Top MLB Trade Rumors Before 2025 All-Star Game
The baseball world is on pause this week for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.
Or rather, there's a temporary break in the action for players, coaches and fans.
For front office members, though, the clock is ticking for them to make the kind of transactions needed to either solidify their playoff hopes or pave the path toward a brighter future before the July 31 trade deadline.
And since those executives are keeping busy, we'll do the same while rounding up the latest trade rumors around potential buyers and sellers.
Twins Relievers Drawing Attention
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With the Minnesota Twins sitting a tick below .500, rival clubs are circling the Twin Cities in hopes of prying away a top-shelf reliever.
The Philadelphia Phillies, who have struggled to replace suspended (and therefore postseason-ineligible) closer José Alvarado, "have been extensively scouting" Jhoan Durán and Griffin Jax and "hoping to acquire at least one of them," per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The report added that the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds have also shown "strong interest" in the pair.
Durán has been one of baseball's best relievers this season. The flamethrowing closer headed into the All-Star break with a career-best 1.66 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 43.1 innings.
Jax, on the other hand, has lagged behind his normal performance, though perhaps potential suitors are hoping that makes him a bargain buy at the deadline. And maybe they're onto something. While his 3.92 ERA is his highest in four seasons, he has amassed a ridiculous 14.4 strikeouts against only 2.2 walks per nine innings.
Firesale Potential in Arizona
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With the Los Angeles Dodgers threatening to run away with the NL West and both the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants sitting comfortably above .500, hopes are dwindling for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The way rival executives see it, those fading hopes means the Diamondbacks "will definitely be sellers at the trade deadline," per Nightengale. Impending free agents Eugenio Suárez, Josh Naylor, Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly are all "available," per Nightengale.
Suárez, who just earned his second All-Star selection, could be having his best season ever, as he went into intermission with 31 homers (already tied for his third-most) and an NL-best 78 RBI. Naylor hasn't been quite as impressive during his first (and only?) season in Arizona, but he's still produced 11 homers and steals apiece while driving in 58 and batting .294.
As for the available pitchers, Kelly is having one of his best seasons while Gallen is toiling through his worst. Kelly owns a 3.34 ERA with 113 strikeouts in 116 innings, and Gallen has a career-worst 5.40 ERA and his fewest strikeouts per nine innings (8.6).
Padres Covet Red Sox Outfielder
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While the Boston Red Sox surged into the break with 10 consecutive wins, the San Diego Padres hoped that doesn't mean their selling days are finished.
That's because the Padres "remain enamored" with Jarren Duran, per Dennis Lin of The Athletic.
Duran, "who still might be viewed as expendable" by the Sox, per Lin, has been unable to build off of last season's All-Star emergence. That said, he's still had 43 extra-base hits (including eight home runs), 16 stolen bases and 102 combined runs and RBI through 97 games.
But with Boston brimming with outfielders and perhaps preparing for a $200 million-plus pact with Alex Bregman, Duran could be the next homegrown star that the Red Sox ship out. The Padres are clearly hoping that'll be the case, at least.
