MLB: Trade Deadline Buzz Heats Up Yankees and Red Sox Battle for D-Backs as Phillies Reunite with Robertson

The All-Star break is behind us, the draft dust has settled, and now the MLB world turns its full attention to the July 31 trade deadline. With playoff races tightening and postseason dreams on the line, front offices are working overtime—and Sunday brought a fresh crop of rumors, whispers, and quiet deals behind the scenes.

Here’s what you need to know:

🔁 Phillies Bring Back David Robertson for Playoff Push

The Phillies just made a familiar move—reuniting with veteran closer David Robertson in a deal that runs through the rest of the season. Per reports from The Athletic and MLB.com, the 40-year-old will earn a prorated $6 million to shore up a struggling bullpen ranked 23rd in MLB (4.36 ERA).

Robertson hasn’t pitched since Sept. 29 of last season but recently held a private bullpen session that clearly impressed the right teams. He’s now gearing up for his 17th MLB season, coming off a solid 2024 campaign with the Rangers (3.00 ERA, 99 K in 72 IP).

Don’t expect this to be Philly’s only bullpen move. With José Alvarado suspended and playoff-ineligible, more reinforcements are almost certainly coming.

👀 Yankees & Red Sox Both Scouting Diamondbacks

Two of baseball’s biggest rivals—New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox—are circling the same potential sellers: the Arizona Diamondbacks.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, both clubs have sent scouts to evaluate starters Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, with the Yankees also monitoring power-hitting third baseman Eugenio Suárez (32 HR, 80 RBI).

• Gallen is having a down year but carries ace potential and playoff experience.
• Kelly has been solid all season and could provide instant rotation stability.
• Suárez offers legit pop at the hot corner—a rare commodity come deadline time.

If Arizona decides to pull the plug on its underwhelming 2025 campaign, expect a bidding war to erupt.

🔥 Braves Open for Business—but Not a Fire Sale (Yet)

The Atlanta Braves, once expected to dominate the NL East, now sit in fourth place, barreling toward a 90-loss season. As a result, select veterans are on the block—but don’t expect a full-blown teardown.

Nightengale reports that Marcell Ozuna, Raisel Iglesias, and Pierce Johnson are available, while key names like Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris, and Sean Murphy likely won’t be in play until the winter.

Important wrinkle: Ozuna has 10-and-5 rights, meaning he can veto any trade.

• Johnson’s performance and Iglesias’ peripherals should generate decent interest.
• The big moves (Albies, Harris, Murphy) may come in the offseason if Atlanta goes full rebuild mode.

⚖️ Rangers Walk the Line Between Buying & Selling

The defending champs from Texas haven’t repeated their 2023 magic, but they’re not quite ready to hit the panic button either.

Per ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Rangers could make “measured moves” at the deadline. That likely rules out any trades involving Jacob deGrom or Nathan Eovaldi—but Adolis García could be a different story.

Texas is only 2.5 games out of the AL Wild Card hunt, and unloading too many pieces could backfire. Still, if García draws enough interest, GM Chris Young may listen.

🗣️ MainEvent.News | Backstage Take

This year’s deadline is shaping up to be a slow burn. The big names may not move until hours—or minutes—before the buzzer. But with powerhouse rivals like the Yankees and Red Sox circling the same talent pool, and former contenders like the Braves and Rangers in awkward limbo, the tension is building. Expect late fireworks, sleeper deals, and maybe even a blockbuster or two. This is baseball's high-stakes chess match.

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