With just one month until Major League Baseball’s trade deadline on July 30, championship contenders are finalizing their trade lists while other teams are preparing to sell their best players.
The Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins are expected to make significant deals, but just about every other team in baseball is also technically a championship contender and will have to make big decisions in the coming weeks.
So here are four smart trades we’d like to see before the deadline.
Garrett Crochette (White Sox) to Orioles
Baltimore made a bold move in the offseason to acquire Corbin Burnes in a trade that showed the team isn’t afraid to part with young talent if the right deal comes along. Crochette is under team control through 2026, and it would take a significant amount of money to acquire the 26-year-old left-hander, who could theoretically join Grayson Rodriguez at the top of the Orioles’ starting rotation long term.
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With season-ending injuries to John Means, Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells devastating Baltimore’s pitching staff, it wouldn’t be surprising to see multiple trades for starting pitchers in the coming weeks. While there’s been some argument that the Orioles could pursue a couple of cheaper options, they have the window wide open and the funds to pull off a deal for the best starting pitcher available.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Marlins) to Phillies
Player selling in the NL East hasn’t been an issue for the Marlins, who are widely expected to part ways with Chisholm before the July 30 deadline. The division-leading Phillies are plagued by injuries and are in desperate need of an everyday center fielder, especially with demoted Johan Rojas struggling to hit. Chisholm, who is under contract with the team through 2026, will thrive as a left-handed hitter at Citizens Bank Park and add speed to a lineup that already features Trea Turner.
The 26-year-old will be more expensive than some of the older players available in July, but he could be a worthwhile investment for the Phillies to add another piece to their core for a few more seasons.
Luis Robert (White Sox) to Dodgers
Center field has been an offensive black hole for the Dodgers this season, with Los Angeles posting the third-worst OPS (.571) in baseball. Robert, just 26 years old, hit 38 homers last season and earned MVP votes, but has already missed two months with an injury this year and is batting just .204 with eight homers in 28 games.
Robert would immediately fill a need in center field for the Dodgers and is on a very team-friendly contract that includes $20 million team options for 2026 and 2027. Of course, another 3.5 years of team control makes Robert one of the most attractive position players on the market.
Mason Miller (Athletics) traded to the Yankees
There’s no guarantee the Athletics will trade the second-year closer this summer, as he won’t become a free agent until the 2029-30 offseason, but he’s a valuable asset on a roster that continues to be stripped.
The 26-year-old Miller, one of the fastest pitchers in baseball, was unable to replace Clay Holmes (2.44 ERA, 19 saves) in the ninth inning. this With the start of this season fast approaching, such a trade could give the Yankees a core relief pitcher for the next five years.