With the MLB trade deadline looming next Thursday, teams are in a rush to finalize their trades. For instance, the Mariners recently secured Josh Naylor from the Diamondbacks, while the Yankees acquired Ryan McMahon from the Rockies.

Cardinals Open to Offers for Arenado and Gray

Reports indicate that the St. Louis Cardinals are open to trades for third baseman Nolan Arenado and ace pitcher Sonny Gray. Despite being in the hunt for a wild card, they’re also exploring options to trade closer Ryan Helsley and setup relievers Steven Matz and Phil Maton. Katie Woo of The Athletic notes that the Cardinals are discussing potential offers for both Arenado and Gray to assess the possibilities for restructuring the team.

Arenado, 34, who remains a top defensive third baseman, has underwhelmed offensively but still commands considerable interest due to his skills. On the other hand, the 35-year-old Gray is experiencing issues at run prevention, although he tops the league in strikeout-to-walk ratio. Both players have significant no-trade clauses, which could complicate their potential moves.

Meanwhile, rumors suggest that All-Star utility player Brendan Donovan is being watched by several teams, including the Dodgers and Yankees. Donovan, practically a utility player, has made a notable impact this season.

The Rays’ Potential Shift to Sellers

The Tampa Bay Rays, currently trailing the Blue Jays by nine games, are contemplating a sell decision as the trade deadline approaches. Their recent struggles, with only a 6-13 record in July, has prompted speculation of possibly trading key players, including Pete Fairbanks and Zack Littell, as part of re-evaluating their 2025 strategy.