Jul 19, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third base Eugenio Suárez (28) reacts after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the third inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images Even with just three-plus days to go until the trade deadline, there’s not a whole lot of clarity regarding the sellers and the buyers. A 12-team postseason blurs the line between buyers and sellers — sometimes to the point where the sellers are closer to a playoff spot than the buyers.
The Kansas City Royals, who are 52–54 and four games out of the final American League wild-card spot, indicated they at least won’t sell by reportedly agreeing to an extension Sunday night with potential impending free agent Seth Lugo. Meanwhile, all signs point to the St. Louis Cardinals — at 54–53 and 3 1/2 games out of the last NL playoff berth — paring down over the next few days.
A whole bunch of teams in the middle still could go either way, with some doing mini-rebuilds while keeping an eye on returning to contention in 2026. And then there’s the San Diego Padres, who could sell and buy in A.J. Preller’s inimitable hyperactive fashion.
Here are seven players likely to change uniforms this week, listed in order of the impact they could make on a new team.
Eugenio Suárez, Diamondbacks 3B
One has to imagine the Diamondbacks — six games out of the last wild-card spot but just two years removed from a World Series run as an 84-win team — would like to go for it again. But Suárez, an impending free agent on a 50-homer pace, is the type of player who can bring back a haul and jumpstart a retool, especially in a market with so few sellers and headline names.
Ryan Helsley, Cardinals Closer
Jun 26, 2024; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) and Willson Contreras (40) celebrate with a Cardinals 4-1 victory against the Atlanta Braves at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zach Dalin-USA TODAY Sports The Cardinals are just four years removed from overcoming a seven-game deficit and earning the second — and then-final — NL wild-card spot. But they’ve been stuck in neutral for three seasons, and Chaim Bloom is preparing to take over as president of baseball operations next season. Plenty of contenders could use a closer upgrade — or perhaps acquire Helsley with the idea he’d help form a super bullpen as a setup man.
Mitch Keller, Pirates Starting Pitcher
Aug 20, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller (23) throws during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports Frankly, the Pirates should just hasten the inevitable and jazz up this deadline by trading Paul Skenes — who will never be kept long term by the ever-cheap Bob Nutting — and would bring back an incredible return with five full seasons until he hits free agency. But the Pirates will also get a nice package for Keller, who is signed through 2028 and could thrive with a change of scenery. Keller’s career ERA of 4.43 is a half-run higher than his FIP (3.92).
Marcell Ozuna, Braves DH
Sep 18, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna (20) high fives teammates after scoring on a RBI single hit by first baseman Matt Olson (not pictured) in the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images Ozuna can’t play the field, comes with enough baggage to fill an airport, and is either going through his annual rollercoaster ride or is washed up. But in an era of diminished offense, someone is sure to hope Ozuna — who contended for the Triple Crown in 2020 and 2024 and whose .743 OPS this year is 9 percent better than league average — can regain his power-hitting form in a new locale.
Luis Robert Jr., White Sox OF
Jun 22, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) breaks his bat during the ninth inning in their MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images He’s never met expectations, has a hard time staying healthy, and has seemingly been on the South Side long enough to have called Ron Kittle a teammate. But Robert is still just a week shy of his 28th birthday, is two years removed from hitting 38 homers and making the All-Star team, and is 26-for-32 on the basepaths this season. He’s certainly worth a flier.
Luis Severino, Athletics P
Jun 7, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) walks back to the dugout after the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images The Athletics signed Severino to a $67 million deal last December in an attempt to prove to the union they’re actually trying. But the minor league park in Sacramento has been a nightmare for Severino, who has a 6.68 ERA at home and a 3.03 ERA on the road. A second straight healthy season is more than enough evidence he’s worth the price to someone else as a mid-rotation starter.
Danny Coulombe, Twins P
May 2, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Danny Coulombe (54) delivers a pitch during the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-Imagn Images The Twins are in the process of being sold, so a complete teardown is unlikely — even though ace starter Joe Ryan and closer Jhoan Duran, each under team control through 2027, would become the best pitchers on the market were they made available. But the 35-year-old Coulombe, an impending free agent, has a 0.90 ERA this season and a 2.16 ERA since joining Minnesota in 2020. He’ll fetch plenty as the most desirable available southpaw.
