2025 MLB Trade Deadline Rumor Tracker: Skenes, McCutchen reportedly only Pirates’ untouchables

The 2025 MLB trade deadline is Thursday, July 31 at 6 p.m. ET, but there will be plenty of trade talk and transactions that take place beforehand.

Here are trade rumors around the sport:

Pirates reportedly open to selling anyone but Skenes, McCutchen

The Pirates, who have the third-worst record in the MLB, are obvious sellers at the trade deadline. And, there are only two players they won’t offload — each for a completely different reasons. Young star pitcher Paul Skenes, and veteran, franchise-icon outfielder Andrew McCutchen. The Pirates are maintaining Skenes is the cornerstone of their future, while McCutchen doesn’t want to be traded out of Pittsburgh, and the team is respecting his wishes. 

Cubs eyeing a pair of Marlins right-handers

Chicago has expressed interest in acquiring Miami right-handers Sandy Alcanatara and Edward Cabrera, among other starting pitchers, according to The Athletic. Alcantara, the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner, is having a rough season in what’s his first one back from Tommy John surgery, as he has posted a 6.69 ERA in 15 starts. Cabrera has posted a 3.78 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 13 starts.

Alcantara is under contract through 2027, while Cabrera is under contract through 2028. The Cubs are atop the National League Central at 47-33, but their starting rotation has underwhelmed, owning a combined 4.26 ERA, which ranks 22nd in MLB.

Phillies president speaks on bullpen

Philadelphia is atop the National League East at 47-32. If one were to pinpoint a weakness for this club, it’s the bullpen, which has a collective 4.63 ERA, good for 25th in MLB. However, Phillies president Dave Dombrowski offered up his perspective on how the team can improve its bullpen internally.

“The postseason bullpen is a lot different than the regular-season bullpen because in the National League this year, if you advance past the wild-card round … you play five games [in the next round, the NLDS]. Well, the way the schedule is [with an extra off day], you only need three starting pitchers during that time period. So if you have five [starters], two of them can go into the bullpen as it is there,” Dombrowksi said, according to The Athletic. “Plus, if you have additional [surplus starters], they can go into the bullpen there.”

That said, the Phillies executive conceded that a team can’t get complacent with its standing.

“You may give up a little bit more than you would want to in other circumstances. But that opportunity [to win it all] doesn’t always come,” Dombrowski said. “And I always tell people: Don’t take it for granted when you’re in a position where you’re in it, year in and year out.”

Chris Sale staying put?

Atlanta Braves president Alex Anthopoulos expressed that there’s “zero” chance Sale will be traded despite the team’s 33-39 start, according to MLB.com. Across his first 15 starts this season, Sale boasts a 2.52 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 114 strikeouts across 89.1 innings. Sale, who won the 2024 National League Cy Young Award, is in the first season of a two-year, $38 million deal with the Braves.

Rich Hill ambiguity

Hill will stay with the Kansas City Royals past his June 15 opt-out clause. However, should the 45-year-old not yet reach Kansas City’s big-league club and another MLB team is willing to offer the left-hander an MLB roster spot, the Royals “will not stand in his way,” according to FanSided. Hill signed a minor-league contract with the Royals in May and appeared in four games for the Boston Red Sox last season.

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