With the MLB Draft and this year’s All-Star festivities in the rearview mirror, the baseball world is set to shift all of its focus toward the upcoming Trade Deadline.
Before the second half gets underway on Thursday, here’s a look at some of the latest hot topics swirling in the rumor mill, including the Yankees potentially making a push for Mason Miller, several suitors emerging for Tarik Skubal and more.
Catcher remains the Yankees’ biggest area of need, and the club reportedly has made no secret about its desire to trade for the Twins’ Ryan Jeffers or the Rockies’ Hunter Goodman.
But New York could also use a high-leverage reliever, preferably a right-hander, and it appears to have MLB’s most dominant bullpen arm on its radar.
According to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman in an article for the New York Post (subscription required), the Bronx Bombers “love the idea of adding Mason Miller,” who would not only fill the Yankees’ bullpen need this year but also address their closer vacancy heading into 2027, with David Bednar on the verge of free agency.
The Padres just acquired Miller last summer, giving up top prospect Leo De Vries to do so, so they’ll likely be hesitant to deal him unless they get a haul in return. At the same time, the 27-year-old flamethrower is by far the most valuable trade chip for a team that has so many underperforming stars on big contracts, and general manager A.J. Preller has earned a reputation as one of MLB’s boldest executives, which means nothing can be ruled out as far as Miller goes.
Skubal market coming into focus
If the Tigers make Skubal available, the Cubs, Braves and Rays are expected to be among the strongest suitors for the pending free agent and two-time Cy Young winner, according to a report from Heyman.
Tampa Bay was also linked to Skubal several days ago, with USA Today reporting that the club planned to be “aggressive buyers” this year.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, are a wild card in the Skubal sweepstakes. Per Heyman, the indication coming from the organization to this point is that they are unlikely to surrender premium prospects for a rental, even one the caliber of Skubal. However, Heyman wrote Sunday that some rival teams suspect the Dodgers have been underselling their interest in Skubal.
It remains unclear if the Tigers will trade Skubal, considering they’ve posted the AL’s best record (22-14) since June 1 and have pulled to within 3 1/2 games of a playoff spot. But many rival executives think the Tigers should still move him despite their recent hot streak.
“They have to trade him,” one executive told Heyman. “They’re not going to win the World Series. Teams would be lining up for him. What are they going to do, let him walk out the door?”
Phillies seeking multiple arms, right-handed bat
Contreras unlikely to approve trade out of Boston
Even if Boston does end up selling, All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras likely isn’t going anywhere. While Contreras waived his full no-trade clause to go from the Cardinals to the Red Sox in a December deal, he indicated that he’s unlikely to approve a trade out of Boston.
“The front office knows the answer. I already spoke [to them] about it, but I don’t think I’m interested in going anywhere,” said Contreras, whose contract runs through 2027 and includes a ’28 club option. “I didn’t [directly] say, ‘Don’t ask me for a trade.’ But I told them I would trade something to stay here. That’s what I said. I like Boston. I think it’s a great place to play, and it’s not easy to get traded again. So, I think I found my family here.”
Arraez wants to stay at second base if he’s traded
As a pending free agent on a team that’s well below .500, the Giants’ Luis Arraez is likely to be dealt before the Trade Deadline. But while Arraez has no idea which team he’ll be playing for down the stretch, he does know where he’ll be playing on the field: second base.
The four-time All-Star and three-time batting champion said Monday has no interest in changing positions for a new team.
“This is a business, so whatever team wants to give me the opportunity to help, it’s going to be at second base,” Arraez said. “I don’t like to go back to first base; I prepared my mind, I prepared my body to only play second base.
“One hundred percent, I’m staying at second.”
