Five underrated MLB trade chips contenders should consider targeting

The 2024 MLB trade deadline is July 30 at 6 p.m. ET, and while struggling teams still have time to turn their seasons around, a seller's market has begun to form.

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso is one the more noteworthy players who could be up for grabs this summer, but there will be no shortage of underrated players available. With that in mind, here are five of the most underrated trade targets who should be on contenders' radars.

(Statistics and records are as of games on June 9.) 

OF Jesse Winker | Washington Nationals 

After struggling with the Mariners in 2022, Winker became one of the worst players statistically in baseball last season, posting a 65 wRC+ (MLB average is 100) for the Brewers. Even so, the one-time All-Star has enjoyed a career resurgence in the nation's capital, which contending teams should follow closely in the weeks leading up to the deadline.

In 63 games, Winker is slashing .261/.375/.396, his highest figures in each category since his 2021 season with Cincinnati. The 30-year-old has also hit six home runs, driven in 28 runs and posted a 125 wRC+, the 37th highest among qualified hitters. Additionally, Winker has been surprisingly effective on the bases with 11 stolen bases. (He entered the season with only three.)

Having a renewed sense of confidence has undoubtedly helped Winker return to form. If he can handle the pressure of the postseason, he could be the type of player who can swing a playoff series.  

RHP Luis Severino | New York Mets

The Mets (28-36) are only three games back of the National League's final wild-card spot, but they'd be wise to sell off veterans such as Severino who don't have long-term futures with the team. Severino battled injuries and posted a career-worst 6.65 ERA with the Yankees last season but has rebounded nicely after signing a one-year deal with the Mets this past winter.

Through his first 12 starts, Severino has a 3.25 ERA, the 17th lowest in the National League, and 1.139 WHIP with 58 strikeouts. His extensive injury history is a red flag, but if Severino can stay healthy, the two-time All-Star could be this deadline's version of Jordan Montgomery, who helped Texas win the World Series last season after being traded from St. Louis. 

RHP Lucas Erceg | Oakland Athletics 

While his teammate, Mason Miller, will be the most-sought reliever ahead of the trade deadline, Erceg is an intriguing and more cost-effective target for any team eyeing bullpen help. Aside from striking out 27 in 22 innings this season, the 29-year-old has a 2.86 ERA and a 1.000 WHIP.

Erceg's emergence is due in large part to the combination of his lively four-seam fastball and wipeout slider. According to Baseball Savant, Erceg ranks in the 98th percentile in fastball velocity and average exit velocity, the 91st percentile in whiff rate and the 90th percentile in strikeout rate.

Given that Erceg's xFIP (2.89) is lower than his actual FIP (3.24), it's fair to say he has been a victim of bad luck. This should provide optimism to interested teams that Erceg could improve on his current numbers and be a dependable piece down the stretch. 

1B/OF Gavin Sheets | Chicago White Sox

While outfielder Luis Robert Jr. will be at the center of all White Sox trade discussions, Sheets is worth investigating for any team in need of a bat. The 2017 second-round pick is only batting .246 this season with seven homers and 28 RBI and has struggled mightily in the field. However, he has found success offensively, particularly when playing first base, slashing .370/.404/.652 with 17 hits, two homers and 14 RBI in 13 games at the position.

He wasn't considered a trade chip with much value through early May, though a recent hot stretch could change things if he continues his tear. Over his past eight games, Sheets has a .300 batting average and .964 OPS with nine hits, three home runs, nine RBI and seven runs scored.

Sheets probably won't continue to perform at that torrid pace, but it's clear he has refined his approach at the plate for the better, as evidenced by his career-high 12.7% walk rate and career-low 17.5% strikeout rate. If his defense doesn't scare teams away, Sheets makes a lot of sense as a target for clubs bargain-hunting at this year's trade deadline. 

LHP Tanner Scott | Miami Marlins

It's only a matter of time before the Marlins launch a full-blown fire sale, and even though outfielder/second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. is their most notable trade chip, Scott is arguably their most talented. 

Walks have been an issue for Scott, considering he has 19 in 25.2 innings, but he has struck out 27 and posted a 1.40 ERA with seven saves this season while producing elite underlying metrics.

Per Baseball Savant, Scott ranks in the 100th percentile in average exit velocity, the 97th percentile in expected batting average and the 94th percentile in ground-ball rate. Scott would thrive in a late-innings role for any contender, and he won't cost much to acquire, seeing as though he'll be a free agent after this season.