Braden Ramsey

Image courtesy of Brock Beauchamp Welcome to DiamondCentric's 2025 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline primer. Here, we've compiled a comprehensive list of middle relievers who could be on the move ahead of or on July 31. Every team can use pitching in some form or fashion, so be sure to check out our starting pitchers and late-inning relievers as well. We're less than 10 days away from the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline, but so much remains in flux about this season. We have a clear class of contenders -- eight teams with a 90% chance or more to make the playoffs -- and bottom-dwellers (nine teams with less than 5% odds). Those remaining 13 squads in the middle, though, provide immense intrigue as the seconds tick away to Deadline Day. The Chicago Cubs, with the second-best playoff odds in the National League, are positioned to make a deep playoff run. Their fourth-place NL ranking in FanGraphs' World Series odds, though, suggests an addition or two is needed to reach the Fall Classic. Everyone in the world knows the Cubbies are (understandably) chasing starting pitchers. The prospect cost to acquire a true difference-making starter, though, will be high. If Jed Hoyer believes them to be too exorbitant, turning to a swingman type or extra reliever instead would still be useful. Rankings mentioned are from The Athletic's Trade Deadline Big Board 3.0 (updated July 23), ESPN's Top 50 Trade Deadline candidates (updated July 21), and MLB Trade Rumors' Top 40 Trade Candidates (posted July 4). Players included are from teams with less than a 25% chance of making the playoffs, according to FanGraphs. RHP Nick Martinez, CIN The Athletic - 31st OVR (9th SP/1st MR); ESPN - 40th OVR (14th SP/2nd MR); MLBTR - Honorable Mention The Reds extended a qualifying offer to Martinez last offseason following an exceptional final month (0.83 ERA across 32 2/3 IP) as a starter. The soon-to-be 35-year-old has a 4.86 ERA in 20 starts this year, but did not allow a run in his two relief appearances and posted a 1.86 ERA in 53 1/3 innings out of the bullpen in 2024. Martinez could be a steal if utilized as a reliever. However, the Reds' postseason aspirations may keep him on their roster. LHP Reid Detmers, LAA The Athletic - 32nd OVR (2nd MR); ESPN - 29th OVR (1st MR); MLBTR - N/A Detmers, 26, operated as a starter for the first three full seasons of his career -- and threw a no-hitter in 2022 -- before transitioning to a relief role this offseason. He struggled through April and May, but was dominant in June: 13 APP, 13 IP, 7 H, 1 R (0 ER), 8 BB, 20 K. Detmers has three years of arbitration before reaching free agency in 2029. RHP Michael Soroka, WSN The Athletic - 33rd OVR (10th SP/3rd MR); ESPN - 42nd OVR (15th SP/3rd MR); MLBTR - 13th (2nd MR) Soroka has exclusively started for the Nationals in 2025 to the tune of a 5.10 ERA. In 2024, across 16 relief appearances for the Chicago White Sox, he racked up 60 strikeouts in 36 innings (with a 2.75 ERA). Soroka, who turns 28 years old on Aug. 4, should be on a new team for his birthday thanks to his expiring contract and Washington's position in the standings. RHP Jake Bird, COL The Athletic - 45th OVR (4th MR); ESPN - 48th OVR (4th MR); MLBTR - 10th (1st MR) Bird, 29, carried a 2.06 ERA into late June despite pitching at the hitters' haven of Coors Field. His struggles since then -- 13.50 ERA across his last 10 appearances -- have dropped his stock, as he was the 28th overall player on The Athletic's Big Board 2.0. Regardless, the tools are there for Bird to be an effective bridge to the backend of the bullpen. He's arbitration eligible in 2026. RHP Andrew Kittredge, BAL The Athletic - N/A; ESPN - N/A; MLBTR - 32nd (3rd MR) Just over of Kittredge's appearances (18 of 34) for the Orioles in 2025 have come in the seventh and eighth innings. The 35-year-old's 2.57 ERA in his last 14 games, and $9 million club option for 2026, could be attractive to any contending club. The following players were listed as honorable mentions by MLBTR unless otherwise stated. LHP Steven Matz, STL Matz's 2025 campaign is easily the best of the four-year, $44 million pact he inked with the Cardinals back in 2022. That deal was with starting intentions, but he's almost exclusively operating out of the bullpen these days (29 G, 2 GS). His age (34) could turn off some teams, but the flexibility he can offer amidst his strong season could have him in a new uniform come August. Jakob Junis, CLE Junis, 32, has spent time with three MLB clubs over the past two seasons. If the Guardians elect to sell, he may make his way to a fourth. Junis is not a strikeout-heavy arm (32 K in 41 IP), but his 3.51 ERA in 38 appearances, previous starting experience and expiring contract -- one-year, $4.5 million -- seem like prime trade material. Ronny Henriquez, MIA Henriquez has the second-most saves (6) of any Marlins pitcher in 2025, and seems to have swiped the closer role from Calvin Faucher over the past month. Two-thirds of his appearances, though (30 of 45), have come in middle relief. Miami has no reason to part with Henriquez, who doesn't reach arbitration until 2028, especially if they envision him as their closer of the future. But it's always possible another organization presents an offer they can't refuse. LHP Caleb Ferguson, PIT The Pirates nabbed Ferguson on a one-year, $3 million deal in free agency. The 29-year-old lefty has performed solidly with the Buccos, posting a 3.92 ERA in 41 1/3 innings (43 appearances). Pittsburgh isn't going anywhere this year, so unless they believe Ferguson is key to the future, he should be dealt at the Deadline. RHP Shawn Armstrong, TEX Armstrong, 34, spent time with three different teams in 2024. He was designated for assignment by the Cardinals and Cubs. The Rangers picked him up off the scrap heap and have gotten him to perform to the tune of a 2.98 ERA across 45 1/3 innings (43 appearances). Texas is trying to make a late postseason push, but a change of heart would presumably see Armstrong shipped to another club. LHP Hoby Milner, TEX The Rangers have one of MLB's best bullpens. Milner, another 34-year-old, has the best ERA in the room and one of the best among all relievers (2.25). Southpaw sidewinders are few and far between, which helps Milner succeed with an average fastball velocity of 87.9 MPH. He's unconventional, but highly effective and on an expiring contract. LHP Taylor Rogers, CIN Rogers' 2025 campaign isn't accurately reflected by his 2.56 ERA. His WHIP (1.45) and FIP (3.98) are much more indicative of the level at which he has thrown the ball this year. The 2021 All-Star has two 30-save seasons on his resume and is on an expiring deal, which could intrigue a team or two. But at age-34 with 5.1 BB/9, there are better options available. LHP Brent Suter, CIN Suter, like Milner, is a left-handed sidearm thrower. The Reds have utilized him across the board, as he has pitched in every inning (1-9) at least four times this season and thrown 3.0 innings or more on three occasions. The 35-year-old's $3 million club option for 2026 and ability to help preserve higher-leverage arms should be attractive to contenders if Cincinnati makes him available. RHP John Schreiber, KC Schreiber, another sidewinder, has more strikeout punch in his game than Milner and Suter. His fastball velocity sits around 94 MPH. The Royals aren't catching the Tigers for the AL Central crown and reside 4 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot. Kansas City is focused on retooling for 2026, so Schreiber may not be on the block. He has one year of arbitration remaining before free agency. View full article