Trade Deadline Approaches
With the MLB trade deadline just over a week away on August 3rd, the rumor mill is churning as teams jockey for position in the pennant race. Currently, only eight of the 30 teams in Major League Baseball are more than four games out of a playoff spot, which typically means there are eight sellers and 22 buyers. However, this season’s imbalance has created a seller’s market, where many teams are in limbo, and their fates will be decided in the final week before the deadline.
Nationals Plan to Balance Buying and Selling
The Washington Nationals have been one of the most pleasant surprises this season, sitting at 52-52, just three games out of a playoff spot. Despite this impressive record, the new front office still has a long-term plan and won’t blow it up in the midst of a season hovering around .500. Instead, they plan to balance things by making some additions before the deadline while remaining open to selling.
According to reports, the Nationals have their eyes on several players, including All-Stars Foster Griffin and C.J. Abrams, who are garnering interest from other teams. The big-league club is in need of pitching help, both in the rotation and the leaky bullpen. It’ll be interesting to see the balancing act from new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni.
Extension Talks Fizzle Between Nationals and Griffin
Griffin, 30, was one of the best free agent additions this past offseason, signing a one-year, $5.5 million deal with the Nationals. He’s been a standout performer, boasting an impressive 11-2 record with a 2.68 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 111 strikeouts in 117 ⅓ innings. However, extension talks between Griffin and the Nationals have fizzled quickly, according to the New York Post.
Mets Place Juan Soto on Injured List
Juan Soto, a gigantic name in baseball, has been placed on the injured list due to a calf strain, which is more significant than his earlier calf injury this season. The Mets expect him to be out for at least three weeks. This doesn’t change much for the Mets, who are one of the few obvious sellers, and Soto wasn’t going to be on the table anyway. Expect to see the likes of Freddy Peralta, Clay Holmes, A.J. Minter, and Luke Weaver, among others, discussed along with the unlikely-but-possible Francisco Lindor deal.
A’s Sign Former Cy Young Winner Dallas Keuchel
The Athletics have signed lefty Dallas Keuchel to a minor-league deal, according to ESPN. Keuchel, 38, hasn’t pitched in the majors since a four-start stint with the Brewers in 2024, where he pitched to a 5.40 ERA. He spent 2025 in Triple-A with the Royals organization, going 2-1 with a 3.53 ERA in seven starts. This signing could be a boost for the Athletics, who are looking to bolster their roster before the trade deadline.
