When Is the MLB Trade Deadline?

The MLB trade deadline is one of the headline dates on the baseball calendar. Front offices can adjust the course of their team’s season or choose to build for the future by trading away veterans. Some of the biggest moves in MLB history were made within a few days of the trade deadline, and more drama can be expected in 2024. 

I have answered a few of the key questions fans will have about the 2024 MLB trade deadline below. 

When Is the MLB Trade Deadline?

The MLB trade deadline is on July 30 at 6 p.m. ET. 

Trades will be reported up until the deadline as teams look to make deals. Executives across the big leagues will aim to improve their rosters for the final two months of the regular season, while others will try to bolster their farm systems. 

Before the deadline hits, I’ve put together some of my top MLB predictions. With congested wild-card races in both leagues, many teams will be trying to add win-now talent.

When Can MLB Teams Start Trading Players?

MLB teams are able to trade players from two days after the World Series until the trade deadline on July 30. Teams can make as many or as few trades as they like throughout this period. 

The best baseball bets will take potential trades into account. Big trades can have a major impact on outright MLB odds, so it’s always worth considering if an All-Star will be made available. 

Can MLB Players Be Traded After the Deadline?

No, MLB players cannot be traded after the trade deadline. Prior to 2019, teams could trade players if they had either cleared revocable waivers or if a team worked out a trade for a player who had been placed on waivers. 

It's official: Max Scherzer is a Dodger. Trea Turner is a Dodger. The trade has been announced. @MLBNetwork @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 30, 2021

Even if a team suffers a catalogue of injuries, they cannot make trades after the deadline. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who are one of my best online sportsbook picks to win the World Series, would not be able to make a trade even if Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith were ruled out for the year. 

Teams can still acquire players if they are placed on outright waivers. This has to be a straight waiver claim, meaning no other players are involved in the deal, and the acquiring team must take on the player’s full contract. 

Can an MLB Player Refuse to be Traded?

Some MLB players can refuse to be traded. Players who have been in the majors for 10 full seasons and on their current team for at least five years acquire 10-and-5 rights. This means they cannot be traded without their consent.

Others have no-trade clauses in their contracts. These are usually reserved for the game’s biggest stars. Alternatively, players can have partial no-trade clauses, which allows a player to rule out trades to certain teams.