National League way-too-early trade candidates

Opening Day looms for every team but the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, but Yardbarker MLB writers are already thinking about the MLB trade deadline July 31. 

Way ahead of that day, let's identify a trade candidate for every National League team for this summer.

NL East

ATLANTA BRAVES | LF Jarred Kelenic | With the additions of Jurickson Profar and Bryan De La Cruz to the outfield, Kelenic may have become expendable. The former top prospect will turn 26 on July 16 and hasn't found his footing at the MLB level, but outfielder-needy teams may be willing to take a flyer on a player who still has upside.

MIAMI MARLINS | RHP Sandy Alcantara | The 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner is a gem among stones in Miami. Although he is coming off Tommy John surgery, the 29-year-old looked like he hadn't missed a beat during spring training, so teams will inquire about his services.

NEW YORK METS | RF Starling Marte | At 36, Marte is in the final year of his four-year, $78M deal. The Mets wanted to move the veteran during the offseason, with the Kansas City Royals among interested teams. A deal didn't get done, but that doesn't mean one still couldn't happen for the former All-Star and Gold Glove winner.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES | LHP Ranger Suarez | Top prospect Andrew Painter is expected to debut in July, so Suarez may eventually be the odd man out in the rotation. An All-Star in 2024, the 29-year-old had a tumultuous second half after a stellar first, and now enters 2025 on the injured list. Still, he has much to offer interested teams.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS | 1B/DH Josh Bell | Moved at each of the past three trade deadlines, Bell could be on the move again. With five different clubs since 2022, the 32-year-old has 58 homers with 216 RBI in 451 games during that span. — Lauren Amour

NL West

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS | RHP Zac Gallen | The Diamondbacks made a big investment in starting pitcher Corbin Burnes in the offseason (six-year, $210M deal). With that, Arizona cemented the face of its rotation for seasons to come and likely made clear that it will be tough to spend the money it might take to keep the 29-year-old Gallen.

COLORADO ROCKIES  | RHP German Marquez | Colorado has a wealth of young pitchers knocking on the door, so the 30-year-old may be on his way out. After undergoing Tommy John surgery, Marquez has made just five starts over the past two seasons. However, if he can show well early in the season, the former All-Star may be an interesting trade candidate.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS  | IF/OF Chris Taylor | The Dodgers are so deep that moving the 34-year-old would change little in Los Angeles. Taylor’s versatility (he played second base, third base, left field and center field in 2024) would be prized for a team looking to strengthen its roster heading into the postseason.

SAN DIEGO PADRES | 1B Luis Arraez | A free agent at the end of this season, Arraez is the two-time reigning National League batting champion, so he could instantly add offense to any lineup. With $186M already on the books for 2026, the Padres may not have the cash to keep Arraez. 

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS | RHP Justin Verlander | Signed to a one-year deal before the season began, Verlander could be moved for young talent if the Giants fall from contention. Trading him to a team that could help him chase another World Series ring would be an interesting storyline to follow for the 42-year-old three-time Cy Young Award winner. — Kevin Henry

NL Central

CHICAGO CUBS | 3B Justin Turner | Turner, 40, signed a one-year deal with the Cubs in February to provide infield depth. However, if top Cubs prospect Matt Shaw secures the third base role as anticipated by July, Turner could become a trade candidate, making way for Jon Berti to hold the depth position.

CINCINNATI REDS | OF Jake Fraley | Fraley is one of many players in a crowded outfield, but he stood out last season with a career-high .277 batting average. If the Reds find themselves in contention, Fraley could play a key role. However, if they fall out of the race, his affordable contract (one year, $3.125M, per Spotrac) could make him an appealing trade target.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS | SP Aaron Civale | Civale joined Milwaukee during last season's trade deadline and posted a 3.53 ERA during his half-season with the Brewers. Entering his seventh MLB season, Civale — who will turn 30 on June 12 — finds himself in a crowded rotation that could feature up to seven options once Brandon Woodruff and Robert Gasser return from injury.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES | 2B Isaiah Kiner-Falefa | Kiner-Falefa seems to always be a trade-deadline target, having been dealt three times in the past three years. With Pittsburgh unlikely to contend, his versatility — offering reliable defense and offense and an ability to play second, shortstop and third — could make him a valuable addition to a playoff-contending team.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS | RP Ryan Helsley | The Cardinals are amid a roster retooling. Relief pitchers are always in high demand at the trade deadline, so Helsley — the 2024 NL Reliever of the Year and in the final year of his contract — could become a trade candidate.  — Taylor Bretl