MLB Teams Seek Trades with Multiple Key Players Available

As the 2025 MLB trade deadline approaches, several teams are positioning themselves for major roster moves with distinct strategies. The Atlanta Braves are selling key players like Marcell Ozuna, Raisel Iglesias, and Pierce Johnson immediately due to their pending free agency, while potentially exploring trades for Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II, and Sean Murphy in the offseason to maximize returns. The New York Mets are expected to be aggressive buyers, possibly targeting former Met Seth Lugo, now a top starter with the Royals, though financial considerations may temper their pursuit; notably, they are protecting several top prospects such as Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, Jett Williams, and Brandon Sproat from trade discussions. The Chicago Cubs are also active buyers with a strong prospect pool, with no prospect off-limits if the return is valuable, though there is caution around trading high-upside players like Owen Caissie. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees are poised to make trades but consider infielder George Lombard Jr. untouchable due to his elite defensive skills and promising development trajectory. These varied approaches highlight the balance teams are seeking between immediate competitiveness and long-term talent preservation as the deadline nears.