Major League Baseball’s 2025 trade deadline, set for Thursday, July 31, is rapidly approaching. As the summer heats up, front offices across the league face pivotal decisions: contend for a playoff spot or pivot towards the future by trading valuable assets. The landscape of buyers and sellers is beginning to take shape, but who are the prime candidates to offload talent in the coming weeks? Identifying potential sellers involves assessing team performance, future outlook, player contracts, and market demand.
This season presents a complex picture, with some traditional contenders struggling and unexpected <a href="https://news.quantosei.com/2025/06/28/2025-nba-free-agency-10-of-the-best-players-who-could-be-available/” title=”Unlocking 2025 NBA Free Agency: Essential Player Watch List”>teams holding ground. Expert analysis suggests the market for readily available impact players from obvious sellers might be thin initially, potentially driving up the price for the few compelling assets available. This article delves into which teams are most likely to wave the white flag and what players could be on the move, synthesizing insights from MLB reporters and front office perspectives.
Identifying Potential Sellers Ahead of the Deadline
Several teams find themselves underperforming or clearly out of the playoff picture as July nears. While perennial bottom-feeders like the Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, and Colorado Rockies are expected to sell, their rosters may lack the high-impact pieces desired by contenders. The real intrigue lies with teams that entered the season with higher expectations or possess valuable players under team control.
Criteria for a team becoming a seller often include being significantly below a .500 winning percentage, having slim playoff odds (often below 10% by FanGraphs or similar projections), possessing veteran players on expiring contracts, or having controllable assets who could fetch a substantial return to build for the future.
Key Teams Facing Pivotal Trade Decisions
Analyzing the current standings and expert opinions reveals several franchises strongly considering or already committed to a seller’s strategy.
Minnesota Twins: Despite being under .500 and enduring recent struggles, the Twins remain only a few games out of a Wild Card spot. This proximity creates internal debate. However, their inconsistent performance and outscoring suggest selling is a real possibility. The most debated potential move involves veteran outfielder Byron Buxton.
Miami Marlins: The Marlins appear to be a clear candidate to sell, especially with a challenging record. They possess former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara, who is under team control through 2027. While his ERA has been high this season, he’s shown recent improvement. Trading him could significantly bolster their farm system, though some executives suggest his value is currently too low post-injury to move him unless an exceptional offer arrives. Edward Cabrera is another starting pitcher the Cubs, among others, are reportedly interested in acquiring from Miami.
Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles have endured a recent slump and lost key player Adley Rutschman to injury, leading some experts to declare their 2025 season essentially lost. While some see them as darkhorse buyers for a player like Sandy Alcantara, others strongly advocate for them selling. If they pivot, players like impending free agent Cedric Mullins and Ryan O’Hearn could be traded for future assets. Listening to offers on rental pitchers and potentially even closer Félix Bautista could help salvage value from a disappointing year.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Already holding one of the worst records in MLB, the Pirates are widely expected to be significant sellers. The only players reportedly untouchable are young ace Paul Skenes and franchise icon Andrew McCutchen. This suggests almost anyone else on the roster could be available for the right price as Pittsburgh focuses on future contention.
Other Teams Leaning Towards Selling
Beyond the most prominent candidates, several other teams could become sellers as the deadline nears or offer specific high-value assets.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Despite being somewhat near playoff contention, front office chatter indicates the D-backs could pivot to selling veterans on expiring contracts like pitchers Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, first baseman Josh Naylor, or third baseman Eugenio Suárez to acquire future value.
Los Angeles Angels: Currently hovering around .500, the Angels are expected to lean towards selling by the deadline if they don’t make a significant push. Potential trade pieces include designated hitter Jorge Soler, outfielder Taylor Ward, pitcher Tyler Anderson, and closer Kenley Jansen.
St. Louis Cardinals: While not traditional sellers, the Cardinals are focused on long-term building. They might listen to strong offers for impending free agents like closer Ryan Helsley or starting pitchers Erick Fedde and Miles Mikolas if the return package is compelling.
Milwaukee Brewers: If the Brewers decide they are not true contenders, controllable assets like pitcher Freddy Peralta could become available for pitching-needy teams.
- Colorado Rockies: Relief pitcher Jake Bird has performed well and has future control, making him a potential piece available from a clear seller.
- www.foxsports.com
- www.foxsports.com
- www.nytimes.com
- www.rotowire.com
- www.thebaltimorebanner.com
Deep Dive: High-Profile Trade Candidates & Team Strategy
The decision to sell involves more than just a team’s record; it hinges on specific player values, contract situations, and the potential return in prospects.
The Byron Buxton Conundrum in Minnesota
The debate surrounding Byron Buxton highlights the complexities teams face. At 31, he’s performing well, and his contract is affordable ($15 million per year through 2028). However, he has a no-trade clause, giving him control. FOX Sports reporters Rowan Kavner and Deesha Thosar both expressed doubts about the Twins getting a sufficient return package for a player of Buxton’s magnitude, particularly a homegrown fan favorite. Thosar felt trading him for a mid-level prospect haul was too risky. Kavner suggested the Twins would be better off shopping players like Willi Castro, Harrison Bader, or Chris Paddack, hoping Carlos Correa improves, waiting for Royce Lewis’s return, or even considering trading closer Jhoan Duran, who could fetch a significant package despite recent bullpen struggles.
The Twins’ proximity to a Wild Card spot keeps the door open for adding, but their recent performance and the long-term benefits of a potential Buxton trade package (if one materialized that he would accept) make them a team worth watching closely as a potential seller.
Sandy Alcantara’s Value Post-Injury
Sandy Alcantara represents another fascinating case. A former Cy Young winner under control through 2027, he possesses immense potential. However, his struggles this year following Tommy John surgery (high ERA, although recently improved) complicate his trade value. The Marlins could hold onto him hoping he regains peak form to increase his value later, as suggested by front office sources. Conversely, waiting risks further injury or decline. The market desperately needs starting pitching, potentially creating demand despite the performance concerns. Thosar argued the Marlins are wasting his talent by keeping him on a non-contending team and should capitalize now to boost their farm system, listing several playoff teams who should be interested.
Trading controllable pitchers like Alcantara or Edward Cabrera could significantly restock the Marlins’ pipeline, aligning with a full retooling strategy.
Beyond Selling: Key Player Developments Shaping the League
While trade speculation dominates headlines, individual player performance significantly influences team trajectories and narratives surrounding the deadline.
Elly De La Cruz’s Progression in Cincinnati
Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz is a dynamic talent whose performance directly impacts the Reds’ outlook. After leading the majors in strikeouts in 2024, he has significantly improved in 2025, particularly in the last month. FOX Sports reporters discussed whether this indicates he’s truly coming into his own. Rowan Kavner noted his “Jekyll and Hyde” season but highlighted encouraging recent swing decisions and improved OPS, though he stressed the need for sustained success and defensive improvement. Deesha Thosar agreed on the need for consistency, pointing out that De La Cruz is currently carrying a significant portion of the Reds’ offense. His development is crucial for Cincinnati, potentially preventing them from becoming sellers if he continues to perform at a star level, but also creating high scrutiny if he slumps again due to the lineup’s reliance on him.
Cal Raleigh’s Historic Home Run Chase
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is having a historic season, challenging Salvador Perez’s single-season home run record for catchers (48). With 32 homers already hit and significant games remaining, both Kavner and Thosar predicted he would break the record. Kavner, citing Raleigh’s track record of improving in the second half and his current pace, expects him to shatter the record and potentially exceed 50 home runs. Thosar agreed but raised a concern about potential fatigue or injury from participating in the Home Run Derby. While the Mariners are expected to be buyers needing an impact bat, Raleigh’s power surge is a major storyline providing excitement around the deadline, even if he isn’t a trade candidate himself. His performance boosts the Mariners’ chances and reinforces their position as buyers.
The Strategy Behind Selling & Market Dynamics
The decision to sell is often a strategic choice aimed at long-term success. Teams trade established players for prospects to build a sustainable pipeline of young, controllable talent. This strategy acknowledges that the current roster is unlikely to compete for a championship and prioritizes future contention windows.
Selling can also involve shedding salary, freeing up resources for future free-agent signings or extensions. The success of a selling strategy depends heavily on the quality of prospects acquired and their ability to develop into major league contributors. While it can be unpopular with fans in the short term, a well-executed fire sale can lay the foundation for future success, as seen with teams like the Houston Astros in the past. The current market, with perceived limited high-end sellers, might allow teams with desirable assets to command higher prices.
The flip side is the pressure on front offices. As highlighted by the situation in Baltimore, GMs face scrutiny based on whether they buy or sell, particularly if the decision doesn’t yield immediate positive results or sets back the long-term plan. Balancing the desire for immediate competitiveness with the need to build for the future is the core challenge at the trade deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which teams are most likely to be sellers at the 2025 MLB trade deadline?
Several teams are strongly positioned to be sellers by the July 31 deadline due to their records and roster composition. The Pittsburgh Pirates are expected to be major sellers, making most players available except Paul Skenes and Andrew McCutchen. The Miami Marlins, despite possessing controllable assets like Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera, are likely to entertain offers to rebuild their farm system. The Baltimore Orioles, following recent struggles and key injuries, are also considered prime candidates by some experts to trade veterans like Cedric Mullins or Ryan O’Hearn to acquire future assets. Other teams like the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels could also become sellers depending on their performance in July.
What factors influence a team’s decision to sell players like Byron Buxton or Sandy Alcantara?
A team’s decision to sell a player like Byron Buxton or Sandy Alcantara is multifaceted. Key factors include the team’s current win-loss record and playoff probability; the player’s contract status (long-term control versus impending free agency); the player’s current performance and perceived market value; injury history (relevant for both Buxton and Alcantara); and the potential return package in prospects offered by buying teams. For a player like Buxton, a no-trade clause also gives him significant influence. Ultimately, teams weigh the short-term impact of losing the player against the long-term gain from the prospects acquired.
How do player performances, like Elly De La Cruz’s recent improvement or Cal Raleigh’s power surge, impact a team’s trade deadline strategy?
Individual player performance can significantly influence a team’s approach to the trade deadline. Elly De La Cruz’s recent hitting improvement, including a lower strikeout rate, makes the Cincinnati Reds a more competitive team. If he sustains this star-level play, it makes the Reds less likely to sell key players and could even position them closer to Wild Card contention. Conversely, Cal Raleigh’s historic home run pace directly boosts the Seattle Mariners’ offense, solidifying their status as contenders. His exceptional season reinforces the Mariners’ position as buyers looking to add pieces for a playoff push, even though Raleigh himself is not a trade candidate.
Conclusion
The weeks leading up to the July 31 MLB trade deadline will be crucial for numerous franchises. While some teams are clear buyers, the decision of who will definitively sell remains fluid, heavily influenced by performance trends, injuries, and the offers exchanged behind the scenes. Teams like the Twins, Marlins, and Orioles face pivotal choices regarding valuable assets like Byron Buxton and Sandy Alcantara. Simultaneously, standout individual performances from players like Elly De La Cruz and Cal Raleigh are shaping the competitive landscape. Expect a flurry of activity as teams finalize their strategies, seeking to either bolster their playoff hopes or strategically build for future success. The coming month promises significant shifts across the Major League Baseball landscape.
