The Trade Deadline is fast approaching — six days to go and counting.
Here’s a look at some of the latest topics swirling in the rumor mill, including the Red Sox’s desire to add a shortstop, mixed reports about the Dodgers’ interest in Tarik Skubal and a potential Windy City battle brewing for a starting pitcher.
Red Sox looking to upgrade at shortstop
According to reports from The Athletic, USA Today and ESPN in recent days, Boston is looking to upgrade at shortstop. The club reportedly has interest in the Angels’ Zach Neto, the Nationals’ CJ Abrams and the Astros’ Jeremy Peña.
However, it could be difficult for the Red Sox to pry one of those trade targets loose.
The Angels are reportedly willing to listen on Neto, but they aren’t going to be in a rush to trade away a 25-year-old with three-plus years of control left. According to MLB Network insider Joel Sherman (NY Post subscription required), executives who have dealt with the Angels sense that the club isn’t closing the door on Neto but is prioritizing starters Reid Detmers and José Soriano in trade talks.
The Nationals are also reportedly open to considering offers for Abrams, but he’s likely going to require an even larger return than Neto despite having one fewer year to go before free agency. Abrams has been one of MLB’s best hitters this season, producing 27 homers, 82 RBIs and a .938 OPS to go with 19 stolen bases. That includes nine homers and a 1.237 OPS in July.
There’s been some speculation that the Astros might be willing to move Peña, who will be eligible for free agency after 2027. But Houston entered Tuesday only two games out of first place in the AL West (despite a 53-55 record) and considers itself a buyer.
Will Dodgers go after Skubal? Here’s the latest
There continue to be differing opinions on whether the Dodgers will pursue a trade for Skubal.
The Los Angeles Times reported Monday that a Skubal blockbuster was not likely to be part of the Dodgers’ Trade Deadline plans.
However, The Athletic’s Katie Woo (subscription required) hears that the club will “remain engaged” on Skubal if he becomes available.
According to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman (NY Post subscription required), the Dodgers are telling people that they believe Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow will all be back in their rotation soon, and that they don’t need another top starter. But rival teams nonetheless fear L.A. jumping in if Detroit puts Skubal on the market.
If the Tigers end up putting Skubal on the trade block, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand expects the Dodgers to be one of three teams that are “really heavy in on” the lefty, along with the Brewers and Rays.
Whether Skubal will actually be dealt is also a matter of debate, as the Tigers haven’t given up on the hope of making a playoff run. Detroit’s three-game losing streak hasn’t helped in that regard — the club’s playoff odds (per FanGraphs) dropped below 25% after Monday’s loss, down from 42.4% through Friday. They entered Tuesday four games out in the race for the third AL Wild Card spot at 50-57, with five teams in front of them.
Cubs’ pitching woes worsen as Taillon DFA’d
Edward Cabrera is due back at some point in August, but the Cubs’ experience with Taillon exemplifies why teams can’t rely too heavily on pitchers returning from the IL.
For the time being, the Cubs’ rotation includes Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Colin Rea and David Peterson, with Javier Assad the most likely option to fill Taillon’s spot. Chicago has a clear need for another playoff-caliber starter, and the strength of its offense and defense provides a compelling case why the team needs to go get one.
However, as Patrick Mooney of The Athletic (subscription required) notes, it remains unclear just how aggressive the Cubs will be in their pursuit of pitching. The club’s front office is typically reticent about prioritizing short-term gains over long-term roster building. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has acknowledged how much the team values the first-round bye awarded to the top two teams in each league during the postseason and indicated the club would be more open to a major Deadline splash if that was in play. But the Cubs would need to overcome a six-game deficit to overtake the Brewers for the NL Central crown and have a shot at getting a bye.
Chicago has been mentioned as a possible landing spot for Skubal, but if the Cubs are shopping in the rental market, they are more likely to go after a lower-cost option such as Robbie Ray of the Giants, Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes (opt-out) of the Mets or Kevin Gausman of the Blue Jays.
Detmers or Soriano, both of whom are controllable through 2028, could be a fit as well. The Athletic reported on July 23 that the Angels are interested in acquiring a young catcher, and the Cubs’ No. 3 prospect, Owen Ayers, seemingly fits the bill. The Athletic’s report also mentioned the Mariners’ Emerson Hancock (controllable through 2030) as a potential option.
The Mariners are actively listening on Hancock and Luis Castillo, industry sources told MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer. There’s a growing possibility that at least one of them will be moved before next Monday.
White Sox join Cubs in pursuit of Detmers
The Cubs aren’t the only Windy City team showing interest in Detmers. Sources told Yahoo Sports that the White Sox are also in on the Angels left-hander.
The White Sox were not expected to contend this season after losing 100-plus games in each of the past three years, but they’re currently in first place in the American League Central behind a much improved offense. Like the Cubs, though, their pitching needs work.
The White Sox haven’t ruled out acquiring a rental starter — they’re “intrigued” by Holmes, per Yahoo — but a controllable arm like Detmers might make more sense for a team whose contending window is just opening up.
