2 The Bigs

By Sal Corso: July 8th, 2025:

The baseball season is flying by. We’re almost at the All-Star Break, and for us prospectors, two big things occur this month. 1) The Futures Game rosters are announced and 2) The Trade Deadline approaches (July 31st).

The latter is the more important of the two. The Futures Game gives the youngest & most marketable prospects a chance to shine in front of the broader baseball audience during All-Star Weekend. I say most “marketable” and not most “talented”, because baseball will sometimes trade-off the latter for the former (which I think is a smart move). But the trade deadline can allow a top prospect to move to an organization where they can accelerate their move to the pro-level.

Just last year: the Yankees moved Agustin Ramirez, who is having a breakout campaign with the Marlins. The Marlins also acquired Kyle Stowers, who was stuck in a deep Orioles system, and is now making his 1st All-Star Game. The super utility, high WAR Joey Luperfido was dealt from the Astros to the Blue Jays. The White Sox acquired Miguel Vargas, who is a core piece to a rebuild in Chicago, and so much more. Some top-ranked prospects are moved, and at other times, lower ranked prospects get their chance to shine in a new organization. Let’s break down the prospects who I think could get dealt in this year’s deadline.

Jett Williams (NYM)

The Mets pitching staff is exactly what it was expected to be this winter. Yes, they were off to a hot-start, but nobody expected Griffin Canning, David Peterson, and Tylor Megill to compete for a World Series. And when you paid (the worst fielding) outfielder in baseball $800m this offseason, you are absolutely win-now before Soto ultimately becomes an overpaid DH. The Mets can hold onto their trio of young pitching prospects (Tong, McLean & Sproat) and still get what they need at the deadline. Trade Jett Williams, get the best pitcher on the market, and go for the title. Let’s throw Carson Benge and Luisangel Acuna out there as honorable mentions in case they want to add an OF as well (*cough cough Byron Buxton*)

Targets: Zac Gallen, Sandy Alcantara, Seth Lugo, Byron Buxton, Cedric Mullins

Spencer Jones (NYY)

Another year, and another chance to trade Spencer Jones while he holds some good value. A career 35% K-rate outfielder sounds appealing to the generic Yankees fan who sees the monster lefty-home runs on social media. But in my opinion, he’s not a long term option for the club. Hold Lombard, and go out and package Jones with a young pitcher (like Hess, if needed) for a 3rd Baseman or an RP.

Targets: Ryan McMahon, Eugenio Suarez, Ryan Helsey, Kyle Finnegan

Thayron Liranzo (DET)

We’ve covered Josue Briceno, the Tigers fastest rising prospect, plenty over the past few months. With the org’s solid depth at catcher (Dingler, Briceno) and Tork’s redemption tour at 1st, they can do without Liranzo. I don’t see the Tigers touching McGonigle, Clark or Briceno, but Liranzo could be on the move for a second straight deadline to grab a solid bat or utility rental.

Targets: Marcell Ozuna, Nolan Arenado, Luis Urias

Now let’s get a bit more interesting…

Felnin Celesten / Harry Ford (SEA)

Seattle is in a very tough spot. Good enough to buy, but seemingly stuck behind the Astros and likely competing for a Wild Card spot. However, they have one of the best farm systems in baseball with a TON of talent. Their middle-infield depth is, to put lightly, STACKED. Cole Young, Colt Emerson, Michael Arroyo, Felnin Celesten. Young is already up at 2B, Emerson is close, and Arroyo is the fastest riser of the bunch. Celesten could be the lone man out; and a great, young, high-value asset to include in a deal for a major league piece. Ford is a tough one, but the Big Dumper is now a certified, MVP-caliber star, and under contract until 2030. The Mariners need to make a splash and take advantage of their young core of starting pitchers (Kirby, Woo & Gilbert).

Targets: Jarren Duran, Bryan Reynolds, Eugenio Suarez, Marcell Ozuna, Ryan O’Hearn

Mick Abel / Justin Crawford (PHI)

There may not be a more-win-now team than the Phil’s. Their core of Turner, Schwarber, Harper, Castellanos, Realmuto & Wheeler are all pushing into their mid-30s. So while you don’t want to deplete your farm system, you may want to go for one last big splash before you start to plan for the future. Now, one area where the Phil’s have some young depth is the rotation: Sanchez, Luzardo & Suarez are all in their mid-to-late-20s. More importantly, you have top prospect Andrew Painter back from (another) injury, and likely up to bolster the bullpen in September, before becoming the core of the 2026 rotation. Mick Abel (SP) could be available, and could pull a solid return if the Phillies want some outfield depth (Luis Robert, Bryan Reynolds) or another pro-level SP. If they decide to go “all-out”, that’s where Justin Crawford comes into play. My favorite prospect in their org, and one of my favorites in baseball as a whole. Crawford would likely make the Phillies a favorite to land one of those bigger names mentioned. But they may want him to be the leadoff man of the future. If he is available, the return could be world-series altering.

Targets: Luis Robert Jr., Byron Buxton, Bryan Reynolds, Jarren Duran

Jhonny Level (SFG)

The Giants need one more bat at the major league level. Adames is heating up, Ramos is breaking out, and Devers, well, is Devers. Add another solid infield bat to that group and you’ve got yourself a contender. Level is impressing at rookie levels, but he has a long way to go. The Giants have a surplus of international talent, and may want to trade a piece to compete now. I don’t think Devers is the last we hear of the Giants.

Targets: Ryan O’Hearn, Josh Naylor

James Triantos / Cristian Hernandez (CHC)

Welp, I guess the Cubs are buying. I always loved PCA (you can check the tape aka this site), but I did not see this coming. Now, Wrigley needs another SP if they want to truly make a run in the playoffs. With the possibility of Kyle Tucker gone this offseason, they may want to hold onto their org’s outfield depth (Caissie & Alcantara). But James Triantos is an MLB-ready infielder who would slide into the top of a rebuilding team’s depth chart come 2026. Cristian Hernandez? Not so much. But the once-highly touted international prospect is having a slightly rejuvenated 2025, and the Cubs could capitalize on that value.

Targets: Zac Gallen, Andrew Heaney, Seth Lugo, Luis Severino

Orelvis Martinez (TOR)

The once highly-touted Blue Jays prospect has been given many chances to break into the pros for good. Now somewhat stuck in AAA, it may be time to move on. Arjun Nimmala is their top prospect, and will most likely stay put. But Martinez could be given a fresh start with a new organization. He won’t pull you a major piece, but a mid-level outfielder could be the return for the (surprise) competing Blue Jays.

Targets: Taylor Ward, Jesus Sanchez