What happened: Yahoo Sports published a ranked list of the top 25 players it views as the most likely trade candidates ahead of MLB's 2026 deadline. The rankings arrive as contending and rebuilding front offices begin lining up potential deals across starting pitching, bullpen arms and bats.

Why it matters: With the July 31 deadline closing in, buyers are scouting rotation depth and relief help while sellers weigh what they can extract for pending free agents and rental pieces. Where individual names land on rankings like this often shapes early asking prices in deadline talks.

What to watch: Front offices have until July 31 to complete deals before the deadline passes.