MLB · 3 months ago

2025 MLB Trade Deadline: 8 Deals With Perfect Player-Team Fits

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Luis Robert Jr. to the Mets
Luis Robert Jr. has been in a prolonged slump for the Chicago White Sox, but the post-All-Star break version looks revived. He brings elite defense, power vs. lefties, and base-stealing potential. What he lacks is consistency hitting righties, which has capped his overall production in 2025.

The New York Mets are frontrunners, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, and they should be. Robert is under contract, has a sky-high ceiling, and could complete a terrifying outfield trio with Juan Soto and Brandon Nimmo.

It’s a boom-or-bust swing that fits what New York needs.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
Cedric Mullins & Charlie Morton to the Padres
The San Diego Padres are desperate for both outfield help and starting pitching depth. Enter the Baltimore Orioles. Cedric Mullins has been solid, posting a 103 wRC+ with 15 home runs and 14 stolen bases, even if his production cooled post-May.

Pairing him with Charlie Morton would help the Padres cover two gaps. Morton got rocked early this season (9.38 ERA as of May 7), but has since returned to form with a 3.62 ERA over his last 69 2/3 innings, going 7-1 during that span.

A two-bird-one-stone move.

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MacKenzie Gore Joins Garrett Crochet in Boston
The Boston Red Sox are already seeing returns from their trade for Garrett Crochet. So why not double down? MacKenzie Gore is an All-Star this year (3.52 ERA, 144 K in 117.2 IP) for the Washington Nationals and has frontline potential.

With two years of control remaining, Gore fits Boston’s build. Locking him up alongside Crochet gives the Sox two electric lefties to build around—and terrorize the AL East for years to come.
Zac Gallen Gets a Reset with the Astros
Zac Gallen is having the worst season of his career, but the upside remains. He’s shown flashes of his Cy Young-contending self with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and a move to the Houston Astros could unlock another level.

The Astros have a proven track record of fixing pitchers. Add Gallen behind Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez, and suddenly, Houston has a three-headed monster to ride through October.

This would be a buy-low, win-big move for the defending champs.
Joe Ryan Becomes Cubs’ Ace
The Chicago Cubs have been active but lack a true frontline ace. Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins would solve that. He’s under control through 2027, comes with playoff poise, and has the kind of K-BB profile that plays against elite competition.

He’d join Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd atop a suddenly dangerous Cubs rotation.

If Chicago wants to win now and later, Ryan is the guy.
Shane Bieber Takes a Wild Card Shot with the Mets
This is the high-risk, high-reward move. Shane Bieber hasn’t pitched in an MLB game since early 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. But he just tossed four innings of 1-run ball with seven strikeouts in Double-A, and the Mets might be intrigued.

With their rotation healthy and top prospects nearing readiness, the New York Mets don’t need Bieber. But if he can regain his form (3.22 career ERA, 2020 AL Cy Young), he becomes the ultimate playoff X-factor.
Nestor Cortes Returns to the Yankees
The New York Yankees need rotation help in the worst way, and who better to bring back than a Bronx fan favorite? Nestor Cortes, now with the Milwaukee Brewers after being part of the Devin Williams deal last offseason, has pitched just eight innings this year due to an early-season elbow injury but is nearing a return.

The Brewers patched up their rotation so effectively that Cortes is now expendable. If healthy, Cortes can slot into the Yankees’ back-end and provide the quirky, soft-tossing energy they’ve lacked.

This reunion feels inevitable—and needed.
Eugenio Suarez to Phillies, Alec Bohm to D-backs
This one’s spicy. Eugenio Suarez gives the Philadelphia Phillies a right-handed power bat to sandwich between Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. He’s not flashy but can still drop 30 HRs.

On the flip side, the Arizona Diamondbacks get a young corner infielder in Alec Bohm, who still has upside and years of control. Bohm plays well in fast infields like Chase Field and could thrive with regular ABs.

A rare win-win challenge trade.
Luis Robert Jr. to the Mets
Luis Robert Jr. has been in a prolonged slump for the Chicago White Sox, but the post-All-Star break version looks revived. He brings elite defense, power vs. lefties, and base-stealing potential. What he lacks is consistency hitting righties, which has capped his overall production in 2025.

The New York Mets are frontrunners, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, and they should be. Robert is under contract, has a sky-high ceiling, and could complete a terrifying outfield trio with Juan Soto and Brandon Nimmo.

It’s a boom-or-bust swing that fits what New York needs.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
Cedric Mullins & Charlie Morton to the Padres
The San Diego Padres are desperate for both outfield help and starting pitching depth. Enter the Baltimore Orioles. Cedric Mullins has been solid, posting a 103 wRC+ with 15 home runs and 14 stolen bases, even if his production cooled post-May.

Pairing him with Charlie Morton would help the Padres cover two gaps. Morton got rocked early this season (9.38 ERA as of May 7), but has since returned to form with a 3.62 ERA over his last 69 2/3 innings, going 7-1 during that span.

A two-bird-one-stone move.

Swing for the Fences with SportsGrid’s free daily MLB Game Picks and MLB Prop Picks.

2025 MLB Trade Deadline: 8 Deals With Perfect Player-Team Fits

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