RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 4 sourcesThe 2026 MLB trade deadline is on Tuesday, Aug. 3 and we expect to see quite a few blockbuster deals made in a matter of days. While a Tarik Skubal trade isn’t coming until August, there are a few potential deals we’d like to see this week.
Let’s dive into our list of five MLB trades we’d love to see by the weekend.
Chicago White Sox Bolster Rotation with Clay HolmesTrade
Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Chicago White Sox will be buyers at the 2026 MLB trade deadline. That’s a sentence no one expected to see entering the season. Chicago entered the week first in the AL Central and in prime position to snag a postseason spot. To improve those odds and at least make a little noise in October, the White Sox need an innings-eater who can pitch near the front of their rotation. Clay Holmes is it.
Chicago White Sox aquire: Clay Holmes
New York Mets receive: RHP Mason Adams (CWS No. 8 prospect)
Holmes, who put up a 2.39 ERA in 52.2 innings before fracturing his fibula, will come off the injured list in early August and would fortify a pitching staff that ranks 26th in quality starts ( 26 ). In exchange for half a season of Holmes, New York gets 6-foot-1 righty Mason Adams. He profiles to be a back-end starter, but he could be part of the Mets’ rotation as early as next season.
Chicago Cubs Pull Off Robbie Ray Trade
Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
There’s no question the Chicago Cubs must find a top-end starter by the MLB trade deadline. Tarik Skubal is theoretically an option, but the prospect capital required to land him makes it unlikely. Instead, San Francisco Giants All-Star hurler Robbie Ray stands out as a more realistic target. It also helps that Ray, a half-season rental, has registered a 1.04 ERA with 35 strikeouts in his last seven starts (43.1 innings).
Chicago Cubs acquire: Robbie Ray
San Francisco Giants acquire: RHP Brooks Caple (CHC’s No. 8 prospect), IF Juan Tomas (CHC’s No. 12 prospect)
Ray’s summer excellence has done San Francisco a huge favor, elevating his trade value. It should allow the Giants to pick up one of the Cubs’ top 10 prospects, in this case right-handed pitcher Brooks Caple. He already has a great fastball, and if those secondary pitches can be developed, he’s a No. 4 starter. As for Juan Tomas, an international signee in 2025, it’s a bet on athleticism and versatility.
New York Yankees Pick Up Ryan Jeffers
Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Shea Langeliers injury took one trade target off the board for the New York Yankees , and it’s unlikely the Colorado Rockies move Hunter Goodman. That leaves a deal with the Minnesota Twins to acquire Ryan Jeffers ( .293/.395/.535 ) as the Yankees’ best path to upgrading at catcher.
New York Yankees acquire: C Ryan Jeffers, OF Matt Wallner
Minnesota Twins acquire: OF Jasson Dominguez
There is one complicating factor here for New York. Both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly also in on Jeffers, giving Minnesota the ability to create a bidding war. What the Yankees can offer is MLB-ready talent. In this deal, New York gets Jeffers as its new primary backstop and buys low on outfielder Matt Wallner. The 28-year-old was demoted to Triple-A back in May but has a .976 OPS in St. Paul. Meanwhile, the Twins get to roll the dice on Jasson Dominguez’s upside.
Philadelphia Phillies Add Antonio Senzatela
Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The season-ending injury to Brad Keller added a reliever to the Philadelphia Phillies’ list of needs at the MLB trade deadline. A trade with the Colorado Rockies for Antonio Senzatela fits, as the veteran righty has thrived this season (3.53 ERA) working out of the bullpen. Senzatela has been particularly dominant (2.30 ERA and 24-9 K-BB with 2 home runs allowed in 27.1 innings) away from Coors Field.
Philadelphia Phillies acquire: Antonio Senzatela
Colorado Rockies acquire: RHP Chan-Min Park (PHI’s No. 20 prospect)
Senzatela is effectively a half-season rental, with his $14 million club option for 2027 set to be declined, but his salary this year ($12 million) is on the higher side for a reliever. Philadelphia can either eat the remaining portion or Colorado can cover some of it in exchange for a better prospect. Given the other needs Philadelphia must address, the Phillies will likely go for the former.
Tampa Bay Rays Pick Up Luis Arraez from SF Giants
Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Tampa Bay Rays should take an aggressive approach to the MLB trade deadline. At the very least, the current leader of the AL East should push to address multiple needs ahead of the deadline. Trading for Luis Arraez would be a strong option.
Tampa Bay Rays acquire: Luis Arraez
San Francisco Giants acquire: RHP Ty Johnson (TB’s No. 10 prospect), OF Brendan Summerhill (TB’s No.23 prospect)
Arraez (.327/.63/.451) fits in perfectly with a Rays lineup that boasts the highest batting average in baseball (.260) this season and lands fifth in OBP (.333). He’s also on an affordable deal that’s expiring, so the Rays’ payroll doesn’t take a big hit. In exchange for the All-Star second baseman, the Giants add another starting pitching prospect to their farm system in Ty Johnson. While outfielder Brendan Summerhill is further away from reaching the majors than Johnson, he might also have a better path to becoming a starter.
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