MLB · 3 months ago

9 Mock MLB Trade Deadline Deals That Could Shake Up Baseball

SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball

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Yankees Reboot the Infield | Suarez and Gallen Combo Deal
** Editor's Note: Eugenio Suarez was traded to the Seattle Mariners **

Mock Trade:
Yankees receive: 3B Eugenio Suarez, SP Zac Gallen
Diamondbacks receive: RHP Carlos Lagrange (No. 82), RHP Bryce Cunningham (No. 4), C/3B Jesus Rodriguez (No. 9)

Breakdown:
Although they ultimately pivoted to Ryan McMahon, this mock still explores a mega-deal for Suarez (36 HR, 86 RBI) and Gallen (5.58 ERA, but with ace pedigree). The New York Yankees could try to fix Gallen or opt for Merrill Kelly’s steadiness instead.

The return: electric righty Carlos Lagrange (113 K in 77.1 IP), Vanderbilt alum Bryce Cunningham (1.93 ERA in High-A), and .313-hitting catcher/third baseman Jesus Rodriguez. It’s a bold deadline swing for a team hunting AL East supremacy.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
Mariners Turn to Marcell Ozuna for Power Plan B
** Editor's Note Eugenio Suarez was traded to the Seattle Mariners **

With Eugenio Suarez trade buzz heating up, the Seattle Mariners know they need to stay aggressive. If Geno lands elsewhere, Seattle could shift its focus to a veteran masher in Marcell Ozuna — and slot him directly into their DH spot.

The contract is steep (still owed around $5 million), but if the M’s are willing to absorb that, they could get Ozuna for a reasonable return. And while he’s slumped badly since June (.169 AVG, 53 wRC+), Ozuna still brings serious pop and postseason experience. A change of scenery to a playoff hunt could be exactly what he needs.

Mock Package:

RHP Michael Morales (Mariners No. 11 prospect)

Morales is a high-variance arm — once dominant in 2024 (2.36 ERA, 4.9% BB rate in High-A), but now searching for consistency in Double-A with a bloated walk rate (9.8%). At 22 years old, he’s the kind of project the Atlanta Braves could value. Seattle’s betting that Ozuna still has a hot streak in him — and they’re one of the few teams that can take that gamble without mortgaging the future.

*Numbers in parentheses following player names are prospect rankings

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.
Reds Make a Smart Push with Ryan O’Hearn
** Editor's Note Adam Serwinowski was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays **

The Cincinnati Reds are just two games back in the Wild Card race and have the rotation foundation to be dangerous in October — they just need more firepower. Enter Ryan O’Hearn, a left-handed slugger with 12 home runs, a 133 wRC+, and All-Star credentials in 2025. He’s a rental, but he fits this roster perfectly as a plug-and-play DH or first baseman.

Only Elly De La Cruz has more home runs in Cincinnati, and O’Hearn’s veteran bat would bring stability to the heart of the lineup. With Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Hunter Greene healthy, this is a win-now window worth leaning into.

Mock Package:

LHP Adam Serwinowski (Reds No. 14 prospect)

OF Ethan O’Donnell (Reds No. 15 prospect)

Cincinnati doesn’t touch its top 10 prospects here — and still brings in a legit difference-maker. Serwinowski has hit turbulence in High-A (4.84 ERA), but flashed promise in Low-A. O’Donnell, adjusting to Double-A, has struggled this year (.635 OPS), but offers athletic upside in center. For the Baltimore Orioles, it’s a fair return on a short-term piece — and if the Reds want to sweeten the pot, they could even tack on a bullpen rental like Seranthony Dominguez in a combo deal.
Cubs Swing Big for Joe Ryan
Mock Trade:
Cubs receive: Joe Ryan
Twins receive: C Moises Ballesteros (No. 54), 2B/SS Jefferson Rojas (No. 66), RHP Jaxon Wiggins (No. 100)

Breakdown:
The Chicago Cubs solidify their playoff rotation by targeting Joe Ryan, who owns a stellar 2.63 ERA across 116.1 innings. With team control through 2027, Ryan is one of the most valuable starters on the market.

The Minnesota Twins haul includes top-100 catcher Moises Ballesteros (.332/.392/.497, 9 HR in Triple-A), rising middle infielder Jefferson Rojas (11 HR, 138 wRC+ in High-A), and high-upside righty Jaxon Wiggins (2.02 ERA, 79 K in 62.2 IP). If the Twins decide to retool, this deal would be hard to pass up.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.
Mets Load Up Their Bullpen | Bednar & Santana from Pirates
Mock Trade:
Mets receive: David Bednar, Dennis Santana
Pirates receive: Ronny Mauricio (MLB), Nick Morabito (AA), Jack Wenninger (AA), RJ Gordon (AA)

Breakdown:
The New York Mets already added Gregory Soto, but they may not be done yet. In this proposed deal, they swing for the fences and land Pittsburgh’s dynamic relief duo—David Bednar and Dennis Santana. Bednar hasn’t allowed a run in 23 straight appearances and owns a 1.50 ERA since April 19. Santana has been even better, posting a 1.42 ERA across 44 games.

Ronny Mauricio gives the Pirates a plug-and-play MLB infielder, while Nick Morabito’s 33 steals and .780 OPS in Double-A make him a solid future contributor. Two arms—Wenninger (2.96 ERA, 109 K in 91.1 IP) and Gordon—round out a deep, versatile return for a Pittsburgh team in need of upside bats and pitching depth.

Swing for the Fences with SportsGrid’s free daily MLB Game Picks and MLB Prop Picks.
Phillies Add Speed & Versatility | Trade for Jarren Duran
Mock Trade:
Phillies receive: OF Jarren Duran
Red Sox receive: RHP Mick Abel, SS Aidan Miller (No. 39), OF Justin Crawford

Breakdown:
Fresh off re-signing David Robertson, the Philadelphia Phillies go all-in by acquiring speedster Jarren Duran to fix their outfield. Pairing Duran with Trea Turner at the top of the lineup makes this a dynamic attack.

The price is steep—top pitching prospect Mick Abel (1.80 ERA at Triple-A), power-upside shortstop Aidan Miller, and on-base machine Justin Crawford (.325 BA, 29 SB). This trade adds a three-year controlled sparkplug and protects Philly’s future even as it fuels a championship push.
Blue Jays Land an Elite Closer | Jhoan Duran from Twins
** Editor's Note: Jhoan Duran was Traded to the Philadelphia Phillies **

Mock Trade:
Blue Jays receive: Jhoan Duran
Twins receive: INF Josh Kasevich (No. 4), RHP Khal Stephen (No. 5), LHP Johnny King (No. 11)

Breakdown:
The Toronto Blue Jays boast the best record in baseball and now add elite closer Jhoan Duran (101.6 MPH avg fastball). He comes with two more years of control, making him a perfect fit for both the present and the future.

In return, the Twins get a polished infielder in Josh Kasevich (Triple-A, .325 BA last year), breakout righty Khal Stephen (2.06 ERA across 91.2 IP), and teenage strikeout machine Johnny King (67 Ks in 37 IP). This deal keeps Toronto's top three prospects intact while delivering elite bullpen help.
Dodgers Go Nuclear | Add Steven Kwan & Emmanuel Clase
Mock Trade:
Dodgers receive: OF Steven Kwan, RP Emmanuel Clase
Guardians receive: C Dalton Rushing (No. 8), SS Alex Freeland (No. 53), LHP Jackson Ferris, OF Eduardo Quintero (No. 76)

Breakdown:
A massive two-player blockbuster sends the Cleveland Guardians’ elite contact bat Kwan and All-Star closer Clase to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kwan (.300+ BA, Gold Glove defense) and Clase (2.80 ERA, 22 saves) give the Dodgers controllable, playoff-tested stars.

In return, the Guardians land a monster package, including elite catching prospect Dalton Rushing (.308/.424/.514 in Triple-A), tools-laden SS Freeland, former top LHP Ferris, and Low-A breakout Eduardo Quintero (160 wRC+, 14 HR at age 19). This is the type of deal that shakes up October—and beyond.
Mets Take a Center Field Swing | Trade for Luis Robert Jr.
Mock Trade:
Mets receive: Luis Robert Jr.
White Sox receive: OF Drew Gilbert (Triple-A)

Breakdown:
The New York Mets upgrade center field by trading for Luis Robert Jr., hoping to reignite the All-Star slugger’s 2023 form. While Robert’s recent production has lagged (just 10 HR, .179 BA vs RHP), he continues to mash lefties with a .294/.422/.544 slash line.

Robert’s $15M salary plus $2M buyout lowers his trade cost, and instead of moving MLB slugger Mark Vientos, the Mets ship off outfielder Drew Gilbert. Gilbert, now healthy, is red-hot in Triple-A (.333/.403/.696 in July) and gives the rebuilding Chicago White Sox a near-MLB-ready outfielder with above-average upside and first-round pedigree.
Yankees Reboot the Infield | Suarez and Gallen Combo Deal
** Editor's Note: Eugenio Suarez was traded to the Seattle Mariners **

Mock Trade:
Yankees receive: 3B Eugenio Suarez, SP Zac Gallen
Diamondbacks receive: RHP Carlos Lagrange (No. 82), RHP Bryce Cunningham (No. 4), C/3B Jesus Rodriguez (No. 9)

Breakdown:
Although they ultimately pivoted to Ryan McMahon, this mock still explores a mega-deal for Suarez (36 HR, 86 RBI) and Gallen (5.58 ERA, but with ace pedigree). The New York Yankees could try to fix Gallen or opt for Merrill Kelly’s steadiness instead.

The return: electric righty Carlos Lagrange (113 K in 77.1 IP), Vanderbilt alum Bryce Cunningham (1.93 ERA in High-A), and .313-hitting catcher/third baseman Jesus Rodriguez. It’s a bold deadline swing for a team hunting AL East supremacy.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
Mariners Turn to Marcell Ozuna for Power Plan B
** Editor's Note Eugenio Suarez was traded to the Seattle Mariners **

With Eugenio Suarez trade buzz heating up, the Seattle Mariners know they need to stay aggressive. If Geno lands elsewhere, Seattle could shift its focus to a veteran masher in Marcell Ozuna — and slot him directly into their DH spot.

The contract is steep (still owed around $5 million), but if the M’s are willing to absorb that, they could get Ozuna for a reasonable return. And while he’s slumped badly since June (.169 AVG, 53 wRC+), Ozuna still brings serious pop and postseason experience. A change of scenery to a playoff hunt could be exactly what he needs.

Mock Package:

RHP Michael Morales (Mariners No. 11 prospect)

Morales is a high-variance arm — once dominant in 2024 (2.36 ERA, 4.9% BB rate in High-A), but now searching for consistency in Double-A with a bloated walk rate (9.8%). At 22 years old, he’s the kind of project the Atlanta Braves could value. Seattle’s betting that Ozuna still has a hot streak in him — and they’re one of the few teams that can take that gamble without mortgaging the future.

*Numbers in parentheses following player names are prospect rankings

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

9 Mock MLB Trade Deadline Deals That Could Shake Up Baseball

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