MLB trade deadline buyers and sellers: Where all 30 teams stand as time runs out
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As any college student knows full well, there's no real incentive to get to work until an imminent deadline is staring you in the face.
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\nMajor League Baseball GMs seem to have perfected that approach this season with rumors by far outweighing actual deals as the 6 p.m. ET witching hour on Aug. 3 approaches.
\nOf course, the silence could be broken at any time as one trade could be the catalyst for many others in succession.
\nWhile there's a temporary lull in the action, let's go division-by-division in order of the standings (through games of Tuesday, July 28) and see which teams are likely to be buyers and which ones will be sellers.
\nAL East
\nTampa Bay Rays
\nCould the miserly Rays front office actually make a move that adds payroll? Their new stadium deal has hit a snag, so probably not. But the front office is nothing if not creative, especially when a No. 1 seed in the AL is at stake.
\n- Verdict: Buyer
New York Yankees
\nThe Yanks have several well-documented holes that need filling, and it's a two-team race for the league's best record. The question is whether they have the trade chips to acquire anyone who can truly help. Get well soon, Aaron Judge.
\n- Verdict: Buyer
Boston Red Sox
\nTheir initial foray into the trade wars turned out miserably when they lost Curtis Mead to a broken wrist after only two at-bats. But their recent 15-game winning streak has made believers in Boston. So where to find another infielder?
\n- Verdict: Buyer
Baltimore Orioles
\nFour games under .500 and behind four teams for the third wild-card spot, the O's path isn't promising. OF Taylor Ward would be a hot commodity if they made him available. But they've also been one of the hottest teams since the All-Star break.
\n- Verdict: Standing pat
Toronto Blue Jays
\nSo much disappointment. So many expiring contracts. Kevin Gausman, George Springer, Daulton Varsho, Shane Bieber ... Maybe it is time for a reset, despite being just two outs away from a World Series title last year.
\n- Verdict: Seller
AL Central
\nChicago White Sox
\nMLB's biggest surprise of 2026 has a chance to go from worst to first. But the biggest mistake in a rebuild is thinking you've arrived before you're actually there. At 55-51, there's no reason to mortgage any of the franchise's future for a quick temporary fix.
\n- Verdict: Standing pat
Cleveland Guardians
\nThey just acquired Jose Ramirez from the injured list. There's your deadline deal. What, you want more? Hahahaha.
\n- Verdict: Standing pat
Minnesota Twins
\nThe Twins could probably name their price for Ryan Jeffers with so many playoff contenders looking to acquire a catcher. Yet they sit at .500, two games out of first place. For a team that wasn't supposed to contend this season anyway, the Twins are playing with house money.
\n- Verdict: Buyer AND seller
Detroit Tigers
\n\nTruth be told, the Tigers have the most talented roster in the division and could leapfrog everyone with two months to play. Their direction comes down to what other teams are willing to pay for ace Tarik Skubal. If the best offers don't come in until right before the deadline, it doesn't give team president Scott Harris much time to pivot.
\n- Verdict: Buyer OR seller
Kansas City Royals
\nIt likely won't take much for needy contenders to acquire outfielders Lane Thomas and Isaac Collins. The Royals would also part with veteran starters Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo if they were able to resolve the money remaining on their contracts.
\n- Verdict: Seller
AL West
\nTexas Rangers
\nThey're in first place and about to get starting shortstop Corey Seager back from the injured list. So why aren't we hearing more about the Rangers' trade options? Probably because their shallow farm system doesn't leave them with much to offer. Adding some relief help may be the best they can do.
\n- Verdict: Standing pat
Houston Astros
\nGM Dana Brown has already said the Astros will be buyers at the deadline so we'll take him at his word. How much they'll buy is a different story. A lefty-hitting outfielder tops the wish list, but payroll concerns may force them to shed salary at the same time.
\n- Verdict: Buyer AND seller
Seattle Mariners
\nThe M's have a pitching surplus (with Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan waiting in the minors) and MLB's third-worst offense. A trade − maybe more than one − seems inevitable.
\n- Verdict: Buyer
Athletics
\nThe injury to All-Star catcher Shea Langeliers eliminated the A's best trade chip. Now, it's hard for a contender to find anyone on the roster who can help them. Maybe backup catcher and impending free agent Jonah Heim?
\n- Verdict: Seller
Los Angeles Angels
\nWith the worst record in the majors and arguably the most trade targets, the Angels can jump-start the deadline frenzy at the drop of a halo. Outfielders Jo Adell and Jorge Soler should be available at a reasonable price. Starting pitchers Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano (both with two arbitration years left) will cost a little more. Relievers Kirby Yates and Brent Suter could also be depth pieces. Act now before the liquidation sale ends on Monday!
\n- Verdict: Major seller
NL East
\nAtlanta Braves
\nAfter all their injuries this season, the Braves are still standing. And thriving − with a six-game division lead. But they definitely need a shortstop (the Angels' Zach Neto?) and could really use a playoff-caliber starter if they want to go far in the postseason.
\n- Verdict: Buyer
Philadelphia Phillies
\nDave Dombrowski is their GM. Say no more. He'd probably trade the Phillie Phanatic for bullpen help if that were an option. Instead, a right-handed hitting outfielder tops Dombrowski's wish list. If he's successful, a rotation with Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo could carry the Phils deep into October.
\n- Verdict: Buyer
Washington Nationals
\nMLB's best offense has carried a suspect pitching staff all season. Currently just one game out of the last NL wild-card spot, the Nats have already added starter Connelly Early, who should be joining the rotation soon. Are there more additions coming? All-Star SS CJ Abrams would be a huge get for any contender, but it's hard to see the Nats trading him without getting a Juan Soto-like return (i.e. another Abrams). Maybe 1B Luis Garcia is dealt instead.
\n- Verdict: Buyer AND seller
Miami Marlins
\nPlenty of trade candidates here, with C/1B/DH Liam Hicks almost certain to land elsewhere. Starting pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Braxton Garrett have been drawing attention. A dreadful 12-game losing skid this month has likely turned the Marlins from buyers into ...
\n- Verdict: Seller
New York Mets
\nTheir offseason moves failed miserably. Juan Soto's calf injury is just the latest insult. Pitcher Freddy Peralta would almost certainly benefit from a change of scenery, as would fellow starter Clay Holmes and reliever Luke Weaver. Perhaps it's time to blow up this version of the Mets and start over.
\n- Verdict: Seller
NL Central
\nMilwaukee Brewers
\nA bountiful farm system just keeps providing replacements whenever the Brewers seem to need them. Why bother making trades? Tied with the Dodgers for the best record in the majors, there aren't many weak spots on the Brewers roster. Maybe an arm to help save ace Jacob Misiorowski for the playoffs?
\n- Verdict: Tepid buyer
Chicago Cubs
\nA playoff spot seems secure. So what do the Cubs need to do for October? Their starting rotation is still a mess, so trading C/DH Moises Ballesteros, OF Kevin Alcantara and/or OF/3B Matt Shaw for pitching would be a sensible move.
\n- Verdict: Buyer
Pittsburgh Pirates
\nThe Pirates were surprising buyers this past offseason, and whaddya know ... actually trying to be competitive can work sometimes! They have one of the best offenses in baseball and a rotation any team would envy. But that bullpen needs help. Fortunately, relief pitching is always available at the trade deadline. But don't expect them to go too crazy, they're still the Pirates.
\n- Verdict: Buyer
St. Louis Cardinals
\nThis was supposed to be a rebuilding year in St. Lous after GM Chaim Bloom traded away many of the veterans from last year's club. But a funny thing happened: the fledgling Cardinals are fluttering on the fringes of the NL playoff race. It's too early to get too excited, but there's also room to start revamping next season's roster. Anyone hungry for a Lars Nootbaar?
\n- Verdict: Buyer AND seller
Cincinnati Reds
\nMaybe the opposite of the Cardinals, the Reds have been a major disappointment in 2026, despite the growth shown by promising youngsters Sal Stewart and Chase Burns. They have several impending free agents who could help other teams, including C Tyler Stephenson, 1B Nathaniel Lowe and SP Brady Singer. Closer Emilio Pagan could also be available.
\n- Verdict: Seller
NL West
\nLos Angeles Dodgers
\nWhat could the Dodgers want that they don't already have? Hmmm, Skubal would be nice. Otherwise, they may just try to drive up prices for their competitors. The real season doesn't start until October.
\n- Verdict: Buyer
Arizona Diamondbacks
\nOf all the teams currently holding a playoff spot, the Diamondbacks may be the most unassuming contender. They have a bunch of their key players signed for the next several years, so no major moves are on the horizon. They could use some bullpen help and perhaps another starter if they're going to be serious about contending.
\n- Verdict: Tepid buyer
San Diego Padres
\n\nCloser Mason Miller could be a difference-maker for any playoff team. And you just know GM A.J. Preller wants to make some deals. However, 1B Ty France and RP Adrian Morejon are much more likely to be moved.
\n- Verdict: Buyer AND seller
San Francisco Giants
\nThe one-stop shop for all your stretch-run needs, just visit the Giants' waterfront warehouse. An elite contact hitter (Luis Arraez), a power-hitting outfielder (Heliot Ramos), a veteran shortstop (Willy Adames), a durable starter (Robbie Ray) and many more are all available for cash or trade.
\n- Verdict: Big-time seller
Colorado Rockies
\nOutfielders Jake McCarthy and Mickey Moniak are available, but how valuable will they be if they aren't hitting at Coors Field? McCarthy's OPS is 187 points higher at home this season (.925 vs. .738), while Moniak's is an astounding 336 points higher (1.033 vs. 697). And good luck trying to pry away two-time All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman.
\n- Verdict: Seller
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB trade deadline buyers and sellers: Where all 30 teams stand as time runs out