But there’s still a lot left to sort out before Monday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline.
Here’s a breakdown of the latest news and rumors surrounding the buzziest trade candidates left on the market.
Aside from Skubal, perhaps no trade candidate has generated as much buzz in recent weeks as Miller. Speculation surrounding the flamethrowing closer picked up as San Diego struggled through a 21-35 stretch that dropped their record on the year to 50-53.
However, the Padres have reestablished themselves as buyers, and teams in the market for relievers told ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez that it would be a shock if Miller were traded at this point. Moreover, some teams in the market for high-leverage relief help said that they hadn’t even bothered to check in on Miller because they knew the asking price was always going to be astronomical.
Greene emerged as a realistic trade candidate last week, and as of Saturday the Reds were still said to be listening on him, with the chances of a trade characterized as “50-50,” sources told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
The Angels appear to be more open to listening on their bigger pieces than they have been in the past, sources told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, and they could have a major opportunity to cash in.
While Colorado hasn’t taken Goodman off the table entirely, sources told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand on Aug. 1 that the Rockies’ asking price remains “extremely high.” That follows a similar report from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal on Thursday . Rosenthal reported that the Rockies were asking for teams’ top overall prospects while noting that the Rays, Red Sox and Yankees were among the clubs to talk to Colorado about Goodman.
Rutschman is currently on the injured list with left wrist inflammation, but that’s not stopping teams from calling about him before Monday’s Trade Deadline. The Orioles, meanwhile, are listening on the switch-hitting backstop — and perhaps doing more than that. According to MLB Network insider Joel Sherman, one executive from a team pursuing catching help went as far as to describe the O’s as “wanting to trade” Rutschman, while two others put his trade chances at 60%.
Per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, five American League teams are believed to be looking for catching help — the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, White Sox and Rangers — creating a competitive market for any team with a backstop to move. Sherman hears that the Orioles are not opposed to trading Rutschman within the AL East.
Ward also has a robust market, with the Yankees, Guardians, Rangers and Phillies all involved to varying degrees, reports The Athletic.
Expected to be one of this year’s most active sellers, the Mets got the process started late Thursday night, dealing reliever A.J. Minter to the Twins for two prospects. The sell-off continued Sunday when New York traded Freddy Peralta to the Rays. The Mets are reportedly willing to trade everyone besides Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, Carson Benge, A.J. Ewing, Nolan McLean and Christian Scott. Holmes and Weaver are likely to bring back the biggest returns for the Mets.
Holmes hasn’t pitched since May 15 due to a fractured right fibula, but he is nearing his return from the IL. A long list of contenders scouted his rehab start last week, and at least a few teams did so again Sunday. The right-hander can opt-out of his deal at the end of this season and isn’t engaged in extension talks with the Mets at this time, so he’s all but certain to be moved as well.
Weaver’s status is more unclear, given he’s signed through 2027. But in a market light on impact relievers, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Thursday that Weaver is expected to generate enough interest to warrant trading him. The Brewers and Pirates were among the clubs showing strong interest in Weaver as of Friday, per a report from The Athletic.
Abrams found himself involved in trade rumors after The Athletic reported on July 25 that the Nationals were willing to listen to offers for the shortstop, with the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays and Brewers emerging as potential suitors. However, Heyman now hears that Washington is telling teams he’s not going anywhere, as he reported Friday.
It’s been clear for a while now that the Giants were going to be sellers this season, as president of baseball operations Buster Posey confirmed back in June that San Francisco was open to potential deals for most of their players. That said, it remains to be seen how many trades the Giants will actually make.
Logan Webb appears to be untouchable, and Rafael Devers, Willy Adames and Matt Chapman all have expensive contracts, which could complicate San Francisco’s efforts to move them. Word is the Giants are also looking to retain Jung Hoo Lee. Heliot Ramos is more likely to be dealt than Lee, but he has three-plus years of team control remaining.
The Giants’ most obvious trade chips are Arraez and Ray, both of whom are pending free agents having strong seasons. According to Heyman, the Rays, Rangers and Phillies are in on Arraez. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale considers the Rays the “heavy favorite” to acquire the three-time batting champion.
Ray leads MLB with 57 walks across 122 2/3 innings (4.2 BB/9). But with so many teams looking for starting pitching and Ray pitching to a 1.09 ERA since June 16, he should have a robust market nonetheless, especially with the Giants reportedly willing to pay down some of his remaining salary (roughly $8 million).
The Mariners remain in playoff contention, but they’ve been listening on Hancock (controllable through 2030) and Kirby (controllable through ’28) as they consider ways to use their starting pitching depth to improve other areas of their roster. A trade involving one of those two pitchers has become less likely, though, after the Mariners shipped Luis Castillo to the White Sox on Saturday night.
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, they are also listening on outfielder Randy Arozarena as they assess “whether it’s better to do a partial sell-off and take advantage of the need for right-handed hitting.” Arozarena, who is hitting .283 with 14 homers, 20 steals and an .834 OPS, can become a free agent at the end of this season.
With the Skubal deal done, the focus now shifts to some of the Tigers’ other trade candidates. That includes Mize, who was scratched from his scheduled start Friday as a precaution ahead of the Deadline. Interest in the right-hander is picking up, with the Rays, Cubs, Braves and Diamondbacks reportedly among the clubs keeping tabs on him. The 29-year-old Mize will reach free agency after this season and has pitched to a 2.70 ERA across 86 2/3 innings this year.
That said, the Skubal trade wasn’t necessarily a signal that the Tigers are planning a full-blown sale, according to The Athletic. While Detroit continues to weigh offers for a number of its players, the club will try to “thread the needle” and continue to compete. So it remains possible that players like Mize and Gleyber Torres will stay put.
The Blue Jays are “open to moving” players on expiring contracts, per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. They dealt their first significant piece on Sunday night, trading Kevin Gausman to the Cubs for two prospects. There’s still a long list of talent, including Varsho, Springer and Bieber. Hoffman is under contract through 2027, but he may be moved as well.
The Phillies could be a perfect trade partner for the Blue Jays, as they have a need for a starter, a reliever and a center fielder.
The Marlins are talking to clubs about Hicks and Stowers, according to The Athletic. Lopez and Edwards are also being mentioned in trade talks, but the Marlins are more actively shopping Hicks and Stowers. The Rays and Red Sox are among the teams reportedly interested in Hicks. The Astros are engaged in ongoing discussions with Miami regarding Stowers, per MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.
The Athletic reported on Wednesday that the Marlins don’t plan on moving Sandy Alcantara, fellow pitchers Eury Pérez and Max Meyer or rookie catcher Joe Mack.
Jeffers has received significant trade interest in recent weeks, but Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll said Tuesday that Minnesota views itself as a buyer. Minnesota reinforced that stance by trading for reliever A.J. Minter and Dean Kremer, making it unlikely that Jeffers (pending free agent) or starter Joe Ryan (controllable through 2027) will be moved.
