We're less than a week away from the MLB trade deadline, and there's plenty of action left to unfold. Our MLB editors Bryan Mcwilliam, Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb, Tom Ruminski, and Brandon Wile answer the biggest questions leading into Aug. 3.
Should the Tigers trade Tarik Skubal?
Yes: The 2023 Los Angeles Angels are the perfect example of what not to do if you're the Tigers. The Angels held on to Shohei Ohtani despite reportedly having a deal involving Junior Caminero on the table. L.A. then failed to make the playoffs and watched Ohtani sign with another team. It's time for Detroit to face reality: this club just isn't good enough this year. President of baseball operations Scott Harris needs a clear idea of the contract Skubal will command this winter, and it's imperative to cash in now for the betterment of the team's long-term health if the Tigers aren't planning on making an aggressive bid for him - and all signs point to them not. Detroit isn't far away from being one of the AL's top contenders even without Skubal, and the pieces it'll receive for the reigning Cy Young winner could help form the next core. The fan base will certainly have a tough time seeing Skubal traded, but missing the playoffs and watching him walk this winter would be a disaster. - Wile
No: The Tigers are playing below expectations this year, but that's no different than the rest of the AL. Thanks to a recent surge, they're only 3.5 games out of a playoff spot despite sitting six games below .500. Detroit's plus-39 run differential is also tied for fourth in the AL. So why trade Skubal? With the deadline here and the 29-year-old a rental, the Tigers might not get the return they're hoping for. They should take advantage of the opportunity that is the wide-open 2026 American League, hold onto Skubal, and make a run at it. Even if it amounts to essentially renting its own player, Detroit can't afford to waste this opportunity. - Sharkey-Gotlieb
Other than Skubal, who will be the biggest name traded?
Mason Miller: The Padres have a 21.5% chance of making the postseason, so the need for an elite closer like Miller on their roster shrinks with each passing day. San Diego could capitalize on Miller's high trade value and recoup some of the prospect capital it used to acquire him last season. While there are conflicting reports about whether Miller is available, the New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, and Pittsburgh Pirates are all apparently interested in the 27-year-old. - Mcwilliam
Ketel Marte: Will the D-Backs trade their star second baseman? Probably not. Should they move him? Yes. Although Arizona is fighting for an NL wild-card spot and the 2024 NL MVP finalist owns a full no-trade clause, it's time for the two sides to part. The D-Backs downplayed why Marte recently wiped all references to the club from his Instagram account, and the organization tried to trade him last offseason after publicly defending him for years amid reports about his work ethic. Arizona could address present and future needs by trading a 32-year-old who's under contract through 2031. - Ruminski
Hunter Goodman: The Rockies are going to take advantage of this seller's market by trading their All-Star catcher for a massive haul. Goodman's under team control for another three years, and Colorado isn't winning anything in that timeframe. The 26-year-old is the best power-hitting catcher in baseball and has produced better road splits, proving he's not a creation of Coors Field. President of baseball operations Paul DePodesta, hired less than a year ago to shake up this long-lost organization, also isn't attached to Goodman. Franchise catchers like this are hard to come by, so the Rockies can demand the moon for their most valuable asset. Goodman's value may never be higher than it is right now, and Colorado knows it, which is why he's getting moved. - Sharkey-Gotlieb
Which contender needs to make the biggest move?
Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies should listen to Bryce Harper. The star first baseman made it clear that the team's holes are so obvious that "everybody in baseball kind of knows what we need." Beyond the big three of Cristopher Sánchez, Zack Wheeler, and Jesús Luzardo, the rotation's production significantly drops off, with the No. 5 spot failing to win a game since May 18. In terms of the bullpen, Philadelphia should acquire a high-leverage reliever after Brad Keller's season-ending injury. Harper and Kyle Schwarber need help, as well. Brandon Marsh is the only other lineup mainstay with a 100 wRC+ or better. - Ruminski
New York Yankees: Forget the fact that New York is now missing three of its most important bats in Cody Bellinger, Giancarlo Stanton, and, of course, captain Aaron Judge. Even if they were all healthy, there's a different kind of pressure in the Bronx right now because the clock is ticking on this era of Yankees baseball. Brian Cashman needs to go all-in: Get Luis Arraez and Miller, grab a catcher, and bring in another power-hitting outfielder, and if that means dealing Spencer Jones and Jasson Domínguez, or even George Lombard Jr., to make any of that happen, then so be it. Instead of waiting for Judge to come back, New York should build the team out so he has even more help when he returns. The Yankees' path might never be easier than right now, and they must take advantage of the opportunity. - Sharkey-Gotlieb
Milwaukee Brewers: This year's Brewers appear to be the strongest team in franchise history, making it an ideal time for them to go all-in and try to reach the World Series for the first time since 1982. Milwaukee could include some of its desirable pipeline talent in trades to improve its starting pitching, bullpen, and offensive depth. Names like Skubal and Miller have been connected to the Brewers in recent trade rumors. - Mcwilliam
Who will be a surprise buyer/seller?
Los Angeles Dodgers: Manager Dave Roberts raised some eyebrows when he mentioned the Dodgers as potential sellers ahead of the deadline. Why would L.A. sell when it's vying for a third straight title? Well, the team's roster just doesn't have any glaring needs, and several key pieces are set to return, including Edwin Díaz, Blake Snell, Will Smith, and Tyler Glasnow. Players like Emmett Sheehan and Eric Lauer could be expendable. - Mcwilliam
Washington Nationals: This isn't to say the Nats will add a superstar at the deadline, but they'll do some light shopping. Blake Butera's plucky young squad is one game out of the playoffs and boasts a plus-31 run differential in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Unless Washington gets a true godfather offer, this isn't the time to trade CJ Abrams. With a strong farm system, the organization can afford to send out a prospect or two for a useful bat and/or arm without sacrificing foundational young pieces. Though the Nationals don't need to chase a star since they already have two in Abrams and James Wood, the club will reward this group for a great year by adding at least one name that will surprise. - Sharkey-Gotlieb
Seattle Mariners: It feels like we've gotten the same iteration of the Mariners for years. Seattle sports one of the best rotations in baseball but struggles to consistently produce offensively despite fielding a lineup with several proven stars. Hampered by MLB's fourth-worst slugging percentage, this team has scored the third-fewest runs in the league this year and currently sits out of a wild-card spot. Trading from a position of strength makes sense for the Mariners, especially considering they have top pitching prospects Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan waiting in the minors. Seattle will likely trade starters Emerson Hancock and Luis Castillo if it decides to deal big-league arms. - Ruminski
Which seller will be most intriguing to watch?
Toronto Blue Jays: Coming into the season, the Blue Jays looked poised for another deep playoff run after reaching the World Series in 2025 and putting together a stellar offseason. Unfortunately, the campaign hasn't worked out as Toronto's front office had planned, which could mean several pending free agents are on the move. Kevin Gausman, George Springer, Shane Bieber, and Daulton Varsho are expected to be traded, but can the Blue Jays sell high on Jeff Hoffman and Spencer Miles? Could the franchise potentially trade Alejandro Kirk with Brandon Valenzuela continuing to prove he belongs in the bigs? - Mcwilliam
San Francisco Giants: The Giants would be crazy not to trade pending free agents like Luis Arraez, Robbie Ray, or Tyler Mahle. Arraez, in particular, could end up as one of the best bats moved at the deadline, putting San Francisco in a solid position in a seller's market. However, the real intrigue surrounds whether the club can ship out one of Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman, or Willy Adames. The Giants committed hundreds of millions to the trio on long-term contracts but haven't found much success on the field. While San Francisco will surely have to eat a bunch of money in any deal, it might be worth going in a different direction amid a disappointing year. - Ruminski
New York Mets: We know the Mets will sell, but how big will the sell-off be? They might not even know yet. Will New York listen to offers on Bo Bichette or Francisco Lindor? Will either player waive their no-trade clause if asked? Both (assuming Bichette opts into the second year of his deal) could help the Mets win in 2027. The same can be said for Luke Weaver and Francisco Alvarez, though they could deliver nice returns in this market. David Stearns has to reshape this team, and it'll be fascinating to watch him navigate these waters and look for a solution to get New York back on track. - Sharkey-Gotlieb
