Major League Baseball teams are preparing for an active trade deadline on August 3, with several high-profile players expected to be at the center of discussions.
The compressed standings have kept most clubs within striking distance of the postseason, intensifying the market.
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Only six teams are more than five games out of playoff spots, increasing the stakes for both buyers and sellers.
Top Trade Candidates
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal, a two-time AL Cy Young winner, is viewed as the most impactful player available.
He earns $32 million this season with arbitration control and has returned strong from elbow surgery.
According to mlbtraderumors.
com, no other plausible trade candidate would more meaningfully improve a team’s odds of winning the 2026 World Series.
The Tigers have fallen seven games below . 500, adding urgency to their decisions.
San Diego Padres reliever Mason Miller boasts a 0.82 ERA and nearly 50% strikeout rate over 43 2/3 innings.
Despite his elite performance and arbitration control through 2029, the Padres would only trade him for a substantial return, likely headlined by a controllable starting pitcher, per usatoday.
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com.
Luis Arraez of the San Francisco Giants is expected to be traded as the team has not engaged in contract extension talks with the three-time batting champion.
He is enjoying a strong offensive season and has improved defensively at second base, attracting interest from the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays.
