2023 MLB trade deadline tracker: Our latest intel, rumors and completed deals
The 2023 MLB trade deadline is just around the corner, with contending teams deciding what they need to add before 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
What does Shohei Ohtani‘s future look like with the Los Angeles Angels? Could Marcus Stroman, Cody Bellinger and Jack Flaherty be dealt to contenders? And which of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants will go all-in to boost their 2023 World Series hopes?
Whether your favorite club is looking to add or deal away — or stands somewhere in between — here’s the freshest intel we’re hearing, reaction to completed deals and what to know for every team as trade season unfolds.
Trade grades: Report card for every major deal | Passan’s deadline preview
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MLB trade deadline buzz
July 26 updates
Angels making moves: Word spread late Wednesday that the Angels had essentially pulled Shohei Ohtani off the trade market, largely because they want to contend for the playoffs. And then the Angels proved it almost immediately — by acquiring starting pitcher Lucas Giolito and relief pitcher Reynaldo Lopez for Edgar Quero and Ky Bush, two premium prospects. The Angels have put everything into winning this season. That continues.–Alden Gonzalez
Marlins looking to reel in Tim Anderson? The Marlins are looking at White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, who has finally gotten hot. He still ranks last in OPS among all qualified hitters, but his approach at the plate after the All-Star break has been much better. Anderson is hitting balls to right field again; that’s when he is at his best. Miami ranks 25th in OPS at shortstop — still ahead of the White Sox — but Anderson is a more proven commodity than anyone the Marlins employ. A change of scenery and a smaller market could do him some good, as well. — Jesse Rogers
Yankees casting wider net beyond Cody Bellinger? If Cody Bellinger is off the market, the Yankees might turn to Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson or Nationals third baseman Jeimer Candelario as they attempt to fill a void from the left side of the batter’s box. Candelario would be a solid defensive addition at third base. — Rogers
Too many starters available? This deadline favors teams with players to deal, in general. But one executive noted the volume of teams searching for starting pitchers who are under team control beyond 2023 — and he wonders whether all of the teams looking to move rental starting pitchers (impending free agents) will find trade partners. Among the available starting pitchers who could be free agents this fall: Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn, Rich Hill, Marcus Stroman, Eduardo Rodriguez, Carlos Carrasco, Jose Quintana, Jack Flaherty, Jordan Montgomery, Michael Lorenzen and Brad Keller. — Buster Olney
Don’t expect a McCutchen trade: Andrew McCutchen is a free agent at season’s end and might normally be considered a possible trade target. But in this case, there seems to be an understanding between the player and team that he’ll remain with the Pirates through the 2023 season, in a continuation of what has been a strong reunion. — Olney
July 25 updates
Dodgers bring back Hernandez in deal with Red Sox. The Los Angeles Dodgers, in search of depth throughout their infield, reached a deal to reacquire Enrique Hernandez from the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, sources told ESPN. Grades
The Dodgers have more work to do: The Dodgers’ acquisition of super-utilityman Enrique Hernandez “doesn’t preclude us from exploring other right-handed bats,” general manager Brandon Gomes said Tuesday.
A right-handed hitter is still a main target for the Dodgers, along with help for both their rotation and their bullpen. The versatility throughout their roster — Hernandez, Chris Taylor and Mookie Betts can all play the infield and the outfield — allows them to not be beholden to specific positions while pursuing offensive help.
Adding Hernandez could free the Dodgers up to use current major leaguers in a trade — but they might have to wait on that. Trade talks, Gomes said, have been slow-moving with so many teams undecided on being adders or subtractors. Most of the action might wait until the final day or two. — Alden Gonzalez
Will Yankees go after Bellinger … or another outfielder? Scouts who have watched the Yankees over the past couple of weeks believe this team is more than a piece or two away — even if one of those pieces is Aaron Judge. But if there is one need the front office would like to address before the trade deadline, it’s in the outfield, a notably thin area even with Judge on the verge of returning from his foot injury.
Cody Bellinger, the left-handed-hitting past MVP whose father wore pinstripes, has long been seen as an ideal fit. But what if the Cubs, with by far the highest run differential in their division, decide to hold onto him? Or, more likely, what if another suitor is ultimately more aggressive?
The Yankees would prefer a left-handed, middle-of-the-order-type hitter to include in an outfield mix highlighted by the right-handed-hitting Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Harrison Bader. But they’d be open to a right-handed-hitting option if he stands as a clear upgrade, a source familiar with the team’s thinking said. The next tier of available outfielders seems to be made up mostly of right-handed-hitters, including Mark Canha, Tommy Pham, Randal Grichuk, Tyler O’Neill, Lane Thomas and Dylan Carlson (Carlson is a switch-hitter, but he has been far better from the right side this season).
First, though, the Yankees have to decide how they feel about their current team, specifically whether they want to augment it or shed some pieces in hopes of freeing up payroll. They’re among the many who still seem to be undecided. — Gonzalez
Chicago is buzzing ahead of the deadline: There were half a dozen scouts in the stands at Guaranteed Rate Field for the beginning of the Cubs/White Sox crosstown series on Tuesday. Both Chicago teams could subtract at the deadline and there’s no shortage of talent between them. Most interesting: The top scouts from the Yankees, in attendance to watch Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger, were the same personnel who scouted Anthony Rizzo before the Yankees traded for him in 2021.
Tuesday’s Cubs starter, Kyle Hendricks, is not expected to be moved at the deadline, according to sources. He has a team option for next year and will likely be a Cub in 2024.
Lance Lynn, scheduled to pitch for Sox on Wednesday, wants another shot at the playoffs. His splits suggest he pitches against the righty dominant Blue Jays or Yankees rather than for them, one scout opined. Lefties have a 1.055 OPS off him while righties have compiled just a .644 mark. A reunion in Texas is not out of the question. Los Angeles or San Francisco are possible as well. — Rogers
July 24 updates
The uncertainty surrounding Ohtani: The contingent of English- and Japanese-speaking media members who cover the Los Angeles Angels posed for a photo Sunday. It was the team’s last home game before a 10-day road trip that will spill past the trade deadline, and thus, it was potentially the last time that group — most of whom are dedicated to covering Shohei Ohtani wherever he goes — will be together.
Such is the state of things.
Nine days remain until the Aug. 1 trade deadline, and there is still a lot of uncertainty as to whether Ohtani, the Angels’ transformative two-way star, will be dealt before then. Front-office sources throughout the industry said things were quiet on the trade front over the weekend, and many of them have a hard time believing Angels owner Arte Moreno will trade Ohtani in the first place — especially since the team has found a way to remain in contention without Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon.
But the Angels have not publicly declared that Ohtani will stay, so teams throughout the sport are preparing for the possibility that he can be had. They have to be ready to act; acquiring a player of that magnitude takes a lot of legwork. — Gonzalez
1:05
Who is a sleeper team to trade for Shohei Ohtani?
Buster Olney maintains that Shohei Ohtani is unavailable for trades, but identifies the Rays as a team that could put together an appealing package if the Angels change their position.
How valuable is Bellinger on the market? The Chicago Cubs can only hope Ohtani isn’t moved, as Cody Bellinger is having a resurgent year and an even better month of July. The price should be high, though, with or without Ohtani on the market. There can’t be many teams more in need of Bellinger than the New York Yankees, but the Toronto Blue Jays need left-handed hitting help as well. The noise about the Astros’ interest is just that: noise.
If any candidate was eligible for a trade and re-sign with his old team, it’s Bellinger. The moment the Cubs move him, they need to replace him. Reliever Mark Leiter Jr. is also garnering interest as the Cubs have done a decent job of developing and flipping relievers in recent years. Marcus Stroman also has interest from the obvious contenders. — Rogers
Will the Padres be adding or dealing? It might be hard to believe, given his nature, that San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller won’t be aggressive one way or another, either selling off veteran players or acquiring them. As of now, though, the expectation is that starter Blake Snell and closer Josh Hader will remain with the team, according to a person familiar with the team’s thinking.
If available, Snell would probably be the best starting pitcher available, and Hader would probably be the best relief pitcher available. Both are free agents at season’s end, and if the Padres don’t believe they can truly contend in 2023, they could use both to get younger, cheaper players that balance out both the roster and the payroll, better positioning the club for 2024.
At the moment, though, the Padres don’t seem ready to punt on 2023. But a lot can change this week during their six-game homestand against the Pirates and Rangers. A lack of significant traction could prompt Preller to pivot in the other direction. And if he does, perhaps superstar outfielder Juan Soto, a free agent after 2024, will be available, too. If there’s one thing Preller has proved in his Padres tenure, it’s that he doesn’t take half-measures. — Gonzalez
The Cards’ stance at the deadline: The St. Louis Cardinals will start sifting through offers this week. Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery are as good as gone. Unless Snell is moved, Montgomery is going to be the best lefty starter on the market. Most contenders have some interest, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros. St. Louis wants controllable pitching in return and could attach an outfielder in a package. From the position players side, Paul DeJong could make sense, since he has team options over the next two seasons. What happens with Jordan Hicks is still a question mark. — Rogers
Could Dodgers add All-Star third baseman? The Los Angeles Dodgers might be in first place in the National League West, but they’re also one of the most needy teams heading into the trade deadline. They need starting and relief pitching, and they’d also like to add a right-handed bat to their lineup, with position not being much of a factor.
One name to watch here is Nolan Arenado, the Cardinals third baseman who is owed a very reasonable $94 million over the next three years. The Dodgers have long been enamored of Arenado, 32, and they see third base as a need they’ll have to address in the offseason given their present construction.
The Cardinals aren’t expected to trade Arenado at the moment, but the Dodgers have the type of young talent — particularly pitching — to sway teams in a situation like this. Arenado has a full no-trade clause, but he grew up in Southern California and the expectation is that he would waive it for a team like the Dodgers. — Gonzalez
Candelario on the move? The Washington Nationals will subtract at the deadline, with third baseman Jeimer Candelario their best trade chip right now. With Josh Donaldson out, the switch-hitting Candelario could be a perfect fit for the Yankees. — Rogers
White Sox dealing pitchers: Lucas Giolito will be moved as he has no chance of re-signing in Chicago. He’d be a good addition for the pitching-needy Cincinnati Reds. There has been no indication Dylan Cease will get traded — not with two years remaining of team control and few good Chicago White Sox starters under contract after this season. If Joe Kelly is healthy, he and Kendall Graveman are options for any of the contenders. Tim Anderson‘s future in Chicago is also murky. — Rogers
Trade tracker
Giolito heads to the Angels
The Los Angeles Angels acquired RHP Lucas Giolito and RHP Reynaldo López from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for minor league LHP Ky Bush and C Edgar Quero, the teams announced Wednesday.
Rosario to the Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired shortstop Amed Rosario from the Cleveland Guardians. Noah Syndergaard is headed to the Guardians in return. Story » | Grades »
Twins and Marlins swap relievers
The Minnesota Twins acquired Dylan Floro from the Miami Marlins in exchange for Jorge Lopez on Wednesday in a swap of struggling right-handed relievers. Story »
Mariners adding arm to pen
Reliever Trent Thornton, who was DFA’d last week by Blue Jays, is being traded to the Mariners, sources tell ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Toronto will receive Triple-A infielder Mason McCoy. Story»
Dodgers reunite with former utility player
Enrique Hernandez is headed back to Los Angeles after the Dodgers traded RHP Nick Robertson and RHP Justin Hagenman for him. Story » | Grades »
Mets add to bullpen in early deal
Bullpen help is on its way to New York, with the Mets trading LHP Zach Muckenhirn to the Mariners for RHP Trevor Gott RHP Chris Flexen. Story »
Texas lands resurgent reliever
Breakout Rangers acquire Aroldis Chapman from Royals for LHP Cole Ragans and OF Roni Cabrera. Story »
MLB trade deadline analysis
Olney: High tension as Arte Moreno, Angels mull Ohtani trade
What an MLB exec says eight bubble teams should do
Let’s make a deal! Proposing nine potential Ohtani blockbusters
The 2025 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby is fast approaching — and the field is set.
Braves hometown hero Ronald Acuna Jr. became the first player to commit to the event, which will be held at Truist Park in Atlanta on July 14 (8 p.m. ET on ESPN). He was followed by MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners, James Wood of the Washington Nationals, Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins, Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays, Brent Rooker of the Athletics and Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees.
On Friday, however, Acuna was replaced by teammate Matt Olson.
With all the entrants announced, let’s break down their chances at taking home this year’s Derby prize.
Full All-Star Game coverage: How to watch, schedule, rosters, more
2025 home runs: 17 | Longest: 434 feet
Why he could win: Olson is a late replacement for Acuna as the home team’s representative at this year’s Derby. Apart from being the Braves’ first baseman, however, Olson also was born in Atlanta and grew up a Braves fan, giving him some extra motivation. The left-handed slugger led the majors in home runs in 2023 — his 54 round-trippers that season also set a franchise record — and he remains among the best in the game when it comes to exit velo and hard-hit rate.
Why he might not: The home-field advantage can also be a detriment if a player gets too hyped up in the first round. See Julio Rodriguez in Seattle in 2023, when he had a monster first round, with 41 home runs, but then tired out in the second round.
2025 home runs: 36 | Longest: 440 feet
Why he could win: It’s the season of Cal! The Mariners’ catcher is having one of the greatest slugging first halves in MLB history, as he’s been crushing mistakes all season . His easy raw power might be tailor-made for the Derby — he ranks in the 87th percentile in average exit velocity and delivers the ball, on average, at the optimal home run launch angle of 23 degrees. His calm demeanor might also be perfect for the contest as he won’t get too amped up.
Why he might not: He’s a catcher — and one who has carried a heavy workload, playing in all but one game this season. This contest is as much about stamina as anything, and whether Raleigh can carry his power through three rounds would be a concern. No catcher has ever won the Derby, with only Ivan Rodriguez back in 2005 even reaching the finals.
2025 home runs: 24 | Longest: 451 feet
Why he could win: He’s big, he’s strong, he’s young, he’s awesome, he might or might not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. This is the perfect opportunity for Wood to show his talent on the national stage, and he wouldn’t be the first young player to star in the Derby. He ranks in the 97th percentile in average exit velocity and 99th percentile in hard-hit rate, so he can still muscle the ball out in BP even if he slightly mishits it. His long arms might be viewed as a detriment, but remember the similarly tall Aaron Judge won in 2017.
Why he might not: His natural swing isn’t a pure uppercut — he has a pretty low average launch angle of just 6.2 degrees — so we’ll see how that plays in a rapid-fire session. In real games, his power is primarily to the opposite field, but in a Home Run Derby you can get more cheapies pulling the ball down the line.
2025 home runs: 20 | Longest: 479 feet
Why he could win: Buxton’s raw power remains as impressive as nearly any hitter in the game. He crushed a 479-foot home run earlier this season and has four others of at least 425 feet. Indeed, his “no doubter” percentage — home runs that would be out of all 30 parks based on distance — is 75%, the highest in the majors among players with more than a dozen home runs. His bat speed ranks in the 89th percentile. In other words, two tools that could translate to a BP lightning show.
Why he might not: Buxton is 31 and the Home Run Derby feels a little more like a younger man’s competition. Teoscar Hernandez did win last year at age 31, but before that, the last winner older than 29 was David Ortiz in 2010, and that was under much different rules than are used now.
2025 home runs: 16 | Longest: 463 feet
Why he could win: If you drew up a short list of players everyone wants to see in the Home Run Derby, Cruz would be near the top. He has the hardest-hit ball of the 2025 season, and the hardest ever tracked by Statcast, a 432-foot missile of a home run with an exit velocity of 122.9 mph. He also crushed a 463-foot home run in Anaheim that soared way beyond the trees in center field. With his elite bat speed — 100th percentile — Cruz has the ability to awe the crowd with a potentially all-time performance.
Why he might not: Like all first-time contestants, can he stay within himself and not get too caught up in the moment? He has a long swing, which will result in some huge blasts, but might not be the most efficient for a contest like this one, where the more swings a hitter can get in before the clock expires, the better.
2025 home runs: 23 | Longest: 425 feet
Why he could win: Although Caminero was one of the most hyped prospects entering 2024, everyone kind of forgot about him heading into this season since he didn’t immediately rip apart the majors as a rookie. In his first full season, however, he has showed off his big-time raw power — giving him a chance to become just the third player to reach 40 home runs in his age-21 season. He has perhaps the quickest bat in the majors, ranking in the 100th percentile in bat speed, and his top exit velocity ranks in the top 15. That could translate to a barrage of home runs.
Why he might not: In game action, Caminero does hit the ball on the ground quite often — in fact, he’s on pace to break Jim Rice’s record for double plays grounded into in a season. If he gets out of rhythm, that could lead to a lot of low line drives during the Derby instead of fly balls that clear the fences.
2025 home runs: 19 | Longest: 440 feet
Why he could win: The Athletics slugger has been one of the top power hitters in the majors for three seasons now and is on his way to a third straight 30-homer season. Rooker has plus bat speed and raw power, but his biggest strength is an optimal average launch angle (19 degrees in 2024, 15 degrees this season) that translates to home runs in game action. That natural swing could be picture perfect for the Home Run Derby. He also wasn’t shy about saying he wanted to participate — and maybe that bodes well for his chances.
Why he might not: Rooker might not have quite the same raw power as some of the other competitors, as he has just one home run longer than 425 feet in 2025. But that’s a little nitpicky, as 11 of his home runs have still gone 400-plus feet. He competed in the college home run derby in Omaha while at Mississippi State in 2016 and finished fourth.
2025 home runs: 17 | Longest: 442 feet
Why he could win: Chisholm might not be the most obvious name to participate, given his career high of 24 home runs, but he has belted 17 already in 2025 in his first 61 games after missing some time with an injury. He ranks among the MLB leaders in a couple of home run-related categories, ranking in the 96th percentile in expected slugging percentage and 98th percentile in barrel rate. His raw power might not match that of the other participants, but he’s a dead-pull hitter who has increased his launch angle this season, which might translate well to the Derby, even if he won’t be the guy hitting the longest home runs.
Why he might not: Most of the guys who have won this have been big, powerful sluggers. Chisholm is listed at 5-foot-11, 184 pounds, and you have to go back to Miguel Tejada in 2004 to find the last player under 6 foot to win.
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