MLB · 5 months ago

2025 MLB Trade Deadline: 8 Closers Ranked From Least to Most Likely to be Dealt

SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball

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1. Rentals Ready to Move – Ryan Helsley
Team: St. Louis Cardinals

Ryan Helsley is the biggest bullpen name to watch if St. Louis decides to pivot from a tight NL Wild Card battle to retooling for the future. While the flamethrower hasn’t been as dominant this year, his raw stuff is still electric — enough for contenders to envision him slamming the door in the ninth. If the Cards shop him, expect a bidding war.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
8. High-End Arms With Control – David Bednar
Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

David Bednar struggled last year and opened 2025 in Triple-A, but he’s back with a vengeance — over his previous 25 appearances, he sports a 2.35 ERA and 36.7% K rate, with a 1.75 SIERA that ranks fourth-best in the majors over that stretch. With one arbitration year left, Bednar could easily headline the bullpen trade market if Pittsburgh decides to flip him.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.
7. High-End Arms With Control – Emmanuel Clase
Team: Cleveland Guardians

Emmanuel Clase is the longest shot to get traded — his team-friendly contract (five years, $20M with two cheap club options) is the envy of baseball. He’s only 27, makes under $5M this year, and anchors Cleveland’s bullpen perfectly. But if they shop him, they’ll field some jaw-dropping offers.

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6. High-End Arms With Control – Carlos Estévez
Team: Kansas City Royals

Carlos Estévez has stabilized Kansas City’s ninth inning with a sharp 2.05 ERA over 30 outings. Signed on a two-year, $22.2M deal with a $13M club option for 2027, he’s an appealing piece for any bullpen puzzle — if the Royals decide the return is worth it.

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5. High-End Arms With Control – Félix Bautista
Team: Baltimore Orioles

Back from Tommy John, Felix Bautista is regaining elite form — despite a slight spike in walks, his ERA sits below 3.00, and he’s striking out over 30% of hitters. Like Jhoan Duran, he’s under control for two more seasons. If Baltimore surprises the market, his name will light up every contender’s wish list.
4. High-End Arms With Control – Jhoan Duran
Team: Minnesota Twins

Arguably, the nastiest closer on the block if Minnesota decides to listen. Jhoan Duran owns a 1.64 ERA through 33 innings and 10 saves, and he’s under team control for two more years after this one. For clubs needing multiple shots at October, he’s worth a haul of prospects.
3. Rentals Ready to Move – Kyle Finnegan
Team: Washington Nationals

Kyle Finnegan might not grab headlines, but he’s quietly reliable with a track record of a sub-4 ERA over six seasons. He’s improved his HR/FB rate dramatically this year and gets plenty of ground balls — exactly what you want protecting slim playoff leads. Teams searching for late-inning steadiness will make the call.
2. Rentals Ready to Move – Aroldis Chapman
Team: Boston Red Sox

Drama has swirled in Boston, but Aroldis Chapman remains elite at age 37. His heater still hits 99 mph, and he’s punching out nearly 12.5 per nine innings while walking a career-low 2.61 per nine. His 1.45 ERA and 2.00 FIP prove he’s aging like fine wine. If Boston eats some of his $10.75 M deal, they’ll get real value back. History says good things happen for teams who add Chapman at the deadline — he’s worn a ring each time.
1. Rentals Ready to Move – Ryan Helsley
Team: St. Louis Cardinals

Ryan Helsley is the biggest bullpen name to watch if St. Louis decides to pivot from a tight NL Wild Card battle to retooling for the future. While the flamethrower hasn’t been as dominant this year, his raw stuff is still electric — enough for contenders to envision him slamming the door in the ninth. If the Cards shop him, expect a bidding war.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
8. High-End Arms With Control – David Bednar
Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

David Bednar struggled last year and opened 2025 in Triple-A, but he’s back with a vengeance — over his previous 25 appearances, he sports a 2.35 ERA and 36.7% K rate, with a 1.75 SIERA that ranks fourth-best in the majors over that stretch. With one arbitration year left, Bednar could easily headline the bullpen trade market if Pittsburgh decides to flip him.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.

2025 MLB Trade Deadline: 8 Closers Ranked From Least to Most Likely to be Dealt

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