Overview
- With roughly seven weeks until the Aug. 3 trade deadline, clubs are moving from general prep to naming specific targets and trade candidates as the All‑Star break approaches.
- The San Francisco Giants have told teams they are open to calls on Rafael Devers, but his 10‑year, $313.5 million deal and below‑par 2026 hitting make him a logical yet difficult trade piece.
- Sources say teams expect New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette to consider opting out of the remaining $84 million in player options, a choice that would give him leverage but could be risky given his down season.
- Boston is widely viewed as a potential seller, with Sonny Gray, Aroldis Chapman, Willson Contreras and Jarren Duran flagged as the club’s top deadline chips and executives warning salary and slumps may limit return value.
- Houston is weighing whether to buy or sell around MVP‑caliber Yordan Álvarez and could move high‑cost assets such as Josh Hader to reset payroll, a decision that would reshape several contending rosters and the market for bullpen and infield help.