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MLB Trade Deadline 2025: 8 MLB Game Changers Who Could Be Moved and Where They Might Land

Colin Lynch Written by Sports EditorColin Lynch
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MLB Trade Deadline 2025: 8 MLB Game Changers Who Could Be Moved and Where They Might Land

Explore eight MLB trade candidates ahead of the 2025 deadline, including potential landing spots for pitchers, sluggers, and rising talent.

The box scores still matter, but now, so do the rumors. The standings remain tight, but eyes begin drifting toward the future. The trade deadline looms—not just as a date, but as a reckoning.

Front offices must decide: hold on to hope or lean into reality? In clubhouses across the league, players glance at their phones a little more often, wondering if their next flight is home… or to somewhere new.

It’s mid-June, and while the playoff picture remains murky for many, the stakes are crystal clear. Some teams will buy. Others will sell. And a handful of names—veterans, breakouts, and under-the-radar contributors—are already being whispered about in dugouts and decision rooms.

Below, we examine eight players who could be on the move—and the teams that might come calling.

Tyler Anderson, LHP, Angels

The left-hander’s recent struggles have clouded what was otherwise a strong start to the season. In his first 11 outings, Tyler Anderson posted a 3.39 ERA, showing veteran poise that could stabilize a playoff rotation. The Angels, hovering around .500, remain close in the Wild Card picture, but with four teams separating them from contention, they may be forced to make a decision. At 34, Anderson offers experience and reliability—two traits contenders prize when the stakes rise. For a team just a piece away, he could be the difference between watching October and playing in it.

Potential fits: Cubs, Orioles, Twins

Jake Bird, RHP, Rockies

Colorado doesn’t have much to offer on the trade front, but Jake Bird is quietly putting together a season worth attention. With a 2.23 ERA across 40+ innings, Bird has been a bright spot in an otherwise dim campaign. His age (29) and three more years of club control only boost his value. In a market short on high-leverage relievers, Bird’s ability to generate weak contact and navigate pressure could make him a sneaky difference-maker for a contender’s bullpen down the stretch.

Potential fits: D-backs, Mariners, Phillies, Reds

Kyle Finnegan, RHP, Nationals

Finnegan has become a model of consistency in the late innings for Washington. With 18 saves and a 3.12 ERA, his stock continues to rise. A 2024 All-Star, Finnegan thrives on inducing ground balls and throws a fastball that flirts with triple digits. The Nationals may not be ready to contend, but Finnegan’s market will be aggressive, especially for clubs needing a closer or a bridge to one. He’s built for high-leverage innings—and playoff intensity.

Potential fits: Blue Jays, Mets, Phillies, Reds

Andrew Heaney, LHP, Pirates

No, it’s not Paul Skenes or Mitch Keller. But Andrew Heaney is a valuable chip in his own right. On a one-year deal, the veteran has a 3.33 ERA through 14 starts and brings October experience with him. For pitching-needy teams looking for cost-effective options, Heaney is a strong candidate. The Pirates are still building, and moving Heaney would align with long-term goals while helping a contender in need of rotation depth.

Potential fits: Astros, Dodgers, Cubs

Ryan McMahon, 3B, Rockies

He’s long been considered part of the Rockies’ core, but that chapter may be ending. Ryan McMahon has heated up since May, showcasing power and plate discipline while flashing elite defense at third. His contract—affordable for his production—makes him a particularly attractive trade target. If the Rockies finally choose a true rebuild, McMahon could headline it. He’s 30, experienced, and in the top tier of defensive third basemen.

Potential fits: Brewers, Tigers, Twins, Yankees

Freddy Peralta, RHP, Brewers

Peralta represents the kind of bold move that could redefine the deadline. Still under team control at a modest cost, he’d command a haul in return. Milwaukee’s front office has a history of selling high on arms, and if they slip further in the standings, Peralta could be the next domino. With electric stuff and playoff-caliber command, he’s the kind of pitcher who could close out October—or start it with authority.

Potential fits: Blue Jays, Braves, Orioles, Yankees

Luis Robert Jr., CF, White Sox

The tools have never been the question. For Luis Robert Jr., it’s about consistency. Batting under .200 this season, the center fielder has still managed to steal 21 bases and patrol the outfield with fluid grace. For a contender with room to gamble, Robert offers tantalizing upside—and control through 2027. A new home and playoff push might be the jolt he needs to return to All-Star form.

Potential fits: Mets, Padres, Phillies

Jesús Sánchez, RF, Marlins

Amid a slow sell-off in Miami, Sánchez stands out. He’s 27, has real pop, a cannon arm, and enough defensive value to intrigue. He may not be the prize of the deadline, but for a team needing corner outfield help, Sánchez could be a low-cost, high-reward play. In a year thin on power bats, his profile plays bigger than the box score.

Potential fits: Guardians, Padres, Royals

Colin Lynch Written by Sports EditorColin Lynch
Colin Lynch covers the NFL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the New England Patriots. His sports coverage has been featured on The Sports Daily and Basketball Insiders, as well as FanSided's Chowder & Champions. A New Hampshire native and former D1 baseball player at St. John's University, Colin was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2008 and enjoyed a four-year professional baseball career.
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