1 intriguing trade chip for each team at 2025 Deadline

The 2025 Trade Deadline on July 31 is drawing ever closer, and every team has something to give.

Whether they’re aiming to add a star for the stretch run or bolster the farm system for the future, teams typically have plenty of options when it comes to whom to keep on the roster -- or whom to trade away.

With the help of MLB.com’s 30 beat writers, here’s the best trade chip for each club in 2025.

Jump to: AL East | AL Central | AL West | NL East | NL Central | NL West

American League East

Blue Jays: SS Bo Bichette
Will the Jays be buyers? Sellers? Both? Neither? It’s tough to say. Bichette, in the final year of his contract, is coming off a difficult, injury-marred 2024 campaign. He has bounced back, hitting .270/.316/.427 with eight homers this season, but there haven’t been any recent updates regarding a potential contract extension. A former All-Star who led the AL in hits in 2021 and 2022 could bring a nice haul as Toronto pursues a postseason return. -- Manny Randhawa

Orioles: 1B/OF/DH Ryan O'Hearn
Unless the O’s make up significant ground over the next few weeks, they’re likely to be sellers at the Trade Deadline. In that scenario, their best trade chip is the 31-year-old O’Hearn, who has been among the AL’s top hitters this season. He also brings value with his versatility, as he’s capable of playing first and both corner-outfield spots. But his biggest asset is his bat. Entering Monday, O’Hearn is hitting .316 with eight doubles, nine home runs, 24 RBIs and an .897 OPS through 54 games. -- Jake Rill

Rays: RHP Pete Fairbanks
How the Rays play over the next month or so will likely determine which course they take at the Trade Deadline. They certainly have the prospect depth to add, if they are in position to buy. If they wind up selling, or doing a little of both like they often do when they’re not leading the division, then Fairbanks could attract a lot of attention among the many contenders in need of bullpen help. Throwing in the upper 90s at the back end of Tampa Bay’s bullpen with a slider and changeup to round out his arsenal, Fairbanks enters Monday with a 1.73 ERA, 12 saves, 23 strikeouts and an elite 1.4% barrel rate. This is the last guaranteed year of his contract, but he has an affordable club option for 2026, further adding to his appeal. -- Adam Berry

Red Sox: LHP Aroldis Chapman
If the Red Sox continue to fade from contention, Chapman, on a one-year deal, becomes a valuable rental chip for a contender that needs to bulk up the back end of the bullpen. Although Chapman is 37, he is having his best season in years and closing full time again for the first time since 2021. He continues to throw in the upper 90s, and he has eliminated the control issues that have plagued him at some of his recent stops. In his first 29 outings, Chapman has a 1.71 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP. -- Ian Browne

Yankees: IF George Lombard Jr.
Lombard has drawn praise from Yankees veterans and scouts from other organizations alike early this season, earning a promotion to Double-A at age 19. Jazz Chisholm Jr. said during a recent rehab assignment that he expects Lombard will make it to the big leagues soon, where he will "rise and shine as a star." Double-A manager Raul Dominguez compared Lombard to Omar Vizquel defensively, saying he believes Lombard "can be one of those guys to win a lot of Gold Gloves in the big leagues.” -- Bryan Hoch

American League Central

Guardians: 1B Carlos Santana
Moving Santana is unlikely, as the Guardians are in the postseason race and positioned to tap into their farm system to buy at the Deadline, not sell. If you consider potential trade chips on the big league roster in a sell scenario, however, the 39-year-old has a lot of value. Santana is on a one-year deal and having a strong season at the plate (.740 OPS) and in the field (+3 Outs Above Average). Cleveland also has Kyle Manzardo and David Fry in its DH/first base mix. But Santana is a longtime organizational staple, a key contributor and a leader on a ballclub full of young players. While he could generate interest on the trade market, his value to the Guardians is significant. -- Tim Stebbins

Royals: C Carter Jensen
The Royals are ripe with catching talent, and teams place a premium on defenders behind the dish. Jensen is one of the Royals’ top young hitters as their No. 3 prospect, and Jensen and Blake Mitchell are two of four catchers ranked on the Royals’ Top 30 Prospects list, to go along with captain Salvador Perez and reliable Freddy Fermin in the Majors. The 21-year-old Jensen has a .283/.353/.398 slash line in Double-A this year with six doubles and four home runs. He has raw power in his left-handed swing that he’s been able to tap into at times in his Minor League career, but there’s more in there. It would be hard for the Royals to move on from their local KC product and third-round Draft pick from 2021, but teams might keep inquiring about this young power-hitting catcher. -- Anne Rogers

Tigers: 2B Max Anderson
The Tigers’ No. 21 prospect and 2023 second-round Draft pick has quietly been raking at Double-A Erie, but he’s seemingly caught in an infield logjam in the Tigers system, with Gleyber Torres and Colt Keith in Detroit, Jace Jung and Hao Yu Lee at Triple-A Toledo, and Kevin McGonigle ready to move at High-A West Michigan. Anderson is a bat-first prospect, but the former Nebraska Cornhusker is showing his offensive potential from his Big Ten days. -- Jason Beck

Twins: SS Kaelen Culpepper
The Twins are in a bit of a rough spot. Their top three hitting prospects have all dealt with significant injuries this year. Their best asset is young starting pitching, but Pablo López's injury makes it much tougher to dip into that well. Enter Culpepper, their 2024 first-rounder and current No. 4 prospect, who is tearing it up at High-A. Lefty pitching prospects Connor Prielipp and Dasan Hill will also almost certainly draw interest. -- Matthew Leach

White Sox: CF Luis Robert Jr.
The one-time All-Star and five-tool center fielder returned to action Friday night with two hits and three RBIs after taking two days off for a mental reset to focus on his approach and get away from the day-to-day grind. Robert’s defense has remained elite, and his 21 stolen bases tie him at the top of the American League. He has struggled mightily offensively, dating back to last year when he also battled injuries, but if he gets things right with the bat, he could be one of the more coveted players approaching the Trade Deadline. He has club options at $20 million for each of the next two seasons, with a $2 million buyout. -- Scott Merkin

American League West

Angels: LF Taylor Ward
After scuffling in April, Ward had a huge month of May, hitting .255/.317/.623 with 10 homers, seven doubles and 28 RBIs in 28 games. He’s a streaky hitter but has plus power and remains under club control through next year. Because he’s not an impending free agent, the Angels might be reluctant to move him unless they get the right offer. Otherwise, the Angels have plenty of veterans who are on expiring deals, such as lefty Tyler Anderson, closer Kenley Jansen, third baseman Yoán Moncada and infielder Luis Rengifo. -- Rhett Bollinger

Astros: RHP Miguel Ullola
Ullola, the Astros’ No. 4 prospect, has an electric fastball that might be the best in the system. He is averaging 12.32 strikeouts per nine innings as a 22-year-old in Triple-A but also has control issues (5.68 walks per nine). He was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Month in May with a 1.17 ERA in five starts with 34 strikeouts in 23 innings. The Astros will likely be in the market for a starting pitcher and a left-handed bat, and putting Ullola and his fastball in a package of prospects could help close a deal. -- Brian McTaggart

Athletics: RHP Mason Miller
Miller, the flamethrowing All-Star closer, garnered plenty of interest at the Trade Deadline last season as a rookie. The A’s made it clear they were holding on to Miller last year, but while they face another potential down season in 2025, expect plenty of interest once again in the 26-year-old, who will barely enter arbitration in 2026 and is not eligible for free agency until after the 2029 season. -- Martín Gallegos

Mariners: C Harry Ford
Seattle’s first-round Draft pick in 2021, the Mariners’ No. 5 prospect faces maybe the biggest logjam in the sport at his position. Cal Raleigh has emerged as a legitimate American League MVP candidate, plays more regularly behind the plate than anyone else in the game and just signed a six-year, $105 million extension. Meanwhile, Ford -- in his fourth pro season -- is on the MLB cusp, is so young (22), plays a premium position, is extremely athletic and is a model human being. For all these reasons, Ford could be one of the organization’s most fascinating players to follow for the next two months, especially in the context of the Deadline. -- Daniel Kramer

Rangers: RHP Tyler Mahle
It’s still TBD if the Rangers will be buyers or sellers, but any of the veteran starting pitchers could be on the trade block if they decide to sell at the Deadline. The Rangers don’t have a very deep farm system at this point, and other than top prospect Sebastian Walcott, the hitters are looking mighty thin. Shipping off one of Nathan Eovaldi (1.56 ERA), Mahle (2.02 ERA) or Patrick Corbin (3.52 ERA) would give the club a chance to slightly replenish the farm while still maintaining a bit of pitching depth at the big league level. -- Kennedi Landry

National League East

Braves: DH Marcell Ozuna
If the Braves continue to slide and end up sellers, teams will be interested in renting Ozuna’s power bat for a couple months. The veteran slugger seems to be swinging with less restriction after battling hip discomfort during the early part of this season. The Braves should also make second baseman Ozzie Albies and closer Raisel Iglesias available. But Ozuna would garner the best return. -- Mark Bowman

Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcantara
Though Alcantara enters Monday with the highest ERA (7.89) in the Majors among 112 pitchers with at least 50 innings, he remains one of the biggest names on the market because of his pedigree (2022 NL Cy Young), stuff (92nd-percentile fastball velocity) and club control (through 2027). Alcantara looked more like himself in his most recent start, completing a season-high-tying six innings on just 70 pitches with 10 groundouts. -- Christina De Nicola

Mets: RHP Nolan McLean
It would take a lot for the Mets to deal from the top of their farm system, but if they decide to make a big addition at the Deadline, McLean is the arm opposing scouts will likely ask about the most. Over the past nine months, McLean, the Mets’ No. 6 prospect, has leapfrogged second-ranked Brandon Sproat in the eyes of many rival scouts. The right-hander possesses an elite ability to spin the ball and, unlike Sproat, has transitioned seamlessly to Triple-A. For all those reasons, of course, the Mets would not part with him easily. But if they hope to swing a blockbuster trade, McLean is the type of prospect who could make that possible. -- Anthony DiComo

Nationals: RHP Kyle Finnegan
Finnegan is no stranger to trade buzz and has been one of the Nats' trade chips for a few seasons now. The Nationals closer is on a one-year, $6 million contract, a team-friendly deal that could be appealing to a contender. Entering Monday, Finnegan was tied for third among all relievers with 18 saves. His ERA is 1.64 over his last 11 appearances, dating back to May 1. He has not given up a home run since Aug. 3, 2024 (42 1/3 innings). Finnegan, 33, is in his sixth Major League season and earned an All-Star selection last year. -- Jessica Camerato

Phillies: RHP Mick Abel
Abel is a former top prospect who slid down those lists a bit after struggling with command over the past couple seasons, but he seems to have figured it all out in 2025. He put up incredible numbers with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and has been lights out in a couple of starts for the Phillies. Not too long ago, he seemed expendable with the Phillies' greatest strength being their rotation depth, but that's been tested recently with the injury to Aaron Nola and the sudden struggles of Jesús Luzardo. That may give the Phillies pause when it comes to offering up Abel, but they’ll have to listen to any offers that may help their needs in the bullpen or the outfield. -- Paul Casella

National League Central

Brewers: RHP Freddy Peralta
Keeping shortstop Willy Adames all the way to free agency was the exception to the rule for the Brewers, who almost always turn over their established talent for young, controllable talent rather than let players go for no return. The policy has produced the longest period of regular-season success in franchise history, with six postseason appearances including four division titles in the last seven years, despite the discomfort of trading Josh Hader at the 2022 Trade Deadline when he had a year and a half left before free agency and dealing Corbin Burnes and Devin Williams in the offseason going into contract years. Peralta will be a valuable chip at this year’s Deadline since he’s making an affordable $8 million this season and has an $8 million club option for 2026 before hitting the free-agent market. -- Adam McCalvy

Cardinals: RHP Ryan Helsley
The Cardinals explored the trade market for their two-time All-Star closer early last winter, but they pulled him off the market after the Yankees traded for Williams and the Phillies signed free-agent reliever Jordan Romano. They aren’t likely to do so again at the Trade Deadline with Helsley about to hit free agency for the first time in his career this winter. Helsley, who is still holding out hopes of signing a long-term extension with the Cards, hasn’t worked nearly as much this season as 2024, when he set the club record with 49 saves, and that’s affected his sharpness. Thus far, Helsley is 3-0 with a 3.52 ERA, and he’s converted 13 of 17 save opportunities. However, his strikeout rate has fallen (29.7% to 25.2%) and his walk rate has climbed (8.6% to 11.7%). Could the Cardinals potentially package Helsley and veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado to a contender in a megadeal at the Trade Deadline? -- John Denton

Cubs: OF Owen Caissie
The Cubs’ top trade chips at this point are probably among the team’s prospect pool, which includes five players on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list. That includes the 22-year-old Caissie (No. 46), who is in his second season with Triple-A Iowa without a clear path to the Majors right now. The Cubs’ big league outfield and designated hitter jobs are taken, making Caissie a depth piece who can hope a route to Chicago opens in 2026. The outfielder boasts strong power potential with solid on-base ability. If the Cubs want to add an impact piece at the Deadline, teams might be enticed by Caissie as a near-MLB ready change-of-scenery candidate. -- Jordan Bastian

Pirates: LHP Andrew Heaney
The Pirates have plenty of trade candidates (there are only a few players they won’t listen on, like Paul Skenes), but most of their intriguing trade chips come with multiple years of control, so they don’t have to deal them. Heaney is on an expiring deal, so it would make sense to deal him if the Bucs aren’t in the playoff picture. The southpaw has posted a 3.24 ERA in 13 starts and has playoff experience, making him a perfect addition to the middle of a rotation. -- Alex Stumpf

Reds: RHP Nick Martinez
A pitcher who can start and work into the late innings or be a bullpen asset for any role that's needed? There's definitely value in that, and Martinez has done it well during his career. On a one-year deal for the $21.05 million qualifying offer he accepted with Cincinnati as a returning free agent, the veteran right-hander pitched six or more innings in six consecutive starts from April 28 to May 26, including a pair of seven-inning performances. In that span, he posted a 2.13 ERA. -- Mark Sheldon

National League West

D-backs: RHP Zac Gallen
This comes down to how the D-backs fare in the standings over the next 4-6 weeks. Gallen, who is headed toward free agency this winter, could make a contending club compelled to part ways with a controllable young piece in exchange for adding the former All-Star. But if things go Arizona’s way, they could move standout 2023 Draft selections Tommy Troy (AZ No. 8 prospect) or LuJames Groover (AZ No. 10) as a means of adding rather than subtracting. -- Jesse Borek

Dodgers: RHP Bobby Miller
Miller set himself up to be part of the Dodgers' long-term rotation plans by posting a 3.76 ERA across 22 starts in his rookie year in 2023, but he hasn't been able to replicate those results at the big league level. He's still not that far removed from that success and comes with years of club control. Whether the Dodgers are willing to part with rotation depth in the wake of their rash of pitcher injuries remains to be seen, though. They have a lot of Major League-ready depth that they could deal from, but they also might need those arms. -- Sonja Chen

Giants: LHP Carson Whisenhunt
The pitching-rich Giants have several young starters they could dangle to try to land an impact bat at the Trade Deadline, though Whisenhunt -- the club’s No. 2 prospect -- will likely be among the most coveted, since he possesses one of the best changeups in the Minors. Whisenhunt has used his signature pitch to log a 3.61 ERA with 59 strikeouts over a Pacific Coast League-high 67 1/3 innings in 12 starts for Triple-A Sacramento this year. -- Maria Guardado

Padres: RHP Dylan Cease
This one’s a bit of a stretch. The Padres need Cease. Their rotation is thin, and both Michael King and Yu Darvish are currently out with injury. But let’s say both are healthy by the Deadline. (The team is hopeful that will be the case.) Would the Padres really hit the offseason with both Cease and King set to become free agents? Or would they look to recoup some value for one -- perhaps adding a mid-rotation arm at a cheaper price in return? Would they look to free some salary in one spot to spend in another spot like left field? Again, it’s unlikely. But the idea is not as far-fetched as it may seem. -- AJ Cassavell

Rockies: RHP Jake Bird
A fire sale makes sense. The Rockies already have turned their playing time over to prospects wherever possible, so starting pitchers such as Germán Márquez and Austin Gomber, third baseman Ryan McMahon, second baseman Thairo Estrada and recent infield pickup Orlando Arcia could attract interest. But Bird is an interesting study. He has maintained a sub-2.00 ERA, often pitching multiple innings in close games -- which the Rockies have had their share of, despite the rough record. Bird is eligible for arbitration at season’s end, so his salary will go up. With the Rockies’ bullpen already full of young relievers under club control, with more on the way, the team could parlay Bird into improvements elsewhere on the roster. -- Thomas Harding