The Way-Too-Early MLB Trade Deadline Preview

As the first month of the MLB season comes to a close, some teams have already established themselves as trade deadline sellers, while contenders have already begun to see their internal weaknesses.

Will this year’s trade deadline have the positional needs required by these competitors? Let’s take a look at the potential trade deadline candidates and their starts to the 2025 season.

Tyler Anderson

While including a lefty starter on a last place team seems like clock work for an MLB Trade Deadline preview, Tyler Anderson’s case is more interesting than the stereotypical “inning eater”.

The 10-year MLB veteran has completely changed his game since turning 32-years-old.

Ahead of his first All-Star season with the Dodgers in 2022, Anderson possessed a 4.62 career ERA with 98 home runs allowed over his first 113 starts.

Once Anderson joined Los Angeles, his ERA dropped to a 2.57 in 28 starts. The most notable change from a spectators point of view was the swapping of the cutter and changeup as his second-most used pitch.

That one year audition for the Dodgers got him a longer deal across town with the Angels. Ahead of 2023, Anderson signed a three-year, $39 million contract.

Anderson did not see the same level of success he had immediately with the Dodgers. However, he has begun the 2025 season similar to 2022, as he currently has a 2.60 ERA in his first five starts.

With just the final year remaining on Anderson’s contract, and the Angels sitting in last place in the AL West, Los Angeles will likely be aggressive in moving the southpaw.

Any team, even if they do not currently need another starting pitcher, will be interested in Anderson. And Anderson will look to capitalize with the added pressure of another contract year, which aided him in earning this contract initially.

Sean Murphy

To list a member of the Atlanta Braves shows truly how early into the season this thought experiment is. However, with the Braves still under .500 entering May, the next month will go a long way in determining the direction of the organization.

If Atlanta continues to struggle, Sean Murphy could be one of the most talented catchers available at the deadline in recent history.

Over his seven-year career, Murphy has a career .766 OPS, which is 14 percent better than the catchers across the league.

In 2025 however, Murphy has been the most consistent factor in an inconsistent Braves roster, as he enters May with a .990 OPS. This is due mostly to his 7 home runs in just 17 games played, which leads the Braves.

Even if the Braves were to see their playoff chances continue to decline, it would take a haul to move one of the best backstops in MLB.

Not only because Murphy has already been locked into an arbitration extension, which means he is under team control until 2029, but because of the haul the Braves gave up to acquire the former Athletic.

Ahead of the 2023 season, the Braves traded for Murphy in exchange for six prospects, some of which include Esteury Ruiz, Kyle Muller and William Contreras, who have all made the big leagues already.

Trading away Murphy would signal that the Braves think their issues in 2025 correlates with their early exits in the previous three postseasons, which may require a greater change to the organization.

Kenley Jansen

While teams inquire about Tyler Anderson, they may also hear the sales pitch for closer Kenley Jansen.

The 37-year-old has entered the last day of April with a perfect game log in eight appearances, as he is yet to allow a run and only has two walks to eight strikeouts.

Jansen joined the Angels on a one-year, $10 million contract after the Red Sox did not re-sign their former closer.

Jansen is looking to prove he is still a capable reliever, as his six saves on the season has now pushed his total to 453 over his career, which is fourth-most in MLB history.

The 12-year Dodger has transitioned into a journeyman to finish his career, with the Angels following a recurring trend of teams out of contention taking flyers on veterans to hope for a return of prospects at the deadline.

Jansen would fit this description if he continues his strong play for the rest of the season, especially with the unexpected need for a closer from unexpected teams over the first month of the season.

Most notably on this list is the New York Yankees, who have recently removed Devin Williams from the closer role after acquiring him this past offseason.

Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has also had question marks in 2025, as he currently has a 6.57 ERA in 13 outings.

As the season continues on, this list of teams will likely grow. This could give a significant return on investment for the $10 million pickup by the Angels.

Harrison Bader

Harrison Bader has been a welcome sight to the Twins outfield.

In his first year in Minnesota, the glove-first player has started the season with a .337 on base percentage, which is 30 percentage points higher than his career average.

This, alongside his .244 batting average and five extra base hits, gives him a 104 OPS+. If the season ended today, this would be the first time since 2021 that Bader hit above league average for his position group.

Bader hitting above his expectations is just the cherry on top for his elite defensive abilities in the outfield. This is a major factor as to why Bader has been on five different teams since 2022.

Currently, Bader ranks in the 95th percentile for fielding run value and outs above average.

The New York native also has a successful track record of performing following a midseason trade to a contender.

This was most notable when Bader was traded to the Yankees in 2022. Despite a below-average 14 game stretch in the regular season, Bader was of the Yankees most valuable bats in the postseason, hitting .333 with 5 home runs and 6 RBIs in 9 games.

Baders’ availability will be determined on if the Twins can rise the rankings of the AL Central soon, as they currently sit five games under .500 entering April 30.

Bader joined the Twins this offseason on a one-year deal that has a mutual option for 2026.

If they were to have a modest sale at the trade deadline, Bader could be targeted by a team led by their pitching with room for a depth outfielder, like the Cleveland Guardians or Seattle Mariners.