2025 MLB Trade Deadline Buzz, Trades Tracker: Cubs Make Move, Add RHP Soroka

The right trade can be the difference between a disappointing season and a World Series championship or between treading water and rebuilding, making July’s trade deadline vital for teams playing for now or later.

The 2025 MLB trade deadline is Thursday at 6 p.m. ET, with plenty of talk and transactions taking place beforehand.

We’re keeping you updated with the latest buzz and reports around the league.

Cubs add arm, acquire Soroka from Nats

The Washington Nationals are sending Mike Soroka to the Chicago Cubs, according to ESPN. While his topline numbers don’t stand out – 16 starts with a 3‑8 record, 4.87 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 87 K – the 27-year-old RHP could be used either as a starter or a reliever. He is set to be a free agent at the end of the season. Two prospects, Christian Franklin and infielder Ronny Cruz, will head to Washington. 

Correa back to Houston? Twins SS downplays return

Carlos Correa said discussions about a trade from Minnesota back to Houston before Thursday’s deadline aren’t “serious,” but he didn’t rule out the possibility of returning to the city where he won a World Series. The three-time All-Star has a no-trade clause in the six-year, $200 million contract he signed with the Twins in 2023, so he would need to sign off on any deal.

“That’s not something that’s, I don’t think, serious right now,” the shortstop said after sitting out Minnesota’s 13-1 loss to Boston on Wednesday with a migraine. “We’ll see where everything goes, but my goal has always been to be here and win here.”

Mariners acquire Ferguson from Pirates

The Mariners are bolstering their bullpen arms ahead of a postseason push by trading lefty reliever Caleb Ferguson from the Pirates, according to the Seattle Times. In return, the Pirates get pitching prospect Jeter Martinez.

Verlander on the move?

Justin Verlander could be a trade candidate, according to MLB Network. The future Hall of Famer is on an expiring one-year deal with the Giants, and the team could work on a deal if it makes sense for the 42-year-old starting pitcher. His last two starts have seen him give up just one earned run in 10 innings. 

New York has acquired the right-handed reliever Rogers from San Francisco, according to The Athletic. San Francisco is receiving outfielder and 2022 first-round pick Drew Gilbert and right-handers Blake Tidwell and Jose Butto. This season, Rogers has a 1.80 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 50.0 innings pitched. The 34-year-old Rogers, who’s a free agent after this season, has a career 2.79 ERA.

Reds acquire 3B Hayes from Pirates

Ke’Bryan Hayes is headed to the Cincinnati Reds with the Pittsburgh Pirates getting reliever Taylor Rogers and 20-year-old prospect Sammy Stafura, according to ESPN. Hayes, 28, provides a steady hand at third base for the Reds, having won the 2023 Gold Glove. Cincinnati are in the mix for one of the wild card spots, three games out of the final spot going into Wednesday’s action. Rogers, 34, will be a free agent at the end of the season. 

Yankees will be aggressive at deadline, to a point

While speaking to Danny Parkins on “The Herd” on Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal discussed the Yankees’ deadline strategy. While the team will be aggressive and add “at least” one reliever and “most likely” multiple bullpen arms in addition to a starting pitcher, he cautioned that they don’t see this team as one worth dealing their top prospects for. However, “they’re going to compete, they don’t see the [Aaron] Judge injury as particularly serious, that could be minimal time on the injured list. So, they’re going to be quite active, you’re going to hear their name a lot in the next two days.”

The Yankees aren’t about to punt on 2025 by any means, and have no reason to despite the Judge injury and their sitting four games back of the Blue Jays in the AL East through Tuesday’s games. But expecting a mega deal with their best prospects being shipped out is likely asking for too much from them, hence adding the likes of Ryan McMahon, Austin Slater and Amed Rosario to this point, with more shoring up to come.

MacKenzie Gore unlikely to be traded?

Appearing on “The Herd” on Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal explained that it’s unlikely for the Nationals to trade All-Star pitcher MacKenzie Gore unless they get “the right offer.” Rosenthal stated that Washington is currently being run by interim general manager Mike Debartolo, who replaced Mike Rizzo before the 2025 MLB Draft, and that despite Gore having the same level of service time as Juan Soto when he was traded by the Nationals in 2022 – “Are you going to let an interim general manager trade MacKenzie Gore?” 

A deal could happen, but essentially the return would have to be the kind that Washington could not say no to – the feeling being that it makes more sense to wait until a permanent GM is in charge in the offseason, unless someone bowls them over before Thursday’s deadline.

Los Angeles acquired relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis Garcia from Washington for left-hander Jake Eder and first baseman Sam Brown, the two teams announced. Chafin has a 2.70 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 20.0 innings pitched this season, while Garcia has an 0.90 ERA and 0.70 WHIP in 10.0 innings pitched.

Braves acquire reliever

Atlanta has acquired right-handed reliever Tyler Kinley from the Colorado Rockies for right-hander Austin Smith, the two teams announced. Kinley has a 5.66 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 47.2 innings pitched this season.

Yankees add an outfielder

New York acquired outfielder Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox, according to ESPN. Chicago is receiving right-hander and 2024 fourth-round draft pick Gage Ziehl, according to MLB.com. Across 135 plate appearances this season, Slater has totaled five home runs and 11 RBIs, while boasting a .236/.299/.423 slash line and playing both corner outfield positions. Slater, 32, is a free agent after this season.

The Astros want a new third baseman

It’s unclear just who the Astros will end up with before the trade deadline on Thursday, but what’s obvious is that they want it to be a third baseman. Various reports have had them in on Eugenio Suárez, and they already attempted to acquire Nolan Arenado once for 2025, with their interest persisting despite the Cardinals’ third baseman declining to waive his no-trade clause in the offseason. Arenado wanted to play for a contender, and the Astros are currently in first place in the AL West, so it’s not an impossibility that he changes his mind now.

The newest report, per USA Today and echoed by additional reporters, is that the Astros are considering a reunion with Carlos Correa, who left the Astros for the Twins as a free agent before the 2022 season. The Twins have already dealt Chris Paddack this week, and given they’re 51-56 – 11 games out in the AL Central and 5.5 back of a wild card in a crowded AL race – additional selling would not come as a surprise. 

While Correa is a shortstop, a move to third would make sense at this stage of his career, at least on a team that already has Jeremy Pena on it. Houston is seeking a replacement for third baseman Isaac Paredes, who they’re concerned will miss the rest of 2025 or even need surgery for his injured hamstring. While Peña hasn’t played for Houston since June 27 due to a fractured rib, he’s on a rehab assignment in the minors and could return to the majors as soon as Wednesday.

Toronto announced that it has acquired the right-handed reliever from the Baltimore Orioles for right-hander and 2023 third-round pick Juaron Watts-Brown. Dominguez, who’s a free agent after this season, has a 3.24 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 54 strikeouts over 41.2 innings pitched.

Trade deadline indecision?

Just two days out, the Tampa Bay Rays, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers are undecided on whether to buy or sell at the trade deadline, according to The Athletic. The Rays are 2.5 games out of the third American League wild-card seed, with the Rangers just a half-game out of said seed and the Angels 4.5 games out; the Giants are four games out of the third National League wild-card seed. Tampa Bay, San Francisco and Texas have winning records.

Angels outfielders generating buzz

Opposing teams are showing “significant” interest in Angels outfielders and former first-round picks Taylor Ward and Jo Adell, according to The Athletic. Ward, who’s under team control through 2026, has totaled 25 home runs and 78 RBIs this season, while boasting a .232/.308/.491 slash line. Adell, who’s under team control through 2027, has totaled 21 home runs and 60 RBIs, while boasting a .233/.303/.463 slash line. Both players are on pace to post a career high in home runs and RBIs. The Angels are 52-55, good for fourth place in the American League West.

Ryan Helsley drawing significant interest

Several teams are calling the Cardinals about acquiring their closer and two-time All-Star Helsley. The Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers and Blue Jays are among those teams, according to MLB.com. Helsley, who led the NL with 49 saves in 2024, has a 3.00 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 41 strikeouts in 36.0 innings pitched this season. He’s 21 of 26 in save situations and a free agent after this season.

Emmanuel Clase gambling case changing Guardians’ plans?

The aforementioned star closer will miss at least the next month due to a gambling probe, and the now-52-54 Guardians are more inclined to shop their own players, such as outfielder Steven Kwan and right-hander Shane Bieber, according to The Athletic. Kwan, a two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glover who’s under contract through 2027, owns a .287/.351/.411 slash line this season. Bieber, a two-time All-Star who’s in the first season of a two-year, $26 million deal, hasn’t pitched since April 2, 2024, due to an elbow injury.

The Chicago White Sox want a team’s top-10 prospect in any Robert trade, according to The Athletic. Robert, who’s under contract through 2027, has totaled 11 home runs, 43 RBIs and 26 stolen bases this season, while boasting a .205/.292/.348 slash line. Two seasons ago (2023), the now-27-year-old Robert was an All-Star, totaling 38 home runs and a 5.3 WAR in 145 games.

Blue Jays seeking bullpen arms

The Toronto Blue Jays might be in the first place in the AL East with a 5.5-game lead over the Yankees through July 27, but their bullpen is their weak point. According to the Athletic, it’s what they’ll seek to address before the July 31 trade deadline, with the team “turning over every stone in the relief market” in order to do so. 

Closer Jeff Hoffman struggled early on after an excellent 2024 with the Phillies, but at least he’s rebounded – of the 23 earned runs he’s allowed in 2025, 15 of them came in May, and he’s posted a 3.00 ERA across 18 innings since his season ERA peaked at 6.04 on May 31. The bullpen as a whole has a 3.66 ERA and has allowed opponents a line of .218/.303/.354, but all of these numbers are actually a bit misleading, as the pen has suffered a rash of injuries of late. Meanwhile, the rotation recently added Max Scherzer from the IL, and the lineup has been firing on all cylinders for some time now.

Twins send Chris Paddack, Randy Dobnak to Tigers

The Tigers, per the Athletic, acquired starting pitcher Chris Paddack from the Twins on Monday afternoon, in exchange for minor-league catcher and first baseman Enrique Jimenez. ESPN reported that the Tigers also acquired reliever Randy Dobnak in the deal.

Paddack has been below-average as a starter in 2025, but he’s also having yet another year where he’s putting up significantly better fielding-adjusted run averages than ERA – pitching in front of the Tigers’ defense might make Paddack look more like the average-ish, albeit unexciting, arm that he’s been for the past couple of years. Since 2021, there’s nearly a full one-run difference between Paddack’s ERA (4.94) and his FIP (3.95). 

The Tigers are taking the risk either way thanks to an injury to Reese Olson: per MLB, he was placed on the 60-day IL on Monday with a right shoulder strain, and will miss the rest of the regular season “pending further tests and medical opinions.” Paddack will take over Olson’s spot in the rotation and start Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

Tigers hoping to trade for Eugenio Suárez by Wednesday

The Tigers are hosting the Diamondbacks in Detroit for a three-game series to begin this final week before the trade deadline, and per USA Today, they want Arizona to leave without star third baseman Eugenio Suárez. Suárez said earlier this month that he’d prefer a trade to the Tigers – his career in both the minors and majors began with them – and they have been one of his “strong” suitors, per USA Today, with a desire to “finalize” a trade before the D-backs leave Detroit. With the trade deadline Thursday, July 31, it’s even possible that Suárez plays for both clubs in the same series.

Suárez, a pending free agent but the top hitter on the market, is second in the NL in homers with 36, tied with Kyle Schwarber and two behind Shohei Ohtani. The Tigers are using Zack McKinstry at third base, and he’s hitting .266/.348/.437 for a 118 OPS+, but DH Colt Keith has been less productive at .249/.334/.404. Javier Baez has also spent time at third among his many duties as the Tigers’ utility player. 

Royals reportedly agree to new deal with RHP Seth Lugo 

The Royals and right-hander Seth Lugo have reportedly agreed to a two-year extension, which presumably takes one of the most talked-about names on the trade market off the table ahead of this week’s deadline, that includes a vesting option for the 2028 season. The 35-year-old Lugo made his first All-Star Game and won his first Gold Glove last season, when he went 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA in the first year of a two-year, $30-million deal that included a player option for next season. Lugo followed that up by going 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA in 19 outings to start this season for K.C.

Yankees making another trade, add Amed Rosario

The Yankees continue to make trade deadline deals, acquiring utilityman Amed Rosario on Saturday from the Washington Nationals, according to YES Network. Rosario has played all infield positions (except 1B) as well as outfield for the Nats. The Yanks give up pitcher Clayton Beeter and minor league Browm Martinez. It’s the second deal for the Yankees in as many days, after trading for All-Star third baseman Ryan McMahon from Colorado. 

Pittsburgh desperately needs to acquire fresh faces on offense and clear some payroll to sign free-agent hitters in the offseason, and trading Keller is a great option, but the Pirates reportedly don’t have a solid game plan on whether they want to move him, according to The Athletic. Moving Keller would clear his salaries of $16.5 million, $18 million and $20 million over the next three seasons. The ultimate decision belongs to general manager Ben Cherington. 

The right offer for Keller would tempt the Pirates, but some sources inside the organization believe the best way to win with ace Paul Skenes is to keep some of their core pieces, per The Athletic’s reporting.

The Yankees are acquiring All-Star third baseman McMahon from the Rockies, according to multiple reports. The Rockies will receive pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz.

The Mets are adding two-time All-Star LHP Soto from the O’s, according to multiple reports. Baltimore will get two minor-league prospects — RHPs Wellington Aracena and Cameron Foster.

The Mariners are acquiring first baseman Naylor from the D-backs in exchange for LHP Brandyn Garcia and RHP Ashton Izzi, according to multiple reports.

The Reds have now joined the long list of potential Suárez trade destinations, per The Athletic. The Reds traded Suárez to the Mariners before the 2022 season after he’d spent seven years in Cincinnati, following a season in which he’d hit .198. He has hit .243/.325/.466 with 119 homers since then, and while he struggled at the start of 2024, he has hit .279/.339/.604 with 60 home runs over his past 173 games dating back to July 2 of that year.

The Cubs are reportedly “one of the teams most actively monitoring” Clase, joining the Dodgers and the Phillies as teams looking to add the Guardians closer. Complicating matters for any of those three clubs is Cleveland’s recent performance. Whether Clase is truly available might come down to how the Guardians play over the next week. 

Clase has not performed at anywhere near the level he did in 2024 (0.69 ERA), but he has logged 23 saves and has a 2.74 ERA in 46 innings in 2025. He’s also under contract through 2026, with team options for 2027 and 2028, making him a valuable trade chip the Guardians don’t have to move on from unless they want to.

The Padres are interested in acquiring Alcántara, per The Athletic, but there’s a complication: the team’s budget. Picking up Alcántara would likely require successfully dealing Dylan Cease, whom the Padres are reportedly trying to move. While both Cease and Alcántara have disappointed, they’re also both change-of-scenery candidates, and Alcántara is under contract through 2026 with a club option for 2027, whereas Cease is a pending free agent. 

Steven Kwan draws interest from contenders

Whether the Guardians will make Kwan available before the deadline is unknown, but that isn’t stopping teams from trying to pry him loose. Both the Phillies and the Padres have reportedly asked Cleveland about Kwan. The Guardians are at least listening to offers, but “it would have to be quite the compelling offer” for them to actually deal the outfielder, who is arbitration-eligible in 2026 and 2027 and making just $4.175 million in 2025.

The Cardinals are in a wait-and-see state before the trade deadline, with president of baseball operations John Mozeliak stating that their decisions before it have a lot to do with where they stand in the NL Central. As part of their preparation for potentially selling attractive pieces to contenders, the Cardinals will reportedly have to discuss the no-trade clauses of players like Arenado in order to get a feel of where he would be willing to accept a deal.

It’s not just Arenado, who declined an offseason trade to the Houston Astros before this season, as Willson Contreras, Sonny Gray and Miles Milokas also have no-trade clauses. Contreras and Gray have expressed a desire to stay in St. Louis as they build toward their next contender, per Mozeliak. Arenado, however, had already stated his desire to be dealt to a contending team over the offseason, which is how the scuttled Astros trade came to be in the first place. 

Mets aiming to upgrade bullpen

According to David Stearns, the Mets’ president of baseball operations, the team will use the trade deadline to upgrade their bullpen, with additions elsewhere on the roster unlikely, per ESPN. Not only are the Mets open to dealing minor-league players to improve their relief corps, but they’re willing to swap out some of their young infield depth as needed, a group that include Luisangel Acuña, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio and Mark Vientos. 

Stearns kept the Mets’ negotiating leverage in place by saying that they’d call up top starting pitching prospects to be used as relievers down the stretch if they’re unable to make the necessary deals.

It’s not that the Red Sox are actively attempting to trade outfielder Duran, so much as that he’s the piece they’re most likely to move in order to upgrade in a position of need, per The Athletic. And with Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela and Roman Anthony also in the lineup, the outfield is no longer a position of need for Boston. The Padres and the Phillies are both reportedly in on Duran, with the Mariners also a possibility.

Cleveland is “listening” to trade offers for its relievers, including Clase and Smith, per the New York Post. This season, Clase, a three-time All-Star who led the American League in saves in each of the past three seasons, boasts a 2.86 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and posted 44 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched. He’s 21 of 25 in save opportunities. Smith, who recorded a 1.91 ERA in his 2024 rookie campaign, boasts a 3.07 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and posted 61 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched. He’s three of five in save opportunities. Clase is under contract through 2028, while Smith is through 2029. 

There is growing interest surrounding left-hander Matz as the trade deadline inches closer, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The 34-year-old Matz is in the final season of a four-year contract worth $44 million. By the time deadline day rolls around, he’ll have about $3.8 million left on that contract. The Cardinals would also likely be open to offers on right-hander Phil Maton but would need an excellent offer to trade closer Ryan Helsley, per the report.

Orioles could move on from veteran players

After back-to-back playoff appearances, the Orioles are currently sitting in last place in the AL East before going into the second half of the season. You can place the blame anywhere on the O’s disappointing season from an early-season manager dismissal to past All-Stars not playing up to their level or pitching struggles. With a struggling season, the O’s could be moving on from some pieces. Left-hander Trevor Rodgers could be one of those pieces that could be on the move. A surging season after being recalled has increased his interest. Other veteran pitchers like 41-year-old Charlie Morton, Zach Eflin, Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto are also on the market. Veteran outfielders Cedric Mullins and Ryan O’Hearn are pieces that could be moved from the deadline as well.

Diamondbacks have many players up for grabs

Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Josh Naylor and even All-Star Eugenio Suárez all up for grabs, according to USA Today. The Seattle Mariners reportedly already tried to reunite with Suárez in November and would be interested in trying again.

The White Sox have heard from eight different teams about Robert, per the New York Post. There’s a belief that he’d improve were he to get out of Chicago, where he has struggled just as much as the team has over the past two years. Robert has $20 million club options for both 2026 and 2027, with $2 million buyouts, a hurdle to overcome in any deal.

Diamondbacks open to dealing outfielder

The Diamondbacks are listening to offers on their outfielders, according to the New York Post. While star Corbin Carroll is not among those, Alek Thomas, Jake McCarthy, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Randal Grichuk have come up in conversations with other teams. 

Phillies looking to add bullpen help

The Phillies reportedly want to fill a hole in their bullpen with a late-inning closer amid Jose Alvarado’s 80-game suspension, per The Athletic. Alvarado will also be ineligible in the postseason. The Phillies are open to trading some of their top prospects to acquire a closer under team control or another right-handed batter. They have kept an eye on the Minnesota Twins, who could be possible sellers at the deadline. A pair of Twins relievers, Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran, are high on the Phillies’ radar.

Yankees targeting pitching

Yankees senior vice president and general manager Brian Cashman made clear what the team seeks to add before the trade deadline. “Whether it’s bullpen guys or starting pitchers, it’s just all of it,” Cashman said, according to ESPN. “That’s the area. We have people that are capable, but I think it also needs to get some help. And if I can do so, great. But again, there’s no guarantees. We’re going to be fully engaged and see where it takes us. Hopefully, we can run into some opportunities that can benefit us.”

The struggling Pirates are obvious sellers at the trade deadline, and there are only two players they won’t offload — young star pitcher Skenes and veteran, franchise-icon outfielder McCutchen — and each for completely different reasons. The Pirates are maintaining Skenes is the cornerstone of their future, while McCutchen doesn’t want to be traded out of Pittsburgh, and the team is respecting his wishes.

Cubs eyeing a pair of Marlins right-handers

Chicago has expressed interest in acquiring Miami right-handers Sandy Alcántara and Edward Cabrera, among other starting pitchers, according to The Athletic. Alcántara, the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner, is having a rough season in what’s his first one back from Tommy John surgery. Alcántara is under contract through 2027, while Cabrera is under contract through 2028.

Phillies president speaks on bullpen

If one were to pinpoint a weakness for Philadelphia, it’s the bullpen. However, Phillies president Dave Dombrowski offered up his perspective on how the team can improve its bullpen internally. 

“The postseason bullpen is a lot different than the regular-season bullpen because in the NL this year, if you advance past the wild-card round … you play five games [in the next round, the NLDS],” Dombrowksi said, according to The Athletic. “Well, the way the schedule is [with an extra off day], you only need three starting pitchers during that time period. So if you have five [starters], two of them can go into the bullpen as it is there. Plus, if you have additional [surplus starters], they can go into the bullpen there.”

That said, Dombrowski conceded that a team can’t get complacent with its standing. “You may give up a little bit more than you would want to in other circumstances, but that opportunity [to win it all] doesn’t always come,” he added. “And I always tell people: Don’t take it for granted when you’re in a position where you’re in it, year in and year out.”

Atlanta Braves president Alex Anthopoulos expressed that there’s “zero” chance Sale will be traded despite the team’s 33-39 start, according to MLB.com. Across his first 15 starts this season, Sale boasts a 2.52 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 114 strikeouts across 89.1 innings. Sale, who won the 2024 NL Cy Young Award, is in the first season of a two-year, $38 million deal with the Braves.

Hill will stay with the Kansas City Royals past his June 15 opt-out clause. However, should the 45-year-old not yet reach Kansas City’s big-league club and another MLB team is willing to offer the left-hander an MLB roster spot, the Royals “will not stand in his way,” according to FanSided. Hill signed a minor-league contract with the Royals in May and appeared in four games for the Boston Red Sox last season.

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