MLB Trade Deadline 2025 Date, End Time, Hottest Rumors, Predictions and More
MLB front offices are up against the clock.
In the baseball world, it's almost last call when it comes to chasing roster upgrades or stockpiling roster-building resources for down-the-road competitiveness.
The 2025 MLB trade deadline arrives at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 31, so teams only have between now and then to make trades involving players on their 40-man rosters. Waiver claims can still happen at a later date, but for trades involving big-leaguers, this is it.
Given the proximity of the cutoff, the rumor mill is predictably humming. Let's dissect the latest buzz and break out the crystal ball to determine what this chatter means.
Guardians Preparing to Sell?
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With closer Emmanuel Clase placed on paid leave amid an MLB investigation for sports betting, the Cleveland Guardians might have a sharper focus for trade season.
Per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, losing Clase "ended any chance of the Guardians becoming a buyer," while upping the chances of Cleveland "trading right-hander Shane Bieber and perhaps left fielder Steven Kwan."
Bieber, who is working his way back from April 2024 Tommy John surgery, will be "heavily scouted" during a Double-A rehab start on Tuesday night. He has a $16 million player option for next season, meaning he might only be a rental if he thinks he can do better on the open market. Kwan, meanwhile, has two years of club control beyond this, which has the Guardians setting "a high bar" on their requested return for him.
While Cleveland could wind up trading both, Bieber feels the likeliest to go, if only because he figures to have the more affordable trade cost. Although, if he can even hint at having the old form that powered him to the 2020 AL Cy Young award and a couple of All-Star selections sandwiched around that season, he might draw a bigger than expected return from a pitching-needy shopper.
Prediction: Guardians keep Kwan, but trade Bieber to the San Francisco Giants.
Tigers Pushing Hard for Star 3B?
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The Detroit Tigers opened a three-game home series with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. They're really hoping this proximity between the clubs could help nudge them above the rest in the crowded sweepstakes for Arizona star slugger Eugenio Suárez.
As Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported, the Tigers "would love to finalize a deal before Suárez leaves town Wednesday."
Suárez, who has free agency awaiting him after this season, is the best power-hitter on the market and one of the most sought-after trade targets overall. He is tied for the most RBI in the Majors (87) and tied for fourth in home runs (36).
His bat would be a huge boost for any lineup, Detroit's obviously included. Yet, with only two victories to show for their last 14 contests, the Tigers may not have the motivation to pay the kind of massive price it would take to keep Suárez in town.
Prediction: The Diamondbacks trade Suárez to the Chicago Cubs.
Mets Eyeing 2B Slugger?
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The New York Mets seem to be casting a wide net ahead of Thursday's deadline, as previous reports have connected them to pitchers (starters and relievers) and center fielders.
Add second basemen to the mix, apparently, as Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported the Mets have interest in Tampa Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe.
While Lowe is currently tussling with an unfortunately familiar foe in the injury bug (foot), he could be ready to return when first eligible on Wednesday. That should elicit a number of phone calls about him, as his bat is one of the loudest on the market. Despite starting this season slowly, he's up to 19 home runs and 105 combined runs and RBI through 86 games.
He feels, frankly, like a player the Rays should hang onto if they're at all interested in competing this season. While there's presumably a price point at which it would make sense for Tampa to move him, it's unlikely New York makes an offer that aggressive given its needs elsewhere around the diamond.
Prediction: The Rays do not trade Lowe.
