MLB trade deadline notebook: Red Sox and Giants swirl with buyer-seller questions as Monday’s deadline nears

Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is now close enough to feel immediate, even if deals have not yet matched the pace fans often associate with late July. CBS Sports’ trade deadline notebook described the market as “slow-moving so far,” with more movement expected in the final stretch before Monday’s 6 p.m. deadline.

The same notebook framed the early baseline of the summer as clear but limited. It pointed to one notable completed trade, describing Curtis Mead for Connelly Early as the biggest deal of the trade season so far. Beyond that, the implication was that the remainder of the market has been comparatively quiet, at least until the last few days.

Several teams are still being evaluated through a buyer-or-seller lens. For the Red Sox, the notebook said the organization could look to move on from a “controversial starter,” while still pursuing additions. That combination suggests a willingness to reshape the staff while improving another need, a common approach for contenders that feel the roster is close but not settled.

The Giants were described in a different posture. CBS Sports reported that they are having trouble selling, pointing to the reality that not every club is able to find a trade partner quickly, even when the deadline clock is ticking. For sellers, the challenge often becomes matching both valuation and fit, and the notebook’s characterization hinted that the Giants’ asking price, timing, or roster needs have created friction.

The notebook also looked toward bigger-name possibilities that typically drive late-deadline momentum. It referenced George Springer among the players tied to the brewing conversations, and it included the Nationals’ Luis Garcia as another relevant name as teams map out the final roster choices for the final weeks of the regular season.

Taken together, the notebook’s themes reflect what happens late in the deadline cycle: early movement is sparse, but the last 48 to 72 hours can change the landscape quickly as front offices finalize who is actually available. If a team cannot find the right match, it may pivot to a different target, while clubs that want to upgrade at a specific position can become more aggressive once they recognize there may be fewer options than expected.

What to watch next is confirmation of which rumors turn into actual transactions. The deadline is short, and the market can shift quickly, but the first order of business will be whether clubs like Boston can both shed a problematic piece and add immediately, and whether San Francisco can clear the logjam of sellers facing fewer willing partners.