BaseballSports

Power Moves: 2025 MLB Summer Trade Feats Key Transfers

As the temperature rises across the summer months, the landscape of Major League Baseball in 2025 is taking shape. With a significant number of teams from both the American and National Leagues hot on the trail of a Wild Card playoff position, expectations are building for a highly active trade deadline. The Boston Red Sox and the San Francisco Giants have already set the tone with a top-tier trade deal well ahead of the deadline. In a highly publicised move, all-star power hitter Rafael Devers was despatched to the West Coast, reciprocated with right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks and left-handed pitcher Kyle Harrison. Additionally, prospects that included James Tibbs III – the 13th pick in the 2024 draft – made the journey from San Francisco to Boston.

The challenge now lays in the hands of other teams to match or surpass the tenacity and audacity of this early deal. With this early bird trade setting the stage for what’s to follow, the followers and aficionados of MLB are in for an exciting window of trade market activity. An essential bit of trivia heading into these thrilling weeks is the deadline and timing of the 2025 MLB trade. Historically, the trade deadline was set on July 31, but in an attempt to avoid clashing with game schedules, the Commissioner’s Office now possesses the flexibility to declare the trade deadline date anytime between July 28 and August 3. This year, the crucial date is July 31, 6 p.m. ET.

For those curious about the prospective movers in the 2025 MLB trade deadline, keeping an eye on players nearing the expiry of their contracts might be a good strategy. Playoff-contending teams might venture to release players soon to become free agents, with the hope of acquiring something valuable in return, especially if they have no intentions of recontracting these players in the forthcoming offseason. Josh Naylor, the former first baseman of the Cleveland Guardians, for instance, could find himself in the middle of a transaction if his current team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, decide they are unlikely to make a serious run this season.

The competition within the NL West is fierce, including heavy hitting teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and San Diego Padres that are all ahead of Arizona Diamondbacks in the division standings. This might influence the Diamondbacks’ decision to shake up their roster. Similarly, Diamondbacks pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, who also face free agency, might find themselves on the trade block. But the list of potential movers will likely not end there, as teams with poor season records are anticipated to pick up their phones for deals.

Colorado Rockies, trailing the league with a poor performance that threatens to break last year’s Chicago White Sox’s record for the worst season, are bound to be looking to trade their players for future prospects. However, a team that hasn’t yet achieved 20 victories nearing the end of June doesn’t possess much talent to trade off, adding to their woes. The Rockies still have a couple of reasonable prospects in right-handed reliever Jake Bird and seasoned infielder Ryan McMahon that might pique other teams’ interests.

Similarly, the Miami Marlins, trailing at the bottom of the NL East, are likely to offload some of their players. Sandy Alcantara, a leading pitcher who has been struggling in 2025 following Tommy John surgery and rehab, could use a change of scenery, and teams might gamble on the former Cy Young Award winner. Other Marlins like Edward Cabrera, another starting pitcher, and outfielder Jesus Sanchez could also generate intrigue as the trade deadline approaches.

Reflecting back to 2024, the Cleveland Guardians were active in the trading scene, striking a couple of trades in July. They managed to rope in outfielder Lane Thomas from the Washington Nationals in exchange for left-handed pitcher Alex Clemmey, shortstop Rafael Ramirez Jr., and shortstop Jose Tena. The very next day, they traded away starting pitcher Alex Cobb to San Francisco, receiving left-handed pitching hopeful, Jacob Bresnahan.

Publicidad

The Guardians now find themselves in a tricky spot, peering over half a game gap to secure the third and last AL Wild Card spot. While this positioning might suggest they are not likely to sell, their negative run differential might indicate to the decision-makers that the team may be due for a dip in performance in the latter half of the season. The way forward for the Guardians may not be crystal clear, but it seems unlikely they will be aggressive buyers.

To give the Guardians a boost, Shane Bieber, who is recuperating from Tommy John surgery, may rejoin the squad without necessitating any trade deals. However, don’t count out the possibility of the Guardians becoming sellers by the deadline. The impressive performance by the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central division might lead the Guardians to focus on strengthening their minor league system if their chances at a Wild Card spot dwindle in the upcoming weeks.

Consequently, Lane Thomas, due to hit free agency at the end of the season, may see himself traded yet again to a team yearning for a right-handed batter. Also, as teams frequently seek to bolster their bullpen before the deadline, the Guardians may be willing to make trades on their terms. Pitchers like Cade Smith, Emmanuel Clase, and Hunter Gaddis could find themselves becoming trading assets, depending on the kind of return being offered to the Guardians.

Given their current form and positioning, it might be unlikely for the Guardians to transition into a serious playoff competitor with one or two key additions. Therefore, a more agreeable approach may include ushering more prospects to join minor league talents like Travis Bazzana and Chase DeLauter. With the trade deadline looming, every decision counts, making the remaining weeks of July thrilling for all fans as the 2025 MLB season unfolds.

Ad Blocker Detected!

Refresh