Here’s a look at some of the latest topics swirling in the rumor mill, including how the other Skubal suitors could pivot in the wake of Saturday’s blockbuster, a hint on the White Sox next move and rumblings about some of the other top starting pitchers in the market.
What’s next for Yankees, Cubs and other Skubal suitors?
There could be only one winner, but there were at least seven clubs linked to Skubal in the hours and days leading up to Saturday’s big news. Here’s a rundown how each of those clubs could respond to missing out on the two-time Cy Young Award winner.
Rays: The Rays are perhaps closer than any other team to landing Arraez. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Rays are the “heavy favorite” to acquire the three-time batting champion. The Athletic recently reported (subscription required) that Tampa Bay has also checked in on Mets right-handed starter Freddy Peralta and Tigers right-hander Casey Mize. The AL East leaders are looking to upgrade at catcher as well.
Brewers: Milwaukee came up short in its efforts to pair Skubal with Jacob Misiorowski in its rotation. However, the Brewers still plan to be aggressive in addressing all areas of its roster before Monday’s Deadline. A source told Feinsand that the club “will push some chips into the center” and make acquisitions to try taking down the Dodgers.
Phillies: Philadelphia has emerged as a possible contender for Arraez, according to FanSided’s Robert Murray. It is hunting for a right-handed-hitting outfielder and has been linked to the Orioles’ Taylor Ward. On the pitching side, the Phillies have been mentioned in rumors regarding Peralta as well. The Blue Jays have players who could fit most of the Phillies’ needs, and those two sides have been in talks, per MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi.
White Sox not done after landing RHP Castillo
According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the AL Central leaders are open to bringing in another starting pitcher. Since Castillo is under contract through 2027 with a vesting option for 2028, Chicago is willing to look for a rental starter who may not require as much of a return. Available starting pitchers who will be free agents after this season include Gausman, Peralta, Mize, Ray, the Reds’ Brady Singer, the Orioles’ Trevor Rogers and the Blue Jays’ Shane Bieber.
What’s the Tigers’ next move?
Everyone was waiting to see where Skubal will go. Now that we know, there should be a marked increase in trade market activity. And the southpaw probably won’t be the last player to exit the Motor City.
A lot of attention will now be paid to 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.
Starter Jack Flaherty and second baseman Gleyber Torres are also on expiring contracts and could be on the move as well. The Tigers could also unload relievers Kenley Jansen, Drew Anderson and Kyle Finnegan. Jansen ($12 million) and Anderson ($10 million) each carry a club option for next season. Finnegan has a mutual option for ’27.
Rangers’ Deadline direction may hinge on Sunday result
Buy or sell? For the Rangers, the answer may depend on what happens in Sunday’s series finale versus the Astros, according to Rosenthal.
“Beat the Houston Astros on Sunday, and perhaps the front office keeps the team intact, or even adds,” Rosenthal wrote. “Lose, and the Rangers could sell, perhaps even in a big way.”
Texas (55-56) has dropped the first two games of the Silver Boot Series and four games in a row to put it 1 1/2 games behind Houston in the AL West. It is a half-game out of a Wild Card spot. Rosenthal reports that the Rangers “are not ruling anything out” as the final day until the Deadline looms.
The Rangers’ most likely trade chips are designated hitter Joc Pederson and reliever Jakob Junis, both of whom are on expiring contracts. Moving a headline player such as Corey Seager or Jacob deGrom would be more difficult. The oft-injured Seager has a partial no-trade clause and is due $155 million from 2027-31. deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi have full no-trade clauses with significant money remaining on each of their contracts. However, Rosenthal writes that it’s “not out of the question” that deGrom waives his clause to pitch for a team located closer to his Florida residence — like the Braves, perhaps.
