As Major League Baseball's July 31 trade deadline looms, the buzz around the league is reaching a fever pitch. Teams teetering on the edge of playoff contention are making bold moves, while others are looking to rebuild or retool for the future. This year’s deadline promises to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory, with big names like Dylan Cease and Eugenio Suarez at the center of swirling rumors and potential blockbuster trades.
The San Diego Padres, currently holding the third wild-card spot in the National League, have reportedly signaled a willingness to listen to offers for their right-hander Dylan Cease. Despite Cease’s 4.64 ERA this season—his highest since his rookie year in 2019—he remains a formidable strikeout artist with 139 strikeouts over 108.2 innings pitched. His expected ERA of 3.46 and a whiff rate of 34.3%, the best since 2021, underscore his underlying effectiveness. Cease is set to become a free agent after the season, making him a valuable trade chip for the Padres, who could leverage his expiring $13.75 million contract to address other roster needs, particularly in the outfield.
Multiple teams have expressed interest in Cease, including the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs, both eager to bolster their pitching rotations. The Mets, for instance, are thin on starters with only David Peterson and Clay Holmes exceeding 100 innings pitched this season. The Cubs, on the other hand, rank fifth in the National League with a 3.88 ERA but are hungry for more starting pitching depth as they chase a playoff spot in the competitive NL Central.
Chicago’s pursuit of pitching help doesn’t end with Cease. They have also checked in with the Kansas City Royals about Seth Lugo and Kris Bubic, two pitchers who could bring immediate impact. Lugo, who can decline his $15 million player option after this season, and Bubic, an All-Star this year with one more year of team control, represent enticing options for the Cubs. The Royals, sitting on the fence with a 49-52 record, may be willing to trade either to improve their offense, which currently ranks near the bottom of the league.
Meanwhile, the Cubs are also eyeing offensive upgrades, particularly at third base. Their rookie Matt Shaw has struggled with a .588 OPS, prompting the team to target Arizona Diamondbacks’ Eugenio Suarez. Suarez has been a revelation this season, leading the National League with 36 home runs and 86 RBIs, and is on pace to surpass his personal best of 49 homers set in 2019. His veteran presence, postseason experience, and consistent power make him a highly coveted asset.
Suarez's value is attracting serious suitors beyond Chicago, including the New York Mets, Yankees, and Seattle Mariners. The Diamondbacks, currently 5.5 games out of the wild-card spot with a 50-52 record, face a critical decision: to buy or sell. With Suarez, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and Josh Naylor all in the final year of their contracts, Arizona could opt to trade these players for top prospects and accelerate their rebuild.
The Yankees are particularly aggressive in their pursuit of Suarez, aiming to solve their third base woes and add a potent bat behind Aaron Judge. Reports suggest the Yankees are also interested in acquiring a starting pitcher from the Diamondbacks, either Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly, to bolster their rotation. This potential package deal would mark one of the most significant trades of the deadline, as the Yankees vie for the American League East crown against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, while not in dire need of a third baseman, have been linked to Suarez as well. CBS Sports’ Matt Snyder speculated that the Dodgers might trade for Suarez to keep him away from rivals, allowing Tommy Edman to slide over to second base and Hyeseong Kim to serve as a bench player. The Dodgers’ offense has underperformed in July, averaging just 3.82 runs per game with a .212 batting average, so adding Suarez could provide a timely boost.
On the pitching front, the Dodgers are expected to acquire a reliever, but not one of the headline names. Andrew Friedman, the team’s president of baseball operations, is known for avoiding costly deadline purchases. Instead, the Dodgers might target Anthony Bender of the Miami Marlins, who boasts a 1.91 ERA over 43 appearances and remains under team control through 2028. This strategic move would help the Dodgers shore up their bullpen without breaking the bank, especially with Tanner Scott on the injured list.
Elsewhere, the St. Louis Cardinals appear poised to sell at the deadline as part of their rebuilding process. Their top trade chip is closer Ryan Helsley, a two-time All-Star and the 2024 Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year. Despite a dip in performance this season, Helsley remains an elite lefty specialist, allowing just four home runs to left-handed batters over the past three years. Potential suitors include the Mets, Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers, and several other contenders looking to strengthen their bullpens.
With the deadline just over a week away, the atmosphere around MLB is electric. The Padres’ willingness to trade Cease, the Diamondbacks’ potential to move Suarez and other veterans, and the Cubs’ aggressive shopping for both pitching and offense all suggest a flurry of activity in the coming days. Contenders like the Yankees and Dodgers are positioning themselves carefully, balancing immediate needs with long-term strategy.
As teams make their final moves, fans can expect a thrilling conclusion to the trade season, with blockbuster deals possibly reshaping the playoff landscape. Whether it’s the Padres shaking up their roster, the Cubs pushing for a deep postseason run, or the Yankees and Dodgers maneuvering for supremacy, the July 31 deadline promises drama, excitement, and high stakes baseball action.
