2025 MLB Trade Deadline Rumor Tracker: Guardians Trading Star Relievers?

The 2025 MLB trade deadline is Thursday, July 31 at 6 p.m. ET, but there will be plenty of trade talk and transactions that take place beforehand.

Here are trade rumors around the sport:

Guardians open to Emmanuel Clase and Cade Smith deals

Cleveland is “listening” to trade offers for its relievers, including Clase and Smith, per the New York Post. This season, Clase, a three-time All-Star who led the American League in saves in each of the past three seasons, boasts a 2.86 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and posted 44 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched. He’s 21 of 25 in save opportunities. Smith, who recorded a 1.91 ERA in his 2024 rookie campaign, boasts a 3.07 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and posted 61 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched. He’s three of five in save opportunities. Clase is under contract through 2028, while Smith is through 2029. 

Cardinals lefty Steven Matz drawing trade interest 

There is growing interest surrounding left-hander Matz as the trade deadline inches closer, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The 34-year-old Matz is in the final season of a four-year contract worth $44 million. By the time deadline day rolls around, he’ll have about $3.8 million left on that contract. The Cardinals would also likely be open to offers on right-hander Phil Maton but would need an excellent offer to trade closer Ryan Helsley, per the report.

Orioles could move on from veteran players

After back-to-back playoff appearances, the Orioles are currently sitting in last place in the AL East before going into the second half of the season. You can place the blame anywhere on the O’s disappointing season from an early-season manager dismissal to past All-Stars not playing up to their level or pitching struggles. With a struggling season, the O’s could be moving on from some pieces. Left-hander Trevor Rodgers could be one of those pieces that could be on the move. A surging season after being recalled has increased his interest. Other veteran pitchers like 41-year-old Charlie Morton, Zach Eflin, Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto are also on the market. Veteran outfielders Cedric Mullins and Ryan O’Hearn are pieces that could be moved from the deadline as well.

Diamondbacks have many players up for grabs

Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Josh Naylor and even All-Star Eugenio Suárez all up for grabs, according to USA Today. The Seattle Mariners reportedly already tried to reunite with Suárez in November and would be interested in trying again.

White Sox getting calls on Luis Robert Jr.

The White Sox have heard from eight different teams about Robert, per the New York Post. There’s a belief that he’d improve were he to get out of Chicago, where he has struggled just as much as the team has over the past two years. Robert has $20 million club options for both 2026 and 2027, with $2 million buyouts, a hurdle to overcome in any deal.

Diamondbacks open to dealing outfielder

The Diamondbacks are listening to offers on their outfielders, according to the New York Post. While star Corbin Carroll is not among those, Alek Thomas, Jake McCarthy, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Randal Grichuk have come up in conversations with other teams. 

Phillies looking to add bullpen help

The Phillies reportedly want to fill a hole in their bullpen with a late-inning closer amid Jose Alvarado’s 80-game suspension, per The Athletic. Alvarado will also be ineligible in the postseason. The Phillies are open to trading some of their top prospects to acquire a closer under team control or another right-handed batter. They have kept an eye on the Minnesota Twins, who could be possible sellers at the deadline. A pair of Twins relievers, Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran, are high on the Phillies’ radar.

Yankees targeting pitching

Yankees senior vice president and general manager Brian Cashman made clear what the team seeks to add before the trade deadline. “Whether it’s bullpen guys or starting pitchers, it’s just all of it,” Cashman said, according to ESPN. “That’s the area. We have people that are capable, but I think it also needs to get some help. And if I can do so, great. But again, there’s no guarantees. We’re going to be fully engaged and see where it takes us. Hopefully, we can run into some opportunities that can benefit us.”

Pirates reportedly open to selling anyone but Paul Skenes, Andrew McCutchen

The struggling Pirates are obvious sellers at the trade deadline, and there are only two players they won’t offload — young star pitcher Skenes and veteran, franchise-icon outfielder McCutchen — and each for completely different reasons. The Pirates are maintaining Skenes is the cornerstone of their future, while McCutchen doesn’t want to be traded out of Pittsburgh, and the team is respecting his wishes.

Cubs eyeing a pair of Marlins right-handers

Chicago has expressed interest in acquiring Miami right-handers Sandy Alcántara and Edward Cabrera, among other starting pitchers, according to The Athletic. Alcántara, the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner, is having a rough season in what’s his first one back from Tommy John surgery. Alcántara is under contract through 2027, while Cabrera is under contract through 2028.

Phillies president speaks on bullpen

If one were to pinpoint a weakness for Philadelphia, it’s the bullpen. However, Phillies president Dave Dombrowski offered up his perspective on how the team can improve its bullpen internally. 

“The postseason bullpen is a lot different than the regular-season bullpen because in the NL this year, if you advance past the wild-card round … you play five games [in the next round, the NLDS],” Dombrowksi said, according to The Athletic. “Well, the way the schedule is [with an extra off day], you only need three starting pitchers during that time period. So if you have five [starters], two of them can go into the bullpen as it is there. Plus, if you have additional [surplus starters], they can go into the bullpen there.”

That said, Dombrowski conceded that a team can’t get complacent with its standing. “You may give up a little bit more than you would want to in other circumstances, but that opportunity [to win it all] doesn’t always come,” he added. “And I always tell people: Don’t take it for granted when you’re in a position where you’re in it, year in and year out.”

Chris Sale staying put?

Atlanta Braves president Alex Anthopoulos expressed that there’s “zero” chance Sale will be traded despite the team’s 33-39 start, according to MLB.com. Across his first 15 starts this season, Sale boasts a 2.52 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 114 strikeouts across 89.1 innings. Sale, who won the 2024 NL Cy Young Award, is in the first season of a two-year, $38 million deal with the Braves.

Rich Hill ambiguity

Hill will stay with the Kansas City Royals past his June 15 opt-out clause. However, should the 45-year-old not yet reach Kansas City’s big-league club and another MLB team is willing to offer the left-hander an MLB roster spot, the Royals “will not stand in his way,” according to FanSided. Hill signed a minor-league contract with the Royals in May and appeared in four games for the Boston Red Sox last season.

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