Welcome to Part 2 of our MLB Trade Deadline open thread. Someday soon this is all moving to a new platform, but for now, these suckers crash as we approach 500 comments, so it’s on to the next one!
Key Dates and Rules
- Deadline: July 31, 2025, at 6 p.m. ET is the deadline for teams to trade players on 40-man rosters. After this, trades are no longer permitted, though players can still be claimed on outright waivers.
- No August Waiver Trades: Since 2019, the August waiver trade period was eliminated, making July 31 the only deadline for trades. I have to remind myself of this all the time, so I’m reminding you too.
Rays moves
- Traded C Danny Jansen to Milwaukee Brewers for prospect INF Jadher Areinamo (link)
- Acquired C Nick Fortes from Miami Marlins for prospect OF Matthew Etzel (link)
What will the Rays do?
Erik Neander has been consistent over the years in his approach to the trade deadline: turn salary commitments into prospects, while keeping the current team afloat. The lone exception to that pattern was trading future All-Star Joe Ryan for a paltry performance from Nelson Cruz, so don’t expect that to happen again.
Last year the team executed a fire sale of many veteran players like Randy Arozarena, Isaac Paredes, and Zach Eflin. Personally, I’m expecting more of the same for veterans like Brandon Lowe, Yandy Diaz, and HSK; however, it is worth reiterating that the Rays are seemingly good enough this year for the playoffs.
Six teams make the playoffs for each league, and the Rays are one of eight teams with a positive run differential. They are 2.5 games out of the playoffs as of publishing.
For more on the Rays mentality this season, here’s an interview with Erik Neander from WTSP.
