Comparing MLB to the NBA is like comparing apples and pomegranates, but the NBA, with its frenetic pace of trades and spectacular signings, certainly makes us wish that the executives in the major leagues’ front office operated with the same audacity as their basketball counterparts.
The conservative nature of baseball is understandable. Nobody wants to end up like the general manager who trades Pete Crow-Armstrong for two months of Javier Báez and a failed playoff bid.
But every now and then we get a shocking deal. At the 2022 MLB trade deadline, the San Diego Padres gave up five highly-regarded young players to acquire Juan Soto, who still had more than two seasons of team control remaining. Three of those young players, James Wood, MacKenzie Gore, and CJ Abrams, now form the core of the Washington Nationals. And just a few weeks ago, the surprising mid-June trade of Rafael Devers, in his second year of a 10-year contract, from the Boston Red Sox to the San Francisco Giants took place.
Could another similarly entertaining mega-treatment occur this month before the July 31st deadline? Probably not, but we can dream.
Let’s consider three players who almost certainly won’t be available to be traded this year, but whose names have been bandied about in fan-driven (very unlikely) trade scenarios. If the right offer came along, the player’s organization would at least have to consider making the deal… right?
Let’s call them “godfather offers”. Let’s see what it would take to get three star players in 2025.
(All prospect rankings are from Kiley McDaniel’s late-May Top 50 update).
Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
Why they’ll likely keep him: He’s arguably the best pitcher in baseball, perhaps on his way to winning the Cy Young Award in his first full season. He’s one of the biggest names in the sport, despite playing for the lowly Pirates, and a player around whom you can build not just a pitching staff, but also a championship contender. He’s under team control through 2029 and won’t even be arbitration-eligible until 2027, so the Pirates are still years away from paying him a fair salary.
But Skenes is a pitcher, and pitchers get injured. So, if the Pirates are willing to listen…
Offer No. 1: The New York Mets offer SS/CF Jett Williams (No. 20), RHP Jonah Tong (No. 50), RHP Nolan McLean, IF Ronny Mauricio, OF Carson Benge
Offer no. 2: The Los Angeles Dodgers offer C/OF Dalton Rushing (no. 14), OF Josue De Paula (no. 17), IF Alex Freeland, RHP Emmet Sheehan, LHP Jackson Ferris
Offer no. 3: The Detroit Tigers offer OF Max Clark (no. 8), SS Kevin McGonigle (no. 11), RHP Jackson Jobe, IF Colt Keith, RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long
The one who could achieve it: Tigers
A playoff rotation with Skenes and Tarik Skubal? Thank you very much. Reminder: The Tigers haven’t won the World Series since 1984.
One of the sport’s best farm systems will be needed to acquire Skenes, and Detroit is incredibly well-positioned to make this type of deal, with depth at both the major and minor league levels, not to mention a roster with only one expensive long-term commitment to Javier Báez. Two of the sport’s top prospects in Clark and McGonigle headline this trade, and both are currently excelling in high-A ball. Clark, a speedy center fielder, has an on-base percentage of .429 with more walks than strikeouts, and McGonigle is batting .373 with a high contact rate and an OPS over 1.100. Former pitching prospect Jobe underwent Tommy John surgery in June and would be a good inclusion for the Pirates to bet on.
For the Tigers, the deal wouldn’t even decimate their farm system. They would still have shortstop Bryce Rainer (No. 22), first baseman/catcher Josue Briceno, and a host of promising solid pitchers. For the Pirates, Clark and McGonigle are projected as solutions in two problematic areas in center field (where Oneil Cruz has had defensive problems) and at shortstop (the plug Isiah Kiner-Falefa is the current starter), in addition to getting a solid major league player in Keith and a back-of-the-rotation type in Gipson-Long.
As much as the Mets could use a staff ace, their system is deeper in pitching prospects, which doesn’t align best with the Pirates’ needs. As the Dodgers’ pitching injuries have piled up again, Skenes could be a match. Rushing is blocked at catcher by Will Smith, and he and De Paula likely have more power potential (De Paula has been compared to Yordan Álvarez) than Clark and McGonigle. The Pirates could, understandably, ask for Roki Sasaki, and that could be the deciding factor for the Dodgers.
Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves
Acuña has been one of the best hitters in the majors since returning at the end of May from his second ACL surgery and has been the best hitter on a Braves team that is near the bottom of the National League in runs scored. He is signed through 2028 in an incredibly team-friendly deal that pays him only $17 million per season, making it one of the best contracts in the sport for a team. At just 27 years old, he remains in the midst of his prime and is one of the most dynamic talents in the sport.
But Acuña’s knees are a long-term concern, Atlanta lacks depth in both the lineup and the pitching staff, and this seems like a lost season.
So, if the Braves are willing to listen…
Offer no. 1: The Milwaukee Brewers offer SS Jesus Made (no. 5), SS Luis Pena, OF Sal Frelick, RHP Logan Henderson, RHP Abner Uribe
Offer no. 2: The Seattle Mariners offer SS Colt Emerson (no. 10), RHP Bryce Miller, C Harry Ford, OF Lazaro Montes, LHP Brandyn Garcia
Offer no. 3: The Tampa Bay Rays offer SS Carson Willliams (no. 27), RHP Shane Baz, OF Theo Gillen, RHP Yoniel Curet, RHP Brody Hopkins
The one who could achieve it: Sailors
The Mariners have never played in a World Series. Their production in right field is among the worst in the majors. Oh, and they have a farm system loaded with nine prospects on MLB.com’s updated top 100 list, more than any other team. On that list, Emerson came in at No. 18, Montes at No. 29, and Ford at No. 56. Miller’s value has temporarily dropped since he’s been out due to inflammation in his right elbow, but he had a 2.94 ERA for the Mariners in 2024 and could give the Braves a front-line starter if he’s healthy.
Ford might not be the perfect fit for Atlanta with Drake Baldwin (plus Sean Murphy) at catcher, but Cal Raleigh blocks Ford in Seattle. The Braves could trade Murphy in the offseason, and Ford has the athletic ability to play in the outfield, although he has played exclusively behind the plate in Triple-A, where he is batting above .300 with an OBP above .400. Emerson is a scout favorite with his hard contact and ability to play shortstop, although he is still learning to lift the ball more, while Montes recently earned a promotion to Double-A after batting .572 in High-A at age 20.
For the Mariners, Acuña would fit well at the top of the order or batting second in front of Raleigh, which would allow them to slide Julio Rodríguez down in the lineup, and perhaps Acuña’s presence would also help take some pressure off Rodríguez. Most importantly: Acuña’s salary is a realistic fit even for the Mariners, who don’t like to spend. And despite giving up three excellent prospects and a young starting pitcher, their farm system would still be strong. In addition, they have the third pick in this year’s draft.
Milwaukee’s offer is tempting with two promising hitting prospects in Made and Pena, but it’s a riskier package, as the 18-year-olds are a long way from the majors and neither is sure to stay at shortstop, a big offensive hole in the Braves’ lineup. Williams would be the key to the Tampa Bay trade, but his sky-high strikeout rate in Triple-A has caused him to drop in the rankings and limits his offensive potential.
Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
Why they’ll likely keep him: The Twins are below .500, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of the playoff race. Buxton has been their best player and their best hitter, as he’s on pace to achieve a personal best in WAR. Although he hasn’t reached the heights of Acuña in his prime, Buxton’s contract is also favorable for the team, as he’s signed through 2028 and earns $15.1 million per season. He’s 31, but he’s still one of the best defensive center fielders in the game.
But Buxton, although healthy in 2025, is often affected by injuries. So, if the Twins are willing to listen…
Offer no. 1: The Philadelphia Phillies offer RHP Andrew Painter (no. 23) and OF Justin Crawford
Offer no. 2: The Cincinnati Reds offer RHP Rhett Lowder (no. 48), RHP Chase Petty (no. 49) and 3B Sal Stewart
Offer n.º 3: The Kansas City Royals offer LHP Cole Ragans and LHP David Shields
The one who could achieve it: Phillies
The Phillies, Reds, and Royals could use an outfielder to add some power to their lineups, although in Cincinnati’s case, their biggest hole is at third base. Philadelphia has a lot at stake in 2025 given the age of their lineup, and executive Dave Dombrowski knows how to go all-in. In this case, that would mean parting with one of the best pitching prospects in the game in Painter, as well as a young, promising outfielder who hits well in Triple-A.
Trading for Painter would be painful, but the Phillies still have rotation depth with Zack Wheeler (signed through 2027), Cristopher Sanchez (signed through 2030), Aaron Nola (signed through 2030), and Jesus Luzardo (under team control through 2026). Ranger Suarez, who is having an excellent season, is heading to free agency, so he’s the only arm they could lose. But center field has been a weak spot in recent seasons, with the Phillies in the bottom third of the majors in OPS this year, and the team’s overall power production has been below average, even with Kyle Schwarber. Adding Buxton adds more power to the middle of the order.
Painter gives the Twins a potential ace, and they still have top prospect Emmanuel Rodríguez ready to take over center field. Crawford, 21, is a divisive prospect (he’s No. 49 in MLB.com’s rankings) because, although he’s hitting for a high average in Triple-A Lehigh Valley, he hits the ball too much on the ground and only has two home runs. Still, there’s a chance he’ll produce a good OBP and superior defense with his speed.
The Royals’ trade challenge with Ragans is intriguing, but risky for Minnesota, given that he is currently on the injured list due to a rotator cuff strain. Furthermore, intradivisional trades are difficult to achieve. The Twins would want Chase Burns from the Reds, but that’s probably not a start for Cincinnati.
Will we have some spicy surprise agreements on this trade deadline? Will it just be the usual list of free agents and relief pitchers? In a season that remains so open, it could be the right time for some out-of-the-ordinary moves.
