10 deals we want to see ahead of MLB's trade deadline
The July 31 MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching. Here are 10 marquee deals we'd love to see.
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Why the Tigers do it: Detroit is essentially a lock to win the AL Central; now it's about building a roster to win in the postseason. For all Robert's flaws, he remains an elite defensive center fielder and baserunner, which would help a Tigers team that ranks last in the majors in steals. It's unlikely either of Robert's two $20-million club options are exercised, making him a rental. Houser gives Detroit more rotation depth behind Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, and Jack Flaherty.
Why the White Sox do it: Getting anything for Robert at this point should be the front office's goal. Of course, Chicago could always hold onto him, exercise his option, and hope he's able to rebuild his value, but that's an expensive risk for a team that's often reluctant to spend. Converting Houser's breakout year into prospects is exactly what a rebuilding club needs to do.
Why the Astros do it: Long-term injures to Yordan Alvarez and now Isaac Paredes are threatening to derail what's been an incredible season. Luckily, the Orioles have exactly what the Astros need to not just stay afloat, but assemble one of the AL's best lineups if everyone returns healthy. Mullins would serve as Houston's everyday center fielder, while O'Hearn provides big power from the left side.
Why the Orioles do it: Their 2025 campaign has been ugly. Trading away expiring deals would allow the team to build some much-needed pitching depth that will hopefully enable a quick turnaround heading into 2026. Ullola, Houston's No. 4 prospect, is an intriguing arm that looks MLB ready. He could audition for next year's roster over the final two months of this season.
Why the Blue Jays do it: Toronto needs to think big and capitalize on a wide-open American League. The Blue Jays lack a true ace, and deGrom more than fills that role. While there's considerable risk in taking on the $88 million left on the right-hander's deal through 2027, the trade market lacks a high-ceiling rental pitcher. Toronto's proven track record of keeping its veteran starters healthy could entice deGrom, who would need to waive his full no-trade clause to come aboard. The prospect package is hefty, but the front office needs to push its chips in as the club hopes to record its first postseason win since 2016.
Why the Rangers do it: Although Texas is playing much better heading into the deadline, the front office should use deGrom's strong performance as an opportunity to move off his contract, improve a depleted system, and free up money that can be spent in an approaching free-agent market full of starting pitchers. Yesavage and Tiedemann would add two top-100 pitching prospects to a system that currently has none.
Why the Yankees do it: Their defensive issues have cost them plenty this year, and while Eugenio Suárez's bat is enticing, this team doesn't need more poor defense and strikeouts. Arenado's best hitting days are behind him, but he remains an elite defender, and he puts the ball in play. Though his age isn't ideal, the other options at the position wouldn't have the same impact. He'd settle things down for New York while also acting as a mentor and safety net for Anthony Volpe. Adding Helsley at the back end of the bullpen would take pressure off Luke Weaver and give the team another late-game option. Arenado would need to waive his no-trade clause for all of this to happen.
Why the Cardinals do it: Having slipped in the wild-card race after a promising start, clearing out some of Arenado's salary and opening up playing time makes a lot of sense. St. Louis is thin on arms - especially when it comes to the franchise's top prospects - so any deal needs to be focused on infusing the system with pitching.
Why the Red Sox do it: Ryan is the perfect complement to Garrett Crochet and would give Boston arguably the best one-two punch in the American League. Parting with a fan favorite and spark plug like Duran could be hard to swallow - especially after dealing Rafael Devers - but Boston needs to clear its logjam of outfielders and use that depth to land a controllable frontline starter. Reuniting with Vázquez gives the Red Sox a mentor to back up Carlos Narváez.
Why the Twins do it: Minnesota still seems committed to its core in an attempt to retool heading into next year. Duran gives the Twins a dynamic option at the top of the lineup who's under team control through 2028 at a relatively moderate cost. Fitts is already pitching in the majors, while Garcia is crushing the ball in Triple-A. Losing Ryan would be a blow to the pitching staff, but this could be the best way to add immediately available talent to the MLB roster in a variety of areas. Meanwhile, Vázquez helps clear some money off the books for the rest of the season.
Why the Cubs do it: There needs to be a level of urgency on the North Side with Kyle Tucker's impending free agency. Suárez would give Chicago one of the deepest lineups in MLB, while Kelly - a proven playoff performer - would be a top-of-the-rotation arm for the postseason.
Why the Diamondbacks do it: Arizona needs to wave the white flag on its season and sell off its impending free agents in order to compete again in 2026. Wiggins and Ballesteros are top-100 prospects who would be a huge boost to the D-Backs' system. With so many injuries and impending free agents, the club must turn Suárez and Kelly into impact pieces that are knocking on the door to the majors.
Why the Dodgers do it: Because the Dodgers can pretty much do whatever they want. Despite an astronomical payroll and a roster featuring at least four future Hall of Famers, the reigning World Series champs approach the deadline with a number of needs. Adding a closer is an essential, not a luxury, and one of the game's best in flamethrower Miller makes a lot of sense. Factor in the four-plus years of control, and the Dodgers can dream on a dominant back end of the bullpen for years to come. Severino has been great outside the confines of Sutter Health Park, and the Dodgers would benefit from another controllable arm given all their pitching injuries.
Why the A's do it: The first season in West Sacramento has been a bit of a disaster. The A's have a solid core of young position players already in the majors, though the team is unlikely to compete for a playoff spot before it's ready to move to Vegas. In the meantime, it makes more sense for the Athletics to trade their high-leverage reliever now, when his value is still exceptional. Severino's comments about the team's facilities will likely make the A's a tough sell in free agency until they relocate.
Why the Phillies do it: The clock is ticking on this core. The Phillies have done a good job of building their farm system in recent years, but rather than wait on those young players to make an impact at the big-league level, the front office should flip them for immediate help. Clase gives the Phillies one of the game's elite closers for multiple years, while Kwan addresses a need in the corner outfield and adds a different offensive dynamic.
Why the Guardians do it: After winning the AL Central in 2024, regression has hit. Cleveland is still alive in the wild-card race but is one of the majors' worst offensive teams. There are too many issues to solve for a team that doesn't spend much, so the Guardians should focus on packaging Kwan and Clase for future - and cheaper - impact players. There's no reason Painter and Crawford can't be key contributors as soon as next season.
Why the Padres do it: San Diego ranks 29th in OPS from the DH spot this season. The club has a solid core and could make a deep playoff run if it gets a little bit of help. The Padres would need Ozuna to accept a trade, however, given his 10-and-5 rights. If Ozuna is willing to go west, he would help San Diego land an impact bat without costing the team a significant number of prospects.
Why the Braves do it: Expect Alex Anthopoulos to trade away anyone on an expiring deal. Ozuna's full no-trade rights allow him to pick his destination.
Why the Mets do it: Díaz would give the Mets some right-handed power to balance their lineup and could slide into the DH role, allowing Mark Vientos to man third base. He's also signed through 2026, which provides the Mets some cover if Pete Alonso opts out of his deal. Fairbanks gives New York another back-end arm capable of closing, plus he also comes with additional control. That could be beneficial with Edwin Díaz's player option looming.
Why the Rays do it: Tampa Bay continues churning its roster to find any competitive advantage no matter where it sits in the playoff race. Dealing Díaz and Fairbanks continues the franchise's trend of parting with veterans nearing free agency in order to bring in younger players with more term left on their deals. Both McLean and Benge are top-100 prospects on the verge of reaching MLB.