MLB Trade Rumors: Top 4 Closer Trade Candidates This Season

With many of the top pending free agents this season playing for contenders, there won't be a lot of huge names at the trade deadline. But closers and late-inning relievers will always be available, and are always in demand. If there's one area that contenders are able to beef up simply and easily as the season winds down, it's the bullpen.

David Schoenfield of ESPN has proposed four of the top closers who will be trade candidates as this season progresses.

Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Angels

The 37-year-old is 4th on the all-time saves list, with 452 close-outs in his long and illustrious career. He doesn't bring it like he used to, but he can still get the job done, and has five saves this season without giving up a single run in his seven innings of work. The Angels aren't expected to be in the playoff race still come July, so he could be available.

Jhoan Duran, Minnesota Twins

As hard-throwing as they come, Duran has been in the 100th percentile with his fastball velocity in three of his four big league seasons, before "slumping" to the 99th percentile last season. He hasn't emerged as the top-flight closer that everyone thought he'd be, but he would be a tremendous addition to the back end of any contender's bullpen if the Twins decide to move on from him.

Kyle Finnegan, Washington Nationals

After a decent 2024 season in which he registered 38 saves—3rd in the National League—the Nationals decided to non-tender Finnegan ahead of his last year of arb eligibility, as they didn't want to pay him the projected $8.6 million. Instead, they re-signed him at a $6 million salary with deferrals.

He's off to a great start, with eight saves and a 1.86 ERA, but he's walking 5.6 batters per nine, which is too high. If he brings that down, as well as his home run rate, and the Nats, as expected, are not in the playoff race, he'll be a trade candidate at the deadline.

Pete Fairbanks, Tampa Bay Rays

Another hard throwing closer who is also walking far too many batters this season, and isn't off to a great start, after saving 48 over the last two years. He's a potential free agent after the season, with a club option for $7 million. The Rays will certainly want to move on from him if there's a taker at the deadline.