Major League Baseball’s trade season just got kicked into high gear with a blockbuster deal sending Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants weeks ahead of the July 31st deadline. This massive move sets the stage for what promises to be a whirlwind period across the league.
As the deadline approaches, every team must make a critical decision: become a buyer looking to strengthen their roster, a seller aiming to build for the future, or a holder who stands pat. Predicting which direction each of MLB’s 30 clubs will lean involves analyzing current performance, playoff aspirations, organizational depth, and financial flexibility.
Here’s a look at the likely strategy for every team as the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline looms, breaking it down division by division.
*
American League East
New York Yankees: Buyers
After falling short of a World Series title in 2024 despite returning to the Fall Classic, the Yankees are clearly on a mission. Even with a deep roster, they have room to improve, particularly on the infield where injuries have created instability. Second base stands out as a key need. While their payroll is massive and the farm system is considered weak, expect the Yankees to aggressively pursue upgrades to finally break their championship drought.
Tampa Bay Rays: Sellers
The Rays consistently defy expectations, often competing even when less is expected. While they may have playoff odds this season, going “all-in” isn’t typically their style. They’re masters of balancing the present and future. Don’t be surprised if impact players like Brandon Lowe, Yandy Díaz, Pete Fairbanks, and Garrett Cleavinger become trade chips, regardless of the team’s immediate standing. The Rays always listen.
Toronto Blue Jays: Buyers
Having committed significant resources, including extending Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Blue Jays are pushing for contention. The landscape in the AL East shifted with the Devers trade, potentially easing their path to a Wild Card spot. To capitalize, Toronto is expected to press the gas pedal. They are reportedly targeting starting pitching and could also use bullpen reinforcement as they gear up for a playoff push.
Boston Red Sox: Sellers
Trading Rafael Devers signaled a clear pivot for the Red Sox towards prioritizing future flexibility over immediate contention. While the deal provides long-term payroll relief, it weakens the current lineup considerably. Expect Boston to embrace a “sell” approach to endure some short-term pain for future gain. Keep an eye on pending free agents like Aroldis Chapman and potentially controllable assets if the right offer emerges.
Baltimore Orioles: Sellers
Despite recent flashes of better play, the Orioles find themselves with single-digit playoff odds, making a seller’s approach the most logical path. While their core controllable pieces are likely off-limits, they possess several enticing rental options. As one of the teams expected to contribute significantly to the trade market this year, look for valuable impending free agents like outfielder Cedric Mullins, reliable closer Kyle Finnegan, and veteran starter Tomoyuki Sugano, who has pitched well in his first MLB season, to draw significant interest from contenders needing reinforcements.
American League Central
Detroit Tigers: Buyers
Boasting both one of baseball’s best records and a top farm system, the Tigers are unequivocally buyers. Their most pressing need is on the left side of the infield, requiring upgrades at third base or shortstop. They represent a strong candidate to pursue available infield help as they aim to solidify their position atop the AL Central.
Minnesota Twins: Sellers
A winning record hides inconsistency for the Twins, and key injuries like Pablo López’s long-term absence hurt their prospects. The AL Central title seems increasingly unlikely, and chasing only a Wild Card spot may not align with the front office’s typical risk-averse strategy. While a full teardown is improbable, expect them to entertain offers for bullpen pieces and possibly starters like Chris Paddack. Core assets are likely safe, but rentals and mid-tier pieces could move.
Cleveland Guardians: Sellers
Much like the Twins, the Guardians have stalled out behind the AL Central-leading Tigers and are expected to take a cautious selling approach. Pending free agents like Carlos Santana and Lane Thomas are obvious trade candidates. Whispers have also begun about star closer Emmanuel Clase, indicating teams may at least inquire about their top-tier talent, although moving him would be a significant step.
Kansas City Royals: Sellers
An early-season surge has faded into a freefall for the Royals, compounded by injuries like Cole Ragans’. Despite some lingering buzz about buying, their current trajectory and limited supply of high-value trade chips make selling the most probable outcome. Expect them to gauge the market on short-term assets as they look toward the future.
Chicago White Sox: Sellers
The White Sox are clear sellers, but the challenge lies in what their roster offers potential buyers. The key player to watch is outfielder Luis Robert Jr. Despite a slow start to 2025, his health has improved, and his speed (leading MLB in stolen bases) combined with team control through 2027 makes him a high-demand player for teams like the Phillies or Mets needing center field help. His performance leading up to the deadline will be crucial in redeeming his trade value.
American League West
Houston Astros: Holders
Targeting another AL West crown, the Astros have needs, particularly pitching depth to combat injuries. However, a hefty payroll and a depleted farm system limit their flexibility to make significant additions. With internal solutions like Yordan Alvarez returning from injury expected to address their biggest offensive weakness (DH), the Astros are more likely to stand pat and rely on their established core.
Seattle Mariners: Buyers
Armed with the league’s best farm system and facing pressure to perform, the Mariners are primed to be aggressive buyers, focusing primarily on adding offense. President Jerry Dipoto needs to make impactful moves. Pursuing pending free agent bats like Eugenio Suárez (a reunion makes sense) or Josh Naylor represents a cost-effective way to boost their lineup using prospects from their deep system.
Texas Rangers: Holders
After a wobbly stretch, the defending champions have surged back into contention, winning seven of eight games recently. This resurgence, combined with the anticipation of key pitchers like Nathan Eovaldi and Cody Bradford returning from injury, makes it more likely the Rangers will hold rather than buy or sell. They may opt to trust internal reinforcements to get them across the finish line.
Los Angeles Angels: Sellers
Despite a somewhat respectable record, the Angels are not viewed as contenders. While owner Arte Moreno’s influence can sometimes lead to unpredictable decisions, the logical path is to sell off impending free agents. Durable starter Tyler Anderson and switch-hitting infielder Yoán Moncada (when healthy) are among the prominent rental pieces expected to be available as the Angels look to recalibrate. Even Taylor Ward, controlled through 2026, could draw interest.
Oakland Athletics: Holders
The A’s are clearly heading nowhere and ideally should sell, but the perennial question remains: what valuable pieces do they have? There’s a scarcity of intriguing rentals on the roster. While Mason Miller was a prime sell-high candidate last year, that opportunity may have passed. Due to a lack of desirable trade chips, the A’s might find themselves holding onto most players by default.
National League East
New York Mets: Buyers
The Mets find themselves in a strong position and are focused on reinforcing their pitching staff. Depending on the health and recovery timelines of Kodai Senga and Frankie Montas, they could target either starting pitching or bullpen help. Reports suggest a priority on acquiring high-leverage relievers to bolster their late innings as they aim for a deep playoff run.
Philadelphia Phillies: Buyers
Similar to the Mets, the Phillies’ primary need is bullpen reinforcement, a recurring challenge reflected in their high bullpen ERA. With their championship window firmly open and President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski known for aggressive deadline moves, expect the Phillies to be active buyers, specifically targeting high-leverage relief arms to solidify the back end of their bullpen.
Atlanta Braves: Holders
While their playoff odds have taken a hit, the Braves aren’t seen as a team needing a full rebuild. A “reset” rather than a “detonation” seems more likely, meaning they’ll probably keep their core roster intact, potentially making managerial changes in the offseason. Outfielder Marcell Ozuna is on an expiring contract and could be moved, but his declining power and high salary might make finding a trade partner challenging without eating a significant portion of his salary.
Washington Nationals: Sellers
The Nationals are still in a rebuilding phase and are highly unlikely to contend by the deadline. Expect a selling strategy, though perhaps a quiet one lacking superstar names. Kyle Finnegan (a reliable closer drawing interest) and Nathaniel Lowe are decent pieces. Michael Soroka could also generate some buzz, but they lack the high-value trade chips found elsewhere in the division.
Miami Marlins: Sellers
The Marlins are expected to be sellers, with Sandy Alcantara representing their most significant potential trade asset. Despite struggles early in 2025 following injury, his past Cy Young pedigree and club control through 2027 make him potentially costly for buyers. While his value is lower than hoped, the Marlins could still command a considerable return if teams are willing to bet on his upside, potentially making him one of the key starting pitchers available.
National League Central
Chicago Cubs: Buyers
Holding a comfortable lead in the NL Central and boasting a dynamic offense, the Cubs’ clear need is pitching. Both their rotation and bullpen could use reinforcement, particularly arms that generate swing-and-miss strikeouts and potentially a more defined closer. With a top-10 farm system providing ample trade chips, the Cubs have the resources to make significant pitching additions.
Milwaukee Brewers: Holders
While they’ve rebounded from a tough start, the Brewers face a deficit in the division and have limited resources compared to other contenders. They’ll likely walk a fine line at the deadline, needing offense but unlikely to make massive, “all-in” moves. They may hope for internal improvement, such as Jackson Chourio hitting his stride, rather than relying heavily on the trade market.
Cincinnati Reds: Holders
Despite a positive run differential and potential for a strong rotation with key returns like Hunter Greene, the Reds are expected to be cautious holders. Their path to the playoffs, either through the division or Wild Card, isn’t clearly defined, and resources for significant trades are limited. They’ll likely rely on their current roster to make a push.
St. Louis Cardinals: Sellers
A disappointing June has made it clear the Cardinals are not contenders this season. Expect them to pivot to selling key veterans. While Nolan Arenado’s contract and performance complicate his situation, he remains an intriguing trade chip who could benefit from a change of scenery. Look for valuable relievers like Ryan Helsley (considered one of the best available) and veteran starters like Sonny Gray, Erick Fedde, and Miles Mikolas to be actively shopped.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Sellers
With core young players like Paul Skenes and Oneil Cruz considered untouchable, the Pirates should be open to dealing other pieces. This includes rejuvenated closer David Bednar and more prominent players like Ke’Bryan Hayes and Bryan Reynolds. Reynolds’ contract may be viewed as burdensome by the team, but his recent All-Star performance and relatively modest cost for a star player could still attract buyers looking for offensive upgrades.
National League West
Los Angeles Dodgers: Holders
Even after the Giants’ splashy Devers trade, the Dodgers are likely to prioritize internal returns over external additions. They have key pitchers like Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, and Blake Snell expected back or already returned, providing significant reinforcement. While areas like the bullpen and left field have underperformed, this is attributed to players like Tanner Scott and Michael Conforto experiencing unsustainably bad luck, suggesting they will improve without trades.
San Francisco Giants: Holders
Having already made the biggest move of the deadline season by acquiring Rafael Devers, it’s highly improbable the Giants make another major trade. While they still have roster needs (pitching, shortstop, catcher), their pool of trade assets was likely depleted by the Devers deal. Expect them to hold onto their remaining pieces as they integrate their new superstar.
San Diego Padres: Buyers
The Padres have been treading water but remain in the thick of the Wild Card race. General Manager A.J. Preller’s history suggests he’ll be aggressive. Their most glaring weakness is left field, a position group that has produced MLB’s worst WAR (-0.9) for them. Expect San Diego to be buyers focused on addressing this key offensive deficiency.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Holders
Despite losing ace Corbin Burnes to injury and trailing in the division, the Diamondbacks have shown resilience, with their offense performing well. They trust their remaining core starters to improve and have a history of overcoming difficult stretches, including a poor run in 2023 that didn’t derail their World Series appearance. Expect them to hold onto their current roster and push for a playoff spot.
Colorado Rockies: Sellers
The Rockies are clearly going nowhere and should be sellers. However, like the A’s, identifying valuable trade chips is difficult. Reliever Jake Bird and infielder Ryan McMahon are potential pieces, but the Rockies have a history of being hesitant to trade players, making their actual deadline activity hard to predict. They might end up holding due to a lack of desirable assets or organizational reluctance.
