Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is just over a week away, and rumors are swirling about which teams will decide to sell and, thus, which players will be available.
With just eight days until trading season is over, here are four predictions for how the 2025 deadline will shake out.
1. Yankees Acquire Eugenio Suarez and a Pitcher From Diamondbacks
The Yankees desperately need a third baseman, and there’s none better on the market than Eugenio Suarez of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Suarez entered Wednesday slashing .254/.325/.598 with 36 home runs and 86 runs batted in. He would instantly turn the Yankees’ third base issues around, and give them a formidable bat behind Aaron Judge.
But that’s not all.
The Yankees also need starting pitcher help, and the Diamondbacks have two pitchers — Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly — that could be moved at the deadline. The Yankees will package one of them with Suarez to complete what will be the biggest blockbuster of the deadline as New York competes with the Blue Jays for the American League East crown.
2. Padres Trade Dylan Cease, Add Multiple Bats in Active Deadline
The Padres are going to be major buyers at this year’s deadline, as they’re not just in the thick of the Wild Card race, but could still take down the Dodgers to win the National League West.
However, due to their financial constraints, the Padres will buy while also shedding some payroll, and end up moving Dylan Cease to a contender in need of pitching to fill their outfield need (could be Cease and prospects to the Boston Red Sox for Jarren Duran). Cease is an expiring contract on a $13.75 million deal.
But the prediction doesn’t stop there.
The Padres will not just add one bat (maybe Duran), but will also add a bench bat who can be a better pinch-hit option for one of their two catchers throughout the season. The Padres won’t add a catcher — instead banking on the continuity with the pitching staff — but will have another hitter to take the big at-bat when the No. 9 spot comes up in the lineup late in the game.
3. Cubs Land The Best Pitcher Traded at the Deadline
The Cubs are all in this season, in what could be impending free agent Kyle Tucker’s only year in Chicago. The Cubs will be aggressive in adding a top of the line starter to the rotation, and will end up getting the best pitcher traded at the deadline.
It’s too early to tell who that will be, though.
It could be Sandy Alcantara, who pitched seven innings without allowing a run on Wednesday against the Padres.
It could be Mackenzie Gore, who would be a surprise addition to the deadline pool on the struggling Washington Nationals.
It could be Joe Ryan, the Twins’ ace who has a 2.63 ERA and 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings this season.
The Cubs have the prospect capital to get anyone, and they’ll swing big to put themselves in position to get back to the World Series for the first time since 2016.
4. Dodgers Acquire a Reliever, But Not One Anyone is Talking About
The Dodgers have been linked to all the big name relievers on the trade market — Emmanuel Clase, Ryan Helsley, Jhoan Duran, etc. — but that’s not how president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman rolls.
More news: Dodgers GM Talks Trade Deadline Strategy, Believes 2025 Team is Already Better Than 2024
Friedman has made it known he hates buying at the deadline because of the sky-high prices. Adding a reliever is about as expensive as it gets.
The Dodgers don’t have a choice in trading for a reliever, especially with the team’s $72 million offseason addition Tanner Scott hitting the IL. But the Dodgers aren’t going to overpay for a big name.
Instead, they’re going to add a guy that they’ve scouted who has the upside to turn into a shutdown middle reliever for this team.
One name to watch out for: Anthony Bender of the Miami Marlins. He has a 1.91 ERA over 43 appearances, and is under team control until 2028.
Photo Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Have you joined our Discord Channel yet? Be a part of the ultimate Dodgers Nation community and get VIP Nation Access! Don’t miss out on real-time Dodgers talk, call-in access to Dodgers Dougout, behind-the-scenes content, exclusive interviews, giveaways, and more!