Evaluating 21 MLB deadline trade proposals from readers: Who says no?

New York Times

a day ago

Ready or not, MLB trade deadline week is officially here, and after a smattering of moves the past few days, the wheeling and dealing is about to kick into overdrive.
As the transactions ticked up, we asked our subscribers to submit trade proposals they'd like to see. You obliged. Then, we had our resident general manager, Jim Bowden, evaluate 21 selected trade scenarios from both sides and answer 'Who says no?' to the deal. Let's see how many of your proposals ended up being trades that worked for both teams.
(Note: Questions have been edited from clarity and length.)
1. Pirates trade right-hander Mitch Keller to Boston for outfielder Jarren Duran …
The Red Sox say no.
Duran is only 28 years old and is under team control through the 2028 season. He led MLB in both doubles and triples last season while reaching base at a .342 clip, finishing eighth in the MVP voting and racking up 8.7 WAR (Baseball Reference). He's had some regression this year, but he still has 2.9 WAR, 26 doubles, 12 triples and nine home runs — and it's not even August. I know Boston has outfield depth with Wilyer Abreu, Roman Anthony and Ceddanne Rafaela, but if it were up to me, I'd keep all of them (including Duran). Also, if I'm Pittsburgh and trading Keller, I need multiple bats back in return and would prefer players who are either prospects or on the doorstep of the majors, or who have very little major-league service time — because the Pirates are always payroll challenged.
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… (And) if the Red Sox need more, Keller and RHP David Bednar for Duran and (outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia). — Matthew D.
I think Keller and Bednar would be tempting, but if I'm Boston, I would be trying to add pitching by trading prospects rather than Duran. Just my opinion.
2. I know that you already proposed a three-way trade with Boston, Miami and San Diego (on Friday), but seeing that Boston (reportedly) turned down a similar offer (from the Padres), what if we sweetened the pot?
Boston gets: RHP Edward Cabrera and RHP Dylan Cease
Miami gets: C Ethan Salas, RHP Luis Perales, RHP Ryan Bergert
San Diego gets: OF Jarren Duran and RHP Sandy Alcantara — Jr E.
The Marlins say no.
Your three-way deal would be a huge winner for the Red Sox and Padres and both would make it in a heartbeat. But for the Marlins, the return is not enough for two of their three best starting pitchers. So this deal has zero chance of being made.
3. Dodgers get: OF Jarren Duran
Red Sox get: C Dalton Rushing, RHP Dustin May and OF Kendall George — Marco Esquadolas
The Dodgers say no.
This proposal would be a really good long-term trade for the Red Sox, who would acquire their long-term solution at catcher in Rushing, a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter or potential high-leverage reliever in May and a speedy future leadoff hitter in George. However, for the Dodgers, that's just too high a price for Duran. That said, if I'm L.A., I would probably do it if it's just Rushing and May for Duran or if the Red Sox added Kristian Campbell to the offer (instead of George).
4. Cubs get: RHP Mitch Keller and LHP Caleb Ferguson
Pirates get: OF Owen Caissie and OF Kevin Alcántara — Matthew D.
Both teams say yes.
This trade idea just makes too much sense for both sides. The Cubs get the starter they need and a usable southpaw for the bullpen. The Pirates add two outfield prospects who could help their lineup immediately.
5. David Bednar to the Tigers for outfielder Cris Rodriguez and catcher Eliezer Alfonzo. — Rick W.
The Pirates say no.
I think your offer is fair from the Tigers' perspective, but if the Pirates trade Bednar, they don't have time to wait for Rodriguez, a 17-year-old in rookie ball, to develop. They need to improve their offense now — during Paul Skenes' window of control. So in a trade for Bednar, they need either a major-league bat or an upper-level prospect in return.
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6. Yankees get: RHP David Bednar and RHP Mitch Keller
Pirates get: OF Jasson Domínguez, RHP Ben Hess and 1B/C Ben Rice — Larry V.
The Yankees say no.
This trade would really help the Yankees this year but at too much of a long-term price. Domínguez should continue to develop into a 20-25 home run corner outfielder. Rice is trending toward being the Yankees' full-time first baseman for 2026 and beyond. This deal would be a short-term win for the Yankees but a long-term loss for them. Keep in mind: While Keller is signed for three more years (through 2028), Bednar is under team control for only one more year.
7. Cardinals get: OF Jason Domínguez and RHP Ben Hess
Yankees get: 2B Brendan Donovan — Michael H
The Yankees say no.
I like Donovan, a 2025 All-Star, a lot, but the Yankees have Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second and Ryan McMahon at third, and Domínguez, 22, is six years younger than Donovan. Domínguez is a couple of years away from his prime and still has a chance to develop into a middle-of-the-lineup power hitter. If the Yankees have patience with him now, I think it will be well worth it when he gets to his mid-20s.
8. Mariners send 2B/SS Michael Arroyo and RHP Logan Evans to Arizona for 3B Eugenio Suárez.
Assuming Colt Emerson, Lazaro Montes, Felnin Celesten and Ryan Sloan are off-limits, what additional prospect(s) from Seattle gets this deal over the line? — Gallifer K.
Both teams say yes.
This deal is what I expect the return to look like once Suárez is traded. The D-Backs would get a young starter who could go right into the back end of their rotation and a middle-infield prospect who can rake — even if they end up trading Arroyo because he doesn't fit with their team with Ketel Marte at second, Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop and Jordan Lawlar looking like the future third baseman. This would be a strong trade for both sides. Great job!
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9. Mets: 3B Eugenio Suárez
Diamondbacks: 3B Mark Vientos, OF Drew Gilbert and RHP Blade Tidwell — No name given
The Mets say no freaking way.
The Mets are not trading Vientos straight-up for a two-month rental of Suárez. That being said, I think I would consider Gilbert and Tidwell for Suárez.
10. Mets get: CF Luis Robert Jr.
White Sox get: RHP Nate Dohm and SS Marco Vargas — No name given
The White Sox say no.
In Robert talks, the Sox have been asking interested teams for two of their top 10 prospects, but they haven't gotten any takers. However, they have been offered a top 10 prospect plus an add on from multiple teams. I think first base/outfield prospect Ryan Clifford and outfield prospect Nick Morabito, ranked No. 7 and 15, respectively in the Mets' system by MLB Pipeline, would be closer to what the White Sox are seeking to get to 'yes.'
11. Mets pick up Robert and cash for infielder A.J. Ewing? — Mike R.
The White Sox say no.
I think the White Sox initially say no and ask for a second player in the deal, but maybe a 20-30th-ranked prospect. With Ewing as the centerpiece, I do think there's a good chance this deal could get done.
12. Mets get: righty reliever Braxton Ashcraft
Pirates get: outfield prospect Carson Benge — Brian R.
The Mets say no.
I like Ashcraft, but I'm not giving up Benge for a set-up reliever. That would be an extreme overpay in my view.
13. Phillies get: RHP Emmanuel Clase
Guardians get: OF Justin Crawford and RHP Mick Abel — Ethan P.
The Phillies say no.
The Guardians make this trade. They would get their center fielder of the future and a young starting pitcher with control and top-of-the-rotation upside, and they could move Cade Smith into the closer role. For the Phillies, it would be difficult to do, but I think Abel for Clase straight up is fair for both sides. However, the Guardians would prefer to get offense for Clase; if they could get shortstop/third base prospect Aidan Miller from Philadelphia, I'd be more inclined to go in that direction.
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14. Phillies get: OF Taylor Ward and RHP Kenley Jansen
Angels get: OF Justin Crawford or RHP Mick Abel — Garrett H.
The Phillies say no.
Ward has power but can be pitched to (27.1 percent strikeout rate). I like Jansen but would prefer the Phillies chase Jhoan Duran, Emmanuel Clase, Cade Smith or Ryan Helsley. I really like Crawford and Abel, so If I'm the Phillies, I'm only trading them if I can get more impactful players than Ward and Jansen.
15. Cubs-Guardians trade proposal: Clase for Caissie and right-hander Ryan Gallagher, and maybe throw in another prospect. — EthanP.
The Cubs and Guardians say: incomplete offer.
I think in general this trade idea is within reason for both sides. But it depends on who the other 'throw-in' prospect is from the Cubs' side. That said, both teams could probably figure out a way to finalize a deal with this framework. The Guardians really want good hitters who don't have service time; Caissie fits that criteria.
16. Dodgers get: OF Steven Kwan and RHP Emmanuel Clase
Guardians get: RHP Dustin May, OF James Outman and OF Zyhir Hope — Andre M.
The Guardians say no.
Considering Clase and Kwan are controllable — through 2028 and 2027, respectively — this trade just doesn't make sense for Cleveland; there's just not enough coming back in the deal. Clase is an impact closer. Kwan is a Gold Glove left fielder with an elite contact rate. In my view, the Guardians would need to net right hander Emmet Sheehan, Hope and catcher Dalton Rushing to consider this type of trade.
17. Riffing off Jim's five deals article with a LAD-MIN swap: Guardians send utilityman Daniel Schneemann and right-hander Cade Smith to the Dodgers for infielder Alex Freeland and righty Alexis Díaz. — Adam F.
The Guardians say no.
I don't think the Guardians would have interest in Díaz, and Freeland, who I like, isn't enough for Smith, who if they trade Clase will become the Guardians' next closer. He's under team control through 2029.
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18. Two Philly proposals: Does left-hander Ranger Suárez for outfielder Jarren Duran work? Is righty Mick Abel and catching prospect Eduardo Tait for reliever Griffin Jax enough? — Brian S.
The Phillies say no to both.
The Phillies are not trading Suárez, even an impending free agent, or any of their top starters for an outfielder. It's the starting rotation that gives them the best chance of winning their division and making a World Series run. In terms of the second trade proposal, I'm not trading the upside of a starting pitcher with Abel's potential for a set-up reliever, regardless of how good Jax is.
19. Twins get: C Harry Ford and RHP Logan Evans
Mariners get: RHP Jhoan Duran and RHP Griffin Jax or UTIL Willi Castro. — Anonymous U.
Both teams say yes.
If the Mariners were to land both Duran and Jax with this trade idea, they would win the AL West and have a legitimate shot at the World Series. For the Twins, if they like Ford's bat enough, it would be tough to not accept this offer. Evans would give them starting pitching depth, and they would control Ford for six years.
20. Would the Twins trade righty Joe Ryan to the Giants for first baseman Bryce Eldridge and starting pitcher Carson Whisenhunt? Gets the Twins a young bat and a lefty who might balance their rotation a bit more. — Phil J.
The Giants say no.
In my view, the Twins would have to make this trade. Eldridge has a chance to be a 30-35 home run bat for years to come. And, as much as I love Ryan, they control him for only two more years. Therefore, this trade would be a great long-term play for Minnesota. However, the Giants need Eldridge for their long-term success, so I'm not seeing this working. This was a great trade idea and one that made me think because I do see the benefits for both sides.
21. White Sox trade right-hander Adrian Houser, outfielder Mike Tauchman, and any reliever other than Grant Taylor to the Cubs for outfielder Owen Cassie. — Steven W.
The Cubs say no.
The Cubs need to acquire a higher-end starting pitcher, like the Pirates' Mitch Keller, if they're going to consider trading Caissie.
(Top photo of Eugenio Suárez: Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images)