Where all 30 teams stand on MLB trade deadline moves heading into the All-Star break (2024)

There are only 20 days until the trade deadline, so as the sport heads into the All-Star break, let’s look at where every team stands.

How is each team approaching the deadline? What needs are they focused on filling? What players could they trade away or look to acquire?

Plenty will change between now and July 30. But as we enter the break, here’s what I’m hearing about the 30 teams from decision-makers across the game, along with my thoughts and observations on the trade market.

NL East

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies have made center field a priority. They have been linked to Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox, Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the Marlins, Cody Bellinger of the Cubs, Jake McCarthy of the Diamondbacks and Jacob Young of the Nationals, among others. It will be surprising if they don’t land a center fielder by the trade deadline. The Phillies are also canvassing for additional bullpen depth.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves are focused on improving their outfield room and have been since Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a season-ending knee injury. They signed Eddie Rosario to a minor-league contract after the Nationals released him last week and then recalled the 2021 NLCS MVP on Sunday. Possible outfield trade targets include Jazz Chisholm Jr., Taylor Ward of the Angels, Randy Arozarena of the Rays and Tommy Pham of the White Sox.

New York Mets

The Mets are only a half game out of a wild-card spot, which has essentially taken Pete Alonso off the trade market. However, they are keeping an open mind and might end up doing some buying and selling at the trade deadline. If they find a trade that could really help them long term, they’ll consider it, but they also might just add a few pieces, particularly a starting pitcher and relief depth, to try to make the playoffs this year. On Tuesday, they acquired righty reliever Phil Maton in a swap with the Rays for cash or a player to be named.

Washington Nationals

The Nationals have made progress this year and are primed to be more serious contenders in 2025. The promotion of James Wood was significant and now they await the next wave of prospects — including Dylan Crews, Brady House and Cade Cavalli — who should arrive early next year if not sooner. The Nationals are preparing to be sellers at this deadline with hopes of moving starter Patrick Corbin (who is making $35.4 million in the final year of his contract), relievers Dylan Floro and Hunter Harvey and perhaps closer Kyle Finnegan. They’re also hoping to trade veterans Jesse Winker and Joey Gallo and will consider dealing outfielder Lane Thomas if the price is right.

Miami Marlins

The Marlins are in sell mode and are listening to offers for their center fielder, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and their closer, Tanner Scott. Most executives in the industry believe Chisholm and Scott are the players most likely to be traded between now and July 30. Miami is also expected to trade first baseman/designated hitter Josh Bell, who, like Scott, is an impending free agent. The Marlins want to rebuild their lineup from top to bottom and are looking for the “best-available players,” regardless of position, in return, according to opposing executives who have talked with their front office.

NL Central

Milwaukee Brewers

The first-place Brewers made the first notable trade of the deadline when they acquired right-hander Aaron Civale from the Rays, adding a much-needed veteran starter to their roster. They are not done and will continue to find ways to improve their overall starting pitching depth.

St. Louis Cardinals

Manager Oli Marmol has done an excellent job this year, proving president of baseball operations John Mozeliak and owner Bill DeWitt Jr. right in their decision to extend his contract in spring training. After a last-place finish in 2023 and a slow start to this season, the Cardinals are in second in the division and second in the NL wild-card race. Their front office is focused on trying to improve the starting rotation and is targeting yet another veteran starter, after acquiring several in the offseason. It’s only a matter of time before they land one. Some of the possibilities include Yusei Kikuchi of the Blue Jays, Erick Fedde of the White Sox and Cal Quantrill of the Rockies.

Pittsburgh Pirates

General manager Ben Cherington has been texting up a storm with opposing GMs, searching for ways to improve his team’s offense. Although the Pirates are not expected to make a huge splash, they are committed to upgrading their offense in multiple spots in both the infield and outfield.

Cincinnati Reds

This week the Reds acquired Austin Slater from the Giants to improve their outfield depth, but they’re not done. Entering Tuesday, they were one of only four teams in the NL wild-card race with a positive run differential — and that’s with half their lineup on the injured list for most of the season. They hope Noelvi Marte, who returned late last month from an 80-game PED suspension, finds his timing at the plate sooner rather than later, and that Spencer Steer has a much better second half than first half.They hope to have second baseman Matt McLain, who posted an .864 OPS last year, back for the final month of the season.However, if they can acquire the right hitter, they won’t be afraid to trade from their deep prospect pool. (Brent Rooker of the A’s or Lane Thomas of the Nationals would both make some sense if the price was right.) I’m told they’re 50/50 on whether to buy or sell at the deadline, but they should definitely buy.

Chicago Cubs

Across the industry, no one is sure if they’ll buy, sell or hold at this year’s trade deadline as they sit 3 1/2 games out of wild-card position with five teams they would have to jump over. That said, they know if they upgrade the bullpen and acquire a better offensive catcher, they could be formidable as they do have starting pitching that’s capable of running the table in October. They’ve been linked with the Rockies in a possible deal for catcher Elias Díaz, who will be a free agent after this season. They’ve also listened to teams such as the Phillies, Braves and Mariners who have interest in Cody Bellinger. If they stumble out of the All-Star break, don’t be surprised if they decide to retool for 2025.

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers have dealt with extensive injuries to their starting pitchers and position players and are hoping they can get most of them healed for a deep October run. But we’ve come to expect big moves from this club at the trade deadline, and this year shouldn’t be any different. The Dodgers have made inquiries with several teams about outfielders, starting pitchers and relievers. They’ve had discussions with the White Sox about several of their players, including Garrett Crochet, Luis Robert Jr. and Tommy Pham, and those talks are expected to continue throughout the month.

San Diego Padres

The Padres didn’t wait until the trade deadline to make moves. They’ve done the best job in baseball of improving their club since spring training, starting with the acquisition of their best pitcher, Dylan Cease, in a trade with the White Sox just before Opening Day, and then landing their best hitter (in terms of contact and average), Luis Arraez, in a deal with the Marlins in May. They’re not done, of course, as president of baseball operations A.J. Preller has been trying to add a right-handed reliever and a bench bat. Preller is also doing what he always does, by which I mean he’s kicking the tires on every star player who could be traded this July, including Garrett Crochet, the most sought-after starter on the trade market.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks hope to get three of their best starting pitchers — Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez and Merrill Kelly — off the IL, which would be a huge lift for the last two months of the regular season, although Kelly previously indicated mid-August might be when he’d return. GM Mike Hazen always looks to add depth to the rotation and bullpen but is also prepared to sell if things go south after the All-Star break. Several contending teams such as the Astros and Mariners would love to acquire first baseman Christian Walker even though he’d just be a rental. If the Diamondbacks decide to sell, they could trade Walker for prospects and then try to sign him in free agency this winter. My best guess is they’ll stay in the race and add around the edges without making a big move.

San Francisco Giants

The Giants are similar to Arizona in that they hope several key starting pitchers will soon come off the IL, including former Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray, and right-handers Alex Cobb, Keaton Winn and Tristan Beck. (Blake Snell returned Tuesday with encouraging results, allowing no runs and one hit in five innings.) In terms of trades, the Giants have been linked with the Marlins on Jazz Chisholm Jr., the Cubs on Cody Bellinger and the White Sox on Luis Robert Jr.

Colorado Rockies

Colorado is selling, and it appears the players most likely to be traded are catcher Elias Díaz and starting pitchers Austin Gomber and Cal Quantrill. A lot of teams have shown interest in third baseman Ryan McMahon, who’s signed through 2027, but the Rockies are notmotivated to move him. They are open to trading any of their relief pitchers.

AL East

Baltimore Orioles

The season-ending injuries to Kyle Bradish and John Means have the Orioles in the starting pitching market, but they don’t intend to trade any of their top prospects. They didn’t do so to acquire Corbin Burnes earlier this year, and they don’t see a reason to now. The quality and depth of their farm system are as good as any organization in baseball, and they have enough talent to land any available starter they want without giving up their top-three or -four prospects. The Orioles have been linked in trade talks with the White Sox, Blue Jays and Rockies on their available starting pitchers.

New York Yankees

The Yankees’ starting pitching has stumbled over the past month and their overall staff has the second-worst ERA in the majors over the past 30 days. They’re optimistic the starting pitching will improve after the All-Star break but have concerns about the bottom half of the lineup, in particular second and third base, where they haven’t gotten much production from Gleyber Torres, DJ LeMahieu and company. The Yankees were concerned about first base and Anthony Rizzo (currently on the 60-day IL) but are hoping rookie Ben Rice can be the solution there this year and for years to come. They love his bat, power, defense and high baseball IQ. Even though Giancarlo Stanton should return from his hamstring injury “shortly” after the All-Star break, the Yankees know he’s a high risk for another injury, so they will consider trading for a DH/outfield bat as well to protect themselves. I think they’ll also need to pursue a veteran starter to protect against injury and address concerns over Luis Gil’s mounting innings. And like most teams, they’ll probably try to add a reliever too.

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox have overachieved once again, which has been a consistent theme in Boston during Alex Cora’s tenure as manager. He’s done a great job of developing young talent such as Jarren Duran and Ceddanne Rafaela, and now the Red Sox are playing like a legit playoff-caliber team. In terms of trades, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has been searching for a veteran starting pitcher and a right-handed power bat. I expect they’ll fill both of those needs by the deadline.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays have already dealt starter Aaron Civale to the Brewers and reliever Phil Maton to the Mets, and they’re expected to be active this trade season, more as sellers than buyers, according to league sources. But it seems like they’ll also be a team involved in “buyer-to-buyer” type trades as well. They will keep an open mind on trade offers for any of their best players, including first baseman Yandy Díaz, second baseman Brandon Lowe, left fielder Randy Arozarena and right-hander Zach Eflin. They’re not about to have a fire sale, but will look to get younger and less expensive while still remaining competitive, in sticking with their track record of success. They also have more money to use, short- and long-term, after placing Wander Franco on the restricted list. (Franco will not be paid nor accrue major-league service time while on it.)

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays should be sellers but it’s unclear what they will decide to do. They publicly claim they won’t trade Bo Bichette or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at this year’s deadline, with GM Ross Atkins saying in June on my SiriusXM radio show, “It just doesn’t make any sense for us.” If that’s the case, then they need to extend both players soon as both are eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. In terms of other players they could dangle at the deadline, the Blue Jays have a trio of veteran starting pitchers (Yusei Kikuchi, Chris Bassitt, Kevin Gausman), an elite defensive center fielder (Kevin Kiermaier) and a couple of useful relievers. This Blue Jays team is going nowhere and it’s time to rebuild, but will they? The Blue Jays could overtake the White Sox and become the headliner of this trade deadline if they decide to have a fire sale, something they should seriously weigh, but there has been no indication that’s even being considered heading into the All-Star break.

AL Central

Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians have made a proven veteran starter their top priority this trade season and are open to various ways to acquire one, even if it means they have to deal from an area of strength such as their bullpen. They are a legit World Series threat but also hold the No. 1 pick in this year’s MLB Draft, which will allow them to select a hitter who could make it to the major leagues as early as this September. They’re also looking to add another bat, probably in the outfield, via trade. Lane Thomas, Jazz Chisholm Jr. or Randy Arozarena could make sense.

Minnesota Twins

The Twins have been surveying the market for rotation and bullpen depth. They have an aggressive front office led by president of baseball operations Derek Falvey and GM Thad Levine, who always seem to make some type of statement at the trade deadline. The good health of Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton and the emergence of rookie Brooks Lee have lessened the Twins’ pursuit of another bat, but they could land a right-handed-hitting corner outfielder if a good fit becomes available.

Kansas City Royals

GM J.J. Picollo has been working the phones trying to improve their bullpen and corner outfield production. But a weak farm system combined with this sellers’ market will make it difficult for the Royals to accomplish their trade goals. That said, I’ll be shocked if they don’t add another reliever or two this month.

Detroit Tigers

Buy or sell? That’s the question the Tigers front office keeps asking themselves as they sit five games below .500 and seven games out of wild-card position with four teams to hurdle. The answer should be more clear closer to the deadline and should result in them selling, with potential trades involving starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (if his back issue doesn’t worsen), Mark Canha (who’s a solid corner bat coming off the bench), Gio Urshela (a strong defensive third baseman), and maybe even closer Jason Foley for the right price. Some opposing executives have told me they think the Tigers could move Tarik Skubal, who is under team control through 2026, if they get a massive return. Both the Orioles and Dodgers would be capable of putting together that type of offer. I think Skubal stays, but if he’s traded, he’ll be the best player moved at the deadline.

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox are the headliner of this year’s deadline and they are open to trading anyone and everyone on their major-league roster. But keep in mind they don’t have to trade anyone, and they’re only going to move their best two players, Garrett Crochet and Luis Robert Jr., if they clearly are overpaid and “win” the trades. Otherwise, they’ll keep them and build around them for now. It appears veteran starter Erick Fedde is the White Sox player most likely to be traded, with the Cardinals, Orioles and Braves as the most likely landing spots. Flame-thrower Michael Kopech is also expected to don a new uniform by August. First baseman Andrew Vaughn could end up in Seattle or Houston and lefty reliever Tanner Banks could get moved within the division to Kansas City. One thing is for sure: GM Chris Getz is ready to wheel and deal.

AL West

Seattle Mariners

President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto told me on my SiriusXM radio show that Seattle ownership has assured him they will absorb additional payroll and that he is willing to trade top prospects if there’s a way to add a quality bat or two at the deadline. The Mariners have touched base with practically every team in baseball and have interest in the White Sox’s Luis Robert Jr., the Cubs’ Cody Bellinger, the Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr., the Mets’ Pete Alonso and the Diamondbacks’ Christian Walker. Trader Jerry is ready to go, so let the trades begin.

Houston Astros

Astros GM Dana Brown has made it clear to other front offices that he’s focused on adding a veteran starter and an impactful long- or short-term solution at first base. He’s talked to the Mets about Luis Severino and Pete Alonso, and has discussed Christian Walker with the Diamondbacks, Cody Bellinger with the Cubs and Andrew Vaughn with the White Sox. In terms of starters, the Astros have shown interest in Garrett Crochet, Erick Fedde, Jack Flaherty, Chris Bassitt, Yusei Kikuchi, Kevin Gausman, Cal Quantrill and Austin Gomber, among others.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers are hoping to get Jacob deGrom, Tyler Mahle and Cody Bradford back from the IL for the second half of the season and consider “adding” that trio of pitchers to be the biggest moves they’ll make at the deadline. (Manager Bruce Bochy recently told reporters that Bradford would return as a reliever.)That doesn’t mean they won’t add a reliever or bench player in a deal, but don’t expect them to make significant trades as buyers. Earlier this week, my colleague Ken Rosenthal reported on what selling could look like for Texas, writing that if they struggle over the next couple of weeks, “it’s not out of the question the Rangers could jump the market while other teams remain in limbo.”

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels refused to sell last year when they should have traded Shohei Ohtani for prospects and instead depleted their farm system for fringe players. They won’t make that same mistake this year and are prepared to sell, sell and sell, Mortimer. The Angels are listening to offers on starting pitcher Tyler Anderson, closer Carlos Estévez, utilityman Luis Rengifo (currently on IL with wrist inflammation) and outfielder Taylor Ward. It’s likely they will trade all four if they can get enough prospects, in terms of quality and quantity, in return.

Oakland A’s

It seems every July the A’s become sellers, and they’re ready to do it again. Ugh! The A’s have several relievers teams are calling about including Lucas Erceg, Austin Adams and T.J. McFarland. They stopped taking calls on All-Star rookie Mason Miller as they plan to build around him unless someone makes them a ridiculous offer. In terms of position players, Brent Rooker is the best power bat they have to offer, and he’s under team control through 2027. It will be surprising if they don’t move him.

(Top image: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic. Photos: Steph Chambers, Michael Reaves, Mark Brown / Getty Images)