MLB Trade Deadline Countdown – 6 Days Out: Buyers, Sellers, Rumors and Players on the Block

Joe Cervenka
Host · Writer
Teams and Players That Should be Moving at the Deadline
The White Sox are tearing it down — again. This is shaping up to be a complete reset on the South Side, with nearly every name available for the right price.
Luis Robert Jr. remains the biggest name, but he’s in a weird spot. The raw tools are still there — 95 career steals and 30+ HR pop — but his .206 average and high K rate are scaring off aggressive suitors. Still, with club control through 2028, one big swing from a buyer isn’t out of the question. The Mets are reportedly interested in potentially acquiring Robert.
Veteran righty Adrian Houser has quietly become a target. He’s thrown to a 1.89 ERA and is on a $1.35M deal, making him one of the more affordable rotation rentals in play. He'll have the opportunity to up his trade stock in a start against cross-town rivals, the Chicago Cubs, tonight. Plenty of playoff teams could use that kind of value down the stretch.
It’s deadline season in South Beach, and that familiar feeling is back: the Marlins are open for business. Hovering below .500 and fading from the race, Miami looks ready to move real talent — and the interest is already heating up.
Edward Cabrera might be the most intriguing piece. The right-hander has been locked in lately, rolling into the break with a 1.64 ERA over his last eight starts. Add three full years of arbitration control, and you’ve got a non-rental arm with upside — the kind that gets calls from every contender with a rotation hole.
Then there’s Sandy Alcantara, still capable of turning a playoff race on its head. The former Cy Young winner spun seven shutout innings against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday — possibly his last in a Marlins uniform — and looked every bit the ace. He’s under contract through 2028 and won’t come cheap, but the market is flush with buyers willing to pay for control. The Cubs and Phillies are circling.
Meanwhile, Jesus Sanchez profiles as a classic lefty bat with power and team control — a solid secondary piece for teams looking to bolster the bench or fill a corner outfield need.
Don’t look now, but the A’s might be more active than anyone expected. Vegas-bound and sitting at 43-62, Oakland has shifted into full sell mode — and a few names are quietly building value.
Jeffrey Springs is expected to move. He’s turned in a string of solid outings, including a 3.57 ERA over his last nine before his previous start, and comes with just one year of control left. If he tosses a solid outing against the Houston Astros tonight, it will only increase his value.
Luis Severino could be on the way out, too. With two years left on his deal, he’s been inconsistent, but had a strong showing against Houston last night. The former Met went seven strong, striking out eight in a quality start to earn the win, which may have pushed him back onto contender boards.
And then there’s JP Sears. The lefty just helped his stock with a standout performance on Wednesday against Texas — five innings, one earned run, seven punchouts. With his low cost and expiring deal, Sears is on several radars as a depth add.
No blockbusters expected, but Oakland has enough to stay busy — and maybe pull off a few surprise moves as the deadline clock winds down.
The Rockies are heading toward another 90-loss campaign, and this time, they’re actually pulling the trigger. The biggest domino already fell — Ryan McMahon is headed to the New York Yankees, ending weeks of speculation. That closes the book on Colorado’s long-time infield cornerstone, and it signals a fundamental shift in approach from a front office that’s been reluctant to reset.
With McMahon gone, attention turns to the arms. German Marquez. He was pitching well, logging a 2.78 ERA across his final six starts before the break, before landing back on the IL this week. On an expiring deal, he could still be a value target for clubs seeking stability at the back of the rotation, if healthy.
Also generating buzz: Seth Halvorsen, the high-octane reliever who’s lighting up radar guns and has racked up nine saves. He’s young, controllable through 2029, and rising fast. If Colorado leans in, he’s a piece that could headline a deal.
6 Days to MLB Trade Deadline
Hard to believe, but we’re over 100 games deep into the MLB grind — and the trade deadline is now just six days away. The stove is blistering, contenders are getting aggressive, and teams on the fringe are deciding whether to push or punt.
Today, we start off with some actual trades on the board!
Infield movement picked up in a big way. Ryan McMahon, long a potential solution for clubs needing corner help, is off the board — traded to the New York Yankees today. That ends any speculation around a possible Houston Astros pivot after Isaac Paredes’ hamstring setback, though Houston is expected to remain active on the infield market.
The New York Mets also got into the action, acquiring left-handed reliever Gregory Soto from the Baltimore Orioles to shore up their bullpen. Soto adds a high-velocity option from the left side and immediately gives the Mets a late-inning weapon as they cling to Wild Card hopes.
The Seattle Mariners, meanwhile, addressed a major need, landing first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for lefty Brandyn Garcia and righty Ashton Izzi. Naylor brings left-handed thump and playoff experience to a Mariners team in the thick of the AL West and Wild Card races.
The Chicago Cubs remain firmly in buy mode as July ticks down. They’re still hunting a front-line starter to patch the rotation hole left by Jameson Taillon’s injury, but sources say they’re reluctant to move premium prospects for short-term help. That could knock them out of the Dylan Cease chase — unless the market cools. Cease, a free agent after this season, continues to draw heavy interest, and word is the San Diego Padres are open to offers.
As for the Minnesota Twins, they remain the most aggressive seller on the board. Nearly half the roster is on the table, with names like Joe Ryan, Harrison Bader, Chris Paddack, Willi Castro, Danny Coulombe, Griffin Jax, and Jhoan Duran continuing to generate interest from teams like the Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Yankees, and yes — the now-bolstered Mets.
Six days to go. Phones are hot. Arms are moving. Let the chaos roll.
Let’s ride.
MLB Trade Deadline Buyers
Just days out from the MLB Trade Deadline, the gap between contenders and pretenders is starting to rip wide open. The standings are shaping the action, phones are buzzing nonstop, and GMs across the league are locked in with October on their minds.
The Detroit Tigers are setting the tone in the AL Central, rolling with an eight-game cushion. But their lead will be tested this week as they dropped last night's opener of a three-game clash with the Toronto Blue Jays, who’ve flipped the script and now hold a surprising four-game edge in the AL East. Toronto enters the series 1.5 games ahead of Detroit for the best record in the American League — and both clubs look like buyers with serious upside.
In the AL West, the Houston Astros have caught fire, opening up a five-game lead on the Seattle Mariners. But it’s not all smooth sailing — the Astros just lost Isaac Paredes to a hamstring injury, and that’s kicked off a renewed search at third base. With Colorado’s Ryan McMahon now off the market, Houston will have to look elsewhere.
The AL Wild Card picture is a logjam. The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Mariners are holding spots for now, but the Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, and Cleveland Guardians are lurking, just a few games out and active in talks.
Flip to the NL, and it’s more of the same: high-stakes, tight races, and no shortage of suitors. The Los Angeles Dodgers are doing what they do — leading the NL West by five and looking every bit like defending champs. In the Central, it’s a two-team slugfest: the Milwaukee Brewers are up one game on the Chicago Cubs, and they’ve got the best record in baseball. Over in the East, it’s a coin flip — the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies are separated by just a half-game, with New York currently holding the edge.
As for the NL Wild Card? Philadelphia, Chicago, and the San Diego Padres occupy the top spots right now, but the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, and Cincinnati Reds aren’t going anywhere. All three remain just a good week away from crashing the party.
Nineteen teams have a case to buy — but not all of them will. Some are going full steam ahead. Others? Quietly pulling parts off the shelf.
The line’s been drawn. Let’s see who crosses it.
Most Active NL and AL Deadline Sellers to Come
Minnesota Twins
With four teams to climb in the Wild Card race and sitting 10 games back in the AL Central, the Minnesota Twins are shaping up as one of the clearest sellers on the board. The path back into contention is steep, but the arms they’re offering are drawing plenty of interest. As mentioned off the top, Griffin Jax, Joe Ryan, Jhoan Duran, and many other Twinkies are generating buzz from contenders looking to add playoff-caliber pitching.
The Toronto Blue Jays are said to be heavily in on both Ryan and Duran—and they’ve got the prospect depth to make something happen. Names like RJ Schreck and Trey Yesavage are emerging in early conversations, and the history between these two front offices suggests that the groundwork could come together quickly. But Toronto isn’t alone. The New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers are both in the mix, and the demand for controllable arms may drive this one down to the wire.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Out in the NL, the Arizona Diamondbacks are in seller territory. Ten games out in the division and five back of the Wild Card, the window is starting to close. They’ve already dealt Josh Naylor to the Seattle Mariners, shipping out a big bat that many assumed was part of their own stretch run. If that’s any indication, more could follow—and they’ve got top-tier pieces to move. Front-end starters Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and the man second in NL home runs, Eugenio Suarez, could all shift the deadline landscape in a heartbeat. The Mets are said to be interested in Suarez, especially with the disappointing season that current third baseman Mark Vientos is putting up.
The Dodgers are checking in with the Snakes, though division dynamics could complicate things. The Mets remain active and might be a better fit. The Cubs are poking around too, but they’ll have to get over their rental hesitancy if they want to play. Keep an eye on the Phillies—with money, prospects, and urgency, they could be the most natural fit if Arizona fully commits.
More names are surfacing. The board is shifting.
Let’s keep flipping.
Baltimore Orioles: Trade Deadline Sellers
The Baltimore Orioles may be buried in the standings, but they’re far from buried in this trade deadline. Out of contention? Absolutely. Out of influence? Not even close.
The O’s are already making moves — and today, they pulled the trigger on their first big one, sending lefty reliever Gregory Soto to the New York Mets in a deal that kickstarts what could be a full-on sell-off.
And the bullpen still has teeth. Félix Bautista, under control through 2026, remains one of the most electric arms in the game. He just landed on the 15-day IL with shoulder discomfort, so it's very possible the Mets were initially interested in Bautista. All eyes are on Friday’s MRI. If the O's closer's shoulder checks out, his market will light up instantly.
Ryan O'Hearn is having a breakout year (.375 OBP, .827 OPS) and is headed for free agency — he’s as good as gone. Ramón Laureano brings playoff experience and outfield depth on a one-year deal, making him a natural fit for a contender in need of a spark.
Then there’s Charlie Morton. The playoff vet is still shoving and has already drawn heavy interest. He beat the Cleveland Guardians yesterday, in what could very well be his final outing in an Orioles uniform. Morton’s track record and postseason pedigree make him one of the most desirable arms on the board.
Baltimore won’t be buying. But they’ve already started selling — and they’re not done.
This team’s about to make noise.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Trade Deadline Sellers
The Pittsburgh Pirates might not be shaking up the standings, but don’t mistake their quiet for inaction. They’re lining up to make real noise at the deadline — for all the right (rebuilding) reasons. Pittsburgh’s firmly in seller mode, and they’ve got the kind of arms that make contenders sit up straight.
There’s Mitch Keller. Once a breakout candidate, now a dependable rotation anchor with control through 2028. He’s logged a steady 3.53 ERA this season and just threw six innings of one-run ball in a win over the Detroit Tigers this week — a start that may have doubled as a deadline audition. If that was his final outing in black and gold, it was a good one.
David Bednar is tailor-made for the deadline market. Proven closer, still under team control, and posting lockdown numbers. He’s racked up 15 saves with a 2.31 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 48 strikeouts in just 35 innings. That’s a plug-and-play late-inning hammer for any playoff-bound bullpen.
The Pirates aren’t just listening. They’re open for business — and ready to deal.
Teams and Players That Should be Moving at the Deadline
The White Sox are tearing it down — again. This is shaping up to be a complete reset on the South Side, with nearly every name available for the right price.
Luis Robert Jr. remains the biggest name, but he’s in a weird spot. The raw tools are still there — 95 career steals and 30+ HR pop — but his .206 average and high K rate are scaring off aggressive suitors. Still, with club control through 2028, one big swing from a buyer isn’t out of the question. The Mets are reportedly interested in potentially acquiring Robert.
Veteran righty Adrian Houser has quietly become a target. He’s thrown to a 1.89 ERA and is on a $1.35M deal, making him one of the more affordable rotation rentals in play. He'll have the opportunity to up his trade stock in a start against cross-town rivals, the Chicago Cubs, tonight. Plenty of playoff teams could use that kind of value down the stretch.
It’s deadline season in South Beach, and that familiar feeling is back: the Marlins are open for business. Hovering below .500 and fading from the race, Miami looks ready to move real talent — and the interest is already heating up.
Edward Cabrera might be the most intriguing piece. The right-hander has been locked in lately, rolling into the break with a 1.64 ERA over his last eight starts. Add three full years of arbitration control, and you’ve got a non-rental arm with upside — the kind that gets calls from every contender with a rotation hole.
Then there’s Sandy Alcantara, still capable of turning a playoff race on its head. The former Cy Young winner spun seven shutout innings against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday — possibly his last in a Marlins uniform — and looked every bit the ace. He’s under contract through 2028 and won’t come cheap, but the market is flush with buyers willing to pay for control. The Cubs and Phillies are circling.
Meanwhile, Jesus Sanchez profiles as a classic lefty bat with power and team control — a solid secondary piece for teams looking to bolster the bench or fill a corner outfield need.
Don’t look now, but the A’s might be more active than anyone expected. Vegas-bound and sitting at 43-62, Oakland has shifted into full sell mode — and a few names are quietly building value.
Jeffrey Springs is expected to move. He’s turned in a string of solid outings, including a 3.57 ERA over his last nine before his previous start, and comes with just one year of control left. If he tosses a solid outing against the Houston Astros tonight, it will only increase his value.
Luis Severino could be on the way out, too. With two years left on his deal, he’s been inconsistent, but had a strong showing against Houston last night. The former Met went seven strong, striking out eight in a quality start to earn the win, which may have pushed him back onto contender boards.
And then there’s JP Sears. The lefty just helped his stock with a standout performance on Wednesday against Texas — five innings, one earned run, seven punchouts. With his low cost and expiring deal, Sears is on several radars as a depth add.
No blockbusters expected, but Oakland has enough to stay busy — and maybe pull off a few surprise moves as the deadline clock winds down.
The Rockies are heading toward another 90-loss campaign, and this time, they’re actually pulling the trigger. The biggest domino already fell — Ryan McMahon is headed to the New York Yankees, ending weeks of speculation. That closes the book on Colorado’s long-time infield cornerstone, and it signals a fundamental shift in approach from a front office that’s been reluctant to reset.
With McMahon gone, attention turns to the arms. German Marquez. He was pitching well, logging a 2.78 ERA across his final six starts before the break, before landing back on the IL this week. On an expiring deal, he could still be a value target for clubs seeking stability at the back of the rotation, if healthy.
Also generating buzz: Seth Halvorsen, the high-octane reliever who’s lighting up radar guns and has racked up nine saves. He’s young, controllable through 2029, and rising fast. If Colorado leans in, he’s a piece that could headline a deal.
6 Days to MLB Trade Deadline
Hard to believe, but we’re over 100 games deep into the MLB grind — and the trade deadline is now just six days away. The stove is blistering, contenders are getting aggressive, and teams on the fringe are deciding whether to push or punt.
Today, we start off with some actual trades on the board!
Infield movement picked up in a big way. Ryan McMahon, long a potential solution for clubs needing corner help, is off the board — traded to the New York Yankees today. That ends any speculation around a possible Houston Astros pivot after Isaac Paredes’ hamstring setback, though Houston is expected to remain active on the infield market.
The New York Mets also got into the action, acquiring left-handed reliever Gregory Soto from the Baltimore Orioles to shore up their bullpen. Soto adds a high-velocity option from the left side and immediately gives the Mets a late-inning weapon as they cling to Wild Card hopes.
The Seattle Mariners, meanwhile, addressed a major need, landing first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for lefty Brandyn Garcia and righty Ashton Izzi. Naylor brings left-handed thump and playoff experience to a Mariners team in the thick of the AL West and Wild Card races.
The Chicago Cubs remain firmly in buy mode as July ticks down. They’re still hunting a front-line starter to patch the rotation hole left by Jameson Taillon’s injury, but sources say they’re reluctant to move premium prospects for short-term help. That could knock them out of the Dylan Cease chase — unless the market cools. Cease, a free agent after this season, continues to draw heavy interest, and word is the San Diego Padres are open to offers.
As for the Minnesota Twins, they remain the most aggressive seller on the board. Nearly half the roster is on the table, with names like Joe Ryan, Harrison Bader, Chris Paddack, Willi Castro, Danny Coulombe, Griffin Jax, and Jhoan Duran continuing to generate interest from teams like the Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Yankees, and yes — the now-bolstered Mets.
Six days to go. Phones are hot. Arms are moving. Let the chaos roll.
Let’s ride.
