The MLB All-Star break's biggest events are done and dusted in terms of the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game itself. With another day until the first game of the second half of the season and two more until the first full slate, it’s the perfect time to address some of the MLB trade deadline rumors. From Tarik Skubal to prospects you’ve never even heard of, there are so many potential deals swirling around. That’s why we’re here to take you through the top five biggest MLB trade rumors, potential landing spots, the fantasy winners and losers, and more!

🤔 Biggest MLB Trade Deadline Rumors

The MLB trade deadline isn’t until August 3rd, but right about now is when we really start getting those juicy rumors. Without a doubt, Tarik Skubal is the blockbuster name, with several teams looking to be interested. We’re talking about everyone from the big markets of New York and Los Angeles to Milwaukee.

Yes - there are MLB trade deadline rumors that we could see Tarik Skubal and Jacob Misiorowski on the same team! We’ve also got other pitchers in the mix like Sandy Alcantara and Joe Ryan, with the latter also being rumored to be a potential Milwaukee Brewer. Before we get too ahead of ourselves with a laundry list of MLB trade rumors, let’s make a top five.
 

 

 

🔥 Top MLB Trade Candidates

With so many MLB trade deadline rumors floating around, it’s actually quite difficult to nail down a top five this season. The #1 pick is going to be an obvious one, but the rest of the list may cause some speculation…

⚾ Tarik Skubal (DET Tigers LHP)

Again, this will shock no one, as there have been speculations of the dominant lefty getting moved at the MLB trade deadline for quite some time. Despite missing time due to injury and even requiring surgery (the “Skubal scope” if you will), he’s not only come back FAR earlier than usual, but has also looked great doing so.

He tops the MLB trade deadline rumors with his name alone, but since returning after missing only six weeks and recording only four K’s in his first outing, he went on a stretch with 8+ K’s in four straight starts! Most importantly, since his return, we’ve seen him throw 80-96 pitches, so there is no short leash for the southpaw.

As the reigning back-to-back AL Cy Young winner, he instantly gives any team a chance at a solid postseason run, and therefore, tops our list of the biggest 2026 MLB trade deadline rumors.

⚾ Joe Ryan (MIN Twins RHP)

Next up is another starting pitcher, but of the right-handed variety. He may not be the same caliber as Skubal, but he’s had nine K’s in five of his starts this season, including recently against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Perhaps the most enticing part of getting Ryan is the fact that he has a high floor - he’s had fewer than five K’s just twice this season.

Along with the fact that he sits in the 81st percentile or better in terms of xERA, xBA, K%, and BB%, he absolutely makes the cut for the top five MLB trade rumors.

⚾ Sandy Alcantara (Miami Marlins RHP)

Our top three continues with another starting pitcher, but we don’t think too many fans would argue with their impact. While you’ve just seen us rattle off some strikeout numbers, racking up K’s is not what the Miami Marlins righty is known for. While they’re flashy, they weren’t needed when Alcantara won the NL Cy Young in 2022.

What makes this one so interesting is that the Miami Marlins are actually looking solid right now in contention for the NL East. However, it seems that the franchise doesn’t think that they’re ready for a World Series run, hence why Sandy Alcantara is part of what we consider to be the biggest MLB trade deadline rumors.

⚾ Willson Contreras (Boston Red Sox 1B)

Ok, we can finally head to the plate. Look, Contreras needs to cool his jets a bit so that he can stay on the field and avoid another potential suspension, but he’s still a great addition for any contending team. Despite the Boston Red Sox entering the All-Star break on a nine-game heater, the first baseman still looks like he could be on the move.

The righty is smashing lefties this season to the tune of a .578 slugging and .982 OPS, and his .525 expected slugging overall is nothing short of elite. He’s the first non-pitcher to be added to our list of the biggest MLB trade rumors.

⚾ Byron Buxton (Minnesota Twins CF)

This one sitting at #5, and after Contreras is like the one that will cause the most controversy, along with the honorable mentions below not making the cut. However, there is one giant elephant in the room that always comes along with Buxton that most fans can already guess - injuries. Just prior to the All-Star break, he was placed on the IL.

That was due to a reaggravation of a hip injury, and Buxton can also be very strikeout-prone. All that said, he is still absolutely a guy that any team would want to add to the top of their lineup for the right price, so he’s still one of the biggest MLB trade rumors.

Honorable Mentions: Jeremy Pena, Robbie Ray, Bo Bichette, CJ Abrams, Casey Mize, Luis Arraez, Reid Detmers, Mickey Moniak

🎯 Predicted Landing Spots For The Biggest Trade Targets

With there still being time remaining until the actual MLB trade deadline at the start of August, we still have some time to predict landing spots. We’re going to cover the names listed above with potential landing spots that are a combination of ideal locations with ones that actually make sense in terms of possibility.

 

 

💲 MLB Trade Deadline Buyers And Sellers

Some of the guys that weren’t broken down in our top five MLB trade deadline rumors were for contract reasons; for example, Bo Bichette’s no-trade clause. That said, it doesn’t mean that those teams, like the Mets, aren’t still clearly buyers or sellers. As fans in Queens will tell you, paying as much as possible for players doesn’t guarantee success.

While that New York team will be looking to sell, the one across town in the Bronx is also in the running for Tarik Skubal. We all know that the Dodgers love throwing money around, and then there are the intriguing franchises like the Marlins, Brewers, and Cardinals. So, with so many MLB trade rumors flying around, we’ve also shared a list of the top MLB trade deadline buyers and sellers…

💰 Buyers

  1. Los Angeles Dodgers
  2. New York Yankees
  3. Philadelphia Phillies
  4. Atlanta Braves
  5. San Diego Padres

💰 Sellers

  1. New York Mets
  2. San Francisco Giants
  3. Detroit Tigers
  4. Colorado Rockies
  5. Los Angeles Angels

📈 Fantasy Baseball Winners And Losers If These Trades Happen

As obvious as it would be to focus on the pairing of LA + Skubal, Joe Ryan going to the Milwaukee Brewers has massive upside. That’s because he’ll be going to a division that features prime strikeout candidates - the Cincinnati Reds are #1 for righties, and the Pittsburgh Pirates aren’t far behind. He’s one of the biggest fantasy baseball winners if it’s one of the MLB trade deadline rumors that comes to fruition.

Strangely enough, one of the biggest fantasy baseball losers from the MLB trade deadline is likely to be Bo Bichette. Their offense is lackluster enough that opposing pitchers can pitch around him and Juan Soto, and the division is full of guys who no one wants to face. From the aforementioned Sandy Alcantara to Chris Sale and the entire Phillies rotation (Zack Wheeler, Christopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, etc.), it’s a nightmare.

As for other fantasy baseball winners based on MLB trade deadline rumors, we’d put CJ Abrams and Reid Detmers in that category. As for other fantasy baseball losers, if the above landing spots happen, we’d put Mickey Moniak and Casey Mize in that category.
 

 

 

💥 Biggest Blockbuster Trades That Could Happen

We know that it may be beating a dead horse (Tiger) at this point, but there is simply no denying that Tarik Skubal will be the biggest blockbuster that comes from the MLB trade deadline rumors. It will be amplified if he goes to the Dodgers or even the Yankees.

Those two giant sports markets always seem to be in the running, but if you want an under-the-radar blockbuster, pairing Joe Ryan with Jacob Misiorowski with the way the lefties in the Milwaukee lineup have been hitting would be nothing short of lethal. Keep an eye on the Brewers with these developing MLB trade deadline rumors.

⌚ When Is The MLB Trade Deadline?

Of course, you’ll want to know when all these potential moves have to happen! It’s a few days later than last season’s, as the 2026 MLB trade deadline is August 3rd at 6 PM ET. So, be sure to check back in here at Fantasy Alarm leading up to that all-important day as we learn more and adjust some landing spots!