The 2025 MLB trade deadline is just around the corner, and every team has a decision to make. Buyers are plotting their final upgrades, fringe teams are hesitating, and full sellers are fielding calls left and right. Here’s how all 30 squads are shaping up as the buzzer approaches.
Los Angeles Dodgers
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Injuries across the rotation and bullpen have forced the Dodgers into scramble mode. With Tanner Scott sidelined, their bullpen lacks late-inning reliability. They’ve targeted top arms like Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax and may also pursue a versatile utility bat while Kiké Hernández and Max Muncy remain on the IL.
Chicago Cubs
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The Cubs can’t afford to stumble, especially with Jed Hoyer in a contract year. They’re tied with Milwaukee for the National League’s best record, so the team is looking for a frontline starter and a lefty bat to pair with rookie Matt Shaw. Mitch Keller and Zac Gallen are on their radar.
New York Yankees
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The Yankees filled their glaring hole at third base by acquiring Ryan McMahon from Colorado, but pitching remains a concern. Clarke Schmidt’s injury leaves a void in the rotation behind Max Fried and Carlos Rodón. Bullpen help is also on the wish list before the final postseason push.
Philadelphia Phillies
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Relievers are once again front and center in Philly. The bullpen hasn’t recovered from last year’s inconsistencies, and though David Robertson was signed and Gage Wood was drafted, more firepower is needed. The Phillies are sniffing around top bullpen arms like Ryan Helsley and Emmanuel Clase.
New York Mets
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New York kicked things off by acquiring Gregory Soto, which is part of their familiar bullpen-first approach. While returning hitters like Jesse Winker and Starling Marte will help internally, President David Stearns is focused on relief arms and less likely to chase a blockbuster unless something major falls into his lap.
Detroit Tigers
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The Tigers remain in the playoff mix but haven’t solved their bullpen issues. Over the past month, their relievers rank near the bottom in ERA, and it’s starting to cost them close games. They’ve stayed quiet so far, but standing pat won’t go over well if the bullpen keeps unraveling.
Milwaukee Brewers
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They’re winning, they’re tied for baseball’s best record, and yet history says the Brewers won’t go big. In 2021, they added only John Curtiss and Daniel Norris. This year, bullpen depth and a backup shortstop are more likely than any major shakeup, in keeping with Milwaukee’s conservative track record.
San Diego Padres
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A top-heavy lineup has carried the Padres this far, but the bottom half is holding them back. Their bottom four hitters have a combined .611 OPS. Adding a catcher like Danny Jansen or Nick Fortes and one more potent DH-type bat could give the offense the lift it needs.
Toronto Blue Jays
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Since June 1, the Jays have gone 29-14 despite their starters posting a 4.60 ERA. That disconnect highlights the need for a postseason-level starter to back José Berríos and Kevin Gausman. General manager Ross Atkins knows it’s time to patch the rotation with someone who can win in October.
Seattle Mariners
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The Mariners didn’t wait long to get started and acquired Josh Naylor. They’ll likely follow that up with bullpen upgrades and possibly another corner infielder. Injuries have made the pitching staff thinner than expected. Baltimore bats like Ryan O’Hearn or Ramón Laureano remain on their list for a depth boost.
Houston Astros
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The IL is starting to look like a second roster for Houston. Starters Spencer Arrighetti and Ronel Blanco, along with bats like Jeremy Peña and Yordan Alvarez, are all out. Houston could benefit from both a starter and a left-handed bat like Mike Yastrzemski to steady the playoff chase.
San Francisco Giants
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DeversMania hasn’t gone as planned. Since acquiring Rafael Devers, San Francisco is 12-18, and their offense hasn’t clicked. Considering that they have limited trade capital, Buster Posey may opt to sit tight. Don’t expect a flashy deal unless Devers and Willy Adames spark something in the final days before the deadline.
Texas Rangers
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Pitching isn’t the problem in Arlington; it’s the bats. Texas leads MLB in ERA at 3.21, but the offense has stalled. There’s buzz around moving Adolis García if things go south quickly, but a more realistic path is standing pat and hoping the lineup gets hot at the right time.
Cincinnati Reds
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Quietly hovering near the playoff fringe, the Reds have relied on an overachieving rotation while missing Hunter Greene. They could go either way, adding a bat like Austin Hays if buying or moving bullpen arms like Emilio Pagán if selling. They are unlikely to go big in either direction.
Los Angeles Angels
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With a record just below .500, the Halos are stuck in the middle. They want to compete in 2026, so players like Taylor Ward and Tyler Anderson are unlikely to be moved. Expect them to acquire a reliever or bench bat, which is just a minor move to keep the fans interested.
Tampa Bay Rays
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The Rays might sell again, just like they did last season. Their playoff odds are better this time, but a road-heavy schedule and incoming ownership changes complicate things. If the next few games don’t swing their way, players like Pete Fairbanks and Zack Littell could be shipped out.
Boston Red Sox
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Boston’s front office remains unpredictable after trading Rafael Devers. They have a crowded outfield and a rotation in need of innings. Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu could be flipped for pitching help. A deadline would frustrate a fan base that was promised a more aggressive approach this year.
Arizona Diamondbacks
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Already moving Josh Naylor, the Diamondbacks have more to offer. Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly headline their pitching trade chips, while Eugenio Suárez could fill a major gap for contenders. Since Corbin Burnes is out for the year and playoff odds are at nearly 15%, Arizona is trending towards being a full-on sell.
Minnesota Twins
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The Twins are in a similar boat to Arizona, but most of their valuable players, including Jhoan Duran and Joe Ryan, have years of control. Willi Castro is more likely to be dealt, especially since his switch-hitting, multi-position value would upgrade almost any postseason-bound roster.
St. Louis Cardinals
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Erick Fedde is already gone, and Ryan Helsley might be next. The Cards are only 3.5 games out of a wild-card spot, but Chaim Bloom’s upcoming leadership could signal change. Don’t expect Nolan Arenado or Sonny Gray to move, but short-term deals are firmly on the table.
Cleveland Guardians
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Cleveland is the team to watch for bullpen action. Clase isn’t untouchable, especially after a rocky 2025. Shane Bieber is out due to injury, and Steven Kwan remains a building block. If the Guardians don’t get hot this week, they’ll lean toward selling relievers and prepping for next year.
Kansas City Royals
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Extending Seth Lugo had shut down trade talk around their best arm. With limited expiring contracts and a young core still developing, the Royals will likely sit this one out. Maikel García and Vinnie Pasquantino have drawn interest, but Kansas City wants those bats for a 2026 run.
Atlanta Braves
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Injuries and underperformance have led Atlanta to lean towards being a seller, though no fire sale is coming. Marcell Ozuna’s hip issue could depress his value, but he’s still a possible DH target. Catcher Sean Murphy may move only if the return is significant. For now, expect a few rentals, such as Pierce Johnson’s, to go.
Miami Marlins
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Last year’s full teardown won’t be repeated. This time, Miami’s just slightly below .500 since May. Cal Quantrill could be moved, but Edward Cabrera and Sandy Alcantara are more likely offseason trade candidates.
Oakland Athletics
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There’s not much left to move in Oakland. Mason Miller won’t be traded, and Luis Severino’s value hasn’t bounced back enough. Luis Urías and Sean Newcomb are potential targets for fringe contenders, but nothing suggests the A’s will play a central role in deadline drama.
Colorado Rockies
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The Rockies finally traded Ryan McMahon to the Yankees, but history suggests that might be it. Germán Márquez has upside but could be more attractive in free agency. The team has a reputation for clinging to assets too long, so it isn’t expected to go full seller despite its place in the standings.
Washington Nationals
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The Nationals lack expiring contracts and don’t want to part with young core pieces. Michael Soroka and Josh Bell are likely to be shopped, while Kyle Finnegan’s heavy workload raises red flags for contenders. Interim GM Mike DeBartolo appears hesitant to risk anything that could impact 2026.
Baltimore Orioles
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Baltimore started its fire sale by sending Gregory Soto to the Mets. Ryan O’Hearn, Cedric Mullins, and Ramón Laureano are next in line. Despite a disastrous season, the Orioles are hesitant to move pitchers like Trevor Rogers and Félix Bautista, given their developmental struggles on the mound.
Pittsburgh Pirates
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Contenders are circling Mitch Keller, who has posted a 3.53 ERA over 125 innings. Still, the Pirates rarely cash in their best pieces. Expect names like Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Andrew Heaney, and Tommy Pham to be dealt. Whether Ben Cherrington survives the offseason could determine how far they go this deadline.
Chicago White Sox
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With the worst record in the AL, Chicago is open for business. Luis Robert Jr.’s .779 OPS since June makes him a high-value chip, though Houser’s 1.89 ERA across 10 starts might be their most in-demand asset. This team has no playoff shot and no reason to hold back.
