2025 MLB Trade Deadline Predictions | 13 Mock Trades to Shake Up Baseball
Our latest update includes mock trades for the slugger everyone has their eyes on at this year's deadline, Eugenio Suarez.
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If you are a baseball fan, the next week is pretty much the highlight of your summer. This is the time when we all turn on notifications for Jeff Passan, Ken Rosenthal, and every credible reporter with a pulse as we await with great anticipation to see what will take place at the MLB Trade Deadline!
Buyers are lining up for the top bats on the market, and this year, that is Eugenio Suarez and not a whole lot else. Suarez’s teammate Josh Naylor was just dealt a week in advance of the deadline, waving the flag that Arizona will be sellers at the deadline.
Other teams are still sitting on the fence between buying and selling, and with a muddled Wild Card race in both leagues, there are teams who truly may do both.
All we can do at this point is wait for the moves to start to trickle in, but in the meantime, why not play GM and make a few of our own?
From now until the deadline, we are going to continue to update this story with fun trade predictions on moves that would make for a more exciting trade deadline. These trades will come with complete mocks, as we try to best gauge what the market could be for the top talent on the board, and get to know some of the top prospects in the game that could be on the move.
Our newest mock trades can be found at the top, which will be based on the most up-to-date rumors we have to go off on. Some mocks may become irrelevant as the days pass, and the deadline creeps closer.
For example, when we initially published this article, we mocked Eugenio Suarez to the Yankees, but now that they have traded for Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario, it would not appear that he will be heading to New York after all.
Now, just two days removed from the deadline, we are at the precipice of the firestorm of moves that is surely to come soon. Today, we are updating this post with four mock trades for the top rental bat on the market (by a country mile), Eugenio Suarez.
Four Mock Trades for Top Geno Suarez Landing Spots
The Arizona Diamondbacks have the top trade chip on the board right now with Eugenio Suarez, who has hit 36 home runs and has 87 RBIs before the calendar turns to August. With at least a dozen teams having checked in on Suarez, there is a great chance he is moved and moved for a haul at this trade deadline.
In our most recent article, we dove deep into the current landscape for Suarez and some of the top teams that could offer an intriguing package of prospects for the slugger.
While many teams are in the mix, the four teams we chose to write mocks for were the Cubs, Phillies, Astros, and Mariners. Here are the prospect packages we created, which offer the D-backs a bevy of arms that they can choose from in a deal for Suarez.
- Mariners Package: RHP Logan Evans (MLB), SS Michael Arroyo (Double-A)
- Astros Package: RHP Miguel Ullola (Triple-A), RHP Anderson Britto (High-A), RHP Luis Contreras (MLB), and RHP Bryce Mayer (Double-A)
- Phillies Package: RHP Mick Abel (Triple-A) and 3B Aroon Esobar (High-A)
- Cubs Package: for RHP Jaxon Wiggins (Double-A), 1B Jonathan Long (Triple-A), and RHP Brody McCullough (Double-A)
For a full breakdown of why each team is a fit for Suarez, and for analysis on the prospect packages we have proposed, check out the full piece on the top rental bat on the market.
Top DH Rentals on the Block Get Their Trade Mocks: Published on July 28th
Today, we are adding two new mocks to the article, as we found landing spots for two of the top sluggers on the trade block, Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna.
Cincinnati Reds Bring in a Big Bat in Ryan O’Hearn
The Cincinnati Reds are squarely in the Wild Card race, just one game back on the San Diego Padres for the final spot. While there are two better teams than the Reds in the NL Central right now, with the Cubs and the Brewers, that does not mean the Reds should be content to just hang around in the race.
We have seen with the new Wild Card format that all a team needs to do is get in the dance, and have a few arms they can pin their hopes to in the starting rotation, and you can make a run. With left-handers Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo pitching like frontline arms, and Hunter Greene ready to return from the IL, the Reds have enough pitching to dream come October.
What they need, however, is to get some more run support for those starting pitchers. This is where Ryan O’Hearn becomes an ideal fit, giving the Reds a left-handed slugger who can play first base every day or simply plug their DH spot.
O’Hearn’s 133 wRC+ would be the top mark on the Reds, and only Elly De La Cruz has hit more home runs (18) than the 12 O’Hearn has this season. The 32-year-old is going to be a free agent this winter and will be entering the market as a 2025 All-Star.
The Orioles are going to deal O’Hearn, but don’t expect them to get too much in return, as a rental first baseman can only fetch a team so much. This feels like the exact kind of soft buy the Reds can justify to try to make a run at winning this year.
If they wanted to spend a little more prospect capital, the Reds could even try to pry a rental reliever in the deal as well, like Seranthony Dominguez.
Reds Trade Package: LHP Adam Serwinowski (Reds No. 14), OF Ethan O’Donnell (Reds No. 15)
The Reds don’t have to give up any of their top 10 prospects in this deal, but they do trade the two prospects at the very end of their top 15.
Serwinowski is a 21-year-old left-handed starting pitcher who has spent this season in High-A. Last year, Serwinowski pitched to a 3.57 ERA in 25 starts in Low-A. High-A has presented more of a challenge for Serwinowski, who currently has a 4.84 ERA in 74 1/3 innings pitched.
The Orioles could use pitching in their farm system, and Serwinowski would slot nicely in their mix. Meanwhile, they land a center fielder in Double-A with Ethan O’Donnell.
A sixth-round pick by the Reds in 2023, O’Donnell is having a down year adjusting to Double-A for the first time, as he has a .635 OPS. Last year, O’Donnell posted a .774 OPS in High-A in 104 games played.
Similar to Serwinowksi, O’Donnell’s stock was likely higher back in 2024, but if either of these prospects can bounce back, it’s a win of a trade for the Orioles on a rental.
Seattle Mariners Try to Add Thump with Marcell Ozuna
The Seattle Mariners already added one big bat to their lineup by trading with the Arizona Diamondbacks for first baseman Josh Naylor. Reports indicate that they have their sights set on Eugenio Suarez as well, but the competition for Suarez is thick.
Assuming another team lands Suarez, the Mariners will be left looking through a barren market to find bats. Which could make Marcell Ozuna an attractive flier to plug into their DH spot.
Ozuna is not cheap, as he is making $16 million this season. The Braves are unlikely to eat down that contract much to get a better return, so taking on the around $5 million in prorated salary is step one to getting a deal done.
So the question is whether Ozuna is even worth that. Since the calendar turned to June, Ozuna has endured a brutal stretch where he has hit .169/.259/.289, with a 53 wRC+. With that said, Ozuna is a proven run-producer that could find his swing if dropped into a competitive situation, instead of being part of a Braves team that has been pressing for months now.
Mariners Trade Package: RHP Michael Morales (Mariners No. 11)
In this deal, the Braves would receive Michael Morales, a right-handed starting pitcher in Double-A who has a 4.50 ERA in 14 starts this season. Morales had a better season last year, when he pitched to a 2.36 ERA across 15 starts in High-A, before pitching to a 3.88 ERA in 12 starts in Double-A.
Morales’ breakout in 2024 was a result of improvements he made in his command, but he was unable to build off those improvements this year. After running just a 4.9% walk rate in Double-A last year, Morales has doubled that this year (9.8% BB%).
If the Braves can get him to rediscover his command, then they can have a starting pitcher who provides some depth to the upper levels of their farm system. At 22 years old, Moraes is a good project for the Braves to take on in a trade like this.
Mets Mock Trades: Two Deals That Would Help Put the Mets Over the Top? | Mocks Published on July 27th
Today, we have two fresh mocks, with both involving the other team in New York. Can the Mets swing a few more deals to become the favorite over the Phillies in the NL East?! Let’s check out some mocks and find out.
Mets Swing Bullpen Blocksuster with the Pirates | Trade for BOTH David Bednar and Dennis Santana
The New York Mets have already swung one trade for a relief pitcher ahead of the trade deadline, landing left-handed flamethrower Gregory Soto from the Baltimore Orioles. Soto was step one for the Mets, but reports indicate that they are still looking to upgrade their bullpen, and it may be more than one arm that they target.
If the Mets want to really put their bullpen over the top, the Pittsburgh Pirates have the arms they covet, as closer David Bednar and set-up man Dennis Santana are both on the trade block.
Landing either Bednar or Santana would be a big boon for this Mets team, but for a team that has World Series aspirations, New York could look to put their bullpen over the top with one trade.
Bednar was optioned down to the minor leagues after a rough start to the season, where he allowed runs in two of his first three appearances. Since Bednar returned on April 19th, he has pitched to a 1.50 ERA across his last 38 appearances.
The last time Bednar allowed a run was May 23rd, as he has reeled off 23 consecutive scoreless appearances ahead of the deadline. With another year of control after this season, Bednar is one of the more valuable relievers on the market.
The same goes for his teammate Santana, who also comes with another year of control and has a 1.42 ERA across his first 44 appearances. If the Mets can land both top Pirates arms, they will have one of the deepest bullpens in all of baseball.
With Diaz, Bednar, Santana, Raley, Soto, Reed Garrett, Ryne Stanek, and Jose Butto, the Mets bullpen would be absolutely loaded.
Prying two arms may prove to be too costly, especially as the Mets will likely want to stay away from the very top of their farm system for relief pitchers. Still, the Mets can offer a package with a combination of arms to replenish their system and bats that can help sooner than later that could entice the Pirates.
Mets Trade Package: INF Ronny Mauricio (MLB), CF Nick Morabito (AA), RHP Jack Wenniger (AA), RHP RJ Gordon (AA)
The Pirates need bats more than anything right now, and the closer they are to the big leagues, the better. This is where Ronny Mauricio stands out, as he would give the Pirates an infielder that they can plug in as a starter tomorrow.
Mauricio made his MLB debut at the end of 2023, and missed all of last year recovering from a torn ACL. This year, Mauricio has come back and has shown the ability to keep his head above water in the big leagues, albeit with what is still a limited sample size.
While the switch-hitting Mauricio has struggled to hit left-handed pitching, he has a .800 OPS against right-handed pitching through his first 34 games played. A shortstop throughout his time as a top prospect, Mauricio can play anywhere on the infield.
Lately, Mauricio has primarily played third base, but the Pirates could move Isiah Kiner-Falefa in another deal and make Mauricio their starting shortstop for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Nick Morabito would be the other bat heading the Pirates’ way in this deal, giving them an outfielder to plug into their system at Double-A. Morabito is a speedster who won the Mets’ minor league player of the year award in 2024. This year, Morabito has spent the entirety of his season in Double-A, where he has posted a .780 OPS, with 33 stolen bases in his first 80 games.
If nothing else, Morabito has the floor of being a fourth outfielder, with plenty of speed to make the most of a bench role. And yet, there is still a chance he could be good enough to start in center field by the time he is ready to join the show.
Finally, the Mets add a pair of Double-A starting pitchers to really sweeten the deal for the Pirates.
Jack Wenniger is the real prize among the two arms, as he has pitched to a 2.96 ERA with 109 strikeouts in 91 1/3 innings pitched across his first 18 Double-A starts in 2025. Wenniger could be an option for the back-end of the Pirates’ rotation as soon as next season.
RJ Gordon is new to Double-A, having made just three appearances so far, but he pitched to a 3.06 ERA across 67 2/3 innings pitched in High-A this season. Gordon is more of a sweetener than anything else, but he proves just how deep the Mets’ farm system is, as he was a 13th-round pick last year and suddenly has real value based on his performance thus far in 2025.
Mets Take a Gamble in Center Field | Trade For Luis Robert
The New York Mets have been linked to Luis Robert Jr. at this year’s deadline, as they are reportedly in the market to add a center fielder. Addressing the position makes a lot of sense for the Mets, who have been running out 33-year-old Jeff McNeil in center field lately.
McNeil has never played center field on a consistent basis throughout his professional career, but picked it up on the fly as the Mets were struggling to get any offense from the position with Jose Siri on the IL and Tyrone Taylor being a one-dimensional player at this point.
To his credit, McNeil has held his own (-1 DRS, 0 OAA), but it would still be a bold move for the Mets to have him start in center for a playoff run. McNeil is also the Mets’ best option at second base, so making a move for a center fielder would upgrade this roster at two positions.
Enter Luis Robert Jr.
Robert is an enigma, as he has five-tool potential, but really has not played much better than Taylor over the past two seasons (1.0 fWAR compared to Taylor’s 1.3 fWAR in 2024-2025). In 2023, Robert was an All-Star and won a Silver Slugger, mashing 38 home runs in 145 games.
Since then, Robert has dealt with nagging injuries and has only managed to hit 24 home runs in his last 184 games. Looking at the numbers right now, Robert’s value offensively is specific to his ability to crush left-handed pitching.
- 85 PAs vs LHP: .294/.422/.544, 5 HR, 164 wRC+
- 243 PAs vs RHP: .179/.249/.280, 5 HR, 48 wRC+
There’s nearly a 440-point difference in his OPS splits between left and right-handed pitching. Any team that acquires Robert will hope a change of scenery will spark his bat vs. right-handed pitching, but there is no guarantee that these trends won’t continue.
For the Mets, though, Taylor is a good flier to take, because worst-case scenario, they can platoon Taylor with McNeil in center field. Best case, you get something closer to what we saw in 2023, and Robert becomes a real difference-maker down the stretch.
Either way, there would be a clear role for Robert on the Mets.
Mets Trade Package: OF Drew Gilbert (Triple-A)
Gauging value in this deal is very tough, as Robert has one of the more exciting bats on the market based on name value and upside, but the production has not been there. He also is relatively expensive when you consider his $15 million contract for 2025, and the $2 million buyout a team would have to pay to get out of $20 million club option for 2026.
Now, if Robert is amazing in his new home, a team may decide he is worth that investment to gamble on a full season of him in 2026. More likely, teams view Robert as a rental, and one that comes with about a $7 million price tag when you factor his prorated salary for 2025, and the buyout on the option for 2026.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today is reporting that the White Sox want Mark Vientos in “any trade for Luis Robert Jr.”, but the fact that a deal is not done yet would indicate the Mets may not be keen to sell low on Vientos.
Vientos has put together a miserable season on both sides of the ball, as he has regressed in a major way from his breakout campaign in 2024. Vientos has been a net-negative with a -0.4 fWAR, and an 81 wRC+ with only six home runs in 73 games.
Last year, Vientos hit 27 home runs in 111 regular-season games, before adding five more in 13 games in the playoffs. Trading 4 1/2 years of control for two months of Robert would be selling low on Vientos, and it feels like an unlikely move at this stage.
Instead, the Mets can send a prospect the White Sox way, and still one that is close enough to the big leagues that Chicago can get excited.
Two years ago, Drew Gilbert was the headlining prospect (along with Ryan Clifford) in a deal that sent Justin Verlander from the Mets back to the Houston Astros. Now we have Gilbert getting moved again, and this time for Robert.
Since recovering from a nagging hamstring injury that cost him most of his 2024 season, and led to a slower ramp-up to his 2025 season, Gilbert has been playing in Triple-A, where he has recently gotten hot just ahead of the deadline.
So far this July, Gilbert is hitting .333/.403/.696, with six home runs and 17 RBIs. On the season, Gilbert has hit .248/.352/.442, with 12 home runs in 79 games played in Triple-A.
For a rebuilding White Sox team, Gilbert could make his way up to the big leagues down the stretch and could be a big part of their outfield mix in 2026.
The type of prospect who doesn’t have one carrying tool, but a solid skill-set across the board, Gilbert’s most likely outcome in the big leagues is being a fourth outfielder. Two years ago, that would not seem like the type of prospect who could headline a Luis Robert trade, considering his current value, the White Sox could do a lot worse.
While his floor is that of a fourth outfielder, his ceiling could still be a starting center fielder on a second-division team, which is exactly what he can be for the White Sox. A former first-round pick, maybe Gilbert gets the most out of his pull-side power and becomes a 20-25 HR guy, who can play average defense in center and above-average defense in a corner.
The White Sox may feel like they are settling for Gilbert if they truly have their eyes on Vientos, but there may not be a better player on the table for Robert by the time the deadline hits on Friday.
Twins Trades: Two Mocks if Minnesota Dealt Their Best Pitching: Published on July 26th
Cubs Add an Ace With Control in Twins’ Joe Ryan
The Chicago Cubs have proven that they have a lineup that is good enough to win the World Series. They have consistently put up runs all year long, and feature stars all over their diamond who are having career years.
While the Cubs could use an upgrade at third base, and like any team, they are in the market to add to their bullpen at the deadline, what they really need is starting pitching. Without Justin Steele, the Cubs have relied heavily upon Matthew Boyd, who has stepped in to be their ace.
Shota Imanaga missed most of May and June, but has returned to the rotation to provide a big boost. Colin Rea, Cade Horton and Jameson Taillon have eaten valuable innings this year, but this Cubs rotation can use an injection big time if they want to be feared come October.
For a team with World Series aspirations and a deep farm to boot, we are shooting for the stars with this one. So why not grab the best ace with control and swing a trade for Joe Ryan?
The 29-year-old All-Star has pitched to a 2.63 ERA across 116 1/3 innings pitched. He is making just $3 million through arbitration this year, with two seasons of arbitration left beyond 2025. This makes Ryan one of the most affordable aces in the game.
The Twins are in no rush to trade Ryan, so there is every chance that he does not get moved. But if he does, Ryan could fetch the biggest haul of the deadline.
Cubs Trade Package: C Moises Ballesteros (JB No. 54), 2B/SS Jefferson Rojas (JB No. 66), and RHP Jaxon Wiggins (JB No. 100)
The first of the top prospects heading back to the Twins would be catcher Moises Ballesteros.
Ballesteros got his first cup of coffee in the show this year as an injury replacement, playing five games, but has been blocked from truly getting run at the big league level. Instead, he’s been tearing up Triple-A, slashing .332/.392/.497 with nine homers and a 128 wRC+.
Ballesteros could go back to the majors immediately after the trade, pushing towards a future role as the team’s franchise catcher.
The next of the three prospects heading back to the Twins would be middle infielder Jefferson Rojas, an exciting young prospect. Rojas has spent most of this season at High-A, but he just recently earned his promotion to Double-A following a very impressive 67-game showing in the lower minors.
Before his promotion, Rojas had slashed .278/.379/.492 with 11 homers and a 138 wRC+ before his promotion, a really impressive stat line for a 20-year-old prospect. Although it’s been a small sample size, Rojas has struggled in his first week of Double-A, which will be something to monitor.
However, with Rojas being this talented at just 20 years old, he’d be a great piece for the Twins to receive for their ace.
The final player heading back to the Twins in this deal would be right-hander Jaxon Wiggins, another member of our top 100 prospects list. For the Twins, it makes sense to trade for a higher-end starting pitcher if you’re also dealing your ace, and Wiggins fits this role perfectly.
Wiggins has been one of the better starting pitchers in the minors this season, as he’s pitched very well in 62.2 innings across High-A and Double-A. In this span, he’s maintained an ERA of 2.02 alongside 79 strikeouts and just 28 walks.
As his season has gone on, it’s become more and more fair to say that Wiggins has legitimate frontline upside in the major leagues if his development continues at this pace.
While no team ever truly wants to trade their ace until they absolutely have to, this would be the rare chance to receive three top 100 prospects in one deal. That’s not an offer they would be able to turn down lightly.
Blue Jays Get a New Closer in Jhoan Duran
Joe Ryan may not be the only sizable piece the Twins could sell off this deadline, as fireball closer Jhoan Duran has received quite a bit of trade interest. The Blue Jays have been looking to make some significant upgrades on the pitching side, and what better way to do it than in Duran?
Entering play on July 26th, the Toronto Blue Jays have the best record in baseball. It might be fair to say that nobody in the United States of America believed that would be the case.
Maybe a few brave fans out in Canada did, though, and all of a sudden, this is shaping up to be one amazing year for the Blue Jays.
Fresh off signing their native son Vladi Guerrero Jr. to a contract extension that will keep him a Blue Jay for the rest of his career, Toronto has put together a quietly fantastic season. George Springer and Alejandro Kirk have both bounced back in major ways, as has Bo Bichette, and the rotation has been largely solid as well.
If the Blue Jays are going to come out on top in the AL East, it wouldn’t hurt to bolster their lineup or their rotation a bit, but the area of greatest concern is their bullpen.
Jeff Hoffman has been better than his ERA (4.78) would suggest (24 of 28 in save chances), and Yariel Rodriguez has legitimately been nails (2.25 ERA in 52 innings), but this bullpen could use an alpha that knocks everyone down a peg.
Enter one of the best in baseball, Jhoan Duran.
Blue Jays Trade Package: INF Josh Kasevich (Blue Jays No. 4), RHP Khal Stephen (Blue Jays No.5), and LHP Johnny King (Blue Jays No. 11)
Of course, when trading for a closer of Duran’s caliber, the return will be a little more expensive. Especially since Duran comes with two more years of control beyond this postseason run. They’ll have to forego three of their top 15 prospects, which isn’t a small amount by any means.
The first of these players that the Jays would send to the Twins would be infielder Josh Kasevich. Unfortunately, Kasevich has missed most of this season, as he’s played just eight games in the minors this season.
However, last year, Kasevich was a really solid player. He ended up making it the whole way to Triple-A, where he slashed .325/.382/.433 with three homers and a 119 wRC+. If he wasn’t injured this season, there’s a good chance he could’ve been in the big leagues by now.
The next player heading to the Twins is right-hander Khal Stephen, one of the Blue Jays’ more interesting arms. In fact, Stephen has made it the whole way to Double-A after starting the year in Low-A, an impressive jump.
Across all levels this season, the 22-year-old has logged 91.2 impressive innings. In his time on the bump, Stephen has posted a 2.06 ERA, 99 strikeouts, and just 18 walks. With control of this caliber, he could blossom into a really solid big league arm in no time.
The final player heading back to the Twins in this deal would be left-hander Johnny King, a third-round pick in last year’s draft. Since making his way into professional baseball, King has become a really solid pitcher.
This season, King has thrown 37 innings between the complex leagues and Low-A, dominating hitters along the way. He’s recorded an ERA of just 1.70 while striking out an eye-popping 67 batters and walking 20 batters in the process. Although he’s still quite raw, the 18-year-old has plenty of potential.
The Blue Jays have three prospects in our top 100, and none of them are going back to the Twins in this deal. With that said, the Twins are still getting two very talented arms, and a high probability big league infielder for a relief pitcher (albeit an excellent one).
Our First 3 Mocks: Originally Published on June 25th
Let’s dive into our first three Mock Trades that would shake up the MLB landscape at the trade deadline!
Dodgers Swing for the Fences to Land Clase and Kwan
The Los Angeles Dodgers make the blockbuster trades at the deadline. It is what they do.
Some years, that means trading for a pair of All-Stars in Max Scherzer and Trea Turner (2021). Other years, that means swinging separate trades for Jack Flaherty, Tommy Edman, and Michael Kopech, the finishing pieces of last year’s World Series roster.
The Dodgers are going to look to be active on the market, and there is no trade they can’t make as they continue to churn quality prospects through their farm system.
Looking at what the Dodgers could use at the deadline, there are a few key needs. One is out in left field, where Michael Conforto has been a massive disappointment after signing a one-year, $17 million deal in the offseason.
Along with needing an outfielder, the Dodgers will be in the market for relief help, as Tanner Scott has not been nearly as dominant in the closer’s role as anticipated (4.14 ERA) and just hit the IL with elbow inflammation.
If the Dodgers wanted to swing for the fences, their ideal trade partner is the Cleveland Guardians, who could offer an All-Star outfielder in Steven Kwan, along with one of the game’s best closers in Emmanuel Clase.
Kwan is one of the best bat-to-ball hitters in the game, and comes with two and a half years of control. The 27-year-old comes with two and a half years of team control, giving the Dodgers a piece that could help them out a lot for multiple playoff runs.
Clase is not having nearly as good of a season as he had last year, when he pitched to a 0.61 ERA and finished third in the AL Cy Young race, but he is still getting the job done (2.80 ERA, 22 saves) and is locked into a team-friendly contract.
The 27-year-old closer is making $4.9 million this year and is under contract for $6.4 million next year, with two $10 million club options for 2027 and 2028.
To acquire both Kwan and Clase in the same deal is going to take an absolute haul, but the Dodgers have the prospect capital to make it happen.
Dodgers Trade Package: C Dalton Rushing (JB No. 8), SS Alex Freeland (JB No. 53), LHP Jackson Ferris, and OF Eduardo Quintero (JB No. 76)
With Clase and Kwan heading to Los Angeles, it should be expected that the return would come with an expensive price tag. For the Los Angeles Dodgers, this is extremely doable, as they currently possess one of the best farm systems in the entire sport.
The Guardians would land their catcher of the future in this deal in our number eight prospect, Daulton Rushing. Before being promoted to the big leagues, Rushing tore up Triple-A, slashing .308/.424/.514 with a 139 wRC+. Since being promoted, he’s struggled mightily in limited at-bats at the big league level.
However, it’s clear the talent is still there with Rushing. He could benefit from a change of scenery, as it’s tough for him to get much playing time behind Will Smith. If he were dealt to the Guardians in this deal, he’d likely be their new everyday starting catcher.
Jackson Ferris finds himself in a similar situation for the Dodgers, as the once top prospect has run into some trouble in his second Double-A season. Posting a 4.74 ERA in just under 80 innings, Ferris has experienced some adversity this season.
The Guardians are among the best at developing pitching, and acquiring Ferris could mean finding themselves with a future ace waiting in the minor leagues.
The Guardians have also been seeking a permanent answer at shortstop ever since they dealt Francisco Lindor, and the answer could come from this trade in Alex Freeland.
Currently our number 53 prospect, Freeland, finds himself in a similar situation to Ferris. He’s seen a dip in production this year at Triple-A, posting a 105 wRC+ across 90 games. However, he tore through the minor leagues last season, showcasing the tools to become a franchise shortstop. If given a change of scenery, he could become this player for the Guardians.
Last but not least, the Guardians would also receive coveted outfield prospect Eduardo Quintero in this deal. Although he’s currently in Low-A, Quintero has been one of the best performers in the Dodgers system and the entire level.
Through 81 games, Quintero has already slugged 14 homers while slashing .306/.426/.533 with a 160 wRC+. Something else to note is that Quintero has done all of this at just 19 years old! He has a real chance to blossom into the best player in this package within the next few seasons.
Overall, the Guardians will receive a very good return for two of their best players in Clase and Kwan. If this type of return is on the table, this could be the blockbuster of this year’s deadline.
Yankees Win the Eugenio Suarez Sweepstakes | Get a Side of Zac Gallen
UPDATE: July 25th, 2025, at 3:15 p.m.
Below you can find our original write-up for a mock trade that would have sent Eugenio Suarez to the Yankees, along with Zac Gallen. That trade will not happen, though, as the Yankees have jumped the market on Ryan McMahon instead.
The Yankees could still be in the market for Gallen, or even Merrill Kelly, whom we discuss a bit below. The only difference is that without Suarez in the trade package, it would maybe be a one-for-one swap, where the Yankees could trade a pitching prospect like Bryce Cunningham for Gallen straight-up.
Original Story
The New York Yankees need to make a big splash at the deadline. How much bigger a splash can you make than adding the most-coveted bat at this deadline? Especially if you got a top-end starting pitcher as well.
Eugenio Suarez is the hottest bat that could be moved, as he has blasted 36 home runs with a league-leading 86 RBIs in 101 games played. Suarez would immediately upgrade the Yankees’ lineup, and would plug their biggest hole in the infield.
Along with shopping Suarez, the Diamondbacks have a couple of rental starting pitchers that could be on the move as well. Zac Gallen is the biggest name, as he has two top-5 Cy Young finishes on his resume, and sports a solid career 3.59 ERA.
While his resume is outstanding from year’s past, this season, Gallen has really struggled.
The soon-to-be 30-year-old has pitched to a 5.58 ERA in his contract year, showing flashes of brilliance that have been overshadowed by plenty of clunkers. If the Yankees don’t believe they can fix Gallen quickly enough as a rental, they could get a safer arm instead in Merrill Kelly.
The 36-year-old is pitching to a 3.32 ERA this season across his first 21 starts. In 2023, Kelly pitched to a 2.25 ERA across the D-Backs’ playoff run, so he has a track record in October. Getting either Gallen or Kelly to solidify their rotation, and Suarez to put their lineup over the top, is the type of home run rental trade that can completely change your fate come October.
Yankees Trade: RHP Carlos Lagrange (JB No. 82), RHP Bryce Cunningham (Yankees No. 4), and C/3B Jesus Rodriguez (Yankees No. 9)
If the Yankees truly want to make a big impact during this year’s deadline and acquire these two stars, they’ll have to part with a sizable package in return. However, for a pitcher with ace potential and one of the best third basemen in the sport, it’ll be worth it.
The first player they’ll have to part with in this package is right-hander Carlos Lagrange, one of the faster risers on our top 100. Lagrange has spent this season between High-A and Double-A, where he’s done very well in both places.
Lagrange has thrown 77.1 innings across the two levels, posting a 3.96 ERA, while striking out an astounding 113 batters. Lagrange has an electric fastball that sits in the high-90s and touches triple digits often, making him a super intriguing piece for the D-Backs to land.
Lagrange won’t be the only arm heading back to the D-Backs in this move, as they’d also acquire Bryce Cunningham, a former second-round pick and Vanderbilt alum. Cunningham has thrown very well this season, leading him to potentially be a coveted trade asset.
Across 46.1 High-A innings this season, Cunningham has pitched to a 1.93 ERA while striking out 47 batters, dominating opposing hitters along the way. While he may not be as intriguing as Lagrange, Cunningham has some serious upside.
The third and final player heading back to the D-Backs would be Jesus Rodriguez, an interesting third baseman and catcher. Rodriguez is currently just 23 years old, and he’s been tearing up Triple-A this season.
Across 72 games in Triple-A, Rodriguez has hit three homers, slashed .313/.411/.409 with a 126 wRC+. For the D-Backs, a player like Rodriguez is quite the interesting throw-in, as he could make an impact in the big leagues very soon.
While the D-Backs will be losing a lot of talent in this move, they’ll also be gaining quite a bit of talent in the process. Between Lagrange, Cunningham and Rodriguez, they’re setting up their farm system quite nicely in this deal.
Phillies Bolster World Series Hopes | Look to Extend Their Window with Jarren Duran
The Phillies already made their first big splash of the deadline, and they did not have to forfeit any prospects. Instead, they re-signed a piece from their 2022 World Series roster, David Robertson.
Robertson was signed to a prorated one-year, $16 million deal, which will pay him roughly $5.5 million for the remainder of the season. If the Phillies had traded for an arm of Robertson’s caliber, they surely would have needed to forfeit some top prospects, which they can instead push towards another deal.
While they’ve played very good baseball to this point, the Phillies’ outfield has left much to be desired this season. For starters, Brandon Marsh has been disappointing offensively, posting below-league-average metrics alongside just three homers in nearly 80 games.
The Phillies have also struggled to get Max Kepler going offensively, which only adds to the outfield challenges plaguing this team moving forward. What better way to address this than with Jaren Duran?
Duran would give the Phillies some incredible speed at the top of their lineup with Duran and Trea Turner, while still having their big boppers in place behind them with Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.
This move would not only shake up this lineup for a stretch run but also give the Phillies another star to build around, along with Harper and Turner, as Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto are both set to hit free agency after this season.
Phillies Trade Package: RHP Mick Abel (Triple-A), SS Aidan Miller (JB No. 39), OF Justin Crawford (Triple-A)
The package the Phillies would forfeit would be a hefty one, as they’d have to part with Aidan Miller, Justin Crawford, and Mick Abel. Aside from Andrew Painter, these are nearly all of the club’s most exciting prospects, making this an expensive price tag.
Abel has bounced between Triple-A and the Major League club, where he’s shown promise in both places. Abel had one of the more electric pitching debuts this season, as he outdueled Paul Skenes for the win. Also, he’s registered an ERA just above 1.80 this season at Triple-A.
Abel could immediately earn his promotion back to the big leagues, where he could get a more extended look than he’s gotten with the Phillies. If not, he’ll go to Triple-A for a little longer, looking to earn this promotion once more.
Aidan Miller would be the main piece forefitted in this deal, as he’s been the one prospect outside of Painter the Phillies have held the closest. Miller is still struggling to find his footing at Double-A, though, as he’s posted a 107 wRC+ in 72 games. Despite this, there’s tremendous upside to be had in his game, as his raw tools are off the charts.
Justin Crawford is another interesting piece in this deal. The former first-round pick comes with an elite contact/speed combination, which has led him to slash .325/.406/.424 with 29 stolen bases in 76 Triple-A games this season. While his power is nearly non-existent, this type of player could be an electric addition to the Red Sox’s system.
While it is a lot to give up, this trade keeps Andrew Painter and adds a player with three years of control to a roster that has some expiring pieces. It would allow the Phillies to jumpstart rebuilding a new core around Bryce Harper and Trea Turner, while bolstering their current group for another run.