Front offices across the league face difficult decisions regarding elite stars like Tarik Skubal and Mason Miller as the final week of July unfolds.
Front office executives point out that the next handful of games will provide the crucial clarity needed before the front offices make their final moves.
ET deadline on August 3.
Yankees Eye Additions Amid Judge and Bellinger Injuries
The New York Yankees enter deadline week facing significant roster pressure following injuries to key outfielders. Manager Aaron Boone provided an update on Aaron Judge, noting that the team captain’s fractured right rib remains in letting-it-heal mode
with no immediate timeline for a return to baseball activities. With Cody Bellinger also landing on the injured list, the Yankees find themselves forced to prioritize outfield help alongside their existing search for upgrades at catcher, shortstop, and the bullpen.
“letting-it-heal mode.”
Manager Aaron Boone, via MLB
Former MLB general manager Jim Bowden predicted on a recent podcast appearance that the Yankees will emerge as the biggest buyers at the deadline. New York has been connected to several high-profile targets across the league as they look to shore up their roster for the second half.
Tarik Skubal and Mason Miller Draw Heavy Interest
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal continues to dominate trade discussions. Following a pair of losses to the Kansas City Royals that pushed Detroit 3.5 games outside the Wild Card race, rival general managers believe the Tigers will trade Skubal while attempting to reassure their fan base. The Chicago Cubs are reportedly all-in on Skubal, while the Los Angeles Dodgers have also emerged as a primary team to watch in the pursuit of the elite left-hander.
Meanwhile, San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller remains one of the most coveted relievers in the sport. The Pirates, Mariners, and Yankees rank as top suitors for Miller, with the Brewers also monitoring the situation. However, San Diego’s recent sweep of the Miami Marlins pulled the club closer to a postseason berth, supporting reports from The Athletic and The San Diego Union-Tribune that the Padres intend to buy rather than sell ahead of the deadline.
Red Sox Land Curtis Mead as Astros Confirm Buyer Status
Active trading has begun elsewhere, highlighted by a swap between the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals. Boston sent hurler Connelly Early to Washington in exchange for infielder Curtis Mead. Mead, a 25-year-old right-handed hitter, batted .254 with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs across 87 games this year, earning a salary of $780,000 for the remainder of the season. Following the acquisition, the Red Sox activated Mead and optioned Tsung-Che Cheng to make room on the roster.
In Houston, general manager Dana Brown reaffirmed the Astros’ approach during a radio interview, stating firmly that the team will operate as buyers.
“We would anticipate that we’re going to be buyers.”
Dana Brown, Astros General Manager, via MLB
Powered by a recent five-game winning streak, the Astros sit just two games out of first place in the AL West, with upgrading their left-handed outfield options standing as Brown’s stated priority.
Catcher Market Shrinks Following Shea Langeliers Injury
The landscape for available catchers shifted dramatically when Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee, an injury that may sideline him for the remainder of the 2026 season. With Langeliers and his 23 home runs removed from the equation, and a trade involving Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman viewed as a long shot, the remaining supply of impact catchers has tightened considerably, raising the value of remaining targets like the Twins’ Ryan Jeffers.
Worth a look
