The MLB trade deadline is on July 31 and we’ve already seen a few notable players moved in recent days. While there’ll be a shortage of blockbuster deals this coming week, our MLB trade deadline predictions will try and project destinations for some of the top players available.
Let’s dive into our final MLB trade deadline, projecting landing spots for the top 15 MLB trade candidates in 2025.
Eugenio Suarez, third baseman: Milwaukee Brewers
The New York Yankees took themselves out of the mix for Eugenio Suarez with the Ryan McMahon trade and the Seattle Mariners already made a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks for first baseman Josh Naylor. There are still a few viable suitors for Suarez, but those clubs also need to balance their needs for starting pitching. Enter the Milwaukee Brewers. Suarez is perfect for a team that has the fifth-lowest OPS (.609) at third base this season. He’ll round out the Brewers’ lineup nicely, pairing with a deep pitching staff to help Milwaukee earn a playoff spot.
Related: MLB Trade Grades 2025
David Bednar, closer: Detroit Tigers
Pittsburgh Pirates‘ closer David Bednar got off to a rough start this season, registering a 13.50 ERA with 9 base runners allowed in his first four appearances (2 innings). The All-Star reliever hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last 21.1 innings pitched, allowing just 10 hits over that span. Arbitration-eligible for the final time in 2026, Bednar is the perfect addition to a Detroit Tigers bullpen that has the fifth-worst ERA (5.63) in July.
Related: Detroit Tigers Focused on One Position at MLB Trade Deadline
Ryan O’Hearn, Left Fielder: Houston Astros
The Baltimore Orioles have a pair of left-handed hitters who should appeal to the Houston Astros. Ryan O’Hearn (.825 OPS) and Cedric Mullins (.689 OPS) are both half-season rentals, making them a bit more affordable for Houston. With that said, the Astros lineup needs more consistent run production and O’Hearn provides that. We’d also keep an eye out for Houston to potentially try and land third baseman Ramon Urias, along with O’Hearn, following the long-term injury suffered by Isaac Paredes.
Related: Houston Astros Trade Targets at Third Base
Jhoan Duran, Closer: Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers anticipated having one of the best bullpens in MLB this season. Unfortunately for Dave Roberts and Co., injuries have decimated the relief corps. It puts Los Angeles in a dire position, requiring an aggressive move. The Minnesota Twins want a premium return for closer Jhoan Duran (1.90 ERA and .537 OPS allowed) and for good reason, since he’s arbitration-eligible through 2027. Ultimately, the Dodgers will be willing to win the bidding war to provide stability in the 9th inning for an October run.
Related: Los Angeles Dodgers Game Today, Dodgers Schedule
Sandy Alcantara, Starting Pitcher: Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays desperately need starting pitching and intend to be aggressive at the MLB trade deadline. That kind of approach can often lead to rolling the dice. Former NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara is not performing well in 2025 for the Miami Marlins, posting a 6.66 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 104 innings pitched. However, his last start against the San Diego Padres, allowing just 1 run in 7 innings, at least shows what he’s still capable of. This is a big gamble for the Blue Jays’ front office, but Alcantara being under contract through 2027 provides some long-term upside.
Related: New Suitor Emerges for Sandy Alcantara Trade
Seth Lugo, Starting Pitcher: Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs would prefer to acquire a front-line starter with multiple years of contractual control. However, the enormous asking price for cost-controlled starters makes that a lot more difficult. So, Chicago is pivoting to Kansas City Royals starter Seth Lugo. Responsible for a 3.17 ERA over his last 466 innings (78 starts), Lugo could be a playoff-caliber starter for Chicago. The only downside is that he is expected to decline his $15 million player option this winter, becoming a free agent.
Cedric Mullins, Outfielder: Philadelphia Phillies
Cedric Mullins got off to a hot start this season, recording a .278/.412/.515 triple-slash line with a .927 OPS, 20 RBIs, and 6 home runs in his first 97 at-bats. Since then, the Orioles outfielder has hit .184/.228/.338 with a .566 OPS, 22 RBIs, and 7 home runs in 201 at-bats. At the very least, this decline should drive the acquisition price down for the Philadelphia Phillies. However, he still provides Philadelphia with another left-handed-hitting outfielder who could replace Max Kepler.
Related: Philadelphia Phillies Game Today, Phillies Schedule 2025
Merrill Kelly, Starting Pitcher: Boston Red Sox
We think one of Merrill Kelly or Zac Gallen will be moved at the MLB trade deadline, but not both. Ultimately, it will be Kelly who gets moved in a deal to the Boston Red Sox. Acquiring Kelly, a half-season rental, allows Boston to keep All-Star outfielder Jarren Duran while strengthening its rotation for a potential playoff push. Boston also has quite a few quality prospects at the Double-A level who Arizona could target for a call-up in 2027, when the team could be back on track as a National League contender.
Adolis Garcia, Outfielder: Seattle Mariners
Third base is the primary need for the Seattle Mariners, but right field is another position they could address at the MLB trade deadline. Coming into the weekend, Mariners’ right fielders had a .222/.285/.371 triple-slash line with a .656 OPS, ranking 24th in the league. While the Texas Rangers might prefer to move Adolis Garcia out of the AL West, the Mariners have the farm system to change that mindset. Garcia can provide Gold Glove-caliber defense in right field, and there is upside with the bat.
Mitch Keller, Starting Pitcher: New York Yankees
The Ryan McMahon trade suggests that the Yankees could place a greater emphasis on players under team control for multiple seasons. That could be especially true for starting pitchers, since Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt are recovering from Tommy John surgery. Mitch Keller, who is under contract through 2028, has a 2.59 ERA with a 36-10 K-BB and 38 hits allowed over his last eight starts (48.2 innings). He’s not an ace by any means, but he can be a quality mid-rotation starter for New York for several years.
Related: New York Yankees Open to Trading Coveted Top Prospect
Taylor Ward, Outfielder: San Diego Padres
Coming into the weekend, San Diego Padres‘ left fielders had a collective .224/.284/.331 triple-slash line with an abysmal .616 OPS (28th). Needless to say, San Diego needs to improve if it wants to be playing in October. The Los Angeles Angels have made Taylor Ward (.786 OPS) available and he’s precisely the hitter the Padres lineup needs. He should be relatively affordable to acquire, allowing San Diego to address another position if it wants to.
Related: MLB Trade Rumors Roundup, Latest on Yankees, Cubs, Suarez, Cease and More
Ryan Helsley, Closer: New York Mets
The New York Mets‘ bullpen will be addressed further at the MLB trade deadline, even after the Gregory Soto acquisition. New York likely won’t want to get into a bidding war for one of the All-Star closers under contract for multiple seasons, but it can get Ryan Helsley. The St. Louis Cardinals closer boasts a 2.03 ERA over the last four seasons, including an 11.8 K/9. Since he’s a free agent this winter, he should be a bit more affordable for the Mets to acquire.
Related: New York Mets Game Today, Mets Schedule 2025
Yoan Moncada, Third Base: Chicago Cubs
No team has received worse production from its third basemen this season than the Cubs. Matt Shaw (.637 OPS) is still considered the third baseman of the future, but the 23-year-old can’t be relied upon in a playoff hunt. Since Shaw is the long-term option, pursuing Ke’Bryan Hayes doesn’t make much sense. Instead, Chicago is taking the one-year fix with Yoan Moncada (.782 OPS). With Moncada taking Shaw’s place, a lineup that already ranks second in runs scored (542) can reach another level during the stretch run.
Related: Chicago Cubs Game Today, Cubs Schedule 2025
Tyler Anderson, Starting Pitcher: Detroit Tigers
Detroit simply needs to find a No. 5 starter. While there is room to improve the playoff rotation, Jack Flaherty should at least have a shot to keep that spot. What cannot happen is for this American League contender to constantly try to do patchwork at the back of its rotation. Veteran southpaw Tyler Anderson (4.43 ERA) isn’t flashy, but he is very well suited to be a back-end starter for the Tigers.
Marcell Ozuna, Designated Hitter: Texas Rangers
We have Texas moving Adolis Garcia in our MLB trade deadline predictions, but this team can be both a buyer and a seller. Marcell Ozuna would fill the void in the Rangers’ lineup, with the team rolling the dice on a change of scenery helping the designated hitter turn things around. It’s a low-risk move with minimal cost, allowing Texas to remain in the Wild Card mix after flipping Garcia for prospects.
NFL, MLB & college football writer for Sportsnaut. Graduated from San Diego State University with BA in Journalism, 2019. … More about Matt Johnson
