Major League Baseball is abolishing August trades and switching to a single non-waiver trade deadline on July 31, the league announced in a statement on Thursday. The switch marks one of six rules changes the MLB and players' union will adopt this season.
Players can be placed and claimed on outright waivers after July 31, but they cannot be traded after that date.
The trade deadline rule change aims to eliminate confusing trade waivers in August and hopes to encourage teams to set their rosters sooner in the season and to create more certainty for players.