Analyst outlines potential trade targets for MLB contenders before deadline
A recent analysis matches each playoff-bound MLB team with players who could strengthen their rosters before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
With less than two weeks remaining before the August 3 trade deadline, an analyst has listed the players he believes would most improve the rosters of clubs in contention. For the American League East, the Tampa Bay Rays are linked to left-hander Tarik Skubal of Detroit or Reid Detmers of Los Angeles, while the New York Yankees are suggested to pursue catcher Hunter Goodman from Colorado. The Boston Red Sox are paired with second baseman Luis Arraez of San Francisco, and the Baltimore Orioles with right-hander Luke Weaver of New York.
In the AL Central, the Chicago White Sox are advised to target closer Mason Miller from San Diego, the Cleveland Guardians to consider infielder/outfielder Casey Schmitt of the Giants, the Minnesota Twins to add left-hander Brooks Raley from the Mets, and the Detroit Tigers to look at outfielder Luis Robert Jr., also of the Mets. The AL West suggestions include the Seattle Mariners targeting versatile infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer of Cincinnati, the Texas Rangers adding right-hander Huascar Brazobán from New York, and the Houston Astros pursuing left-handed outfielder JJ Bleday of Cincinnati.
For the National League, the Atlanta Braves are linked to right-hander Kevin Gausman of Toronto, the Philadelphia Phillies to outfielder Lane Thomas of Kansas City, the Miami Marlins to third baseman Kyle Karros of Colorado, and the Washington Nationals to right-hander Antonio Senzatela of Colorado. In the NL Central, the Milwaukee Brewers are matched with Tarik Skubal, the Chicago Cubs with left-hander Robbie Ray of San Francisco, the St. Louis Cardinals with right-hander Michael Wacha of Kansas City, and the Pittsburgh Pirates with center-fielder Daulton Varsho of Toronto. Finally, the analysis advises the Los Angeles Dodgers to trade surplus outfield prospects for infield or pitching depth, the Arizona Diamondbacks to acquire right-hander José Soriano of Los Angeles, and the San Diego Padres to consider acquiring right-hander Hunter Greene of Cincinnati.
"If the Tigers decide to trade Skubal, I would like to see either the Rays or the Brewers be the team that lands him because while both teams are already very good, acquiring an ace like Skubal would give them a legitimate chance to get to the World Series this year," the analyst wrote.
"The Braves are looking for a starting pitcher who can start a playoff game and if the Blue Jays decide to sell, then the impending free agent Gausman, with his postseason experience, would be a realistic target," the analyst added.
The piece emphasizes each club's specific needs—such as pitching depth, left-handed hitting, or defensive upgrades—and suggests that the identified players could address those gaps if acquired before the deadline.