MLB Trade Deadline Approaches: A Midseason Assessment

With the All-Star break concluded and regular-season baseball fully resumed, the focus of Major League Baseball (MLB) now pivots to the imminent trade deadline. As teams surpass approximately 100 games into the season, several clubs find themselves straddling the line between being contenders and non-contenders. This year's landscape is characterized by a lack of a singularly dominant team, as the current top-ranked team represents the eighth different club to hold that position this season. Consequently, various teams on the playoff bubble may consider making trades or, at the very least, maintaining their current rosters as the deadline approaches. This scenario likely results in a limited pool of available trade candidates, yet those who do emerge may command a more substantial prospect return, potentially motivating sellers to pursue aggressive roster dismantling. The upcoming days are set to play a pivotal role in determining the course of the season, as August 1 will be a decisive moment in differentiating contenders from pretenders. For now, an updated overview of the standings of all 30 MLB teams is in order.
30. Colorado Rockies (24-75) - Previous Rank: 30. Last Week: 2-1 vs. MIN. Despite their clear positioning as sellers in the market, the Rockies possess a roster that lacks attractive trade assets. Notably, third baseman Ryan McMahon could provide value to a contending team, particularly if Colorado is willing to subsidize some of his salary. McMahon demonstrated promise by hitting 4-for-11 with two doubles and two home runs in a recent series against the Twins, marking a strong start after the All-Star break.
29. Washington Nationals (39-60) - Previous Rank: 28. Last Week: 1-2 vs. SD. The Nationals have struggled with a dismal 2-10 record over their last 12 games following an unexpected series win against the Tigers at the beginning of July. To surpass last year's finish of 71-91, the Nationals would need to maintain a 33-30 record over their remaining 63 games. Speculation surrounds pitcher MacKenzie Gore being a potential trade target this summer, though acquiring him would require a significant trade package given his control status extending through 2027.
28. Pittsburgh Pirates (39-61) - Previous Rank: 27. Last Week: 0-3 vs. CWS. The Pirates commenced the second half of the season poorly, suffering a three-game sweep against the White Sox. Heading into the trade deadline, the Pirates are open to making moves, with only ace Paul Skenes and veteran Andrew McCutchen deemed untouchable in trade discussions. Meanwhile, relievers Dennis Santana and David Bednar are likely to be moved as part of the team's retooling efforts.
27. Chicago White Sox (35-65) - Previous Rank: 29. Last Week: 3-0 @ PIT. The White Sox entered the All-Star break having not participated in a series sweep throughout 2025, but they managed to rectify this slump with a three-game sweep against the Pirates as the second half began. Outfielder Luis Robert Jr. displayed his potential with a 5-for-10 performance, including a home run, which may spark interest from other teams looking for a trade target.
26. Atlanta Braves (43-55) - Previous Rank: 26. Last Week: 1-2 vs. NYY. Entering the second half, the Braves are lacking depth in their starting rotation, relying on Joey Wentz, Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder, and Davis Daniel to round out their rotation behind ace Spencer Strider. To bolster their options, the Braves traded for Dane Dunning, who can serve effectively in a swingman role.
25. Oakland Athletics (42-59) - Previous Rank: 25. Last Week: 1-2 @ CLE. The Athletics have fielded an eye-opening 20 different rookies this season, including Jacob Wilson and Denzel Clarke. The second half will serve as a continued assessment of these young prospects. In terms of trade possibilities, veterans Luis Urías and Gio Urshela could attract interest from contending teams, yet a quieter trade deadline is anticipated for the Athletics.
24. Baltimore Orioles (44-54) - Previous Rank: 24. Last Week: 1-2 @ TB. The Orioles exhibited promise with a brief 6-1 surge before the All-Star break, but their struggles continued into the second half with four consecutive losses before finally securing a win. Potential trade candidates include rental starters Zach Eflin and Charlie Morton, while outfielders Ryan O'Hearn and Cedric Mullins represent the team's most valuable trade assets.
23. Kansas City Royals (48-52) - Previous Rank: 23. Last Week: 1-2 @ MIA. The Royals rank amongst the lowest in the AL since the beginning of May and have failed to meet heightened expectations following their playoff berth last season. The team's offense has significantly struggled, ranking 29th in the majors with just 343 runs scored, undermining the efforts of a solid starting rotation. Pitcher Seth Lugo is expected to be available at the trade deadline, as he likely will decline his 2026 player option.
22. Minnesota Twins (48-51) - Previous Rank: 21. Last Week: 1-2 @ COL. The Twins have had a rollercoaster season, boasting an 18-8 record in May, followed by a 9-18 slump in June, and currently standing at 8-7 in July. Relievers Jhoan Durán and Griffin Jax could be desirable trade assets if the team opts to sell, although maintaining their current roster is also a plausible strategy.
21. Miami Marlins (46-52) - Previous Rank: 20. Last Week: 2-1 vs. KC. The Marlins garnered attention with a notable eight-game winning streak in late June and early July, but their performance has leveled off since then, with a current 8-7 record in their last 15 games. A bright spot for the franchise is the return of pitcher Eury Pérez, who has posted a 3.18 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 35 strikeouts in 34 innings since his season debut on June 9.
20. Cleveland Guardians (48-50) - Previous Rank: 22. Last Week: 2-1 vs. OAK. After temporarily slipping to a season-low eight games below .500 on July 6, the Guardians have turned their fortunes, registering an 8-2 record over their last 10 games against formidable opponents such as the Astros and White Sox. With the second-easiest remaining schedule according to Tankathon, they should not be underestimated in their pursuit of a wild-card spot.
19. St. Louis Cardinals (51-49) - Previous Rank: 14. Last Week: 0-3 @ ARI. Following a promising first half, the Cardinals have faltered significantly with a 4-10 record in July, which may push them to reconsider their position at the trade deadline. Players such as closer Ryan Helsley and starter Sonny Gray are notable trade commodities, while Steven Matz and Phil Maton are also likely candidates for potential trades.
18. Los Angeles Angels (49-50) - Previous Rank: 18. Last Week: 2-1 @ PHI. The Angels are making strides to improve upon last year's dismal 63-99 record, but they presently sit fourth in the AL West and sixth in the wild-card standings. The question remains whether a pursuit of a winning record will lead them to hold onto players like Taylor Ward and Tyler Anderson or to explore trade opportunities.
17. Arizona Diamondbacks (50-50) - Previous Rank: 19. Last Week: 3-0 vs. STL. The Diamondbacks face a critical juncture at the trade deadline, with 13 of their next 25 games against lower-performing teams including the Rockies, Pirates, and Athletics. They currently trail the wild-card spot by 4.5 games, making the future of All-Star slugger Eugenio Suárez a topic of interest amidst trade speculation.
16. Tampa Bay Rays (52-48) - Previous Rank: 16. Last Week: 2-1 vs. BAL. The Rays looked poised to contend in the AL East as of late June, yet they have slipped to a 5-12 record over the last 17 games and currently sit fourth in the division. As they approach the trade deadline, veterans Yandy Díaz, Brandon Lowe, and Zack Littell could be available as the team seeks to manage payroll while remaining competitive.
15. Cincinnati Reds (52-48) - Previous Rank: 15. Last Week: 2-1 @ NYM. With a recent 6-2 record in their past eight games, the Reds are positioned just outside a wild-card berth, sharing the same record as the Giants. Austin Hays has been a standout performer, achieving an impressive .877 OPS with 10 home runs and 40 RBI in 187 plate appearances this season.
14. Texas Rangers (50-50) - Previous Rank: 17. Last Week: 2-1 vs. DET. With trade speculation surrounding the Rangers in June, the team has bounced back into the playoff race, demonstrating a solid 9-6 record and a plus-39 run differential in July. Despite their strong showing at home (28-20), they must improve their road performance (22-30) to increase their playoff chances.
13. San Francisco Giants (52-48) - Previous Rank: 11. Last Week: 0-3 @ TOR. The Giants have struggled recently, losing five consecutive games and six of their last seven, allowing the Padres to surpass them in the NL West standings. The offense's performance in July has been lackluster, averaging only 3.8 runs per game. Following their trade for Rafael Devers, the Giants are still in need of bolstering their lineup, particularly at first and second base.
12. New York Mets (56-44) - Previous Rank: 8. Last Week: 1-2 vs. CIN. The Mets have struggled in their last 10 games with a 4-6 record, facing one of the toughest remaining schedules in baseball. Their upcoming West Coast road trip will be critical in determining their playoff viability as they take on the Giants and Padres.
11. San Diego Padres (54-45) - Previous Rank: 13. Last Week: 2-1 @ WAS. The Padres hold a perplexing record of 23-36 against teams above .500 despite possessing substantial star power. At the trade deadline, prioritizing an everyday left fielder could heighten their competitiveness, allowing Gavin Sheets to transition into a primary designated hitter role.
10. Boston Red Sox (54-47) - Previous Rank: 9. Last Week: 1-2 @ CHC. Following a successful 10-game winning streak before the All-Star break, the Red Sox faced challenges against the Cubs but managed to avoid a sweep. Noteworthy contributions from pitchers Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, and Lucas Giolito have strengthened their rotation, which is no longer the identified weakness it once was earlier in the season.
9. New York Yankees (55-44) - Previous Rank: 12. Last Week: 2-1 @ ATL. The Yankees began July with a season-high six-game losing streak but have rebounded to post a 7-3 record over their last ten games. Their primary focus at the trade deadline will be securing an upgrade at third base and finding a starting pitcher to help cope with the absence of Clarke Schmidt as they pursue opportunities in the competitive AL East.
8. Philadelphia Phillies (56-43) - Previous Rank: 6. Last Week: 1-2 vs. LAA. In an effort to strengthen their struggling bullpen, the Phillies recently signed veteran David Robertson; additional bullpen reinforcements may be forthcoming as the trade deadline approaches. The upcoming schedule presents significant challenges, with nine of their next 12 games pitted against the Red Sox, Yankees, and Tigers.
7. Houston Astros (57-42) - Previous Rank: 4. Last Week: 1-2 @ SEA. With key contributors Isaac Paredes, Yordan Alvarez, Jeremy Pena, and Jake Meyers nursing injuries, the Astros may need to prioritize bolstering their offensive lineup before the trade deadline. Moreover, acquiring another reliable arm to complement Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez in the rotation would be beneficial, especially considering the limitations of their minor league system.
6. Seattle Mariners (53-46) - Previous Rank: 10. Last Week: 2-1 vs. HOU. The Mariners have surged offensively, scoring 81 runs over 15 July games, demonstrating their place among the AL contenders. Holding the top farm system in the league provides them with ample flexibility at the trade deadline.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (58-42) - Previous Rank: 5. Last Week: 0-3 vs. MIL. Following a disappointing sweep at the hands of the Brewers, the Dodgers saw first baseman Freddie Freeman sustain a wrist injury, although X-rays returned positive. With a challenging 2-8 record in their last ten games, the Dodgers must rectify their course while maintaining a 3.5-game lead in the NL West.
4. Toronto Blue Jays (58-41) - Previous Rank: 7. Last Week: 3-0 vs. SF. The Blue Jays have maintained remarkable consistency, avoiding extended losing streaks since mid-June and achieving a 20-8 record in that time frame—best in the AL. With impactful contributions from Addison Barger and Nathan Lukes, the outfield no longer represents a glaring weakness, although further reinforcements for the lineup and bullpen will likely be sought ahead of the trade deadline.
3. Detroit Tigers (60-40) - Previous Rank: 1. Last Week: 1-2 @ TEX. The Tigers command the largest division lead in baseball, bolstered by their status as the only AL Central team with a winning record as well as the best overall record in the league. Notably, the bullpen that was previously instrumental in their late-season success last year may now require upgrades as they approach the deadline.
2. Chicago Cubs (59-40) - Previous Rank: 2. Last Week: 2-1 vs. BOS. The Cubs have expertly navigated their schedule, achieving consecutive series victories against both the Yankees and Red Sox around the All-Star break, positioning them for the easiest remaining schedule. With ample depth in their farm system and a clear need for reinforcements, the Cubs stand poised to pursue significant trades aimed at enhancing both their rotation and bullpen.
1. Milwaukee Brewers (59-40) - Previous Rank: 3. Last Week: 3-0 @ LAD. The Brewers completed a series sweep against the Dodgers and are now tied with the Cubs for the top spot in the NL Central. Contributions have come from unexpected sources, as evidenced by the lower-order bats of Isaac Collins, Caleb Durbin, Blake Perkins, and Joey Ortiz delivering offensively. Additionally, Quinn Priester has emerged as an effective option in the rotation, showcasing another element of the Brewers’ strong roster. A pivotal three-game series against the Cubs is set to commence next Monday at American Family Field.








