NEW YORK — Major League Baseball's trade deadline activity intensified on Wednesday, with the New York Mets positioned as sellers and multiple contenders chasing pitching help ahead of Friday's cutoff. Front offices across the league accelerated talks as the July 31 deadline approached.

Steve Cohen's Mets, mired in a disappointing season, have signaled a willingness to move veterans and expiring contracts. One analyst predicted the club would complete at least six trades, reflecting the scale of the roster reshuffle expected in Queens before the deadline passes.

The deadline market has centered on starting pitching and bullpen depth, with contenders in both leagues jockeying for reinforcements. Teams such as the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers have been linked to available arms as they build toward the postseason.

Team executives cautioned that most significant deals typically land in the final 48 hours, when sellers gain leverage and buyers grow desperate. Wednesday's negotiations set the stage for a flurry of transactions expected Thursday and Friday as clubs finalize prospect packages.

MLB's single-deadline structure, in place since 2019, concentrates all trade activity before July 31, heightening the urgency for both buyers and sellers to act quickly.