Editor’s Note: All my graphics going forward will come directly from Dean’s new website, Stat Soldier. Go check it out by clicking here.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
The 2026 MLB Trade Deadline is approaching fast, Monday, August 3rd at 6 p.m. EST to be exact.
We may be in store for one of the most interesting deadlines in recent history!
On one hand, the American League stinks this year. Outside of the current division leaders, Tampa Bay, Chicago, and Seattle, we are looking at a whopping ten teams all within striking distance of each other fighting for three Wild Card spots.
Between the Yankees, Guardians, Rangers, Astros, Twins, Blue Jays, Orioles, Red Sox, Tigers, and the Athletics, there are so many twists and turns we can see at the deadline. Team performance over the next 2-3 weeks is going to be critical to how these teams approach the trade market.
Then, on the other hand, the National League is starting to show its true colors. The Dodgers are, without a doubt, the apex predator in Major League Baseball, and have a 14-game lead in the West. The Brewers have a 7-game lead in the Central, which is a larger lead than any division leader in the American League, and the East is giving us a somewhat fun race to watch.
That being said, the NL Wild Card Race is exciting! The Cubs, Phillies, Marlins, Cardinals, Pirates, Nationals, Diamondbacks, and Padres are all battling it out and can give us a show down the stretch.
Trying to have a little fun, I am going to make 10 predictions about where some of the top trade candidates may land.
HM) Tarik Skubal - Detroit Tigers
Potential Landing Spots: Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies
Prediction —> Philadelphia Phillies
10) Isaac Paredes - Houston Astros
Potential Landing Spots: Marlins, Pirates, Brewers, Orioles
Prediction → Pirates
9) Pete Fairbanks - Miami Marlins
Potential Landing Spots: Nationals, Rays, Cardinals, Orioles
Prediction → Nationals
8) Christian Walker - Houston Astros
Potential Landing Spots: Pirates, Guardians, Orioles, Rangers
Prediction → Guardians
7) Reid Detmers - Los Angeles Angels
Potential Landing Spots: Padres, Mets, Nationals, Braves, Guardians
Prediction → Braves
6) Luis Arraez - San Francisco Giants
Potential Landing Spots: Yankees, Pirates, Royals, Padres, Tigers
Prediction → Yankees
5) CJ Abrams - Washington Nationals
Potential Landing Spots: Yankees, Guardians, Braves
Prediction → Yankees
4) Clay Holmes or Freddy Peralta - New York Mets
Potential Landing Spots: Padres, Blue Jays, White Sox, Rangers
Prediction → Blue Jays
3) Sandy Alcantara - Miami Marlins
Potential Landing Spots: White Sox, Cubs, Braves, Cardinals
Prediction → White Sox
2) Aroldis Chapman - Boston Red Sox
Potential Landing Spots: Cubs, Cardinals, Guardians, White Sox, Dodgers
Prediction → Dodgers
1) Rafael Devers - San Francisco Giants
Potential Landing Spots: Guardians, Padres, Tigers
Prediction → Tigers