The MLB trade deadline for 2025 is coming up fast, and by the end of this month, all 30 teams will likely know if they’re in a buying or selling position—or perhaps something in between.
It’s crucial for teams to make the right choices as the deadline approaches. In this landscape, borrowing from George Orwell’s Animal Farm, some teams really need to improve more than others. Three particular teams are poised to be sellers as the month wraps up. They may be smaller market teams, but they also have promising talent and the potential for future competition.
With the right decisions made in the coming days, they could transition into buyers in a year.
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles entered the 2025 MLB season with high hopes, thanks to their youthful core—players like Adri Latchman, Gunner Henderson, and Jackson Holiday.
However, their record of 16-34 early in the season put a damper on playoff aspirations. Though they’ve since improved to a 25-21 record, they’re still on the outside looking in. This rocky start has added pressure on manager Brandon Hyde and general manager Mike Elias.
Nonetheless, the Orioles have a promising future. They have a solid offensive foundation with players like Rutschman (under contract until 2027) and Henderson (contracted until 2028), alongside Holiday, Jordan Westburg, and Colton Cowser. Injury woes for pitchers like Kyle Bradish and Grayson Rodriguez have certainly been a setback this year.
The team has several veterans in the last year of their contracts who could be traded, including All-Star DH Ryan O’Hern and outfielder Cedric Mullins. While pitching has been a concern, the Orioles also possess veterans such as Charlie Morton and Stogano who could be moved before the deadline.
Despite the challenges, with a young core leading the way, Elias has the opportunity to keep the playoff hopes alive if he maneuvers wisely at this deadline.
Athletics
The Athletics are currently struggling at the bottom of the AL West with a record of 42-59, yet they boast a promising roster featuring rookies Jacob Wilson and Brent Rooker, alongside additional young players like Lawrence Butler, Max Muncie, and Tyler Soderstrom.
This young core gives them a chance to make moves. However, the returns they can expect for some players, like starting pitcher Louis Severino, are questionable. Severino’s performance isn’t exactly inspiring, with a 5.10 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP.
He is under contract for $47 million over the next two seasons before hitting free agency in 2028. Yet, with the deadline approaching, the Athletics are eager for pitching help, making him a potential trade piece. Teams might be interested in veteran right-handers hoping for a fresh start outside the temporary ballpark where the Athletics are currently playing.
General manager David Forst could look to move veterans like Severino or Luis Urias to facilitate a stronger push for next season.
Pittsburgh Pirates
A common thought might be “no,” but hear me out. The Pirates need to make some trades, especially to maximize the value of Paul Skenes, a highly sought-after pitcher.
As teams look for pitching support before the trade deadline, Pittsburgh is one of the few with depth in this area and needs to fortify its lineup. Skenes is under team control through 2029, bringing consistency to their rotation.
But Skenes isn’t the only one they have in their arsenal. The Pirates could also consider trading players like Andrew Heaney, who’s on the final year of his contract, while retaining younger talents like Bailey and Michael Burrows.
Additionally, 2021 third-round pick Bubba Chandler is currently at Triple-A Indianapolis with a decent 4-3 record and 3.39 ERA. Other notable prospects include left-handed pitcher Hunter Barco, who’s also showing solid stats, and Thomas Harrington, who is working through some challenges in the minors.
With all these options, moving Heaney or Keller could present a solid pathway for general manager Ben Charrington to enhance the Pirates’ lineup.
