NEW YORK – With the 6 p.m. ET deadline on Thursday, July 31, rapidly approaching, the Major League Baseball trade market has exploded into action. Contending teams are aggressively plugging holes for a deep postseason run, while rebuilding clubs are cashing in on valuable assets, setting the stage for a dramatic final two months of the 2025 season.

The past 48 hours have seen several league-altering moves that have reshaped divisional races and World Series projections. Teams can no longer make trades after the July 31 deadline, adding a sense of finality and urgency to the negotiations happening across the league.

The First Dominoes Fall: Early Blockbusters Set the Tone

The market was set ablaze late Friday when the New York Yankees, desperate for starting pitching depth, acquired ace Corbin Burnes from the division-rival Baltimore Orioles. In a rare intradivisional blockbuster, the Yankees sent a package of top prospects, including shortstop Anthony Volpe and pitching prospect Chase Hampton, to Baltimore. The move signals the Yankees' all-in approach to capturing their first title since 2009 and leaves the Orioles with a significant rotation gap to fill, even as they stock their farm system.

Not to be outdone, the Los Angeles Dodgers made a major splash of their own, acquiring star first baseman Pete Alonso from the New York Mets. According to reports from ESPN, the Dodgers sent two of their top 10 prospects to Queens in a bid to bolster an already potent lineup. For the Mets, who have struggled to keep pace in the NL East, the trade marks the official start of a retooling effort centered on young, controllable talent.

These early, high-profile trades have established a steep price for top-tier talent, forcing other general managers to decide if they are willing to pay the cost for a championship push.

Who's Buying and Who's Selling?

The battle lines for the deadline are clearly drawn. The "buyers" include perennial powerhouses and surprise contenders looking for that one missing piece.

• Buyers: The Yankees, Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Houston Astros have all been actively pursuing upgrades. The Phillies are reportedly seeking bullpen help, while the Astros are in the market for a left-handed bat. Sources suggest the Seattle Mariners, currently leading a tight AL West race, are also looking to add a starting pitcher.

• Sellers: On the other side, teams like the New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and Colorado Rockies are fielding calls on their veteran players. Their goal is to acquire prospects who can form the core of their next competitive team, sacrificing short-term success for long-term potential.

The strategy for these selling clubs is to maximize the return on players with expiring contracts or those who are unlikely to be part of their future when their competitive window reopens.

Top Players Still on the Market

While Burnes and Alonso are off the board, a number of impact players are still expected to be moved before Thursday's deadline. The most prominent name is Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., a dynamic talent who could command one of the largest prospect hauls in recent memory.

Below is a brief list of other key players reportedly being discussed in trade talks:

| Player | Position | Current Team | Potential Suitors | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Emmanuel Clase | Closer | Cleveland Guardians | Phillies, Rangers | | Luis Robert Jr. | Outfielder | Chicago White Sox | Dodgers, Braves | | Paul Goldschmidt | First Baseman | St. Louis Cardinals | Astros, Red Sox | | Justin Verlander | Starting Pitcher | Houston Astros | Rangers, Padres |

The availability of these players ensures that the final days leading up to the deadline will be filled with intense negotiations and speculation.

The Ripple Effect: Reshaping the Path to October

These trades do more than just alter rosters; they send ripples throughout the league. For acquiring teams, the pressure is now immense. New additions like Alonso and Burnes are expected to perform immediately under the bright lights of a pennant race.

For selling teams, the focus shifts to player development. The prospects acquired must be nurtured carefully to justify the decision to trade away an established star. For fans and clubhouses, the deadline is an emotional period, marking both the excitement of a potential championship run and the bittersweet farewell to beloved players.

As the clock ticks down to Thursday, the entire baseball world watches to see which teams will make the final, decisive moves that will define the 2025 MLB season.