Rumors and Movements in the MLB 2025 Trade Deadline
The deadline for MLB trade closures in 2025 is just around the corner, with contending teams making crucial decisions about what they need to add before 6 p.m. ET on Thursday. Could Jarren Duran of the Boston Red Sox be on the move? Will the Arizona Diamondbacks trade Eugenio Suárez and Zac Gallen to contending teams? And, which of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, and Philadelphia Phillies will go all out to boost their 2025 World Series hopes? Here’s the latest information, reactions to completed deals, and everything you need to know about each team as the transfer season progresses.Latest on the MLB trade deadlineJuly 29
Oh! HBP has teams worried about Suárez: At the very least, Eugenio Suárez being hit by a pitch on Monday night has worried some rival evaluators who have talked about trading for him. “If you pay a price like that, you’re going to want to feel good about what you’re getting,” said a staff member. And, in general, hand/wrist injuries linger for hitters.
Trade talks intensify on Robert: National League East rivals are vying for White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., with Chicago seemingly resolute in the stance that it will receive a trade return commensurate with Robert’s potential or hold onto him beyond the deadline. The White Sox have a $20 million option on Robert next season, and they have plenty of payroll flexibility going forward, meaning there’s really no financial stress in the decision; Chicago doesn’t have to shed the contract. Much of Robert’s career has been filled with injuries or mediocre performance, but he has always been viewed as a superstar talent. Luisangel Acuña and Mark Vientos are among the names that have surfaced in conversations with the Mets, and the Phillies have a pitching-loaded farm system. The Padres have also inquired about Robert.Are the Braves moving Ozuna? Possibly to the Padres? With a little more than 48 hours until the deadline, there is movement in development around Marcell Ozuna, who has the power to reject any trade proposal. At least one team has had internal conversations about trying to reach an agreement for the hitter. It will be interesting to see if the Padres emerge as a possible landing spot for Ozuna. San Diego has one of the worst DH productions in baseball this year, with a wRC+ of 82, which ranks 28th, and presumably, the prospect-troubled Padres would not have to give up much to get him.
Cards seek to negotiate with Helsley: For much of this season, rival executives were unsure if the Cardinals would trade players at the deadline, because their perception was that the organization wanted to have the best possible season in John Mozeliak’s last year at the helm of baseball operations. They weren’t sure if closer Ryan Helsley, a free agent in his own right, would be traded. Until a few days ago, it was still unclear to some teams whether Helsley would be moved. But on Tuesday morning, several executives said the Cardinals are trading names and seem dedicated to moving Helsley, although the offers for him might not be as strong as they hoped. Helsley’s strikeout rate has dropped this season, he has given up a higher percentage of home runs, and his ERA has gone up. “He’s not having the brilliant season we’ve seen from him before,” said an evaluator. The Tigers, Mets, Yankees, Mariners, Dodgers, Phillies, and Blue Jays are among the contenders seeking relief help.The Reds target Suárez, but there’s a backup plan: The Cincinnati Reds are among the teams that have been in contact with the Diamondbacks about Eugenio Suárez, but if Arizona finds a deal elsewhere, the Reds could pivot to another third baseman on the market: Gio Urshela of the A’s, Isiah Kiner-Falefa of the Pirates, one of the Mets’ infielders (Brett Baty, Luisangel Acuña, Mark Vientos), etc.Want one of these aces? It’ll cost you: There are several contenders looking for a front-line starting pitcher (Mets, Cubs, Red Sox, etc.), but the cost of two of the most prominent starters, Joe Ryan of the Twins and Dylan Cease of the Padres, remains extremely high in the minds of some evaluators.
Are the Rays adding or subtracting? Not even they know: The market is still somehow stalled by teams deciding what they want to do. Tampa Bay is at the top of that list. The Rays have pitchers, both starters and relievers, that teams want. But being just outside the wild card race is causing some hesitation for the Rays.
On the other hand… Other teams believe that Tampa Bay, which fell in a brutal July, has joined the Diamondbacks as one of the main detractors in the market. After the transfer of Danny Jansen to Milwaukee, other names include starting pitcher Zack Littell (“He’s going to be traded,” said an evaluator), relief pitchers Garrett Cleavinger and Pete Fairbanks, and position players Yandy Díaz and Josh Lowe. But a rival executive says he believes Díaz will have to be taken from the Rays, given his $12 million option for next season.
The Yankees are looking for relief help, and a lot of it: The Yankees are still looking for relief help. They have resources deployed across the league in search of bullpen arms. If there’s a closer or a setup man available, New York is looking at it. Think Ryan Helsley and work from there.Speaking of relievers: Other teams believe the Colorado Rockies could do very well in the current market if they traded their best relievers: Seth Halvorsen, Jake Bird and Jimmy Herget. But some of those same teams consider the current cost to make those deals unattainable, and wonder if the Rockies will give in as the deadline approaches.
Rangers Ready to Rock at the Deadline: The Texas Rangers have won nine of 11 and rival executives report the Rangers are aggressively looking to improve their bullpen before the trade deadline.Completed Agreements
Blue Jays get bullpen boost in deal with Orioles: The Toronto Blue Jays are acquiring right-handed reliever Seranthony Dominguez from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Juaron Watts-Brown, according to an ESPN source.Rays trade with Brewers, get one from Marlins: The Milwaukee Brewers acquired catcher Danny Jansen from the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays also acquired catcher Nick Fortes from the Miami Marlins.Tigers bolster pitching staff: The Detroit Tigers receive RHP Chris Paddack and RHP Randy Dobnak from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for C/1B Enrique Jimenez.Braves add veteran arm to rotation: The Atlanta Braves acquired veteran starting pitcher Erick Fedde from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for a player to be determined or cash.Yankees make another deal for infield depth: The New York Yankees acquired utility player Amed Rosario from the Washington Nationals in exchange for two minor league players.Royals get outfielder in trade with D-backs: The Kansas City Royals acquired veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-hander Andrew Hoffmann.Yankees get infielder McMahon in deal with Rockies: The New York Yankees are acquiring third baseman Ryan McMahon in a trade with the Colorado Rockies.Mets get bullpen help from O’s: The New York Mets have acquired left-handed reliever Gregory Soto from the Baltimore Orioles.Mariners start trade season with Naylor deal: The Seattle Mariners have acquired first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for left-hander Brandyn Garcia and right-hander Ashton Izzi.
Rumors from previous days
July 28th Updates
The Mets need relievers: As we approach the deadline, the Mets are ideally looking to add two relievers, a center fielder, and possibly an additional hitter to slot into a designated hitter role, in case their current regular DH Mark Vientos is one of the players they need to include in a deal to address their needs.Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox is their primary target for the center field need, with Cedric Mullins of the Orioles as the second option, as Jesse Rogers has pointed out below. I am told that the White Sox have focused on Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, Vientos and Luisangel Acuña in those conversations with Robert, with the last two being the most realistic options.Bader could be a highly sought-after commodity: The Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees are among the teams that have shown interest in Twins outfielder Harrison Bader, according to ESPN sources. Bader is an elite defender who is batting .255 with 12 home runs and a .777 OPS in 93 games this season. His 2.0 fWAR ranks 30th in the majors among outfielders. Effectively, he would be a rental for a contender; he signed a one-year contract with $6.25 million guaranteed plus up to $2 million in bonuses including a mutual option for 2026. He is likely to opt for free agency to secure a better contract before his age-32 season. Bader has played for both New York clubs; with the Yankees in 2022 and 2023 and with the Mets last season. The Yankees are looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder with Aaron Judge’s flexor strain throwing a wrench into their season. The Mets could use an upgrade in center field. The Dodgers, for their part, could use Bader in center field, move Andy Pages to left field, and move struggling Michael Conforto (.194 batting average and .650 OPS) to the bench.
Yankees interested in Bader, Slater? The Yankees continue to work to add bullpen help, according to rival evaluators, and have spoken with other teams about right-handed hitting outfielders. Former Yankee Harrison Bader is among those discussed, as well as White Sox outfielder Austin Slater. The Yankees’ bullpen has been the weakest part of the team this year, and they will be among the contenders likely to add relief before the deadline.
The Blue Jays, like most teams, need bullpen help: Toronto is in an increasingly dominant position in the American League East, and one of the advantages the Blue Jays have is the flexibility of their group of position players. They have a handful of players who can change places according to the daily needs of manager John Schneider. Like so many contending teams, the Jays are working to add bullpen help, according to rival evaluators, from the huge group of available relievers.Yankees seek some Bucs: The Yankees’ focus is now on adding pitchers, both a starter and multiple relievers, after improving their position player group with the additions of Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario over the weekend. As Kiley McDaniel notes below, Nationals’ All-Star lefty MacKenzie Gore is a possible option if the Yankees are willing to pay a high price. New York has also shown interest in the available arms from the Pirates, a source told ESPN. Right-handed starter Mitch Keller, left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson, and right-handed relievers David Bednar and Dennis Santana are among the pitchers that Pittsburgh could move before Thursday’s deadline. Getting Keller, a quality mid-rotation starter, would also require a considerable haul, as the veteran is under contract for the next three seasons for about $54.5 million. So would adding Bednar, who is one of the best relievers available and is under team control through next season.July 27th Updates
The Mets are combing the CF market, and Robert could play a big role: The New York Mets are monitoring center fielders Cedric Mullins of the Baltimore Orioles and Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox. Robert returned to the lineup on Sunday as a designated hitter after missing the previous two games due to a groin strain. Before getting injured, he was easily having the best month he’s had in the last two years, batting .351 with a .442 OBP in July. The White Sox have been waiting for an increase in prospect capital to move forward with a deal. They may finally get it this week; however, they could always pick up the option on his contract this offseason and do all this again next year. Robert’s production this month has intrigued teams.Not all White Sox players are on the table: The Chicago White Sox are hoping for a good prospect return for starting pitcher Adrian Houser, who will likely be moved before the deadline unless teams simply don’t believe in his 2.10 effectiveness in 11 starts. The Sox would love a prospect ranked between 10 and 20 in an opposing team’s farm system; however, teams are likely to lean towards the lower end of that rather than what Chicago prefers, closer to the upper end. The New York Yankees were among the teams scouting Houser this weekend. He pitched another good game against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. Meanwhile, it is unlikely that they will trade with the depth outfielder Mike Tauchman. While Chicago still has another year of team control over him, the coaching staff has praised his influence within their young clubhouse. He would be more valuable on the open market if he could play in center field, but leg problems are a concern, and the White Sox are unlikely to get much in return for prospects for him.The market for a Marlins starter could be heating up: Teams unwilling or unable to meet the demands for Joe Ryan and MacKenzie Gore, two controllable starters more likely to stay put than move at the moment, could easily pivot to Edward Cabrera, right-hander for the Miami Marlins. The 27-year-old is controllable through the 2028 season and has been on a very good run, with a 2.47 ERA since the beginning of May. Another Marlins pitcher, Sandy Alcantara, has been the big name mentioned on the trade front all year, but it remains to be seen if he will be moved. Alcantara has struggled in his initial return from Tommy John surgery and is controllable for two more years. And the Marlins, who have been surging lately, with 20 wins in their last 28 games, can easily justify holding onto him if they aren’t blown away by offers. At this point, Cabrera seems more likely to be traded.
Gore market is stalled for now: Jesse Rogers noted below (July 24 update) that the Chicago Cubs are looking to add a starting pitcher with years of control and would consider including a young position player, though hopefully not a top prospect, for that to happen. MacKenzie Gore is one of those targets, and the key player the Washington Nationals are rumored to want in a return package is Matt Shaw, who is not yet on the table and graduated from prospect status this season with 71 MLB games. The New York Yankees are also shopping for a starting pitcher and have some young position players of interest to rivals, but are not interested in including any of their top prospects, George Lombard Jr. or Spencer Jones. If they change that stance, they could be a dark horse fit with the Nats on Gore.Boston should target Díaz from Tampa Bay: The struggles of the Tampa Bay Rays over the past month have surprised many other teams, and also the Rays’ staff, and they could now pivot to become negotiators at the deadline. Tampa Bay’s first baseman, Yandy Díaz, would absolutely fit perfectly with the Boston Red Sox. He is earning $10 million this year (the Red Sox would be responsible for about a third of that), and he has a very attractive $12 million option for 2026.
Could Ozuna be one of the Braves on the move?
