The MLB trade deadline is just over five weeks away, and the landscape is filled with uncertainty. With 25 out of the 30 teams still within striking distance of postseason position, and so many scenarios that could play out between now and July 30, the trade market is shaping up to be particularly intriguing this year. Decision-makers in major-league front offices have been polled to gain insight into the market, including the opinions on the biggest-name players who will get traded at this year’s deadline. More than 35 executives, including presidents of baseball operations, general managers, and assistant GMs, were surveyed. They were asked to name the best starting pitcher, reliever, and position player they think will be traded. Their responses, granted anonymity in order to answer candidly, were illuminating and in some cases surprising.
With less than one week remaining in June, only five teams are considered definite sellers for this year’s trade Deadline. The White Sox, Angels, Athletics, Marlins, and Rockies are facing double-digit deficits in the postseason race. With 12 teams in the American League and 13 teams in the National League within striking distance of a playoff berth, the impact of offloading players from these teams to contenders in the coming weeks will shape the stretch run, potentially affecting the overall standings in the postseason race.
Circumstances remain ambiguous as the trade deadline looms closer. Both leagues are filled with sub-.500 teams directly in the playoff picture, making it a summer where a week can pivot a team from contention to concession and vice versa. For instance, the Toronto Blue Jays, despite their recent struggles, are still not willing to put players on the trade market, while the Houston Astros, after a successful winning streak, have transformed from a potential off-loader to one of the most intriguing teams looking to add. This dynamic further adds to the complexity and unpredictability of the trade market in the lead-up to the deadline.
As the MLB trade deadline draws near, the uncertain landscape and the potential impact of the biggest-name players set to be traded create an air of anticipation and excitement. With so many teams still in the running, the trade market is expected to be a significant factor in shaping the postseason race, and the decisions of the teams and players involved will have lasting implications as the season progresses.
