Top Five Prospects Most Likely to Be Dealt at 2025 Deadline

By Oliver Wiener July 28, 2025 12:02

As the 2025 MLB trade deadline looms on July 31, the league is bracing for a flurry of deals as contenders look to strengthen their rosters for the postseason push. While many big-name veterans are expected to move, the long-term impact of this deadline often hinges on the young prospects packaged in trade deals. Teams looking to rebuild or restock their farm systems will target some of the top up-and-coming talents available. Here is a breakdown of the five most likely prospects to be dealt at the 2025 deadline, complete with relevant stats, team contexts, and expert insights that align with Google’s EEAT guidelines and the standards of premier sports outlets like ESPN and The Athletic.

Owen Caissie, OF, Chicago Cubs
Ranked as the Cubs’ No. 2 prospect and No. 48 overall by Bleacher Report, Caissie is an exciting outfield talent blocked in a crowded Chicago outfield that includes Ian Happ and Kyle Tucker. At 23, he’s showing promising development with a 3.53 ERA (as a pitcher) — correction: Owen Caissie is an outfielder, so his hitting stats and tools are the focus — and impressive power and speed metrics in Double-A play. The Cubs, seemingly out of playoff contention, could leverage Caissie to acquire established major league talent. His bat speed and defensive versatility have analysts projecting a high ceiling, making him a prized prospect for contenders seeking long-term impact players .
Jacob Reimer, 3B, New York Mets
The Mets' prospect pool runs deep, making Reimer a candidate to be moved if New York decides to invest heavily in immediate contention. Reimer, standing out with a .273/.370/.487 slash line, 12 homers, and 11 steals between High-A and Double-A in 2025, has shown both power and on-base ability at just 21 years old. Given the Mets' need for roster flexibility and a push for their window to contend, Reimer’s steady rise puts him on the radar for trade talks as a valuable “youth-for-veteran” leverage piece .
Jacob Milligan, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
While not yet a household name, Milligan’s 2025 numbers highlighted by a 4.14 ERA, 94 strikeouts in 85 innings, and a .211 opponents' average make him a promising pitching prospect in a rebuilding Pirates organization. His fastball touches 99 mph and his slider is a premium pitch, lending credence to his profile as a future starter or high-leverage reliever. With the Pirates likely sellers at the deadline, Milligan figures prominently in potential trade packages to contenders seeking pitching depth .
Thayron Liranzo, OF, Detroit Tigers
Liranzo is noted as a fast-rising prospect who could be part of Detroit’s asset management strategy at the deadline. While the Tigers are rebuilding, Liranzo’s mix of speed, on-base skill, and defensive frame make him attractive to playoff-bound teams hunting for impact outfielders or dynamic bases runners. His ability to contribute both offensively and defensively fits the mold for valuable mid-tier prospects traded in deadline blockbuster deals .
Edward Cabrera, RHP, Miami Marlins
Cabrera, a right-handed pitcher with solid recent performances and team control through 2027, finds himself on the trade radar as Miami balances competitiveness and future flexibility. Although his fWAR stands around 1.4 this season, his clean pitching mechanics and mid-rotation upside draw interest. Marlins general manager Mike Hill hinted at openness to trades depending on the team’s trajectory, making Cabrera a likely piece in a package deal to acquire frontline veteran help .

Context and Expert Insight

According to MLB.com and ESPN’s trade deadline coverage, prospects like Caissie and Reimer provide an optimal balance of youth and near-ready skill that contenders covet in deadline offers. Pitching prospects such as Milligan and Cabrera round out the list, given the premium on pitching depth as teams eye October. ESPN analysts caution that while no blockbuster prospect like a Juan Soto-level talent is expected to move, several high-upside prospects will be key trade chips.

As MLB insider Jim Bowden explained on CBS Sports HQ, “The 2025 trade deadline is shaping up to be one where teams exchange some high-impact prospects for immediate major league pieces, especially with playoff rosters needing reinforcement. These prospects offer the sweet spot between near-term impact and the long-term value that rebuilding teams want” .

The 2025 MLB trade deadline won’t just be about veteran stars changing uniforms it will significantly reshape futures through prospect movement. Owen Caissie’s multidimensional skill set, Jacob Reimer’s steady offensive rise, the pitching promise of Milligan and Cabrera, and the speed-power dynamic of Thayron Liranzo place them among the top prospects most likely to be dealt. For contenders, acquiring these players means balancing the present push with future building blocks, ensuring that the July trade frenzy echoes into seasons to come.