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By Ethan Carter — 23 July 2026 — 4 min read

Teams eye aggressive moves ahead of deadline

The MLB trade deadline is less than two weeks away, with many teams still assessing their positions as buyers or sellers. The expanded playoffs and a competitive American League have resulted in a significant number of teams in the middle tiers, making definitive classifications challenging.

Some teams are positioned to be aggressive buyers, including those with a strong chance to win a championship and those on the fringes of contention needing a boost. The New York Yankees, for instance, could view the current state of the American League as an opportunity to pursue a second pennant in three years. The Milwaukee Brewers also appear strong, potentially making a major addition to challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs are considered a step below the Brewers but face urgency with their current rosters, suggesting this period could be their best chance for success in the coming seasons. The Pittsburgh Pirates, currently in the race for the third wild card, could also buy aggressively to reach the postseason.

Potential blockbuster trades on the horizon

Several major trades are anticipated before the deadline, with some potentially reshaping the playoff picture. One such move could see Kevin Gausman joining the Cubs. Toronto is reportedly moving towards selling, and Gausman is a clear veteran candidate for a trade. The Cubs need another reliable starter for postseason play and possess the prospect depth to facilitate such a deal. Gausman is also not on the Cubs’ reported no-trade list.

Another potential trade involves Reid Detmers moving to the Phillies. Philadelphia has been dealing with issues at the fifth-starter position, and Detmers could offer a long-term solution as he is controllable through 2028. His ability to miss bats and development upside make him an attractive target, though his control could lead to a high asking price. The Los Angeles Angels are reportedly open to listening to offers for Detmers.

A bold prediction for deadline day is Mason Miller potentially joining the Yankees. The San Diego Padres have not ruled out trading Miller, and the Yankees have already been linked to the closer. While New York’s bullpen is considered good, adding Miller could provide significant late-game power and protection behind David Bednar. Miller’s team control through 2029 also makes him more than a rental option.

Teams navigating the buy-sell spectrum

A large group of teams is currently trending towards being buyers, including the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox, who lead their respective divisions. However, their positions are viewed with some caution given their current records. The Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles have seen their postseason odds increase due to recent winning streaks, placing them in the trending-to-buy category.

The Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks also have legitimate playoff chances, with Miami being particularly favored among this group despite a recent challenging week. The Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros remain in contention for both division titles and wild card spots, though Houston’s recent performance has seen them slip slightly.

Several teams are considered “hinge teams,” meaning they could either buy or sell. The Padres are still in the wild-card hunt but have had a losing record since April. The Washington Nationals have exceeded expectations but are hovering around .500. The Toronto Blue Jays are in last place in the AL East with significant players approaching free agency. The Detroit Tigers, despite recent good play, are still below .500 and possess a key trade chip in Tarik Skubal, with their direction to be determined in the coming week and a half.

Other teams are clearly trending towards selling. The St. Louis Cardinals, after a strong start, have performed poorly in July, making a sell-off a possibility. The Cincinnati Reds, despite an early playoff race, have fallen to the bottom of the NL Central and are reportedly open to business for teams looking to buy. The Oakland Athletics, after a significant losing streak, have shifted from potential buyers to typical sellers.

The most aggressive sellers include the New York Mets, who have moved to this tier after a recent downturn and are reportedly open to listening to offers for many of their players. The San Francisco Giants and Angels were already in this category, though the Angels are still considered unlikely to trade Mike Trout. The Mets could potentially move players like Clay Holmes and Freddy Peralta, among others, to acquire significant returns.

The trade deadline is less than two weeks away.

Source: sports.yahoo.com