Here we are, arriving at that magical time of the season: the Major League Baseball trade deadline.
For baseball junkies, this is one of the most exciting times of the year — the day teams on the fence have to decide whether they’re in or out if they want to contend for one of this season’s coveted playoff spots.
MONDAY MADNESS: A recap of the trades made and rumored as July came to a close
USA TODAY Sports will provide all the latest news, rumors, analysis and more in the frenzied run up to this evening’s deadline. Follow along with us.
When is the MLB trade deadline 2023?
The MLB trade deadline this year is 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday. All deals have to be finalized and submitted to the commissioner’s office by then.
FOLLOW THE MONEY: MLB player salaries and payrolls for every major league team
MLB trade deadline tracker
USA TODAY Sports has been on top of all the deals that have gone down as the deadline approaches, providing details and analysis of what each trade means. Check it out.
Could a Justin Verlander blockbuster be in the works?
All eyes will be on Justin Verlander and the New York Mets as deadline day progresses. The disappointing Mets have already dealt away co-ace Max Scherzer, outfielder Mark Canha and closer David Robertson in the past week. Could Verlander be next?
USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale says the Mets have had discussions with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros regarding the three-time Cy Young award winner.
And of course, it wouldn’t be a normal trade deadline without the dreaded “mystery team” potentially being involved as well.
The Dodgers have renewed their interest in Verlander in recent days – after making an offer for the pitcher last season – but his contract has been seen as a “big hurdle” in discussions, Nightengale says.
Closer carousel continues to spin
Relief pitching is usually a hot commodity at the trade deadline. This season has been no different with several teams getting much-needed help at the back of the bullpen.
The Arizona Diamondbacks haven’t have a single pitcher record double-digit saves this season, but they gained some ninth-inning stability by acquiring closer Paul Sewald from Seattle on Monday. Sewald posted a 2.93 ERA and 21 saves in 45 games for the Mariners.
The Toronto Blue Jays saw All-Star closer Jason Romano go on the injured list with back issues, so they promptly picked up Jordan Hicks from the St. Louis Cardinals. The flamethrower with a 102 mph fastball struggled early this season, but has pitched to a 1.88 ERA over his last 28 2/3 innings with eight saves in nine opportunities.
The Miami Marlins started the dominoes tumbling last Friday by acquiring veteran David Robertson from the New York Mets. He picked up his 15th save of the season in his first appearance for Miami, tossing a scoreless ninth against Detroit on July 30.
Cubs go from sellers to buyers
Once thought to be looking to unload veterans Cody Bellinger and Marcus Stroman, the Chicago Cubs have reversed course as the deadline approaches.
The Cubs added third baseman Jeimer Candelario from the Washington Nationals on Monday in exchange for Class AA left-hander DJ Herz and 20-year-old shortstop prospect Kevin Made. Candelario, signed as a free agent by the Nationals this past offseason, is hitting a .258 with 53 RBI and 16 home runs.
Chicago also landed right-handed reliever José Cuas from the Kansas City Royals for outfielder Nelson Velázquez, who has split time this season between the majors and Class AAA Iowa.
MLB standings
Entering play Tuesday, your division leaders looked like this. Here are the complete standings.
- AL East: Baltimore Orioles (+1.5 games over Tampa Bay)
- AL Central: Minnesota Twins (+1 over Cleveland)
- AL West: Texas Rangers (+0.5 over Houston)
- NL East: Atlanta Braves (+11 over Philadelphia)
- NL Central: Cincinnati Reds (+1.5 over Milwaukee)
- NL West: Los Angeles Dodgers (+2.5 over San Francisco)
