulated to produce the list featured here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the most recent edition, published Dec. 9. Points paces are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 82.76%
Next seven days: vs. CBJ (Dec. 17), vs. FLA (Dec. 19), vs. WPG (Dec. 22)
vs. Senators, Dec. 27. The Bruins are one of the league’s undisputedly excellent teams. But when Boston met the Senators in October, they quickly fell behind 3-0 and stumbled to a 7-5 loss. Do the Senators have Boston’s number? Or was that just a blip? Let’s see what the sequel says.
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 73.33%
Next seven days: vs. FLA (Dec. 17), @ CAR (Dec. 20), @ FLA (Dec. 21)
vs. Bruins, Dec. 23. The Devils are neck-and-neck with the Bruins atop the Eastern Conference standings. New Jersey has a chance — in one of two clashes with Boston over five days — to prove why they should be the ones pulling ahead into the No. 1 slot.
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 70.97%
Next seven days: @ WSH (Dec. 17), vs. TB (Dec. 20), vs. PHI (Dec. 22)
vs. Coyotes, Dec. 29. The Leafs’ first tilt against Arizona was a chaotic mess: Toronto fell behind 2-0 (at home!), came back to tie, coughed one up on the power play (after an all-time egregious turnover), then appeared to tie the game again with 39 seconds left in regulation only to have the goal overturned by a controversial hand pass ruling. What could possibly await now in the desert?
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 70.31%
Next seven days: vs. NYI (Dec. 17), vs. BUF (Dec. 19), vs. ARI (Dec. 21)
vs. Sabres, Dec. 19. The Golden Knights have unique ties to Buffalo post-Jack Eichel trade. Whether or not Eichel (currently on IR) is available to play, there’s added juice for the Sabres, with Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs being back in Vegas. And Buffalo will try bringing the heat after how they folded earlier this season at home to the Golden Knights.
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 66.67%
Next seven days: @ CAR (Dec. 18), vs. NYR (Dec. 20), vs. CAR (Dec. 22)
vs. Rangers, Dec. 20. The Penguins haven’t met New York since blowing a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series last May and bowing out with an overtime loss in Game 7. Pittsburgh is also battling the Rangers for position in a crowded Metropolitan. These are big points regardless.
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 68.97%
Next seven days: vs. DAL (Dec. 17), vs. PIT (Dec. 18), vs. NJ (Dec. 20), @ PIT (Dec. 22)
vs. Devils, Dec. 20. The Hurricanes finally face the Metropolitan mammoth that is New Jersey. Carolina has been jockeying with Pittsburgh (whom they’ll see twice in the next week) for second in the division. So it’s the perfect time for these Hurricanes to take the Devils’ test — and see how well they fare.
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 67.24%
Next seven days: @ VAN (Dec. 17), @ SEA (Dec. 18), vs. OTT (Dec. 20), @ BOS (Dec. 22)
vs. Bruins, Dec. 22. The Jets have soared their way up the Western Conference standings. Boston has barely budged from leading the East. This will be a true heavyweight bout … and possible Stanley Cup Final preview?!
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 67.24%
Next seven days: @ MTL (Dec. 17), @ TOR (Dec. 20), @ DET (Dec. 21)
vs. Maple Leafs, Dec. 20. The Lightning seem to enjoy playing Toronto. Their first clash this season was another drama-filled overtime victory for Tampa (shorthanded goal against, followed by two power-play scores and an Alex Killorn dagger 30 seconds into the extra frame). And who can forget last season’s playoff comeback? Division rivalries don’t get more fun than this.
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 66.13%
Next seven days: @ CAR (Dec. 17), @ CBJ (Dec. 19), vs. EDM (Dec. 21)
vs. Wild, Dec. 29. The Stars’ comeback effort in Minnesota two weeks ago was epic: Dallas trailed 5-1 in the third period and roared back to get a point in the shootout loss. It’s hard to imagine a more entertaining matchup, but with the last one fresh in mind these sides could make it happen.
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 60.34%
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Dec. 18), vs. STL (Dec. 20), @ VAN (Dec. 22)
vs. Oilers, Dec. 30. The Kraken take on one of the Pacific Division’s (other) high-powered offenses for the first time this season when the Oilers pay a visit. Seattle has been scoring in bunches, and Edmonton has got strikers to spare. How many goals should we expect that night?
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 57.14%
Next seven days: vs. NSH (Dec. 17), vs. NYI (Dec. 19), vs. MTL (Dec. 21)
vs. Maple Leafs, Dec. 31. The Avalanche close out 2022 with a late-afternoon matchup against one of the NHL’s top teams in Toronto. It’s on Colorado’s turf, and while the Avs are banged up, so too are the Leafs (defensively, at least). It should put them on equal footing for a barn-burning end to the year.
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 58.33%
Next seven days: @ ARI (Dec. 16), @ VGK (Dec. 17), @ COL (Dec. 19), @ NYR (Dec. 22)
vs. Rangers, Dec. 22. The Islanders can sweep their season series with a heated rival in this third and final meeting. Their most recent win involved overcoming a 3-1 hole to steal key points on the road. Can the Isles make it a clean sweep?
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 59.68%
Next seven days: @ PHI (Dec. 17), @ CHI (Dec. 18), @ PIT (Dec. 20), vs. NYI (Dec. 22)
vs. Penguins, Dec. 20. The Rangers will meet Pittsburgh for the first time since last spring’s first-round playoff series, when New York overcame a 3-1 deficit and eliminated its division rival with a wild overtime victory in Game 7; Jacob Trouba‘s hit on Sidney Crosby knocked the latter out for the majority of that comeback. Bad blood? We’ll say!
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 58.62%
Next seven days: vs. CHI (Dec. 16), vs. OTT (Dec. 18), @ ANA (Dec. 21), @ SJ (Dec. 22)
vs. Blues, Dec. 31. The Wild can close 2022 on a high note (pun intended!) against the St. Louis squad that overcame a 2-1 first-round playoff series deficit to kick Minnesota out of the postseason mix six months ago. Revenge is best served cold.
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 53.13%
Next seven days: vs. TOR (Dec. 17), vs. DET (Dec. 19), @ OTT (Dec. 22)
vs. Senators, Dec. 22. The Capitals’ last trip to Ottawa ended in an ugly loss when Washington blew a 2-0 second-period lead and couldn’t stop the Senators from scoring five straight to the finish. Sure, they’re not rivals or anything, but no one forgets difficult nights like that. How will Washington handle round two?
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 56.06%
Next seven days: vs. SJ (Dec. 17), vs. ANA (Dec. 20), vs. CGY (Dec. 22)
vs. Ducks, Dec. 20. The Kings’ rivalry with Anaheim is always compelling, even if one (or both) teams are struggling. In their first Freeway Face-off of the season, L.A. will no doubt find extra motivation to perform, and the Ducks have surprised a few opponents this season with some plucky comeback wins.
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 56.45%
Next seven days: vs. ANA (Dec. 17), @ NSH (Dec. 19, @ DAL (Dec. 21)
vs. Flames, Dec. 27. The Oilers’ third and final Battle of Alberta matchup already? 2022 has all the luck. The first two outings were decided by a single goal with results split down the middle. Who takes the (regular) season series? And might it be a prequel to a few more (postseason) meetings this spring?
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 55.17%
Next seven days: vs. OTT (Dec. 17), @ WSH (Dec. 19), vs. TB (Dec. 21)
vs. Sabres, Dec. 29. The Red Wings are revamped, but they’ve had their struggles against the Sabres. Detroit has been blown out 8-3 and lost in a shootout to its also-on-the-rise division rival. Are the Red Wings in line for another disappointing finish, or can they turn the tide on Buffalo before 2022 closes out?
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 51.61%
Next seven days: @ NJ (Dec. 17), @ BOS (Dec. 19), vs. NJ (Dec. 21)
vs. Islanders, Dec. 23. The Panthers have beaten New York twice already and go for the season sweep in meeting No. 3. Their prior tilts were tightly contested affairs played out over 10 days in October. Much has changed for both teams since then. Is Florida up to the task one more time on the Island?
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 53.33%
Next seven days: vs. STL (Dec. 16), @ SJ (Dec. 18), @ SJ (Dec. 20), @ LA (Dec. 22)
vs. Blues, Dec. 16. The Flames’ Nazem Kadri (formerly of the Avalanche) had some headline-making drama with Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington in the playoffs last season that won’t soon be forgotten. (Kadri collided with Binnington in the crease causing injury; Binnington threw a water bottle at Kadri during a live postgame interview.) Will animosity carry over when those two (potentially) share the ice again?
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: @ COL (Dec. 17), vs. EDM (Dec. 19), @ CHI (Dec. 21)
vs. Avalanche, Dec. 17. The Predators have been at Colorado’s mercy, from last season’s first-round playoff sweep to Nashville dropping their initial meeting this season. But the Predators have improved since then, and with two meetings against the Avs in six days, are primed to settle the score.
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: vs. TB (Dec. 17), @ ARI (Dec. 19), @ COL (Dec. 21)
vs. Stars, Dec. 23. The Canadiens are loaded with some of the league’s best young talents (Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, etc.). Ditto Dallas (Jason Robertson, Miro Heiskanen, etc.). What’s not to love about the potential of a high-octane matchup punctuated by the NHL’s stellar up-and-comers?
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 48.28%
Next seven days: @ DET (Dec. 17), @ MIN (Dec. 18), @ WPG (Dec. 20), vs. WSH (Dec. 22)
vs. Bruins, Dec. 27. The Senators put together a wild 7-5 win over Boston back in October where the scoring came in bunches, and Ottawa was terribly fun to watch. History could well repeat itself as both teams come off their holiday breaks with a bang.
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Dec. 17), vs. STL (Dec. 19), vs. SEA (Dec. 22)
vs. Oilers, Dec. 23. The Canucks aren’t far behind Edmonton in the tight Pacific Division. Banking points now over a rival can pay dividends down the road. And Vancouver hasn’t seen the Oilers since falling 5-3 in the season opener. How far can the Canucks show they’ve come the last two months?
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: @ ARI (Dec. 17), @ VGK (Dec. 19)
vs. Blue Jackets, Dec. 27. The Sabres used Tage Thompson‘s five-goal night to drown the Blue Jackets 9-4 last week. What will Thompson do for an encore? Does another dominant performance await or can Columbus come up with a response of its own?
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 48.33%
Next seven days: @ CGY (Dec. 16), @ VAN (Dec. 19), @ SEA (Dec. 20)
vs. Kraken, Dec. 20. The Blues met Seattle in their second game of the season and had to stave off a spirited Kraken comeback to earn a narrow overtime victory. Will more theatrics ensue this time? Seattle has become one of the NHL’s best teams in recent weeks, and St. Louis could certainly use more quality wins.
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 43.55%
Next seven days: vs. NYR (Dec. 17), vs. CBJ (Dec. 20), @ TOR (Dec. 22)
vs. Rangers, Dec. 17. The Flyers played their Metropolitan brethren tough in an early-season meeting that the Rangers won 1-0 in overtime. Does Philadelphia have more of that spunk in them for a second turn against the Blueshirts — this time under the bright Manhattan lights?
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 37.93%
Next seven days: @ BOS (Dec. 17), vs. DAL (Dec. 19), @ PHI (Dec. 20)
vs. Sabres, Dec. 27. The Blue Jackets were embarrassed at home by Buffalo when Tage Thompson’s five-goal explosion ended in a 9-4 blowout loss. How will Columbus respond? The Blue Jackets followed that drubbing with back-to-back wins. Can their next major victory be over Buffalo?
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 40.74%
Next seven days: vs. NYI (Dec. 16), vs. BUF (Dec. 17), vs. MTL (Dec. 19), @ VGK (Dec. 21)
vs. Maple Leafs, Dec. 29. The Coyotes often appear at their best facing the Maple Leafs. They’ve already bested Toronto once this season; ending 2022 with a season sweep would be quite the treat.
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 32.14%
Next seven days: @ MIN (Dec. 16), vs. NYR (Dec. 18), vs. NSH (Dec. 21)
vs. Blues, Dec. 29. The Blackhawks always have potential to spark against St. Louis given their shared history of Central Division clashes. As with the Kings and Ducks, it’s a rivalry game both sides get up for no matter the standings.
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 40.33%
Next seven days: @ LA (Dec. 17), vs. CGY (Dec. 18), vs. CGY (Dec. 20), vs. MIN (Dec. 22)
vs. Canucks, Dec. 27. The Sharks have experienced Vancouver getting the best of them twice after regulation already this season. San Jose won’t want to go through it again, and robbing the Canucks of one (or two) desperately needed points would be a nice post-holiday boost.
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 30.65%
Next seven days: @ EDM (Dec. 17), @ LA (Dec. 20), vs. MIN (Dec. 21)
vs. Kings, Dec. 20. The Ducks just need to have fun. And what’s more enjoyable than trying to top your most hated rival in their building? Almost nothing!
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Sports
Ranking the top 50 MLB trade deadline candidates — and finding their best landing spots
Published
5 hours agoon
June 24, 2025By
admin
-
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’
Jun 24, 2025, 07:00 AM ET
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 that will be updated regularly depending on their performance — and that of the teams which could be involved in potential deals leading up to the July 31 trade deadline.
Some of the players on the list are unlikely to be dealt but at least are being discussed in potential deals. Others might not be on the list now but will be added in the future should their team’s fortunes change. Either way, this will be the most up-to-date accounting of where MLB’s trade market stands.
Note: Players are ranked by value for their new team if traded, not likelihood of being dealt
Chance of trade: 10%
Bregman has been an elite big league hitter since he entered the league in 2016 but has leaned more into power this year, with his highest isolated power since 2019. Most of his underlying power indicators (barrel rate, maximum exit velo, average launch angle and hard hit rate) are at career highs. His $40 million salary — and the chance to opt into two more years at $40 million annually — significantly shortens the list of teams that would take on his deal.
Best fits: Chicago Cubs, Detroit, New York Yankees, New York Mets
Chance of trade: 25%
Duran had a huge breakout season in 2024, posting the seventh-best WAR in the majors at 6.7. He overperformed his underlying metrics, though — i.e., had some lucky outcomes — and those metrics have regressed a bit this year. Now he’s underperforming them — he has been unlucky — so his true talent is somewhere south of that star-level 6.7 figure but better than the roughly 2 WAR (commensurate with a solid regular) he’s on pace for this season.
Best fits: San Diego, Atlanta, Cleveland, Kansas City, San Francisco, Philadelphia
Chance of trade: 60%
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. It is starting to look as though he is turning the corner to become a midrotation starter (or better?) once again as he has posted a 2.74 ERA in four June outings. The Marlins could hold on to him until the winter, when teams like Baltimore would be more inclined to acquire him and the final two years of his contract.
Best fits: Chicago Cubs, Houston, Boston, Toronto, Arizona, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego, Baltimore
Chance of trade: 20%
Peralta has been a steady presence for years, averaging 140 innings pitched with a 3.49 ERA over the past four seasons. He’s on track to do that again, with his heavily used fastball coming in at a career-high average velo of 94.9 mph this season. He has an ultra-cheap $8 million option for 2026.
Best fits: Boston, Houston, Toronto, St. Louis, Arizona, San Diego, Baltimore
Chance of trade: 50%
Suarez is in a contract year and, despite turning 34 years old before the trade deadline, 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 their free agents-to-be, Suarez could move because they have Jordan Lawlar raking in Triple-A and primed to take over at third.
Best fits: Detroit, Milwaukee, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Kansas City, Seattle, San Francisco
Chance of trade: 40%
Lugo has posted mid-3.00s or lower ERAs for five seasons despite having below-average fastball velocity and good-not-great strikeout rates. His ability to strand runners and limit hard contact comes in part due to his nine different pitches. With a Nathan Eovaldi-type contract awaiting Lugo in free agency, Kansas City could opt to move him, especially if Cole Ragans’ injured shoulder doesn’t improve.
Best fits: Chicago Cubs, Houston, Toronto, San Diego, Los Angeles Dodgers
7. Zac Gallen, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Chance of trade: 30%
Gallen was excellent for the past 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. Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said the team does not plan to deal away players at the deadline, but if Arizona doesn’t make a run, it could reap a huge return with all of its impending free agents.
Best fits: Toronto, San Diego, Houston, Chicago Cubs
8. Merrill Kelly, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Chance of trade: 30%
Kelly doesn’t have big raw stuff, posting the second-lowest average fastball velocity among pitchers with 90 innings pitched this season. His changeup is his best pitch by a wide margin, and he gets by with location and off-speed 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, St. Louis, Houston, Chicago Cubs
9. Josh Naylor, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks
Chance of trade: 30%
Naylor is batting over .300 this year as a lefty-hitting first baseman in a contract year on pace for about 20 homers. Naylor faces left-handed pitchers more often than the next player on the list but hasn’t been particularly good at it. His on-base skills and lack of strikeouts make him an especially attractive acquisition candidate for postseason contenders.
Best fits: Seattle, Boston, San Francisco, Texas
Chance of trade: 85%
O’Hearn is having an out-of-nowhere career year, hitting over .300 (and with the underlying metrics to support that) 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: Seattle, Boston, San Francisco, Texas
Chance of trade: 25%
Ozuna is a stone-cold DH, playing two games in the field in 2023 as his last regular-season experience defensively. Ozuna is 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, Detroit, Kansas City, San Francisco, Cleveland, Boston
Chance of trade: 40%
Duran is one of the best relievers in the sport, thanks to his nasty stuff headlined by a fastball that averages 100.2 mph and a splinker that sits at 97.5 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, Atlanta, Arizona, Texas
Chance of trade: 20%
Clase was nearly unhittable last season, but his numbers have regressed this season. He has issued more walks and gotten fewer ground balls while allowing more damage on his cutter that averages 99.0 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, Atlanta, Arizona, Texas
Chance of trade: 15%
The Mountain is back from Tommy John surgery and looking like his former self. A dominant June — 8 innings, 1 hit, 3 walks, 12 strikeouts, 0.00 ERA — has seen him induce more popups than line drives allowed. He has another two years before free agency, and with the Orioles planning on contending between now and then, landing him will take more than most teams are willing to give.
Best fits: Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta, Arizona, Texas
Chance of trade: 70%
Mullins is a 30-year-old center fielder in a contract year who contributes in a number of ways, but his power numbers are trending up this season and are at their best since 2021.
Best fits: Philadelphia, Cleveland, New York Mets
Chance of trade: 60%
McMahon is on pace to keep his four-year 20-homer streak alive, with above-average power, patience and third-base defense, but a more middling contact rate and baserunning value. He has two years and $32 million remaining on his contract after this season.
Best fits: New York Yankees, Detroit, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Seattle
Chance of trade: 60%
Fairbanks raised his slot a bit this year, and now his 97.1 mph fastball has more cutting action and his slurvy slider has more depth, with both pitches playing a notch better than they did last season. He has a club option for 2026 that, with escalators, should wind up in the $10 million range.
Best fits: Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta, Arizona, Texas
Chance of trade: 35%
You have probably heard this story before, but Chapman is left-handed and his superpower is that he throws really hard (averages just under 100 mph) and throws that heater a lot (over 75% of the time). He’s 37 years old, and he’s still dominant.
Best fits: New York Mets, Philadelphia, Detroit
Chance of trade: 90%
Robert has been extremely unlucky with ball-in-play results this season, so that could turn around at any point. He remains a strong defender and baserunner. But the .185/.267/.305 line is unsightly, and his trade value has cratered over the past two seasons. He has a pair of $20 million-a-year club options that the acquiring team will be hesitant to exercise absent a turnaround.
Best fits: San Diego, Philadelphia, Cleveland, New York Mets, San Francisco
Chance of trade: 45%
Ward comes with an additional year of team control after this season, and his underlying numbers suggest he is still largely the same hitter as last year, when he posted a .246 average and 25 homers.
Best fits: San Diego, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Seattle, San Francisco, Kansas City
Chance of trade: 30%
Arenado is around a career best in strikeout rate, 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: New York Yankees, Detroit, Milwaukee, Seattle
Chance of trade: 40%
Severino tunnels his fastball/sinker/sweeper combo well to limit damage, but because he has a middling strikeout rate, his upside is limited to a No. 3/No. 4 starter. Teams are intrigued by his road numbers, which are exceptional: 0.93 ERA in 38.2 innings over six starts without a home run allowed. They are not so intrigued by his contract, which goes two more years at $47 million.
Best fits: Toronto, Chicago Cubs, Baltimore, New York Mets
23. Ryan Helsley, RP, St. Louis Cardinals
Chance of trade: 30%
Scouting report: Helsley had the fourth-best WAR among relievers last season and is in a contract year now but 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, Arizona, New York Yankees, Detroit
Chance of trade: 30%
Mahle was thriving after returning from his 2023 Tommy John surgery, looking like a third or fourth starter despite a 2.34 ERA fueled by a very favorable stranded runner rate and BABIP. But he’s currently on the injured list with right shoulder fatigue. Should he return healthy, he’ll jump up this list.
Best fits: Toronto, San Diego, Boston, Chicago Cubs
25. Zach Eflin, SP, Baltimore Orioles
Chance of trade: 75%
Eflin is in a contract year, and his ERA has spiked from 3.59 last year to 5.46 this season, though his underlying numbers are still pretty solid. He’s more of an innings-eating No. 4 starter type now than he was during his breakout 2023 season, but there’s still some value to a contender.
Best fits: Houston, San Diego, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta
Chance of trade: 80%
Garcia averaged 30 homers in 2021 through 2024, but he has fallen off since his 2023 career year. It’s worth noting that per xwOBA, he has been the 17th-most unlucky hitter in the big leagues this year, and he has another year of team control, so some teams could see a trade as a good value opportunity.
Best fits: Philadelphia, Seattle, Cleveland, San Diego, San Francisco
27. Reid Detmers, RP, Los Angeles Angels
Chance of trade: 15%
The No. 10 pick in 2020 transitioned to relief this season and has found some success, similar 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 1.5 mph in the new role, so this might be where he fits long term, and trading him away could fetch a hefty return. Some teams still see Detmers as a starter.
Best fits: New York Mets, Arizona, Baltimore, St. Louis, Minnesota, New York Yankees
Chance of trade: 35%
If the Red Sox do punt on this year, Buehler will have plenty of suitors in spite of his mediocre numbers this season. His postseason bona fides are obvious, and his sinker and slider have both played this season despite his fastball and curveball getting tagged. Starter, reliever, whatever: October is Buehler’s time.
Best fits: Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Houston, Toronto, San Diego
Chance of trade: 65%
Martinez took the qualifying offer of $21.05 million and might have a bigger market this winter after pitching almost exclusively as a starter, though he’ll turn 35 years old later this season and looks like a fourth starter now.
Best fits: Houston, San Diego, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto
30. Erick Fedde, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Chance of trade: 50%
Fedde’s strikeout and walk numbers have regressed from his breakout 2024 season (after coming back from a stint in the KBO), but he’s allowing less damage on batted balls to keep him in the rotation.
Best fits: San Diego, Toronto, Houston
Nos. 31-50
31. Andrew Heaney, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
32. Edward Cabrera, SP, Miami Marlins
33. Rhys Hoskins, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers
34. Zack Littell, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
35. Tyler Anderson, SP, Los Angeles Angels
36. Ramon Urias, 3B, Baltimore Orioles
37. Jesus Sanchez, RF, Miami Marlins
38. Jake Bird, RP, Colorado Rockies
39. Luis Urias, 2B, Athletics
40. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates
41. Kyle Finnegan, RP, Washington Nationals
42. Chris Martin, RP, Texas Rangers
43. Mike Soroka, SP, Washington Nationals
44. Tomoyuki Sugano, SP, Baltimore Orioles
45. Phil Maton, RP, St. Louis Cardinals
46. Emilio Pagan, RP, Cincinnati Reds
47. Yoan Moncada, 3B, Los Angeles Angels
48. Shelby Miller, RP, Arizona Diamondbacks
49. Dennis Santana, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates
50. Steven Matz, RP, St. Louis Cardinals
Sports
White Sox give minors deal to righty Syndergaard
Published
5 hours agoon
June 24, 2025By
admin
-
Jesse RogersJun 24, 2025, 10:43 AM ET
Close- Jesse joined ESPN Chicago in September 2009 and covers MLB for ESPN.com.
CHICAGO — Former All-Star pitcher Noah Syndergaard has signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox, the team confirmed Tuesday.
Syndergaard, 32, hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2023 when he appeared in 18 games split between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Guardians. He has a career 3.71 ERA over the course of eight seasons, mostly with the New York Mets where he spent the first six years in the big leagues.
The latter half of his career has been plagued by injuries including a right elbow ailment which required Tommy John surgery in 2020 as well as lat and finger issues more recently.
Syndergaard finished fourth in rookie of the year voting for the Mets in 2015, helping them reach the World Series. He followed that up with an All-Star appearance in 2016 when he compiled a 2.60 ERA.
Post Tommy John surgery he bounced around his final couple of seasons in the big leagues, playing for the Angels, Phillies, Dodgers and Guardians before missing all of last year.
Syndergaard will report to the White Sox spring facility in Glendale, Arizona, before taking next steps.
After setting the loss record last season, Chicago has the second-worst record this year. Only the Rockies are worse. The White Sox are in the midst of a major rebuild, with three of their starters 25 years old or younger.
Sports
Tatis sues company to void future earnings deal
Published
5 hours agoon
June 24, 2025By
admin
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Associated Press
Jun 23, 2025, 10:09 PM ET
SAN DIEGO — Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. filed a lawsuit Monday against Big League Advance in an attempt to void the future earnings contract he signed as a 17-year-old minor leaguer that could cost him $34 million.
The lawsuit, filed in San Diego County Superior Court, accuses BLA of using predatory tactics to lure him into an “investment deal” that was actually an illegal loan. BLA misrepresented itself to Tatis, hiding its unlicensed status and pushing him into loan terms banned by California’s consumer protection laws, the suit alleges.
Attorney Robert Hertzberg said the suit also seeks public injunctive relief to protect young athletes from being lured into such deals.
Hertzberg said Tatis received $2 million up front in exchange for 10% of future earnings. Tatis signed a $340 million, 14-year contract in February 2021. Hertzberg said Tatis also would be on the hook for future earnings from any subsequent contract he might sign, unless the deal is voided.
“I’m fighting this battle not just for myself but for everyone still chasing their dream and hoping to provide a better life for their family,” Tatis said in a statement provided by a publicist. “I want to help protect those young players who don’t yet know how to protect themselves from these predatory lenders and illegal financial schemes — kids’ focus should be on their passion for baseball, not dodging shady business deals.”
Tatis, a son of the former big league infielder, declined further comment before Monday night’s game against the Washington Nationals.
Hertzberg said that even though Tatis signed the deal in his native Dominican Republic, he is covered by California consumer protection laws.
BLA declined comment.
“California lawmakers have put in place serious, straightforward protections against predatory financial activity, but BLA has still disregarded our laws to pursue a business model built on prohibited, deceptive and abusive practices,” said Hertzberg, a former speaker of the California State Assembly and majority leader of the California Senate.
Tatis has blossomed into one of the game’s biggest stars, although he has been dogged by injuries and an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs handed down by MLB in 2022. He debuted in 2019 and was an All-Star at shortstop in 2021 before being moved to right field, where he was an All-Star last year.
BLA sued onetime Padres outfielder Franmil Reyes on June 16 in Delaware Superior Court, claiming breach of contract. BLA says Reyes owes $404,908.87 in past-due payments plus $298,749.13 in interest, as well as a yet-to-be-determined amount from when he played in Japan.
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