As the 2025 MLB trade deadline approaches, teams are weighing not only headline-grabbing star acquisitions but also the value of buy-low trade targets like Luis Robert Jr. buy-low trade candidates, who could provide critical boosts at a fraction of the typical prospect cost. These players may have faltered recently but carry the potential to turn around a contender’s late-season success with the right environment and opportunity.
This year’s trade market includes several promising yet underperforming players who fit the buy-low profile, highlighted by Robert, once among baseball’s most electrifying talents. Their futures hold both uncertainty and hope, making them compelling options for teams eager to improve before postseason play.
Adolis García: Texas Rangers’ Late-Blooming Power Presence
Adolis García, a 28-year-old outfielder for the Texas Rangers, exemplifies a late bloomer who evolved into a formidable middle-of-the-order bat. Over his first three full MLB seasons, García averaged 30 doubles, 32 home runs, and nearly 100 RBIs per year, compiling a 113 OPS+ and winning All-Star nods in 2021 and 2023. He also earned ALCS MVP honors as a key contributor to the Rangers’ World Series title run.
Despite this, García’s performance declined last year with a 96 OPS+ and just 0.3 WAR in 154 games, though he still hit 25 home runs and drove in 85 runs. His 2025 campaign has continued to falter, placing him on the buy-low radar. One positive indicator remains his exit velocity, ranking among the top in the league at 93.4 mph (94th percentile), suggesting that a fresh team and environment might reignite his offensive potential.
Raisel Iglesias: Veteran Reliever Seeking Redemption with Braves
Raisel Iglesias has been one of MLB’s most reliable closers, amassing 233 saves, the fifth-most among active pitchers and placing him in the top 50 all-time, yet he has never earned an All-Star appearance. Following a stellar 2024 season—where he posted a 1.95 ERA over 66 appearances for the Atlanta Braves—the 35-year-old has struggled in 2025, with a 5.28 ERA and losing his ninth-inning role as the Braves opt for a committee approach.
Despite the decline, Iglesias’s arsenal remains strong; his fastball averages 94.5 mph, and his changeup generates whiffs 36.5% of the time. These underlying tools make him an intriguing buy-low candidate for contenders willing to bet on his ability to rebound and strengthen their bullpen depth down the stretch.
Janson Junk: Emerging Swingman with Control Security at Miami Marlins
Janson Junk, a 29-year-old right-hander, had limited MLB exposure before the 2025 season despite being a professional since 2017. After multiple trades and waiver moves, he signed a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins this February. Since his MLB promotion on May 24, Junk has quietly excelled, delivering a 3.62 ERA with a remarkable 33-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 37.1 innings covering both starting and relief roles.
With arbitration control through 2030 and strong performance indicators, Junk presents a cost-effective bullpen option for contenders seeking off-radar pitching help. He may also serve as a valuable complementary piece in a broader trade involving staff ace Sandy Alcántara.
Andrew Kittredge: Orioles’ Reliable Arm in Need of Consistency
All-Star reliever Andrew Kittredge, who posted a 2.80 ERA with the Cardinals in 2024, moved to the Orioles on a one-year, $9 million deal last offseason. Despite a bright previous season marked by durability and effectiveness (74 appearances and 37 holds), his 2025 campaign has been hampered by arthroscopic knee surgery that sidelined him for nearly half the season.
Kittredge’s limited innings and one poor outing, in particular, have inflated his ERA to 4.50, but his previous success suggests he could still bolster a playoff team’s bullpen. A trade might require the Orioles to absorb part of his remaining salary, but contenders needing a dependable reliever will monitor his recovery and availability closely.
Michael Lorenzen: Versatile Pitcher with Playoff Experience in Kansas City
Veteran Michael Lorenzen, signed on a $7 million one-year deal after impressive work with the Royals last year, has been a frequent trade candidate, shifting teams before the 2023 and 2024 deadlines. In 2025, his 4.95 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over 92.2 innings are underwhelming for a contender’s rotation, but his ability to pitch in multiple roles—from starting to multi-inning relief—adds versatility.
With the Royals’ regression this season and potential seller status, Lorenzen could be available to teams seeking a seasoned arm that can contribute in various pitching capacities during a playoff push.
Nathaniel Lowe: Nationals’ First Baseman with Strong Second-Half Potential
Washington Nationals first baseman Nathaniel Lowe carries a history of impressive mid-to-late season improvements, showcasing higher batting average and slugging percentages in second halves compared to starts of his campaigns. Over his career, Lowe’s first half OPS is .744, improving to .832 in the second half, indicating his potential to heat up when it counts.
This season Lowe is earning $10.3 million and remains arbitration-eligible through 2026. With a Silver Slugger award in 2022 and a Gold Glove in 2023, Lowe offers a solid blend of offensive and defensive skills that might appeal to contenders searching for a steady presence at first base without paying star-level prices.
Ryan McMahon: Rockies’ Third Baseman Carrying Untapped Power Potential
Ryan McMahon entered the 2024 season on track for his first All-Star reprisal, but disappointing production in the second half caused his trade value to plummet. Although his surface stats are subpar in 2025—with an OPS+ of 89 and a batting average of .216—his advanced metrics tell a different story.
McMahon is hitting the ball harder than ever, with a hard-hit rate of 49.7% and an average exit velocity of 93.8 mph, while posting a career-best expected slugging percentage of .452. With two years and $32 million remaining on his contract, McMahon could still become a high-upside target for buyers willing to look beyond his current slump.
Yoán Moncada: Injured Angel with High-Ceiling Upside
Signed to a one-year, $5 million contract after a tumultuous few years marked by injuries, Yoán Moncada remains an intriguing name among buy-low candidates. Once a 5.1-WAR contributor with Chicago and highly regarded for his talent, Moncada has battled knee issues that sidelined him since early June but recently began a rehab assignment.
Though not ready to assume a full-time role, Moncada’s potential as a power-hitting third baseman could make him a valuable depth addition for teams willing to take a gamble on his health and upside.
Chris Paddack: Twins’ Starter with Sporadic Dominance and Room to Grow
Chris Paddack, pitching out the last year of a three-year, $12.5 million deal, has shown flashes of brilliance this season despite inconsistency. Recording a 4.70 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 90 innings, the 29-year-old has delivered several standout starts, including a near-shutout performance on June 1 with 10 strikeouts.
His 4.47 FIP suggests room for improvement, providing enticing potential for a contending team that needs starting pitching depth looking to capitalize on his upside for a modest acquisition cost.
Luis Robert Jr.: Former Star Outfielder Now a Risky, Yet Potentially Rewarding Bet
Once one of the most dynamic players in baseball, Luis Robert Jr.’s recent struggles have plunged him to near the bottom of key hitting metrics, including an OPS+ of just 64 and a strikeout rate of 30.9%. Currently sidelined with a hamstring strain, Robert faces an uphill battle to return to his previous All-Star caliber form.
Nonetheless, his 2023 season—highlighted by 38 home runs, 20 steals, and 5.3 WAR in 145 games—demonstrates the high ceiling that still exists. If the Chicago White Sox are willing to cover a significant portion of his $15 million salary in 2025, Robert could become the quintessential buy-low trade target, providing a contender with a high-reward option if he recaptures even part of his former impact.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers bought low on Tommy Edman last summer from the St. Louis Cardinals even though he had been sidelined for the entire season to date. He ended up winning NLCS MVP honors and earned himself a five-year, $74 million extension in November.
” —From Source Content
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On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Baltimore Orioles took a flier on slugger Eloy Jiménez in a buy-low deal with the Chicago White Sox, only to watch him post a 70 OPS+ and minus-0.2 WAR in 33 games.
” —From Source Content
The significance of these buy-low acquisitions is clear: players like Tommy Edman can flip their fortunes dramatically with the right opportunity, whereas others face an uncertain path forward. For contenders navigating the anxious and tense stretch run, targeting cost-efficient options such as Luis Robert Jr. and others on this list could be the difference between playoff success and disappointment.
As teams weigh these options, the trade deadline looms as a pivotal moment when risk and reward are carefully balanced, leaving fans and front offices alike eager to see which buy-low candidates will rejuvenate their careers and impact playoff outcomes.