There are more projected buyers than sellers, which makes predicting which relievers may lose their leverage roles challenging. Instead of splitting this into two separate columns, the market trends will explore the sellers, teams taking a hybrid approach (buy and sell), and the buyers.
Projected Sellers
Teams will be interested in the left-handed options, especially ones that could face the Dodgers. How deep the Royals’ sell goes depends on what they can get for Daniel Lynch IV. Same for the Angels; Ryan Zeferjahn has been mentioned as available, but any setback for Ben Joyce may remove him from trade conversations. San Francisco may deal a reliever or two, but most reports suggest they are trying to unload hitting contracts and players on expiring contracts, which the bullpen does not have.
Projected Hybrids
A.J. Preller holds the best chips in this grouping. If he can get two top-100 prospects or one with a major league-ready starting pitcher, Mason Miller may be moved. There are varied reports about how San Diego will proceed, but the next two series may determine the team’s modus operandi for the trade deadline. St. Louis has tough decisions as well. A recent run of losses makes threading the needle between competing now and preparing the best possible roster for 2027 difficult.
Minnesota needs relievers, but also can take advantage of a seller’s market. Same for Miami. If Toronto can shed Jeff Hoffman, they will. A reunion in Philadelphia may be best for the beleaguered reliever.
Projected Buyers
The buyers will undergo changes over the next 10 days as well. Some teams may migrate toward the hybrid approach at the trade deadline, while others could decide to sell. The Pittsburgh prediction seems like a long shot, but it’s time to push the chips in; windows close rapidly in this game.
This weekend and the first series for each team next week may shift some of these teams’ designations and plans for postseason pursuits, meaning this will be updated multiple times as the trade deadline approaches.
Entering game play on July 24:
Trade Deadline Glossary
BUY+ = A reliever with a strong chance (50 percent or higher) of becoming a closer after the trade deadline.
BUY = A reliever with a slight chance (20 percent or higher) of becoming a closer after the trade deadline.
SELL = A reliever with a slight chance (20 percent or lower) of losing the closer role by the trade deadline.
SELL+ = A reliever wth a strong chance (50 percent or higher) of losing the closer role as a result of the trade deadline.
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Statistical Credits: