Two days out from the 2026 Major League Baseball trade deadline and things are still quiet, but the impending move of back-to-back Cy Young winner has the league on the edge of its seat.
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal appears likely to be traded in the 48 hours to come, a deal that could potentially shift power with just two months until the playoffs begin. Other big names said to be on the trading block include the New York Mets’ Freddy Peralta, San Francisco Giants’ Luis Arraez and perhaps All-Star closer Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres.
The trade deadline is set for 6 p.m. ET on Monday, August 3.
Stay with USA TODAY Sports as the deadline draws near for the latest rumors, news and deals:
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2026 in New York City. The crown jewel of the 2026 MLB trade deadline is undoubtedly two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. The Tigers’ lefty has missed some time due to injury this season, but still boasts a remarkable 2.70 ERA on the season while striking out 11 batters per nine innings pitched.
In a sense, this has been Skubal’s best season. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is the highest it’s ever been at 8.46. His FIP (2.68) is still elite and below where his ERA currently stands. All that to say that every team in position to contend for a World Series this year should be dialing the Tigers’ number and trying to get their paws on Skubal.
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2026 in New York City. The crown jewel of the 2026 MLB trade deadline is undoubtedly two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. The Tigers’ lefty has missed some time due to injury this season, but still boasts a remarkable 2.70 ERA on the season while striking out 11 batters per nine innings pitched.
In a sense, this has been Skubal’s best season. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is the highest it’s ever been at 8.46. His FIP (2.68) is still elite and below where his ERA currently stands. All that to say that every team in position to contend for a World Series this year should be dialing the Tigers’ number and trying to get their paws on Skubal.
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers poses for a photo during the Tigers’ photo day on February 20, 2020 at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla.
(Brian Blanco, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Pitcher Tarik Skubal practices during Detroit Tigers spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY Network)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal thought he knew heat with 82 strikeouts in 42 1/3 Double-A innings last year. And then he got COVID-19.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY Network)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches to Franmil Reyes #32 of the Cleveland Indians during the first inning at Progressive Field on Aug. 23, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Manager A. J. Hinch and Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers watch batting practice before the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on May 17, 2021 in Seattle, Wash.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Cleveland Indians during the fourth inning at Comerica Park on May 25, 2021, in Detroit, Mich.
(Duane Burleson, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 signals to Jake Rogers of the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on July 8, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Twins defeated the Tigers 5-3.
(David Berding, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Detroit Tigers players (L-R) Jake Rogers #34, Tarik Skubal #29, Gregory Soto #65 and Grayson Greiner #17 hold up placards for cancer awareness night during Pink Out the Park at Comerica Park during a game against the Texas Rangers on July 21, 2021, in Detroit, Mich.
(Duane Burleson, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Nicky Lopez #8 of the Kansas City Royals slides safely into first past starting pitcher Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers for a single in the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium on April 15, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day.
(Ed Zurga, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers throws a pitch against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on June 01, 2022 in Detroit, Mich.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers throws to Spencer Torkelson #20 for the second out in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 11, 2023 in Boston, Mass.
(Brian Fluharty, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers poses for a portrait during photo day at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Feb. 23, 2024 in Lakeland, Fla.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers talks with home plate umpire Edwin Jimenez as the grounds crew work on the field during a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 5, 2024 in New York City.
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
(L-R) Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians, Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers, Cole Ragans #55 of the Kansas City Royals and Riley Greene #31 of the Detroit Tigers look on prior to the 94th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Globe Life Field on July 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
(Richard Rodriguez, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates after the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on July 22, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers in action during the game against the New York Yankees at Bowman Field on August 18, 2024 in South Williamsport, Pa.
(Joe Sargent, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal warms up before the game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Sept. 6, 2024.
(Darren Yamashita, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers reacts after recording a strikeout against the Houston Astros to end the fourth inning during Game One of the Wild Card Series at Minute Maid Park on Oc. 1, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates with teammates after defeating the Houston Astros 5-2 in Game Two of the Wild Card Series to advance to the ALDS at Minute Maid Park on Oct. 2, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers high five teammates prior to the game against the Cleveland Guardians during Game Five of the Division Series at Progressive Field on Oct.12, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal receives The Outstanding American league Pitcher 2024 Award during the 2025 BBWAA Dinner at New York Hilton Midtown on Jan. 25, 2025 in New York City.
(Roy Rochlin, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers pitches in a 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers during a 2025 Major League Baseball season home opening game at Dodger Stadium on Mar. 27, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians stretches a single as starting pitcher Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers tries to make the tag during the third inning at Progressive Field on July 6, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers celebrates after the last out of the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on July 6, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers celebrates after defeating the Cleveland Guardians 6-3 in game three of the American League Wild Card Series at Progressive Field on Oct. 2, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal, American League Cy Young Award Winner gives acceptance speech during the Baseball Writers of America Awards Dinner at New York Hilton Midtown on Jan. 24, 2026 in New York City.
(Michelle Farsi, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on April 1, 2026 in Phoenix.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers greets his teammates as he walks to the dugout for a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2026 in New York City.
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)
When is MLB trade deadline?
Teams must have their trade details finalized and submitted to the league office by the deadline in order for any acquired players to be eligible for the playoffs. After that, players on 40-man rosters can’t be traded.
Before Baltimore begins a crucial series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, July 31, GM Mike Elias expressed his appreciation for Rutschman — while noting he cannot rule out moving him should the 53-56 Orioles slip further behind in the American League playoff slog.
“We love him. You feel it when he’s gone from the team,” Elias says of Rutschman, currently on the injured list with left wrist inflammation, yet expected to go on a rehab assignment early next week. “Absolutely love Adley and having him as long as we can.”
“But, as I mentioned, I think we put ourselves in a position where we’ve got to be pretty open-minded here as we go into these (deadline) talks. But Adley is one of the best things we have going for us.”
Some of the the best players thought to be available, in no particular order:
Top non-Skubal pitching trade candidates
There’s no question two-time defending AL Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal is the top pitcher available on the trade market. The rumors and reported landing spots are everywhere you look.
But only one team can get him … which forces everyone else looking to upgrade their rotation to turn elsewhere.
USA TODAY Sports’ Gabe Lacques has ranked the top 11 non-Skubal trade targets who could also be on the move. The list starts with another left-hander, Robbie Ray of the San Francisco Giants. Who else might be that missing piece for a playoff contender? Freddy Peralta? Kevin Gausman? Or what about another Tiger?
MLB schedule, Saturday games
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB trade deadline updates: Rumors, news and latest hot stove intel
