The 2025 MLB Trade Deadline: Who’s Buying? Who’s Selling?
It’s never too early to look at potential trade targets for the MLB trade deadline. One of my personal favorite times of the year. Let’s take a look at who might be available, and which teams will be buyers or sellers come this July.
One of the biggest names generating buzz is Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara. The 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner missed the entire 2024 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, and his 2025 campaign has started slowly with an 8.04 ERA over his first nine starts. Despite these struggles, Alcantara’s track record as a durable, elite starter makes him a prime target for teams needing rotation help. His contract, which runs through 2026 with a $21 million option for 2027, is seen as a bargain for a pitcher of his caliber. If Alcantara can string together a few strong outings, the Marlins could command a significant haul of prospects, with teams like the New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, and Chicago Cubs potentially in the mix. Miami’s history of early trades, like the Luis Arraez deal in May 2024, suggests they might not wait until the deadline to move him.
Another marquee name is Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. Despite a slow start in 2025, with a .190 batting average and a .583 OPS, Robert remains a tantalizing talent at 27 years old. Just two years removed from a 38-home run, Gold Glove-caliber season, his blend of power, speed (15 stolen bases in 2025), and defensive prowess makes him a high-upside target. Robert’s contract, with $15 million due this year and $20 million club options for 2026 and 2027, offers flexibility for acquiring teams. The White Sox, deep in a rebuild, are likely to shop him, though his current struggles might position him as a buy-low candidate. Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies, who need outfield help, could take a chance on his potential to rebound.
St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley is another player to watch. Coming off a 2024 season where he won the National League’s Trevor Hoffman Award with a 2.04 ERA and 49 saves, Helsley has continued to dominate in 2025, with a fastball sitting at 98.8 mph and just one poor outing marring an otherwise stellar start. As an impending free agent after this season, Helsley is a prime sell-high candidate for a Cardinals team in transition. Contenders like the Phillies, who need bullpen help, could pursue him, though St. Louis’s competitiveness in the wide-open NL Central might delay a decision until closer to the deadline.
The Angels have several trade chips, with outfielder Taylor Ward and starter Tyler Anderson standing out. Ward, under team control through 2026, is coming off a 2024 season where he hit 25 home runs and drove in 75 RBIs. His offensive consistency and arbitration eligibility make him a valuable asset for a rebuilding Angels squad. Anderson, a 35-year-old lefty with a 3.39 ERA in 2025, is in the final year of a $39 million deal, making him an attractive rental for teams needing rotation depth. The Angels’ reluctance to sell in past years could complicate deals, but their early-season performance will likely dictate their approach.
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Andrew Heaney is drawing attention after a strong start to 2025, highlighted by a seven-inning, 10-strikeout performance against the Yankees. Signed to a modest $6 million deal, Heaney’s recent success and history as a reliable starter make him a cost-effective target for contenders like the Braves or Yankees. Similarly, Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon is generating interest from teams like the Cubs and Dodgers. With a .679 OPS and elite defensive skills, McMahon could fetch a solid return for a Rockies team in the early stages of a rebuild, though his contract through 2027 gives Colorado flexibility to hold onto him.
Other notable names include Washington Nationals first baseman/DH Josh Bell, a switch-hitting veteran who has been traded in each of the last three deadlines, and Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe, whose power (seven homers in 2025) and $10.5 million salary make him a candidate to be moved as the Rays manage payroll. Baltimore’s Cedric Mullins, with an .767 OPS and 10 home runs, could also be on the block if the Orioles, struggling early in 2025, opt to sell. His final year before free agency and versatility in the outfield make him appealing to teams like the Padres, Phillies or maybe even the Mets.
While stars like Alcantara and Robert headline the market, the depth of affordable veterans and rebound candidates could lead to creative deals. As teams like the Marlins, White Sox, and Cardinals weigh their options, the next two months will be critical in shaping the trade landscape and determining which players will be in new uniforms by August.
