With the 2025 MLB season approaching its stretch run, many of the league’s contenders will look to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.
Just as in recent years, the trade deadline offers an opportunity for contenders to make needed improvements for a potential run into October. Conversely, teams that want to focus on the future play the role of sellers, parting ways with win-now talent, often in favor of prospects who will make their impact felt in the coming years.
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For the above reasons, many eyes will be on this year’s deadline.
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The early stages of the 2025 deadline period could be described as a slow burn, with an American League executive describing negotiations as “unreasonable” on all sides, though the looming deadline could cause buyers to beef up offers, while sellers may relent on high asking prices.
As the sense of urgency to get deals done heightens, here is everything to know about when the deadline falls in 2025.
The 2025 MLB trade deadline is set for 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 31.
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MORE MLB TRADE DEADLINE:
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Teams cannot negotiate deals past the 6 p.m. trade deadline, though news of trades may sometimes come in after the deadline has passed. And while that news may come in after the deadline, it was negotiated in the lead-up.
To be executed, deals must be agreed upon by the 6 p.m. deadline.
Barring a surprising deal, this deadline may be defined by where Suárez lands. The 34-year-old’s 36 home runs through 105 games are the second most in his career, trailing only the 49 home runs he hit as a member of the Reds over 159 games in 2019.
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While the asking price for Suárez has been described as “exorbitant,” he was hit on the hand by a pitch just days before the deadline, which may cause Arizona to adjust its demands. Regardless, several contending teams will be in the mix for Suárez’s services.
Pittsburgh is expected to move Keller, a mid-rotation starter who could bolster a contender’s rotation. With the Pirates set to miss the postseason for a 10th consecutive year, they fit the bill of a seller, and Keller could be acquired for a reasonable offer.
Jax may be the most available reliever on the market, with teams in need of his services sure to make competing offers. The 30-year-old doesn’t have a save this season, but that is largely because he is performing in Jhoan Duran’s shadow. A team in need of relief pitching could make a move to acquire Jax, thrusting him into a larger spotlight.
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With Cease on an expiring contract, San Diego could look to get value in return ahead of his free agency. He stands atop a list of available starters, and the Padres “have been quietly shopping” him for some time now, indicating the end may be near.
Bader’s name has been a hot one on the trade market, and Minnesota could look to capitalize on the reported interest. Teams looking for an upgrade in the outfield are expected to be assertive in their pursuit of the left fielder, and his name could be one heard during a contender’s run in the postseason.
