MLB insider predicts 'seller's market' at this year's trade deadline

The 2025 Major League Baseball season is underway and already almost halfway through two months.

Some teams have already established themselves as contenders, while others are sitting on the fringes. Either way, it's never too early to start talking about the trade deadline.

This year's deadline is on Thursday, July 31 at 6 p.m. Eastern Time. From there, the only transactions that can be made will involve waiver claims.

Relief pitchers are always in high demand at the trade deadline. Such was the case in 2024, as teams gave up some top prospects to get what they needed.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today recently predicted that relievers will be in high demand once again this year.

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"Several contending teams have already begun sending their scouts on the road to scour the market for potential available relief pitchers. It will be a seller’s market with so few high-quality relievers available this year."

Relief options appear to be thin this year. The top reliever available at the deadline will likely be St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley. He's in the final year of his contract and is coming off a career year which saw him save 49 games, setting a franchise record.

If St. Louis sells, expect him to be traded away. But it looks as though this year's trade market will favor sellers rather than buyers. Teams trading relievers can expect to bring back a few key prospects.

It will be interesting to see how things shake out.

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