Top MLB Trade Deadline Targets for 2026

The American League All‑Stars rode into Philadelphia on July 14, winning 4‑0 and improving to 11‑3 in the last 13 Midsummer Classics. While the excitement of the All‑Star break lingers, teams are already turning their focus to the August 3 trade deadline. With less than a month remaining, clubs must decide whether they will be buyers or sellers. Some franchises, such as the Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels, are already well out of contention, but each carries premium talent that could rejuvenate a contender’s roster.

Stars like Byron Buxton, back‑to‑back Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal and All‑Star closer Mason Miller have emerged as obvious trade candidates. Each of these players would instantly elevate any team willing to add them to the mix for a postseason run.

Why Some Clubs Are Sellers

The Rockies, Giants and Angels are too far down in the standings to justify spending at the deadline. Their farm systems and overall roster construction, however, still house elite players who could fill the void for a playoff‑bound club. The market is thus loaded with options that provide immediate impact without the luxury of long‑term development. Contenders looking to tighten up the lineup or bullpen will find plenty of appealing targets as the August 3 deadline approaches.

In addition to the high‑profile names, a handful of other players are beginning to surface as potential trade pieces. Senators, coaching staffs and general managers are evaluating every avenue to strengthen their rosters before the window closes. The combination of looming free agency and the need to push up the standings makes this deadline particularly volatile.

Top 10 Trade Deadline Targets Ranked

• 1. Tarik Skubal, Tigers – 5‑5, 3.09 ERA, 3.06 FIP, 10.6 K/9. Back‑to‑back Cy Young Award winner on track for a third straight elite season. Skubal is a premier control pitcher who will hit free agency after 2026, making him a tantalizing asset for any contender needing a frontline starter.
• 2. Mason Miller, Padres – 0.91 ERA, 25 saves, 0.53 FIP, 16.3 K/9. One of baseball’s dominant closers, Miller combines a sub‑2.00 ERA with a 16‑strikeout per nine rate. Though the Padres have hinted they might keep him, the market will test that resolve, and a reunion with a veteran club could be in store.
• 3. Byron Buxton, Twins – .271/.328/.575, 25 HR, 45 RBI, 146 OPS+. When healthy, Buxton offers a rare power‑speed combo in center field. At just over $15 million per year and club‑controlled through 2028, Buxton is an asset that can transform a lineup’s dimensions.
• 4. Ryan Jeffers, Twins – .292/.404/.538, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 160 OPS+. Jeffers’ .538 slugging from behind the plate provides immediate offensive lift. His passing game and defensive strides make him a premium catcher for clubs like the Yankees, who grade poorly behind the dish.
• 5. Jeremy Peña, Astros – .287/.347/.426, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 116 OPS+. The Astros’ anemic farm system and internal struggles could force a sell‑out. Peña’s plus defense and steady power make him a useful bridge for a contender seeking shortstop reliability.
• 6. Joe Ryan, Twins – 6‑5, 2.85 ERA, 2.77 FIP, 10.4 K/9. Ryan’s strikeout‑to‑walk ratio ranks among the best in the league and his 2.85 ERA is the lowest of his career. Twins are historically prone to high‑impact trades, and Ryan’s team‑friendly deal adds urgency.
• 7. Jung Hoo Lee, Giants – .302/.333/.429, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 116 OPS+. Lee provides top‑of‑order contact and modest power, and his $21 million three‑year contract may become a bargain if moved out of Oracle Park’s subtle pitching environment. Any contender looking for a reliable leadoff hitter could pounce.
• 8. Reid Detmers, Angels – 3‑6, 4.39 ERA, 3.35 FIP, 10.2 K/9. Detmers’ underlying peripherals point to future improvement, but his contract situation and the Angels’ likely asking price will test suitors. A top‑of‑rotation arm at a price near what the Tigers received for Skubal could make him a viable acquisition.
• 9. Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox – 2.20 ERA, 19 saves, 2.40 FIP, 11.3 K/9. Even at 38, Chapman remains a lights‑out reliever with a pedigree of postseason success. His two World Series rings and elite closing ERA make him a proven clutch weapon for a team building a deep bullpen.
• 10. Casey Schmitt, Giants – .280/.308/.497, 19 HR, 50 RBI, 1.6 bWAR, 126 OPS+. Schmitt’s versatility across multiple positions and his recent surge make him a worthwhile pick‑up for a club needing depth and a reliable bat. Schmitt will enter his first arbitration year in 2027, offering team control at a reasonable cost.

Emerging Options (Honorable Mentions)

A slew of other players could emerge as trade candidates before the deadline closes, including Luis Arraez, Matt Chapman, Casey Mize, CJ Abrams, Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, Josh Hader, Jose Soriano, Michael Wacha and Robbie Ray. While these names have not yet risen to the top of the priority list, their stock could rise quickly if a contender finds itself in need of depth or a specific skill set.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: MLB trade deadline: Ranking the best trade targets for contenders