MLB trade deadline rumors: Mets could move big-league roster pieces; Cardinals dangle starting pitcher
The (mathematically inaccurate) second half is underway and the trade deadline is only 10 days away. Pencils must be down at 6 p.m. ET next Thursday, July 31. Trade chatter and activity will pick up now that the amateur draft is in the rearview mirror and front offices can focus their attention on the deadline. Here are Monday’s trade deadline rumblings.
Mets willing to move young infielders
The Mets are willing to trade from a young infield group that includes Luisangel Acuña, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Mark Vientos, according to The Athletic. With Francisco Lindor entrenched at shortstop and Pete Alonso at first, plus Jeff McNeil getting most of the action at second base, there is only so much playing time available for those young infielders.
The Mets need to upgrade their bullpen at the deadline more than anything. Bringing in a center field upgrade over Tyrone Taylor figures to be on the to-do list as well, though that won’t be done easily. In all likelihood, the Mets are only willing to trade one of those young infielders for a controllable player(s), not simply a rental reliever for the stretch run and postseason.
Cardinals shopping Fedde
Coming off a sweep at the hands of the Diamondbacks, the Cardinals are trending seller of late, but it’s not yet certain that will be the case. What is certain is that they’re shopping veteran right-handed starter Erick Fedde regardless of whether they see themselves as contenders leading up to July 31, as The Athletic reported on Monday. Fedde is scheduled to start on Tuesday against the Rockies, and the Cardinals are no doubt hoping he’ll be able to reverse his recent fortunes. He’ll go into that outing having allowed 20 runs in 14 ⅔ innings over his last four starts.
Under normal circumstances, Fedde likely would’ve lost his rotation spot to Michael McGreevy, but seemingly the Cardinals are sticking with Fedde to see if he can recoup some trade value over the next two starts or so. Fedde is owed the balance of a $7.5 million salary for 2025 and is eligible for free agency this coming offseason.
Cubs looking at Suárez for third base
Add the Cubs to the list of teams with an eye on Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez leading up to the deadline, per The Athletic. Rookie Matt Shaw has underwhelmed at the plate while impressing with the glove at third. Chicago figures to be very aggressive at the deadline knowing this is their one guaranteed year with Kyle Tucker, who will be a free agent this winter.
Beyond third base, the Cubs also need a starting pitcher in the wake of Justin Steele’s season-ending elbow surgery, and of course bullpen help. Every contender wants bullpen help. Chicago has a deep prospect pool with slugging outfielder Owen Caissie perhaps most likely to move. If a Caissie trade can net the Cubs an impact piece, he’ll have to be on the table.
Athletics open to moving starting pitchers
The A’s are listening to offers for righty Luis Severino and lefties JP Sears and Jeffrey Springs, reports The Athletic. The market is short on quality pitching and all three pitchers are under contract/team control for at least another year.
Springs, 33 in September, has been the A’s best starter this season. He’s owed $10.5 million in 2026 with a $15 million club option for 2027, which is more than reasonable for a mid-rotation arm. Sears is in his cheap team-control years and a durable innings guy, albeit one with a home run problem. Severino, who has been critical of the ballpark situation in Sacramento, has a 3.10 ERA on the road and a 6.68 ERA at Sutter Health Park. The A’s have a strong offensive core. They need to improve the pitching around it now.
Orioles focused on moving rentals
Not surprisingly, the 44-54 Orioles are focused on trading away their rental players at the deadline, GM Mike Elias said during an MLB Network Radio interview over the weekend. “We’ve got to be realistic about our situation … To the degree that we have players that interest other clubs, who are coming towards the end of their contracts, we’ve got to listen to that,” Elias said.
Baltimore has a lengthy list of rentals. Starters Zach Eflin and the resurgent Charlie Morton will generate interest, ditto relievers Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto. Center fielder Cedric Mullins, first baseman Ryan O’Hearn and platoon outfielder Ramón Laureano are also coming up on free agency. All will be in demand, though none figures to bring back a massive return.
Dodgers seeking late-inning bullpen help
Despite spending over $100 million to re-sign Blake Treinen and sign Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates in the offseason, the Dodgers are in the market for bullpen help at the deadline, reports USA Today. They’ve reportedly checked in with the Twins about Jhoan Duran, the Pirates about David Bednar, the Cardinals about Ryan Helsley, and the Guardians about Emmanuel Clase, among others.
Scott and Yates have both underwhelmed and been home run prone, and Treinen has missed much of the season with a forearm issue, though he is expected back soon. Alex Vesia typically gets the biggest outs for manager Dave Roberts each night. The Dodgers need to add at least one more reliever to lighten the load on Vesia and just to give Roberts another trusted option.
