Way-too-early MLB trade deadline preview: These stars won't survive July

It's still far too early to draw any firm conclusions about the 2026 regular season, but that's not going to stop us from making some educated guesses anyway. Sure, a lot is going to change between now and the trade deadline on Aug. 3; that said, the writing is already on the wall for certain players, whether they're stars on struggling teams or payroll anchors on contenders.

No, you won't find Tarik Skubal or Paul Skenes on the list below. We're trying to keep this realistic after all, and the Tigers and Pirates have telegraphed a seriousness about competing this season — and have looked promising enough over the first week. But we're still on track for one of the most star-studded deadlines in recent memory.

CJ Abrams to the Boston Red Sox

Over the last three seasons, Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams has quietly become one of the most consistent players across the league. hitting at least .245 with nearly 20 homers and 60+ RBI in each of his last three campaigns. His defense at short leaves something to be desired, but at the age of 25, he is unfairly viewed more as a veteran now than a rising talent. There's still room to grow here, and the athleticism isn't in question.

Look for the slumping Boston Red Sox to make a move for Abrams and improve their lineup to try and fight their way out of the AL East. They still have veteran Trevor Story as their current captain of the infield, but fans all around Boston would sleep much better at night knowing they had more consistency given Story's sketchy recent track record. If Story was not shipped to the Nationals in this hypothetical trade, there may still be room for him in the lineup as the DH or even other positions assuming he is healthy.

The problem is, Boston does not want to assume anything when it comes to Story, who's had a hard time staying healthy. Let's say Abrams takes Story's job completely; here is what the Red Sox lineup could look like given decent health.

Sandy Alcantara to the New York Yankees

Miami ace Sandy Alcantara has seen his name floated at each of the last two trade deadlines, but 2026 feels like the year the right-hander finally heads elsewhere as the constantly cost-conscious Marlins look to stay ahead of his free agency. And with the top-of-the-line stuff he possesses, and how well he's started the new season, he figures to fetch a nice price — with the New York Yankees particularly interested in making a midseason rotation upgrade.

Even the Marlins are still sniffing around the playoff picture in late July, it's hard to see this forward-looking front office not prioritizing the future over a likely meaningless Wild Card push. The potential return they could receive for Alcantara could be too much to pass up: Following a down 2025, Alcantara has gotten off to a great start this season, tossing seven scoreless innings in his debut and then shutting out the White Sox on Wednesday. If these types of performances are consistent from now until July, we could see the right-hander in pinstripes before the end of the year.

Yankees fans will always question Aaron Boone's decision-making. However, going into a playoff series with this rotation, it feels like whoever he hands the ball to would be the right call. (This is also operating under the assumption that currently injured arms Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon recover as expected; if not, Alcantara's durability becomes even more valuable.)

Speaking specifically to postseason scenarios, it would be a great problem to have for the Yankees to have a surplus of starting pitching. Most likely some of these arms could be moved to the bullpen for October, and as long as the offense holds up, adding Alcantara could make the Yankees almost as dangerous as the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Isaac Paredes to the Detroit Tigers

After a surprise playoff run a season ago, the Detroit Tigers need to be focused on going all-in on a magical 2026 campaign. It seems inevitable at this point that they will not be able to retain ace Tarik Skubal past this year, and the front office made the decision to hang on to the lefty anyway in search of one final World Series run.

Pitching will always be a need for teams wanting to be taken seriously in October, but for a Tigers team led by Skubal and Framber Valdez, adding an accomplished position player may make more sense. Isaac Paredes is a two-time All-Star who can play multiple infield positions, but he appears to be blocked with the Houston Astros right now, with Christian Walker, Carlos Correa, Jeremy Pena and Jose Altuve all everyday players when healthy. If Houston can't keep up in the AL West this summer, he's a logical trade candidate.

Paredes could add to an already dangerous Tigers lineup by stabilizing third base, offering another power bat with strong on-base skills. Pitching would have to exceed expectations when it mattered most but this lineup could take the Tigers to the next level.

Joe Ryan to the Atlanta Braves

Patience across the Atlanta Braves fan base is growing even thinner as it feels like the organization only tries to solve issues internally in the name of saving money. After a disappointing 2025 season, the Braves are looking to insert themselves back into the postseason picture, but to do so it is mandatory they improve their injury-plagued starting rotation.

Atlanta's offense is good enough to at least kept them afloat until the deadline rolls around, but at least one more arm is needed behind Chris Sale (and potentially Spencer Strider, if he can stay healthy and return to his 2023-2024 form). Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins was an All-Star last season and finished the year with a 13-10 record alongside his 3.42 ERA. The 29-year-old righty struck out 194 batters in 171 innings, displaying how explosive his stuff can be.

Ryan would be a great fit as a Game 2 or 3 starter for Braves rotation, and the Twins will be listening to offers as their ownership continues to tear the roster down. Ryan's current trade value is as high as it has ever been in his career, so the asking price may be a little higher than the Braves would like. But GM Alex Anthopoulos is notorious for trades like this that ultimately work in Atlanta's favor.

Strider is working through injury right now but is expected to make his season debut sooner rather than later. That would be a huge lift for Walt Weiss' squad, and you can see how Ryan would boost their potential rotation for the stretch run.

Yandy Diaz to the Seattle Mariners

After multiple decades of missing the postseason, Seattle Mariners fans have proved they deserve meaningful games in October. The crowds last season at T-Mobile Park were absolutely electric, and the organization should be aggressively pursuing anyone who could take their team to the next level after falling just short in the ALCS. That starts with an offense that could still use some work; one name to watch come trade season is Yandy Diaz of the Tampa Bay Rays.

We have seen the Rays somehow punch above their weight in years past, but it is safe to say we will not see history repeat itself in 2026. This is a subpar roster in a brutal division, meaning Tampa Bay will likely be sellers at the deadline — and trading away 34-year-old first baseman Diaz, who will be a free agent next winter, makes sense.

This deal would also make Seattle's offense one of the most dangerous in the American League, especially at the top. Imagine being a pitcher and having to face this lineup with deafening crowd noise filling the cold Seattle air:

Andrew Benintendi to the New York Mets

The 2026 Chicago White Sox have already made clear this franchise is still deep in the throes of its interminable rebuild. It's time to send out anything that isn't nailed down, and veteran Andrew Benintendi is one that other teams could be calling about.

Benintendi was an All-Star in 2022 and is quietly coming off back-to-back 20 homer seasons. That power has come at the expense of some contact and on-base ability, but adding him to a contending team in need of some more pop like the New York Mets could be a game-changer.

The Mets need someone else who can hit the ball out of the ballpark, and they would likely be willing to give up quite a bit for Benintendi if they feel they have a real shot at winning a World Series come July. We have seen from recent decisions (signing Juan Soto and letting Alonso walk), that Steve Cohen is not afraid to make aggressive moves. Doing whatever it takes to end up with this lineup could be worth it for the Mets: