2025 MLB Trade Deadline: Key Dates and Potential Targets Revealed

The MLB trade deadline is always a wild stretch—teams scramble to add firepower for a playoff push or try to set themselves up for the future. With the 2025 deadline almost here, it’s looking like another chaotic, rumor-filled ride. The big story so far? Rafael Devers heading to the San Francisco Giants in a massive deal with Boston, though, honestly, his slow start has left fans scratching their heads. Let’s dig into what’s shaping up for the 2025 MLB trade deadline, the players everyone’s talking about, and why even the smallest deals could end up making all the difference.

Key Details of the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline

The 2025 MLB trade deadline lands at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 31, which is a bit later than usual. That extra time gives teams more room to hammer out last-minute deals. It’s crunch time for front offices—are you all-in or tearing it down?

Blockbuster Deals Command Attention

Whenever the deadline rolls around, everyone’s eyes go straight to the biggest names changing teams. This year, the headline-grabber has been the San Francisco Giants picking up Rafael Devers from the Red Sox. Devers came in with huge expectations as a top-tier hitter, but so far, he hasn’t quite delivered in San Francisco. It’s hard not to wonder if the gamble will pay off when October hits.

Big trades like this aren’t new. Think about Justin Verlander joining the Astros in 2017, Aroldis Chapman heading to the Cubs in 2016, or Jorge Soler’s run with the Braves in 2021. These guys didn’t just fill a spot—they helped their teams win it all.

The Underappreciated Importance of Small Trades

Sure, the stars grab attention, but it’s those sneaky, under-the-radar moves that often swing the postseason. Minor pickups—especially relief pitchers—barely make a blip until October. But let’s be real, bullpens decide tight games, and teams who build depth here usually go further than people expect.

Fans might scroll right past news of a middle reliever getting traded, but front offices know better. Sometimes, that overlooked move is the one that pushes a team from “just missed” to “champions.”

Playoff Contenders and Rumored Trade Targets

As the deadline creeps up, rumors around some big-name players are getting louder. Teams on the edge of the playoffs are weighing risky moves to boost their shot now and down the line. Some names floating around:

• Eugenio Suarez (Diamondbacks)
• MacKenzie Gore (Nationals)
• Joe Ryan (Twins)
• Seth Lugo (Royals)
• Jhoan Duran (Twins)
• David Bednar (Pirates)
• Emmanuel Clase (Guardians)
• Sandy Alcantara (Marlins)
• Zac Gallen (Diamondbacks)

Pitchers like Alcantara and Gallen could totally reshape a rotation. Elite relievers—Clase, Bednar—would give any bullpen a big boost. Of course, whether these guys actually move? That’s anyone’s guess. Price tags and team needs will make things complicated.

The Skenes Dilemma in Pittsburgh

One of the most talked-about stories this year has to be Pirates ace Paul Skenes. He’s got a league-best 1.91 ERA and looks nearly unhittable, but his 5-8 record says a lot about Pittsburgh’s rough season.

Teams are lining up to ask about Skenes, and his value’s through the roof. Still, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the Pirates aren’t budging—they see Skenes as their future, not a trade chip. Even with all the chatter, it doesn’t sound like he’s going anywhere this summer.

Conclusion: Prepare for Fireworks

The 2025 MLB trade deadline looks set to bring plenty of drama and maybe a few jaw-dropping moves. There’s always that one trade nobody saw coming that completely changes the playoff race.

Sometimes, a deal that seems minor on paper ends up mattering most when October rolls around. With teams weighing their options, fans should probably brace for a wild finish to July’s trading frenzy.

 
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