This season, the MLB Trade Deadline will fall on Tuesday, Aug. 1 at 6 p.m. ET, meaning teams have mere weeks left to assess their chances of contention in 2023 and decide whether they're buyers or sellers.
For teams likely to make the postseason this year, the focus will be on acquiring (or buying) players to fine-tune their roster for October. On the other hand, teams that are effectively out of contention will turn their focus to selling high-value players for promising prospects, hoping to build a stronger roster for future years.
So which top players should you watch for trade announcements as the deadline approaches?
Top 5 Players to Watch at the MLB Trade Deadline
Ohtani becomes a free agent at the end of 2023, and regardless of whether he leaves the Los Angeles Angels at the trade deadline or the offseason, the two-way star will unquestionably be the hottest player available.'