With Major League Baseball’s trade deadline set for 6 p.m. ET on July 31, several teams are accelerating their efforts to adjust rosters before the summer window closes. The Ryan Helsley trade deadline buzz has intensified as multiple contenders express strong interest in acquiring the Cardinals closer. Meanwhile, the Houston Astros are reportedly pursuing Padres ace Dylan Cease to bolster their pitching rotation for the playoff push.
Astros Eye Dylan Cease as a Potential Rotation Upgrade
Houston is actively evaluating the possibility of acquiring Padres All-Star starting pitcher Dylan Cease as part of their trade deadline plans. Cease, who is a free agent after this season, remains highly coveted due to his strong performances. According to reports from The Athletic, Cease is considered the top prize on the Astros’ wishlist, and San Diego is open to trading him if it can improve their major-league lineup.
The Padres are believed to seek a significant return for Cease, likely asking for multiple players including a power bat to fill their designated hitter needs. Houston’s offensive depth becomes a critical factor, as the Astros must assemble a package valuable enough for San Diego to consider parting with one of their best pitchers.
The Astros have faced significant setbacks in their starting rotation this season, with injuries sidelining Lance McCullers Jr., Ronel Blanco, Spencer Arrighetti, J.P. France, Luis Garcia, and Cristian Javier. Although some of these pitchers are expected back soon, adding Cease alongside Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez could solidify Houston’s playoff rotation and improve their chances of postseason success.
Ryan Helsley Attracts Interest from Several Contending Teams
Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley has openly acknowledged that a trade before the deadline is likely, a scenario drawing the attention of multiple playoff contenders including the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, and Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand has highlighted these teams as potential suitors eager to add Helsley’s bullpen strength.
Helsley recently commented on his situation:
“It’s a little bit different this time,”
and emphasized the likelihood of a move, saying,
“The likelihood is probably as great as it’s ever been for me to get traded.”
He further estimated,
“I would say it’s 90% I go, 10% I stay.”
These remarks point toward an imminent change for the closer, who is an impending free agent with solid statistics this season, including a 3.00 ERA and a 2.93 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 36 innings.
Interest Builds Around Second Baseman Brandon Lowe
The New York Mets and Houston Astros have reportedly expressed interest in Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe as the trade deadline approaches. Lowe is currently on the injured list due to foot and ankle tendinitis but is anticipated to return shortly. Over 86 games this season, he has produced a .269 batting average with a .320 on-base percentage and .480 slugging percentage, totaling 19 home runs.
Lowe remains under team control through next season, thanks to a club option in his contract. Although primarily a second baseman recently, he has also played outfield in the past. The Rays’ willingness to trade Lowe or hold onto him may depend on how aggressively they choose to sell assets during the deadline period.
Dodgers Confirm Dalton Rushing Is Not Available for Trade
Despite trade rumors linking Los Angeles Dodgers’ rookie catcher Dalton Rushing to other teams, manager Dave Roberts has unequivocally ruled out moving the young backstop. Speaking to The Orange County Register, Roberts said,
“I just don’t see a world in which he’s moved anyway, and I think he’s smart enough to realize that.”
Roberts also noted that he had not spoken to Rushing directly about any potential trade.
Rushing, 24, was ranked as the 22nd-best prospect in baseball at the start of the season by CBS Sports. He debuted in the majors on May 15 but has played sparingly, appearing in only 29 games as a backup to Will Smith and posting a .545 OPS. The Dodgers appear intent on retaining their young catcher despite the speculation surrounding his availability.
Dodgers and Blue Jays Eye Steven Kwan Amid Guardians’ Uncertainty
Uncertainty around Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, who is on paid leave while MLB investigates alleged gambling violations, has added complexity to Cleveland’s trade plans. Still, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays have shown interest in outfielder Steven Kwan if he becomes available.
Kwan, 27, has produced a .287 batting average with a .351 on-base percentage and a .411 slugging mark across 100 games this season, tallying nine home runs and 11 stolen bases. With an estimated 3.3 Wins Above Replacement, Kwan remains under team control through 2027. This could allow the Guardians to either retain him for their playoff efforts or consider trading him to improve other areas.
Cleveland currently trails the playoff line by four games but benefits from a comparatively easy remaining schedule, which may influence their decision to either hold all key assets or engage in deals.
Brewers Show Interest in Orioles’ Ryan O’Hearn
The Milwaukee Brewers have joined the race to acquire Baltimore Orioles first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn, considered one of the top offensive players still available on the trade market. The Brewers had also reportedly pursued Josh Naylor before he was traded to the Seattle Mariners earlier.
O’Hearn, 32, has delivered a strong .284 batting average with a .375 on-base percentage and .452 slugging percentage in 92 games this season, including 12 home runs. Primarily used in a platoon role, O’Hearn has reduced his strikeout rate and reinvented himself from a so-called Quad-A player to a valuable platoon hitter, despite being beyond his expected prime years. Like Helsley and Cease, O’Hearn is also heading toward free agency.
Trade Deadline Dynamics Shape Playoff Contenders’ Strategies
As the July 31 trade deadline approaches, the Ryan Helsley trade deadline developments and Astros’ pursuit of Dylan Cease underscore how pivotal pitching reinforcements are for teams aiming to make deep postseason runs. Injuries have put pressure on Houston’s rotation, pushing them toward bold acquisition attempts. At the same time, multiple teams targeting prominent bullpen arms and versatile hitters reflect the intensity of competition across the league.
The coming days will be critical for contenders like the Yankees, Dodgers, Astros, and Phillies to finalize deals that could define their playoff identities. For players like Helsley, Cease, Lowe, and O’Hearn, the deadline represents a turning point in their seasons and possibly their careers, given their pending free agency statuses and potential impact on new clubs.