A few deals have come together in the past week, notably Josh Naylor (Mariners) and Ryan McMahon (Yankees) finding new homes. Some of the other top players who have surfaced in trade rumors are Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Eugenio Suárez and Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara. Suárez is in the midst of a spectacular season, on pace for 55 home runs and 133 RBIs, while former Cy Young winner Alcantara has struggled after missing all of 2024 following Tommy John surgery.
Top contenders will be jockeying to add to their lineups, rotations and bullpens for the stretch run with the ultimate goal of playing deep into October.
Follow along on Monday for the latest news and rumors:
Dodgers in market for closer?
The biggest surprise at the trade deadline would be if the Dodgers don’t come up with another closer, USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale writes. Even though they just activated Blake Treinen, who led the team with four saves in last year’s playoffs, the Dodgers have checked in with virtually every team for bullpen help.
Among the most intriguing closers who could be moved at the deadline: Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals, Raisel Iglesias of the Braves, David Bednar of the Pirates, Pete Fairbanks of the Rays and Jhoan Duran of the Twins.
The Dodgers also are looking to upgrade their outfield with Michael Conforto’s season-long struggles. Nightengale says they have expressed interest in Twins outfielder Harrison Bader and Cardinals utilityman Brendan Donovan.
Braves’ pitching overhaul continues
Even after adding veteran starter Erick Fedde, the Atlanta Braves still have more holes to fill in their rotation.
He has been pitching with New York’s Class AAA affiliate in Scranton-Wilkes Barre (Pa.), where he was 4-2 with a 3.27 ERA in 52 1/3 innings.
Hot corner a priority in Houston
The Houston Astros would like to find a third baseman while Isaac Paredes recovers from his hamstring tear but have no interest in reigniting talks with the St. Louis Cardinals for third baseman Nolan Arenado, USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale writes.
The two teams agreed to a trade during the winter, and the Astros had permission to speak to Arenado, but they couldn’t convince him they were still going to contend this year. ‘We tried to convince him that we’re not rebuilding, that the window is always open with our owner,’ GM Dana Brown said. ‘We planned to compete in 2025 and beyond. He misunderstood the plan.’
The Astros could make a play for slugging third baseman Eugenio Suarez of the Diamondbacks. However, the team could also use a left-handed bat to balance out the lineup. Switch-hitting utilityman Willi Castro of the Twins might fit the bill – and he could help out elsewhere if/when Paredes returns, The Athletic’s Chandler Rome reports.
Braves acquire veteran SP Erick Fedde
With all five members of their opening day rotation now on the injured list, the struglging Atlanta Braves have added a veteran starter. Erick Fedde, who was designated for assignment by the St. Louis Cardinals last week, fills the void in Atlanta’s rotation after Grant Holmes hit the injured list with elbow inflammation. He joins fellow rotation mates Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Reynaldo Lopez and A.J. Smith-Shawver on the 60-day IL.
The Braves acquired Fedde (3-10, 5.22 ERA this season) in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Seth Lugo, Royals agree to extension
Royals right-hander Seth Lugo was considered one of the top pitching names on the trade market, but Kansas City put that to rest late Sunday night. The Royals on Monday announced Lugo has agreed to a two-year contract extension with a vesting option for 2028 with the team. Lugo is 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA in 19 starts this season after finishing second in the AL Cy Young voting in 2024 with 206⅔ innings pitched, a 16-9 record and a 3.00 ERA in 33 starts.
Diamondbacks trade rumors continue
“Do I think there’s a chance we make more trades? Yes, I do,” Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said. “I think there’s going to be enough interest that we probably will have to look at — think long and hard about what we’re doing. I just don’t know the extent to which that’s going to happen and how many that’s going to be.”
Yankees add depth with Amed Rosario trade
The New York Yankees acquired Amed Rosario in a trade with the Washington Nationals, providing depth as a player who has the versatility to play all around the infield. Rosario has started 20 games at third base and 13 games at second base for the Nationals this season.
He’s also proven to be trouble for left-handed pitchers. He’s batting .299 with an .816 OPS against lefties in 2025.
Should Detroit Tigers trade Tarik Skubal this winter?
Sandy Alcantara trade interest picking up?
After tossing seven strong innings in his last start, Sandy Alcantara’s name is back atop deadline wish lists, with USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale reporting that trade interest has soared. The 2022 NL Cy Young winner has struggled this season after missing all of 2024 following Tommy John surgery.
When is MLB trade deadline 2025?
Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is set for 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 31.
