5 players who could part ways with their current teams once the 2024 season is over ft. Blake Snell, Kenta Maeda and more
The trade deadline for the 2024 MLB season ended on July 30 with a flurry of activity. Playoff contenders were keen to fill holes in their rosters, while those who were destined to miss the playoffs were eager to proceed with the rebuilding process.
However, quite a few players who were predicted to make moves this summer have remained with their teams but could be playing for a different franchise next year. Therefore, we take a look at some notable players who are likely to change teams at the end of the season.
Five players who could part ways with their current teams once the 2024 season is over
#5 Kenta Maeda
Japanese starting pitcher Kenta Maeda had played seven seasons in the MLB and finished as the runner-up for the American League Cy Young Award in the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign.
The Detroit Tigers offered him a lucrative two-year, $24 million deal at the start of the 2024 season, which has certainly not gone according to plan for both player and team.
Maeda was moved to the bullpen last month after racking up a 7.26 ERA in 15 starts, so the Tigers will be keen to trade the 36-year-old at the end of the year.
#4 Blake Snell
Despite being the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, Blake Snell couldn't land a long-term contract as a free agent after the 2023 season.
Snell eventually signed a two-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants, containing an opt-out at the end of the season. The 31-year-old leftie had an injury-prone start and didn't complete five innings in any of his six starts during the first three months.
Snell has been outstanding since returning to the team in July and has a 1.15 ERA in his last five outings, including a no-hitter in the beginning of this month.
#3 Garrett Crochet
Garrett Crochet is having a breakthrough campaign in 2024 after earning his first call-up to the All-Star Game, despite the Chicago White Sox being on pace to finish with the worst record in their history.
Crochet was only converted into a starter this year and leads the MLB in strikeout rate. The 25-year-old was hot property at the trade deadline, but a move didn't materialize eventually.
Crochet will not be a free agent until 2027 but is up for arbitration at the end of this year, so the White Sox may be more willing to trade him at that point.
#2 Matt Chapman
Matt Chapman has been a reliable third baseman during his first eight years in the major league, yet he couldn't find a long-term contract during his free agency at the end of last season.
Chapman eventually penned a three-year $55 million deal with the San Francisco Giants with opt-outs for the player at the end of each year. He's still productive at the plate with a .778 OPS and 49 extra-base hits in 2024.
The Giants were expected to trade Chapman after falling out of the Wild Card race, but the 30-year-old will likely opt for free agency once the season ends.
#1 Juan Soto
The New York Yankees traded with the San Diego Padres to bring Juan Soto to the Bronx on a one-year, $31 million deal for the 2024 season.
The 25-year-old has lived up to billing and has a .303 batting average and an OPS of 1.006 with 28 home runs and 80 RBI. Despite endearing himself to the Yankees supporters, Soto hasn;t been offered an extension as yet.
Therefore, he's likely to be the top free agent for the upcoming season and may be playing in a different uniform next year.