The MLB trade deadline is just around the corner, and while summer hasn't officially arrived, the hot stove is already heating up. With nearly 25% of the season in the books, teams are starting to take a hard look in the mirror, and the phone lines are buzzing with early trade chatter. From contenders looking to bolster their rosters to sellers ready to cash in, here are five teams that executives and scouts are keeping a close eye on as we approach the Aug. 3 deadline.

First up, the New York Mets. After a historic collapse last season—when they owned the best record in baseball in June only to watch it slip away—this year has been a different story entirely. The Mets have struggled mightily, and rival executives believe there's little chance of a turnaround. While crazy things can happen (just ask the Cleveland Guardians, who erased a 15½-game deficit last July to win the AL Central), the Mets' lineup has looked more like a rebuilding squad than the most expensive team in the game. That's why they could soon become the center of attention on the trade market.

If the Mets decide to sell, they have three of the biggest trade chips available: starters Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes, along with infielder Bo Bichette. Peralta, acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in January, is 2-3 with a 3.12 ERA and is set to become a free agent after the season. Extension talks have stalled, and if a deal can't be reached, the Mets might as well get something in return rather than watch him walk. Holmes brings elite stuff from the bullpen, and Bichette is a young, dynamic bat that could change the complexion of any contender's infield.

As the deadline approaches, expect the Mets to be the team everyone is watching. Whether they hold or sell could reshape the playoff landscape—and the trade market—for years to come.