Every MLB Team's Top Priority at the 2025 Trade Deadline
Major League Baseball's trade deadline season is in full bloom with just 10 days remaining until that July 31 cutoff.
Every contender has at least one glaring need.
Most of the definitely-not-a-contender teams have quite a bit of expiring assets to offer. (Whether most of those offerings would actually be upgrades for the contenders is debatable, though.)
And the teams stuck in between "clear buyer" and "clear seller" are running out of time to pick a lane.
For each of the 30 teams, we've identified what should be their top priority in this window of wheeling and dealing.
We'll spare you the specific trade package ideas for another time and instead focus more broadly on what the teams ought to be looking to buy or sell, mentioning the occasional trade target along the way.
Teams are listed alphabetically within each division. Stats and records current through start of play Sunday.
American League East
1 of 6
Baltimore Orioles (43-54): Turn Expiring Assets Into Prospects
The O's have battled admirably over the past two months to at least get back within shouting distance of a wild-card spot. However, they're still far enough out of the running and stand to gain enough from selling that we almost have to assume they'll do just that. Ryan O'Hearn, Tomoyuki Sugano and a resurgent Charlie Morton are the big ones, but they have a dozen impending free agents they figure to be trying to turn into prospects.
Boston Red Sox (53-47): Add a Starting Pitcher
Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello have combined for 14 quality starts since the beginning of June, pairing wonderfully with Garrett Crochet as the trio of arms that helped pace the Red Sox to an MLB-best 21-9 record heading into the All-Star break. But coming out of the break with two great big unknowns filling out the rest of the rotation was a sign of what's to come. And if they're actually willing to trade away a Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu, they could upgrade with much more than just a questionable two-month rental.
New York Yankees (54-44): Add a Starting Pitcher
There has been a lot of talk of Eugenio Suárez filling what has been a gaping hole at third base in the Bronx, but the Yankees lead the American League in scoring even with their shortcomings at the hot corner and should be much more focused on addressing a starting rotation that leaves much to be desired. Of course, they could "two birds, one stone" their needs by trading for a D-backs package of Suárez and Merrill Kelly.
Tampa Bay Rays (52-47): Get Healthy and Don't Panic?
At last year's deadline, Tampa Bay was one of the most aggressive teams, selling off the likes of Randy Arozarena and Isaac Paredes when the market made it worth its while. This year, the Rays might not do much of anything. Could look to save a few million bucks by trading away Zack Littell and/or Brandon Lowe, but major buying or selling is rather unlikely for this small-market team with a tangible playoff pulse—especially with Shane McClanahan likely to make his 2025 debut shortly after the deadline.
Toronto Blue Jays (57-41): Add a Slugger
Most of the viable contenders have multiple players with at least 15 home runs. For the Blue Jays, though, it's only George Springer (16), whose age-35 renaissance may or may not last. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is not slugging like he usually does, while Anthony Santander remains arguably MLB's worst 2024-25 offseason acquisition. With the defensive flexibility that both Ernie Clement and Addison Barger possess, Toronto could target just about any position for its much-needed boost in dingers.
American League Central
2 of 6
Chicago White Sox (34-65): Unload Andrew Benintendi
Since the moment this past winter when Chicago shipped Garrett Crochet to Boston, roughly 90 percent of all White Sox trade speculation has been focused on Luis Robert Jr. At this point, though, they only owe him about $5 million in prorated salary for this season and a $2 million buyout of his $20 million club option for next season. That's $7 million, while Andrew Benintendi is still owed roughly $38 million through 2027. Dump him and at least the "sell off everyone making big bucks" portion of their rebuild would be complete.
Cleveland Guardians (47-50): Add Multiple Outfield Bats
Maybe Cleveland limps into the deadline and doesn't see the point in buying, even with both Shane Bieber and John Means on their way back from Tommy John surgery. But if Emmanuel Clase is off the table, the Guardians don't stand to gain much of anything by selling, either. If they do end up buying, multiple outfielders has to be the goal, as they've got a serious "Steven Kwan or Bust" situation on their hands.
Detroit Tigers (59-40): Add Bullpen Help
With the exception of Will Vest, Detroit's bullpen has been a minor travesty. The Tigers ended the first half with an "As RP" fWAR" that ranked 26th in the majors, ahead of only Colorado, Arizona, Washington and the Angels. Not great. But it was a no-name, ragtag bunch of relievers/openers who spearheaded their late run to last year's postseason, and maybe they can find a few more diamonds in the rough.
Kansas City Royals (47-52): Sell Arms OR Buy Bats
I don't yet know which lane the Royals are going to pick, and neither do you. What I do know is if they're in it to win it, they need more than just Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia and occasionally Vinnie Pasquantino or Sal Perez on offense, lest they repeat what Seattle did last year in missing the postseason while allowing the fewest runs in the majors. I also know that if they're selling, there would be a whole host of parties interested in Seth Lugo, Kris Bubic and Carlos Estevez. Looking forward to seeing which way this domino topples.
Minnesota Twins (47-51): Get Byron Buxton Some Support
During the All-Star break, Buxton pretty well shut down the speculation he could be traded by all but promising to exercise his full no-trade clause. And if he's not going anywhere, Minnesota might as well go for it and add at least one other bat that could do some damage. First base is their lowest-hanging fruit for an upgrade, with any of Ryan O'Hearn, Josh Naylor or Nathaniel Lowe a viable option.
American League West
3 of 6
Athletics (42-58): Sugar, We're Going Down Swinging
Led by Jacob Wilson, Nick Kurtz, Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler, the Athletics at least have an offense that could be a contender right now. However, they are giving the Rockies a run for their money for the title of worst pitching staff in the majors and would almost certainly need to part with at least one of those five pillars of the offense to do anything about it, which just doesn't make sense for them. If they can find someone to take on Luis Severino's contract, great. Beyond that, though, it's probably going to be a quiet trade deadline in West Sacramento.
Houston Astros (56-42): Add a Second Baseman or Left Fielder
The starting rotation gets questionable in a hurry beyond Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown. However, with Spencer Arrighetti, Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia all likely to return from the IL within the next month, maybe they set their trade deadline sights elsewhere? The Astros called up their top prospect Brice Matthews (2B/SS) just before the All-Star break with an .876 OPS in Triple-A this season. But can they bank on him producing like that in the majors, or should they get a second baseman or left fielder and stop having Jose Altuve and Mauricio Dubón bounce back and forth between the two?
Los Angeles Angels (48-50): Go for Broke
The last time the Angels won a postseason game, "I Gotta Feeling" was one of the most-played songs in the country and trailers for Avatar were just starting to air in theatres. Most sub-.500, significantly negative run differential teams would be encouraged to pack it in and do some selling. But maybe the Angels will be every bit as aggressive at the deadline as they were in Shohei Ohtani's final season on the roster. Add a starter. And a reliever. A second baseman or right fielder wouldn't hurt. They didn't trade for Jorge Soler and sign all of Yusei Kikuchi, Kenley Jansen, Travis d'Arnaud, Yoan Moncada and Kyle Hendricks just to throw in the towel now.
Seattle Mariners (53-45): Add At Least One Infielder
The M's are doing just fine at shortstop with J.P. Crawford, and obviously their catcher situation with Cal Raleigh is as good as it gets. But the rest of their infield is, well, the reason it's not that hard to envision them missing the postseason by a one-game margin for what would be the third consecutive year. Ben Williamson and Cole Young may be the future at third and second base, respectively, but Seattle presently needs at least some offense from those spots in the order.
Texas Rangers (50-49): Add a Legitimate Closer
Texas ended the first half with the 10th-best run differential in the majors (+47), but it was the lone team in the top 17 in that department with a losing record. Much has been made of the Rangers' lack of offense, but they have 17 blown saves, a 4.12 ERA between ninth and extra innings (compared to 3.12 in the first eight innings) and nary a pitcher with 10 saves. Acquiring Aroldis Chapman set them on the path to the World Series two years ago. Could they do the same with another elite closer?
National League East
4 of 6
Atlanta Braves (43-54): Get Something for Marcell Ozuna and Raisel Iglesias
Probably the most succinct way to sum up how horribly off the rails this season has gone for Atlanta is with the observation that the two team leaders in innings pitched by the end of the year might be Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder, neither of whom would be on the roster if they didn't have basically an entire rotation on the IL. At 11 games below .500, though, the jig is up. It's unlikely they'll unload anyone under team control into 2026, but impending free agents Ozuna and Iglesias will likely be on the move.
Miami Marlins (46-51): Find Out if Anyone Really Wants Sandy Alcántara
The Marlins are in a unique position of strength as far as trade deadline motivation is concerned. They're far more likely to sell than buy, but in much more of a "We'll answer if you call us" than an "Everything must go!" sort of way, virtually everyone on the roster under team control for at least two more years. That includes Sandy Alcántara, whose contract they probably wouldn't mind unloading, but not if it's for pennies on the dollar.
New York Mets (55-44): Add a Marquee Starting Pitcher
A left-handed reliever worth having on the October roster would be great, as would a new center fielder so they can stop trying to bury Tyrone Taylor's sub-.600 OPS in the lineup on a nightly basis. If they can add a legitimate ace to their rotation, though, pursuing that supersedes all else. The Mets have a bunch of No. 2/3 type starters, but no one you're confidently handing the ball to in Game No. 1 of the postseason. Whether such an arm is available this summer, though, remains to be seen.
Philadelphia Phillies (56-42): Revamp the Bullpen
David Robertson is 40 years old and has yet to pitch this season, but, heck, if he signs with the Phillies, he's probably their best option to close games the rest of the way. Unless, of course, they also go out and get a Kyle Finnegan or Ryan Helsley or trade for Carlos Estévez for a second straight summer. Long story short, this 'pen is a hot mess. The only reliever with at least 10 innings pitched and either an ERA or FIP below 2.95 is the one who is about 50 games into an 80-game suspension and won't be eligible for the postseason (José Alvarado).
Washington Nationals (39-59): Dump All Impending Free Agents
Interim general manager Mike DeBartolo doesn't need to do anything fancy here. Just unload Kyle Finnegan, Michael Soroka, Josh Bell, Amed Rosario and Paul DeJong if anyone is willing to take them. Maybe put out some feelers on Nathaniel Lowe to save a few million this year and avoid paying him somewhere in the vicinity of $12 million in what will be his final year of arbitration, but it's a "Keep It Simple, Stupid" sort of deadline for the perpetually rebuilding Nats.
National League Central
5 of 6
Chicago Cubs (59-39): Upgrade the Rotation
The worst-kept secret heading into the deadline is that the Cubs need starting pitching. Even if Matt Boyd stays healthy and dominant while Shota Imanaga does the same—neither of which is anywhere close to a given—the rest of the rotation is not exactly October-caliber. Chicago will be looking to add at least one starting pitcher, possibly several of them.
Cincinnati Reds (52-47): Reunite with Eugenio Suárez
The Reds could become sellers if things don't go their way this week against Washington and Tampa Bay. Emilio Pagán and Taylor Rogers would be coveted rentals, and maybe they could get someone else to pay the final third of Nick Martinez's $21 million salary. But buying is more likely if they can get their hands on a power bat. Former Red Eugenio Suárez certainly fits that description.
Milwaukee Brewers (58-40): Finally Address Willy Adames' Departure
For as well as this season has gone for the Brewers, the left side of their infield has been helpless at the dish, the "As SS" and "As 3B" splits in the lineup combining for an OPS of roughly .600. Unfortunately, the shortstop market is mighty bleak right now, but maybe keep calling the Nationals about CJ Abrams until they block your number? Or at least add a bat with some pop at the hot corner?
Pittsburgh Pirates (39-60): Enter August With the Best Farm System in Baseball
Between getting a steal with Seth Hernandez at No. 6 in the draft and a few other prospects recently breaking out, the Pirates have already jumped from No. 14 to No. 3 in the farm system rankings of our Joel Reuter. But by the time they're done listening to trade offers on essentially every single player other than Paul Skenes and Andrew McCutchen, they really ought to come out of the trade deadline with the most loaded farm in all the land. (Only time will tell, however, whether it amounts to putting an actual contender on the field before they lose Skenes to free agency.)
St. Louis Cardinals (51-48): Pick a Lane and Hammer It
If the Cardinals are sellers, Ryan Helsley, Erick Fedde, Steven Matz, Phil Maton and Miles Mikolas are the expiring contracts to unload, while Sonny Gray could be the aforementioned ace the Mets target and Nolan Arenado could be the answer to the Yankees' hot corner woes. But if they aren't sellers, they better actually do some buying to upgrade the outfield and the back of the rotation. Would be a shame if they just kind of do nothing after all that talk of rebuilding for the future dating back to the end of last season.
National League West
6 of 6
Arizona Diamondbacks (49-50): Oversee a Controlled Burn
With seven players already signed through at least 2028—plus several other key contributors who will still be arbitration-eligible three seasons from now—Arizona isn't facing a White Sox or Athletics type of rebuilding situation. It's much more of an Orioles or Braves ordeal in which this season hasn't gone according to plan, but they still have high hopes for 2026. If they're willing to admit defeat at what is currently 4.5 games back in the wild-card race, though, impending free agents Merrill Kelly, Zac Gallen*, Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suárez and Shelby Miller would all rank among the most coveted names on the trade block.
Colorado Rockies (24-74): Shed Some Salary
The Rockies don't have much to offer, but Germán Márquez has a 3.25 ERA over his last 10 starts and is in the final year of his deal with a $10 million salary this season. Definite interest to be found there. Also, a lot of talk of Ryan McMahon getting moved, even though he is owed $16 million in each of the next two seasons and has a career OPS 150 points higher at Coors Field than elsewhere. That's the big one they should try to make happen.
Los Angeles Dodgers (58-41): Replace Michael Conforto in Left Field
With Tyler Glasnow already back, Shohei Ohtani ramping up his innings and Blake Snell nearing a return, the rotation is beginning to look formidable again. Blake Treinen also should return from the IL soon and could take over for Tanner Scott at closer. But the Dodgers probably need to address their left field problem externally, with Miami's All-Star Kyle Stowers almost certain to be their primary target.
San Diego Padres (53-45): Add Several Bats
For the year, San Diego has gotten a .568 OPS from catcher, a .568 OPS from DH and a .611 OPS from left field. That's too many holes, threatening to undermine the efforts of Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr., not to mention what might be the best bullpen in baseball. Finding a respectable catcher on this year's trade block is tough, but if they're serious about winning, they've got to at least call Atlanta about Sean Murphy. He's signed through 2028 with a club option for 2029, but the Braves also have Drake Baldwin as an NL ROY candidate and might consider it.
San Francisco Giants (52-47): Add a Starting Pitcher, and Maybe a First Baseman
Over the past six weeks, the Giants have gone 1-10 in games started by Justin Verlander or Hayden Birdsong. Granted, they scored two runs or fewer in all six of Verlander's starts, but his 6.26 ERA during that stretch wasn't helping matters. They simply cannot keep trotting out that duo at Nos. 4 and 5 in the rotation and expect to prevail in this crowded wild-card race.
*My guess is Arizona hangs onto Gallen and hopes to keep him at least for next season with a qualifying offer, especially with Corbin Burnes likely to miss all of 2026 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
