The 2024 MLB trade deadline is fast approaching, with a little more than a month remaining before the annual flurry of activity that reshapes the leaguewide landscape each summer for the season's stretch run.

There is a large group of teams occupying the middle of the pack, and the next few weeks will determine whether those clubs fall on the side of buyers or sellers ahead of the July 30 deadline.

Ahead are 10 fully formed trade proposals to plug a hole on the roster of 10 teams that are clear contenders, ranging from smaller scale deals for rental players to legitimate blockbuster trade ideas for guys like Garrett Crochet, Luis Robert Jr. and Bo Bichette.

The rumor mill will continue to swirl in the coming days and weeks, but for now here is a fresh round of trade proposals to unpack.

Note: Prospect rankings reflect where players stood in B/R's most recent farm system rankings, which were published on June 21.

Carlos Estévez to the Minnesota Twins

To MIN: RHP Carlos Estévez

To LAA: LHP Cesar Lares

The Minnesota Twins bullpen was a major weapon down the stretch and into the playoffs last year, with Jhoan Durán, Griffin Jax, Emilio Pagán, Louie Varland and Chris Paddack combining for 15 scoreless innings over six postseason games.

It's been a different story for the relief corps this year.

They rank 14th in the majors with a 3.76 ERA and have 10 blown saves in 34 opportunities, and even their top bullpen arms have not been as dominant this year.

Durán has converted 11 of 12 save chances, but he has been far less dominant with a 3.91 ERA and a dip in his elite strikeout rate from 32.9 to 22.8 percent. Beyond him, Jax has been a terrific setup option, but the rest of the relief corps has been inconsistent.

Carlos Estévez had 31 saves and was an All-Star last year, and he has a 3.24 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 9.7 K/9 with 15 saves in 25 appearances in the second season of a two-year, $13.5 million deal.

In exchange for a late-inning bullpen rental, the Los Angeles Angels receive a promising young pitching prospect in left-hander Cesar Lares. The 20-year-old has a 3.30 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 46.1 innings at Single-A Fort Myers.

Elias Díaz to the Cleveland Guardians

To CLE: C Elias Díaz

To COL: 1B/OF C.J. Kayfus (No. 10 CLE prospect)

The market for catching help is extremely thin, with the Colorado Rockies tandem of Elias Díaz and Jacob Stallings along with Toronto Blue Jays free-agent-to-be Danny Jansen the most likely backstops to be on the move this summer.

Díaz, 33, was an All-Star for the first time last season and he took home MVP honors in the Midsummer Classic when he homered off Baltimore Orioles closer Félix Bautista. However, his production dipped during the second half.

He has rebounded this year with a .303/.352/.439 line and 17 extra-base hits in 55 games, and playing in the final season of a three-year, $14.5 million deal he is an obvious trade candidate as long as he is recovered from a calf strain.

Young catcher Bo Naylor is hitting .202/.270/.330 for a 73 OPS+ on the year, and while he has picked up his production of late, the Guardians could still be searching for a potential upgrade this summer. Utility man David Fry is best served as only an occasional option behind the dish, while Austin Hedges has been his usual glove-only option.

C.J. Kayfus was a third-round pick in last year's draft, and while he is limited defensively, he is hitting .346/.449/.607 with 11 home runs and 55 RBI in 57 games between High-A and Double-A.

Luis Rengifo to the New York Yankees

To NYY: IF Luis Rengifo

To LAA: OF Everson Pereira (No. 3 NYY prospect)

The New York Yankees have received limited production from the second base and third base positions this year.

• 2B: .611 OPS, 27th in MLB
• 3B: .599 OPS, 27th in MLB

First baseman Anthony Rizzo has also struggled this season, and he is currently sidelined with a forearm fracture, so finding some infield help figures to be a top priority for the Yankees at the deadline.

Luis Rengifo has seen regular action at second base, shortstop and third base during his time with the Los Angeles Angels, and the offensive-minded utility man is hitting .305/.354/.413 for a 116 OPS+ with 15 extra-base hits and 20 steals in 62 games.

The 27-year-old is controllable through 2025, so he could also serve as a built-in replacement for upcoming free agent Gleyber Torres next year.

Outfielder Everson Pereira hit .300/.373/.548 with 18 home runs and 64 RBI in the upper levels of the minors last year, and he has an .859 OPS with 10 long balls in 40 games at Triple-A this year.

The Yankees have a logjam in the outfield and a clear need on the infield, so a one-for-one swap makes sense for both sides.

Erick Fedde to the Milwaukee Brewers

To MIL: RHP Erick Fedde

To CWS: RHP Josh Knoth (No. 6 MIL prospect), 1B Wes Clarke

Right-hander Erick Fedde was the No. 18 overall pick in the 2014 draft and a top prospect during his time in the Washington Nationals system. However, he never quite found success once he arrived in the majors, posting a 5.41 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 454.1 innings over six seasons.

The 31-year-old spent the 2023 season pitching for the NC Dinos in the KBO, and he won the league's MVP award when he finished 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 209 strikeouts in 180.1 innings.

The Chicago White Sox signed him to a two-year, $15 million deal during the offseason, and last year's success has carried over to a terrific stateside return. He has a 3.05 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 85 strikeouts in 94.1 innings, and those strong surface-level numbers are backed by a 3.53 FIP and solid batted-ball metrics.

The White Sox will almost certainly sell high at the deadline, and his team-friendly salary and additional club control in 2025 make him the ideal target for a budget conscious Milwaukee Brewers organization.

Right-hander Josh Knoth was the No. 33 overall pick in the 2023 draft and one of the better high school arms in his draft class thanks to an upper 90s fastball and a pair of plus breaking pitches. Still only 18 years old until August, he has a 3.55 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 45.2 innings at Single-A.

Slugger Wes Clarke had an .889 OPS with 24 doubles, 26 home runs and 80 RBI in 118 games at Double-A last year, and he is a nearly MLB-ready piece who can provide power at first base and the occasional start behind the plate.

Taylor Ward to the Atlanta Braves

To ATL: OF Taylor Ward

To LAA: RHP JR Ritchie (No. 5 ATL prospect), RHP Allan Winans

After a breakout 2022 season, outfielder Taylor Ward took a step backward last year when he missed significant time following a hit-by-pitch to the face that resulted in facial fractures and sidelined him from July 29 through the end of the year.

The 30-year-old has bounced back nicely this season, posting a 116 OPS+ with 14 doubles, 14 home runs and 41 RBI with 1.6 WAR in 76 games.

With club control through the 2026 season, the Angels don't need to trade him unless they get the return they are seeking, but selling high now makes sense for a team that needs a wide-scale rebuild.

Right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL and center fielder Michael Harris II is also sidelined with a strained hamstring, leaving Adam Duvall, Forrest Wall and Ramón Laureano to fill the void in the outfield.

Right-hander JR Ritchie was the No. 35 overall pick in the 2022 draft, and with four plus pitches, good command and remaining projection in his 6'2", 185-pound frame he offers the type of upside the Angels will be targeting. He recently returned from Tommy John surgery and should have a good opportunity to prove he's healthy before the deadline.

Allan Winans is more of a depth piece, but he could plug immediately into the Angels rotation with multiple years of club control remaining, which will be especially useful if they decide to trade Tyler Anderson.

Brent Rooker to the Kansas City Royals

To KC: DH Brent Rooker

To OAK: LHP Frank Mozzicato (No. 3 KC prospect), RHP Chandler Champlain (No. 6 KC prospect), C Carter Jensen (No. 9 KC prospect)

The Kansas City Royals have stumbled to an 8-14 record in June following a brilliant start to the season, and while it might not make sense for them to target rental pieces this early in their climb from rebuilding to contending, a player with multiple years of club control would be a logical addition.

Slugger Brent Rooker fits the bill.

The 29-year-old posted a 128 OPS+ with 20 doubles, 30 home runs and 69 RBI in 137 games last season while earning an All-Star selection, and he has been even better in the early going this year, hitting .257/.337/.502 for a 143 OPS+ with 14 doubles, 14 home runs and 45 RBI in 67 games.

The late-bloomer is controllable through 2027, and he could join Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Pérez as a much-needed run producer in the middle of the lineup.

His club control means a high asking price, and while the Royals are lacking an elite-level prospect talent, they have enough pieces to put together a quality package.

Frank Mozzicato and Chandler Champlain both have the potential to be impact starting pitchers in the future, while Carter Jensen is hitting .277/.399/.442 with 24 extra-base hits and 15 steals in 68 games at High-A and looking more and more like a future starting catcher.

Randy Arozarena to the Seattle Mariners

To SEA: OF Randy Arozarena

To TB: SS Colt Emerson (No. 4 SEA prospect), OF Jonatan Clase (No. 9 SEA prospect), RHP Michael Morales (No. 10 SEA prospect)

The Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays have been frequent trade partners over the years, and they were circling Randy Arozarena and Isaac Paredes during the offseason before ultimately swinging a deal to acquire Luke Raley.

With a stacked starting rotation and clear need for an offensive upgrade, another run at Arozarena makes sense.

The 2023 All-Star Game starter is hitting just .191/.304/.348 with 12 doubles, 10 home runs and 27 RBI in 77 games, but he has picked up his production in June and his batted-ball metrics are solid. A change of scenery could do wonders, and his impressive postseason track record is impossible to ignore.

With an $8.1 million salary, Arozarena is the third-highest paid player on the Tampa Bay roster, and that alone will be motivation for the small market Rays to seriously consider moving him.

Arozarena is controllable through 2026, so it's going to take a significant haul to pry him loose, and a package built around Colt Emerson could get the ball rolling. The 18-year-old was the No. 22 overall pick in last year's draft and he checked in at No. 44 on B/R's most recent Top 100 list.

Outfielder Jonathan Clase and right-hander Michael Morales would also both have a case for a Top 10 spot on the Tampa Bay top prospect list.

Bo Bichette to the Los Angeles Dodgers

To LAD: SS Bo Bichette

To TOR: SS Joendry Vargas (No. 3 LAD prospect), LHP Justin Wrobleski (No. 6 LAD prospect), OF Zyhir Hope (No. 10 LAD prospect)

The key to this trade proposal is the tremendously high ceiling of young shortstop Joendry Vargas.

The 18-year-old was given a $2.1 million bonus as one of the top prospects from the 2023 international class, and after a strong debut in the Dominican Summer League, he has continued to impress this year with a .320/.418/.485 with 11 extra-base hits and eight steals in 26 games stateside.

With a 55-hit, 55-power offensive profile, he has the offensive upside to handle a move to third base if he outgrows shortstop as his 6'4", 175-pound frame fills out, but he also has the tools to be a standout defender up the middle.

Left-hander Justin Wrobleski and outfielder Zyhir Hope were also Top 10 organizational prospects for the Dodgers in B/R's latest farm system update, but Bichette is capable of being a game-changing addition and is worth the high asking price.

The 26-year-old is off to a lackluster start this year, but he has been one of the best offensive shortstops in the game the last few seasons, hitting .298/.339/.476 for a 124 OPS+ while averaging 34 doubles, 24 home runs, 89 RBI and 4.7 WAR over the last three years.

He is in the second season of a three-year, $33.6 million deal and will be a free agent after the 2025 season, but this would give the Dodgers a chance to sign him long-term before he hits the open market. A shift to second base for him or Mookie Betts going forward would provide them with their middle infield of the future, replacing the underperforming Gavin Lux in the starting lineup.

Luis Robert Jr. to the Philadelphia Phillies

To PHI: OF Luis Robert Jr., RHP John Brebbia

To CWS: RHP Mick Abel (No. 3 PHI prospect), SS Starlyn Caba (No. 5 PHI prospect), C Eduardo Tait (No. 8 PHI prospect), LHP Samuel Aldegheri (No. 10 PHI prospect)

The Chicago White Sox signed Luis Robert Jr. to a six-year, $50 million extension before he made his MLB debut prior to the 2020 season, and with a pair of $20 million club options for 2026 and 2027, he has three more years of control beyond this season.

The 26-year-old has dealt with injuries throughout his career, but when healthy he has been a superstar-caliber performer, posting a 124 OPS+ while averaging 37 doubles, 33 home runs, 91 RBI, 96 runs scored, 20 steals and 5.3 WAR per 162 games.

He could finally be the answer to a revolving door in center field for the Phillies.

The proposed return package reflects his upside as a Top 25 player in baseball when he is at his best, with a pair of Top 100 prospects in Mick Abel and Starlyn Caba, as well as two other impact prospect pieces in young catcher Eduardo Tait and left-hander Samuel Aldegheri.

Abel is off to a rocky start this season, but he is still only 22 years old with a strong track record and frontline upside, and the White Sox showed a willingness to buy low on high-ceiling arms last summer when they picked up Jake Eder and Ky Bush in trades.

It would be a big swing for the fences by the Phillies, but their title window is open right now and Robert could be the missing piece that pushes them over the top.

Veteran reliever John Brebbia has a 5.52 ERA over 33 appearances, but it is backed by a 3.22 FIP and a strong 37-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 29.1 innings, so he could also be a nice under-the-radar pickup.

Garrett Crochet to the Baltimore Orioles

To BAL: LHP Garrett Crochet

To CWS: 1B/OF Heston Kjerstad, LHP Cade Povich, 2B Connor Norby, OF Dylan Beavers

Who would have guessed Garrett Crochet would be the most sought-after prize of the 2024 trade deadline?

The 25-year-old made his first career start on Opening Day this year, and he entered the year with a 2.71 ERA in 72 career relief appearances, missing the entire 2022 season recovering from Tommy John surgery.

He tossed six innings of five-hit, one-run ball on Opening Day, and after some rocky outings in April, he has been absolutely rolling for the past two months with a 1.36 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 59.2 innings over his last 10 starts.

All told, he has a 3.05 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and an AL-leading 130 strikeouts in 94.1 innings, and with club control through 2026 teams will be lining up for a chance to add him to their starting rotation this summer.

The deal that sent Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres brought back a consensus Top 100 prospect in Drew Thorpe and two other promising prospect pieces in Samuel Zavala and Jairo Iriarte, and while he has a longer track record of success he also had one less year of remaining control.

Slugger Heston Kjerstad, left-hander Cade Povich and infielder Connor Norby are all MLB-ready pieces that could immediately plug into the White Sox lineup, while Dylan Beavers is also knocking on the door with strong numbers at Double-A.

It's a steep price to pay for the Orioles, but it gives them a potential replacement for Corbin Burnes atop the rotation if he departs in free agency while also bolstering the staff for this year's playoff push.