Jeff Passan's Top 50 most Valuable Trade Deadline Players based off $

On July 21st, Jeff Passan released his top 50 trade deadline candidates and their likelihood of being moved. Passan is one of the most widely acclaimed baseball columnists. I'm going to rerank the 50 players he listed based on the value they're projected to accumulate based on money in millions. *Disclaimer: I will only be including rest-of-season value based on projections regardless of team control.

T1. Steven Kwan, LF, Cleveland Guardians - $14.00 M

Photo Courtesy of Sports Illustrated

Kwan has been one of the only solid hitters in a malingered Cleveland lineup. He is one of the hardest hitters to strike out in the majors and swings and misses the least out of any hitter in the majors. His defense is also above average and he has the most outfield assists in the league at 9. The likelihood he gets traded is uncertain, but he should provide immense value to any team he plays for the rest of the season.

T1. Eugenio Suárez, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks - $14.00 M

Photo Courtesy of Yahoo Sports

Eugenio Suárez is arguably the most attractive trade piece at this year's trade deadline, and it's justified. He leads the National League in RBIs with 86 and has 36 home runs, which is 4th in the MLB. However, his defense grades out poorly and is a negative at third base. Acquiring Suárez would transform any lineup he joins in the next week.

2. Mitch Keller, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates - $11.73 M

Photo Courtesy of The New York Times

Keller currently has a 3.53 ERA (Earned Run Average) and has posted a 2.10 ERA in June. His underlying stats suggest he's a prime breakout candidate for the rest of the season. He's only walked 5.8% of the batters he's faced and sports a 3.42 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching). Keller should be the most sought-after pitcher at this year's trade deadline.

3. Kris Bubic, SP, Kansas City Royals - $10.98 M

Photo Courtesy of Sports Illustrated

Kris Bubic has arguably been this year's biggest breakout pitcher. He currently has a 2.38 ERA in 19 starts and has very strong underlying numbers. His chase rate is in the 92nd percentile according to Statcast and sports an impressive 46.8 ground ball rate. He is expected to continue his strong performance through the season's end, but the likelihood that he gets traded is really small since he has another year of control after this year.

4. Ryan McMahon, 3B, Colorado Rockies - $10.08 M

Photo Courtesy of Rox Pile

On the surface, Ryan McMahon has had an underwhelming season so far. Considering he plays at the most hitter-friendly park in the majors at high altitudes, it would dissuade most fans who only pay attention to the surface numbers. He ranks in the 98th percentile in average exit velocity and has a hard-hit rate of over 50%. He also walks at a 12.2% clip, which is among the best in the majors. His defense is also among the best of all 3rd basemen in the majors, with 4 OAA (Outs Above Average). McMahon should provide immense value at the hot corner for the rest of the season.

T5. Jarren Duran, OF, Boston Red Sox - $10.00 M

Photo Courtesy of Fox Sports

After breaking out in 2024, Jarren Duran has had a down year so far this season. He's batting .254 with a .749 OPS compared to a .285 average and an .834 OPS. His defense has also taken a significant step back from 10 OAA last year to -5 this year. He still hits the ball hard, ranking in the 87th percentile in average exit velocity. Duran still has significant value and could be an intriguing option at the deadline in the event they decide to trade him, although it's unlikely.

T5. Nolan Arenado, 3B, St. Louis Cardinals - $10.00 M

Photo Courtesy of Sports Illustrated

The former 8-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glover was subject to trade talks before the season and was acknowledged by their general manager, John Mozeliak. Arenado's chances of being traded went down after the Cardinals played better than expected in a transition year. However, they've fallen to 52-51 and are expected to offload some of their assets. Arenado is in the twilight of his career, but it doesn't go without acknowledging his minuscule 9.7% strikeout rate. He also is still a good defender at 2 OAA. His batted ball numbers are pedestrian at best, but he is still expected to be a valuable asset for the rest of the season.

6. Emmanuel Clase, RP, Cleveland Guardians - $9.80 M

Photo Courtesy of MLB.com

Emmanuel Clase was the best reliever in baseball last year, posting a 0.61 ERA in 74 games as the Guardians' closer. While not as historically great as last year, with a 2.74 ERA, he is still among the best relievers in baseball. His FIP currently stands at 2.24, and he has limited opponents to a 4.5% barrel rate. The likelihood of Clase getting traded is slim, but if he's moved, the impact he can provide in the second half will be immense.

7. Nick Martinez, SP, Cincinnati Reds - $9.68 M

Photo Courtesy of Cincinnati Enquirer

While Nick Martinez isn't expected to be traded, he would be one of the most valuable trade assets if he gets moved. Despite his 4.78 ERA, he has a 4.18 FIP and has only walked 5.6% of batters faced while placing in the 84th percentile in hard-hit rate.

8. Sandy Alcantara, SP, Miami Marlins - $9.45 M

Photo Courtesy of Yahoo Sports

After being discussed in multiple trade rumors during the offseason, many expected Sandy Alcantara to be dominant and for the Marlins to trade him at the deadline. However, he has a 6.66 ERA in 20 games and has been a disaster this entire season. Regardless, the Marlins will probably move him, and another team will have to figure out how to fix him.

Nos. 9-50

9. Luis Robert Jr., CF, Chicago White Sox - $9.28 M

10. Taylor Ward, OF, Los Angeles Angels - $9.00 M

11. Jhoan Duran, RP, Minnesota Twins - $8.85 M

T12. Josh Naylor, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks - $8.32 M

T12. Adolis Garcia, OF, Texas Rangers - $8.32 M

13. Cade Smith, RP, Cleveland Guardians - $7.91 M

14. Jesus Sanchez, OF, Miami Marlins - $7.68 M

T15. Ryan O'Hearn, 1B, Baltimore Orioles - $7.56 M

T15. Marcell Ozuna, DH, Atlanta Braves - $7.56 M

16. Reid Detemers, RP, Los Angeles Angels - $7.53 M

17. Griffin Jax, RP, Minnesota Twins - $7.33 M

18. Harison Bader, OF, Minnesota Twins - $7.28 M

19. Merrill Kelly, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks - $7.20 M

20. Cedric Mullins, OF, Baltimore Orioles - $7.00 M

21. Seth Lugo, SP, Kanas City Royals- $6.83 M

22. Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates - $6.72 M

23. Luis Severino, SP, Athletics - $6.60 M

24. Zac Gallen, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks - $5.78 M

25. Zach Eflin, SP, Baltimore Orioles - $5.70 M

26. Félix Bautista, RP, Baltimore Orioles - $5.57 M

27. Zach Littell, SP, Tampa Bay Rays - $5.52 M

28. David Bednar, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates - $5.33 M

29. Yoan Moncada, 3B, Los Angeles Angels - $5.20 M

30. Adrian Houser, SP, Chicago White Sox - $5.01 M

31. Bryan Reynolds, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates - $5.00 M

32. Edward Cabrera, SP, Miami Marlins - $4.95 M

33. Taj Bradley, SP, Tampa Bay Rays - $4.87 M

34. Tyler Anderson, SP, Los Angeles Angels - $4.26 M

35. Ryan Helsley, RP, St. Louis Cardinals - $3.90 M

36. Willi Castro, Utility, Minnesota Twins - $3.84 M

37. Pete Fairbanks, RP, Tampa Bay Rays - $3.83 M

38. Dennis Santana, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates - $3.81 M

39. Michael Soroka, SP, Washigton Nationals - $3.74 M

40. Charlie Morton, SP, Baltimore Orioles - $3.62 M

41. Chris Martin, RP, Texas Rangers - $2.64 M

41. Phil Maton, RP, St. Louis Cardinals - $2.17 M

43. Jake Bird, RP, Colorado Rockies - $2.04 M

44. Andrew Heaney, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates - $1.65 M

45. Kyle Finnegan, RP, Washigton Nationals - $0.99 M

46. Emilio Pagan, RP, Cincinatti Reds - $0.92 M

• https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search

• https://www.fangraphs.com/projections?pos=all&stats=bat&type=zips