Every season, Major League Baseball institutes a deadline on when competitive and non-competitive teams can complete trades during the year. The 2024 MLB Trade Deadline is approaching but what is the date for it this year? Yet again, Major League Baseball will hold the deadline on a different date, compared to 2022 and 2023.
Date for the MLB Trade Deadline
The date and time for the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline is July 30, 2024, at 6 PM ET.
This is a slight departure from precedent, as Major League Baseball has held the deadline in early August. The 2023 deadline came on August 1, while the 2022 date was August 2.
History of the Trade Deadline
The current deadline date is in contrast to before the installment of the new CBA. Before 2020, the Trade Deadline traditionally fell on July 31.
Before 2019, there were two distinct trade deadlines: the non-waiver (traditionally on July 31) and the waiver trade deadline (August 31). Most of the action took place on the former but teams could make deals — and more importantly, the player(s) acquired would be eligible for the playoffs — after the 31st given that a player cleared revocable trade waivers.
One notable example of a waiver trade came in 2017 when the Tigers traded right-hander Justin Verlander to the Astros.
The MLB Trade Deadline is an important date for Major League teams, as it marks virtually the last opportunity for playoff-bound teams to add reinforcements via trade with other organizations. After 6 PM ET on July 30, any player traded will not be eligible for the postseason.
Many teams made significant moves during last year’s MLB Trade Deadline. Some notable moves included the Rangers acquiring pitchers Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery, the Diamondbacks’ pickups of Paul Sewald and Tommy Pham, and Carlos Santana going from Pittsburgh to Milwaukee.
Before June 2024, one major move was made well before the Trade Deadline. San Diego acquired two-time batting champion Luis Arraez from the Marlins.