The MLB trade deadline is upon us, but there's been plenty of action leading up to Tuesday.
Some of the top trade targets, such as Luis Castillo, Frankie Montas, Trey Mancini, and Josh Hader(!) are already off the table. But there are still several question that must be answered by 6 p.m. ET.
Among them are what in the world is going to happen to Juan Soto, what will the Cubs get back for Willson Contreras and potentially Ian Happ, and will the Giants become buyers or will they decide to deal Carlos Rodon and/or Joc Pederson?
The MLB trade deadline is where we see what teams truly think of themselves and where they're at. Clearly, teams like the Padres, Yankees, and Mariners are pushing the chips in. But we should see more movement today before the clock chimes midnight (so to speak).
MORE: MLB trade deadline tracker: Live rumors, news and updates
What time is the MLB trade deadline?
- Date: Tuesday, Aug. 2
- Time: 6 p.m. ET
For the first time under the current CBA, the MLB trade deadline will take place at 6 p.m. ET instead of the customary 4 p.m. ET.
That means there will be an additional two hours of negotiating for MLB teams as they try to hammer out the finer points of some trades.
Can MLB teams trade after the deadline?
It's not called a deadline for nothing!
After the 6 p.m. deadline, we may get a few trades trickling through, but teams cannot finalize deals after 6 p.m. ET Tuesday. They have to wait until the next league year to continue to make trades, which means if, for example, Soto doesn't get dealt at the deadline, he can't be traded later in the season.
MORE: Frankie Montas trade grades: How did Yanks, A's fare?
Teams can negotiate and make agreements before then, but contracts can't be transferred.
MLB trade news
Aug 1:
- The Pirates trade LHP Jose Quintana to the Cardinals for RHP Johan Oviedo and IF Malcom Nunez.
- The Red Sox trade C Christian Vazquez to the Astros for IF Enmanuel Valdez and OF Wilyer Abreu.
- Reds trade OF Tommy Pham to Red Sox for player to be named later.
- The Athletics trade RHP Frankie Montas and RHP Lou Trivino to the Yankees for LHP JP Sears, IF Cooper Bowman, RHP Luis Medina and LHP Ken Waldichuk.
- The Astros trade RHP Chayce McDermott to the Orioles, OF Jose Siri to the Rays, for OF/1B Trey Mancini (from Orioles) and RHP Jayden Murray (from Rays); Orioles also acquire RHP Seth Johnson (from Rays).
- The Brewers trade LHP Josh Hader to the Padres for LHP Taylor Rogers, RHP Dinelson Lame, LHP Robert Gasser and OF Esteury Ruiz.
July 30:
- The Reds trade RHP Luis Castillo to the Mariners for IF Noelvi Marie, IF Edwin Arroyo, RHP Levi Stoudt and RHP Andrew Moore.
July 28:
- Royals trade OF Andrew Benitendi to the Yankees for RHP Chandler Champlain, RHP Beck Way and LHP T.J. Sikkema
July 22:
- Pirates trade DH Daniel Vogelbach to the Mets for RHP Colin Holderman.
MLB trade deadline rumors: Potential trade targets
There are a host of big names still available for contenders to snag. And with an expanded playoff format, more teams might make moves to try to get themselves a piece of that vaunted postseason baseball action.
The big players should be out there, as well, lurking for another quality piece to add; think the Yankees, Cardinals, Astros and Dodgers. It wouldn't be surprising to see any of those four (or all of them) make moves ahead of the end of the trade deadline.
OF Juan Soto, Nationals
Soto is the name on everyone's lips this trade deadline. The Nationals' superstar seems destined to leave the nation's capital. It's just a question of whether he'll be leaving at the deadline or in the offseason.
The Padres, Cardinals and Dodgers are all linked with the talented 23-year old, who could reel in one of the largest packages in recent MLB history. Watch this space...
C Willson Contreras, Cubs
Contreras looks almost certain to depart the friendly confines, given his emotional embrace with Ian Happ following a recent Cubs' home game.
He certainly has a market around him. He earned yet another All-Star Game selection, the third of his career, and is perhaps the best hitting catcher in baseball (alongside Toronto's Alejandro Kirk). Chicago's phone will be off the hook on Tuesday.
OF Ian Happ, Cubs
From one Cub to another. Ian Happ's tenure with the Cubbies seems to be coming to a close and, much like Contreras, it looks destined to be emotional.
Happ made his first All-Star Game appearance this season and is the sort of hard-hitting bat that would fit perfectly in a competitive environment. Perhaps San Diego? The Padres have been regularly linked with the longtime Chi-town batter.
LHP Carlos Rodon, Giants
There aren't many pitchers in baseball better than Carlos Rodon. He averaged 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings last year — a season where he finished fifth in AL Cy Young voting — and has followed it up by striking out...11.6 batters per nine innings. That's pretty decent.
The Giants were an absolute buzzsaw last year. They haven't been much of anything in 2022, limping to a .500 record through 102 games. That means Rodon could be on the move. And which contender wouldn't want an elite southpaw with filthy stuff and another season of team control? If Rodon goes, he will net a huge package.
RHP Noah Syndergaard, Angels
Thor could be coming to a ballpark near you.
There hasn't been too much to smile about in Tinseltown when it comes to the Angels. But Syndergaard is one of them, establishing himself as the second-best pitcher in LAA's rotation (I know, I know, that's not that much of an accomplishment).
After missing out on the 2020 season to get Tommy John surgery, Syndergaard finally looks back to his pre-injury form. He's posted back-to-back months with an ERA under 3.70 and seems generally more comfortable on the mound. With the Angels floundering, it seems he could be on the move very soon.
RHP Tyler Mahle, Reds
Mahle has been about average for Cincinnati in 2022. That's far better than most of his Reds teammates. And with Detroit starter — and fellow trade target — Tarik Skubal going down with left arm fatigue, it seems Mahle might be the best starter left on the market...assuming Rodon doesn't move.
In the circus of a hitter's park that Great American Ballpark is, Mahle has impressed. He had an ERA+ of 137 in 2020 and 125 in 2021. His FIP of 3.60 is promising and he should be able to contribute to a winning team immediately. Don't be surprised to see Mahle in new colors come Aug. 3.
IF Josh Bell, Nationals
Lost in the shuffle of the Juan Soto sweepstakes, Josh Bell has quietly been really really good for the Nats in 2022. He had an OPS of .823 last season and has upped it to .878 in 2022. He gets on base at a good clip. And he can absolutely crush a baseball.
Bell is exactly the type of bat that could make a real difference for a team looking for extra security in their lineup. Perhaps the Red Sox, perhaps the Mets, perhaps someone else? Either way, Bell likely won't be in the nation's capital come Wednesday.
RHP Pablo Lopez, Marlins
Jazz Chisholm's injury really took the wind out of the Miami's sail, man. And multiple reports indicate that everyone on the Marlins excluding NL Cy Young favorite Sandy Alcantara is free to go.
That includes Pablo Lopez, who has proceeded to blow away batters at an impressive rate since the start of last year.
Lopez had a 3.07 ERA in 2021 and has a 3.41 ERA now — one that's inflated by a blow-up start in his last outing. He's nothing if not consistent, doesn't rely on overwhelming velocity and has a proven track record. If he's available, someone's going to come knocking.
DH J.D. Martinez, Red Sox
The Red Sox have been one of the more confounding teams at this trade deadline, getting rid of Christian Vazquez before bringing in Reese McGuire and Tommy Pham in separate deals.
Nonetheless, Martinez, one of the game's elite designated hitters, is firmly entrenched on the trade block...if someone is willing to pay the price to get him.
Martinez just continues to rake, hitting .288/.354/.462 in Boston. It would take a lot to get him. But acquiring an experienced bat and perennial All-Star might just be worth it for one of those teams hoping to compete for a Commissioner's Trophy.
IF Brandon Drury, Reds
Drury doesn't quite have the name recognition as some of the other names on this list. But he's having quite the season for himself, mashing 20 homers and posting a 129 OPS+ so far.
With versatility — Drury can play at second and third base — and a dirt-cheap deal (Drury in making $900,000 this season), it seems as perfect time as any for Cincy to sell high on their skilled utility man.
