MLB trade deadline: teams classified as buyers and sellers with one week left
With the August 3 trade deadline a week away, MLB analysts categorize eight clubs as clear buyers, several others as likely buyers, a handful as likely sellers, and eight as obvious sellers.
The Major League Baseball trade deadline is set for Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. ET, leaving teams one week to negotiate deals. Analysts note that only eight clubs are more than 3½ games out of a playoff spot, making them the primary sellers, while the remaining clubs are positioned to buy.
Teams identified as obvious buyers include the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Tampa Bay Rays. These clubs are either defending playoff participants or have a realistic chance to advance deep into the postseason.
A broader group of likely buyers—Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Guardians, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers—are within striking distance of a playoff berth and may consider adding talent.
The analysis also lists teams that could be sellers but are not far from contention, such as the Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins, and Washington Nationals. Their positions suggest they might trade assets if they fall further behind.
Likely sellers are the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, and Toronto Blue Jays, each sitting within a game and a half to a wild-card spot but facing pressure to move players.
Finally, eight clubs are classified as obvious sellers: the Oakland Athletics, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants. All are at least nine games from a playoff position, making a sell-off the most viable option.
"The trade deadline is a seller's market ahead of Aug. 3," the analysis notes.