2025 MLB Trade Deadline: Team Insights, Best Fits, and Rumors

The MLB trade deadline is coming up fast. With teams scrambling for playoff spots, it’s shaping up to be one of the wildest, most unpredictable markets in recent memory.

Almost 75% of teams are within reach of the postseason, thanks to the expanded playoff format. That’s made for a frenzied seller’s market and some serious competition for top talent.

Most major deals probably won’t drop until the last 72 hours before the July 31 deadline. So, who’s making moves, and what’s everyone after this year?

The Tight Race Spurs Intense Trade Activity

This year’s deadline stands out because there’s so much parity across Major League Baseball. The new postseason format has kept a ton of teams in the mix, which means fewer obvious sellers and even more competition for the best players.

With so few teams willing to sell, the price for game-changers is about as high as it gets. Teams are desperate to upgrade, but most deals are expected to come right at the wire.

Front offices are stuck weighing short-term needs against long-term plans, and honestly, it’s not an easy call for anyone.

Big Buyers in the Spotlight

Some teams are going all-in as buyers, each with their own wish list. Here’s a look at who’s making headlines:

• New York Yankees: The Yankees are eyeing Arizona’s Eugenio Suárez for some infield help. If they can’t get him, they’ve got backup plans lined up—flexibility seems to be their theme this year.
• Chicago Cubs: The Cubs really want a top starting pitcher, like MacKenzie Gore or Joe Ryan. They might even part with prospect Owen Caissie if it means getting the right arm.
• Toronto Blue Jays: Toronto’s chasing pitching upgrades, with Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller at the top of their list. They’re also thinking about adding to their bullpen for a deeper playoff push.
• Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies have their eyes on elite relievers, especially Emmanuel Clase. They’re also looking for a right-handed power outfielder, with Adolis Garcia and Luis Robert Jr. on their radar.
• Seattle Mariners: The Mariners, with a stacked farm system, are in a great spot to make a splash. They want to upgrade their infield and are targeting both Josh Naylor and Suárez to help lock down a playoff berth.

Valuable Trade Chips Fueling the Market

With so many teams chasing the postseason, the few sellers out there hold all the cards. The Rockies and White Sox are at the center of things, fielding offers for stars like Luis Robert Jr. and Seth Halvorsen.

There’s a lot of buzz around a few other names, too:

• Mitch Keller (Pittsburgh Pirates): Keller’s the most sought-after controllable starter on the market. Multiple contenders want him, and wherever he lands could shift the whole deadline.
• MacKenzie Gore (Washington Nationals): The Nationals aren’t shopping Gore, but if the return is right, they might just let him go. That’s got plenty of teams intrigued.

Balancing the Present and the Future

The trade deadline always puts teams in a tough spot: do you go for it now or protect the future? Some of the prospects in play could be franchise guys down the line, but chasing a title is awfully tempting.

The Final Countdown

Most teams are still in the hunt, so the 2025 MLB trade deadline feels like it could get wild. Drama, strategy, and a few curveballs seem almost guaranteed.

The stakes? They’re sky-high. Contenders are scrambling, hoping to find that one missing piece to push them over the edge.

Will the Yankees actually land Eugenio Suárez? Maybe Mitch Keller or MacKenzie Gore get shipped in a massive deal. I’m curious just how bold the Cubs, Phillies, and Mariners will get in their playoff chases.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Passan’s ultimate MLB trade deadline preview: Where all 30 teams stand, best fits and latest intel