The 2026 MLB trade deadline is approaching, and several contenders could make significant additions before Monday, August 3 at 6 p.m. ET. Teams currently have only a limited amount of time to decide whether they are legitimate playoff contenders, cautious buyers or sellers preparing for the future.
This year’s market remains especially unpredictable because so many teams are still within reach of a Wild Card position. The Dodgers, Yankees, Brewers, Phillies, Cubs, Braves and Rays are among the clubs positioned to buy, while teams such as the Mets, Giants, Rockies, Athletics, Angels and Royals appear more likely to move established players.
None of the following trades has been finalized. These are five potential moves based on reported availability, team needs and logical roster fits.
1. Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Tarik Skubal is the biggest name who could move before the deadline. The Detroit Tigers left-hander is a two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner and is widely viewed as the top player available in the 2026 market. His season has included an elbow procedure and a five-week absence, but his ability to dominate a postseason game would still make him one of the most valuable additions any contender could make.
The Dodgers are an obvious potential destination. Los Angeles is firmly positioned as a buyer and has consistently demonstrated a willingness to exchange prospect capital for established stars. Adding Skubal would give the Dodgers another frontline starter capable of taking the ball in Game 1 of a playoff series.
The greatest obstacle would be the price. Detroit would likely demand multiple premium young players, especially because so many contenders need pitching. The Tigers have also improved after a disastrous stretch earlier in the season and could decide to keep Skubal for one final postseason push.
However, few teams possess the combination of financial power, prospect depth and championship urgency that Los Angeles does. A Skubal trade would immediately become the defining transaction of the 2026 deadline.
Potential move: Tarik Skubal from the Tigers to the Dodgers
2. Mason Miller to the New York Yankees
The Yankees are expected to pursue bullpen help before the deadline. New York’s lineup and rotation may be capable of reaching the postseason, but October games are frequently decided by which team can protect a narrow lead during the final three innings.
Mason Miller would provide the Yankees with the type of overpowering late-game arm every contender wants. The Padres reliever is included among MLB’s prominent trade candidates, and his velocity and strikeout ability would make him a dangerous weapon at Yankee Stadium.
New York could use Miller as its primary closer or deploy him against the most dangerous section of an opponent’s lineup regardless of the inning. That flexibility becomes particularly valuable during the postseason, when managers cannot always save their best reliever for a traditional ninth-inning situation.
The Yankees reportedly consider top prospects George Lombard Jr. and Carlos Lagrange difficult to move, but other young players—including Dax Kilby, Elmer Rodríguez, Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones—could potentially become part of deadline discussions.
San Diego would require a major return, but Miller could be the difference between an early playoff elimination and a deep Yankees run.
Potential move: Mason Miller from the Padres to the Yankees
3. Luis Arraez to the Boston Red Sox
Boston’s dramatic midseason turnaround has transformed the organization from a likely seller into a possible buyer. The Red Sox recently produced a 14-game winning streak and went 19–2 over a 21-game stretch, placing themselves directly in the American League playoff conversation.
One of Boston’s clearest weaknesses is second base. The Red Sox ranked 28th in the majors in offensive production at that position when MLB.com examined their deadline needs. Luis Arraez was specifically identified as one possible solution.
Arraez would give Boston an elite contact hitter capable of reaching base in front of the lineup’s power bats. His approach would also fit Fenway Park, where line drives and balls hit toward the Green Monster can quickly become doubles.
The Giants are expected to sell, making Arraez a realistic target if Boston decides to be aggressive. He would not provide traditional home-run power, but he could lengthen the batting order and give the Red Sox a reliable hitter in high-pressure situations.
After spending much of the season looking unlikely to contend, Boston now has a legitimate reason to improve its roster. Arraez could be the practical addition that turns the Red Sox into a more complete offensive team.
Potential move: Luis Arraez from the Giants to the Red Sox
4. Freddy Peralta to the Philadelphia Phillies
The Mets have reportedly indicated that they are prepared to sell, and only a small group of players appears completely unavailable. Freddy Peralta is therefore one of the more recognizable starting pitchers who could change teams.
Peralta has not matched the strongest seasons of his career during his first year with New York, but his strikeout ability remains attractive. He was one of baseball’s better strikeout pitchers from 2023 through 2025 and finished fifth in National League Cy Young Award voting last season.
Philadelphia has been actively searching for another starting pitcher. The Phillies received a 7.33 ERA from their fifth rotation position and went 5–20 in games started by someone outside their primary four-man group when MLB.com reported on their needs.
Peralta would be more than a temporary fifth starter. At his best, he could give Philadelphia another legitimate postseason option while also protecting the rotation during the final two months of the regular season.
A trade between National League East rivals may be complicated, and the Mets could prefer moving him outside the division. Still, Philadelphia’s need and Peralta’s upside make this one of the most interesting potential deadline matches.
Potential move: Freddy Peralta from the Mets to the Phillies
5. Ryan Jeffers to the Tampa Bay Rays
Several American League East teams need catching help, including the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays. Ryan Jeffers may be the most attainable impact catcher because he is approaching free agency and reportedly has a realistic chance of being dealt.
Tampa Bay has put itself in position to buy and could benefit from adding more offensive production behind the plate. Jeffers would offer experience, power and the ability to strengthen a position that is often difficult to upgrade during the season.
The Rays rarely make deadline decisions based only on star power. They typically search for players who fit specific roster needs without requiring them to surrender their very best prospects. Jeffers’ contract situation may make his acquisition cost more manageable than alternatives such as Adley Rutschman, Shea Langeliers or Hunter Goodman.
Minnesota’s deadline direction may depend on its position in the Wild Card race, but a Jeffers trade would make sense if the Twins decide to collect value before he reaches free agency.
For Tampa Bay, this would not be the loudest move of the deadline. It could still become one of the most useful.
Potential move: Ryan Jeffers from the Twins to the Rays
Final Thoughts
The 2026 trade deadline could be shaped by starting pitching, with Skubal standing above every other potential target. However, contenders will also compete aggressively for late-inning relievers, catchers and dependable hitters.
The biggest question is how many teams will actually sell. With much of the league still close to a playoff position, one winning or losing streak could completely change a club’s deadline plans.
A blockbuster involving Skubal or Miller would dominate the headlines, but smaller additions such as Arraez or Jeffers could also determine which teams survive the postseason race. As August 3 approaches, front offices must decide whether to protect their future assets or make the aggressive move that could produce a championship.