We are now past the halfway point of the 2025 MLB season. The standings are now taking shape, teams are sizing up their chances, and we’ve all enjoyed some great action, like seeing Aaron Judge threatening to hit a .400 batting record. And at this point, fans and analytics are keeping a keen eye on MLB trade rumors to see which big names may be on the move.
But if you are newer to baseball, you may be a bit surprised or confused as we are only three months into the season, or maybe you just want a clearer picture of how trades fit into the MLB season. In this guide, we’ll break down the basics of the MLB trade calendar.
Offseason Trades (November to March)
When the World Series ends in late September or early October (September 28 for this year), that’s when the main trade window opens. The front offices get quite busy as the lack of games means you now need to build your roster for the next season.
During this time, teams have to deal with expiring contracts, free agent decisions, and long-term planning. And since the players are also free, they have time to think about their future and negotiate new contracts without pressure.
Generally, this is when the blockbuster moves happen. Since teams are not trying to handle upcoming games or optimize their season, there’s time to look at offers and weigh them up. However, that doesn’t mean that this is the only time that the best moves happen.
Regular Season Trades (March to July)
Once the season begins in late March or early April, teams are still free to trade, but now, lots of other factors come into play. As the season progresses, managers have seen how their roster performs under pressure. Some clubs realize that they have some of the hottest prospects, and others find out they have some real performance issues they need to sort out. But instead of acting in a rush, most teams are usually trying to see where to build in the near future.
During this period, you’ll mostly see more targeted trades. For example, a team might realize that they need to add a veteran arm to their bullpen or find a replacement for a key player. This stretch of data analysis builds towards the main moment: the trade deadline.
The MLB Trade Deadline (Usually July 31st)
This is usually the biggest pressure point in the MLB trading calendar as it’s usually the last point in the season when teams can make standard trades (players in their 40-man roster). It normally falls on July 31st, but under the latest rules, the league can set the date at any point between July 28 and August 3.
This is the day when front offices have to make the biggest (and boldest) calls. Does a team need to strengthen for the postseason, or does it need to build for the future? They need to decide whether they are a buyer or a seller.
In the case of the former, teams target players who can have an impact right away – like starting pitchers, power hitters, or bullpen depth. Sellers then get a chance to offload big contracts in return for promising prospects.
The final days leading up to the deadline are usually fast-paced and full of MLB trade rumors. You’ll then see deals finalized within just hours or even minutes before the deadline. It’s also when fans are glued to their screens to see what big moves can shake the standings.
After the Deadline: Are Trades Still Allowed?
Once the deadline passes, teams can no longer make standard trades – players who are on their 40-man roster. For that, they’ll have to wait till the off-season window.
However, some limited trades are still possible. Teams can still trade players who aren’t on their 40-man roster, who are usually minor leaguers or cash considerations. However, these deals don’t usually have much of an impact. Once the deadline hits, teams will need to wait for the off-season to reshape their roster.
