With some MLB teams looking to buy their way into a playoff spot, others are looking to chop their roster or trade pieces to rebuild for next year. Many teams are either underperforming or suffering luxury tax issues that require a trade. In that case, there could be several high-profile players on the block before the end of the 2025 MLB trade deadline.
Five teams are over the luxury-tax threshold, with others approaching their all-time team highs for payroll. Meanwhile, several other clubs want to move players to bring up top prospects for the second half of the season. Now that there is some idea of who might be buying for their playoff runs, what teams are looking to cut their losses for 2025 early?
It’s no secret to any MLB watcher that the Baltimore Orioles are the most disappointing team of the 2025 season. Their start to the season was marred by poor play and injuries, also stemming from the loss of Corbin Burnes and Grayson Rodriguez in their rotation. Currently, the team’s injury woes are so bad that they have four different catchers on the injured list.
The batting has improved marginally, but there are too many holes to dismiss. Bryan Baker, one of the team’s relief pitchers, was shipped to the Tampa Bay Rays for a Round A draft pick. It’s a sign that the team is open for business at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, and teams will shop for what they have.
When looking at the team’s payroll, it’s almost certain Ryan O’Hearn will be traded for a package. He’s having a career year with 11 home runs and a .284/.382/.840 slash line, all tracking towards career highs. Meanwhile, outfielder Cedric Mullins could be going to a team in need. The 30-year-old is having a down year, but his power and speed make him a lucrative trade chip. Both of them are in contract years.
Given the team’s decision to move Baker, there might be a fire sale within their bullpen. Seranthony Dominguez, holding a 3.13 ERA and 51 strikeouts over 37.1 innings, could be a target for teams looking for setup help. Gregory Soto, entering into free agency as well, had a fantastic June with a 1.64 ERA and .818 WHIP, and could net some players in a trade.
If the Orioles decide to sell, expect them to get both pitching and batting help. Given the lineup’s youth, they will seek depth and prospects on the offensive side, while calling up some of their younger pitching hopefuls to fill the gaps left behind. It’s going to be a rocky remainder of the year in Baltimore.
The Diamondbacks have been the unluckiest lucky team in the MLB over the last two years. In 2023, the team rode a Cinderella story to the World Series, losing to the Texas Rangers in five games. In 2024, the team made various free agency signings but somehow finished with 89 wins and missed the playoffs. The wheels are spinning, but they’re not going anywhere.
Their window to repeat a 2023 run has closed, and they’re going to have to get serious at the 2025 MLB trade deadline about selling their veterans to rebuild their farm system. For starters, Ketel Marte is off the table, and so is Corbin Carroll. These two players are necessary for the next generation of the team.
Eugenio Suarez is one name that’s repeatedly appeared in trade rumors this year. The absolute power surge the 33-year-old had this year, slugging 29 home runs before the all-star break and an .873 OPS, easily nets a solid prospect package. There will be numerous teams asking for a deal if they want to part with a top prospect.
This doesn’t include the looming free agencies of pitchers Merrill Kelley and Zac Gallen. Kelley is the older of the two, but is still consistently giving quality starts and sporting low WHIP numbers. An average strikeout rate might be his only blemish for now, but it’s worth the risk for most teams. Gallen, on the other hand, is having his worst season since being called up in 2019, both with an inflated ERA and WHIP. A change of scenery might be needed.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. might also be on the move at the 2025 MLB trade deadline to make way for Jorge Barrosa. Pavin Smith could also be on the block to allow Adrian Del Castillo to get more reps.
When you combine the success of 2023 with the disappointment of the 2025 season, you get the Rangers. Only two years removed from their first World Series win in franchise history, this team holds two tales. On the pitching side, they possess the best team ERA in the MLB and the second-highest WHIP across all clubs. Even Patrick Corbin is having a bounce-back season.
Their offense is the complete opposite: Lifeless and struggling to get any footing outside of one player. Corey Seager is having another decent year, and Wyatt Langford provides speed and power to the team. Marcus Semien has disappeared, however, while most of the team sits under a .700 OPS.
The Rangers must sell at the 2025 MLB trade deadline to build their lineup and reconstruct their pitcher-heavy prospect field. One likely candidate is Corbin, whose contract is only $1.1 million. Given that he seems to have rediscovered his form, he could net an MLB-ready prospect or two. Relief pitcher Chris Martin could also go to a team that needs bullpen help.
What makes finding partners difficult is the number of heavy contracts they have. Jacob deGrom is $40.1 million per year, while Semien is worth $26 million this year. Texas, however, needs to be fully aware that the team is aging and in need of a spark. If that means trading one of their big-name players away and eating the contract, it might be worth biting the bullet.
The Atlanta Braves are also another disappointment in the 2025 season. The team won the 2021 World Series with an 88-73 record, followed by two 100+ win seasons in 2022 and 2023. After an underwhelming 2024, the team has struggled to get consistent good play.
It’s not all bad news in Atlanta. Ronald Acuña Jr.’s return from a torn ACL netted 11 home runs and a 1.040 OPS in 43 games. Drake Baldwin’s emergence at the catcher position also gives the team a reason to move Sean Murphy. Plus, Spencer Strider’s return from Tommy John surgery gives the ailing rotation a much-needed boost.
An argument can be made that the team should buy rather than sell at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, but the team has options to save money and make upgrades to its rotation. Trading Murphy away will save the team around $14 million on Baldwin, plus his play will net a generous package. Trading second baseman Ozzie Albies away and going with Nacho Alvarez Jr. will save $6 million.
This isn’t even mentioning Marcell Ozuna‘s $16 million contract. $36 million, if the team doesn’t eat any of it in trades, goes a long way in the MLB in 2026. With the big issues in the rotation, 2026 features the likes of Shane Bieber, Dylan Cease, and Framber Valdez if they do not resign. They can make some good, financially sound moves.
The 2025 MLB trade deadline is shaping up to be an active one, and there will be a chance of a big-time blockbuster trade. Maybe Paul Skenes might be shipped off somewhere, or perhaps the Tigers make another move to get a shortstop to replace Trey Sweeny. Whatever happens, this is the most exciting time of the year outside of the playoffs.
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