The 2026 trade deadline is here, and baseball executives are making their final moves. Following the major deal that sent Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers, other contenders are scrambling to fill roster gaps before the final cutoff.
Luis Arraez remains a primary target for teams needing contact hitting. The San Francisco Giants second baseman leads the National League in batting average and provides a stable presence at the top of an order. Meanwhile, pitching depth dominates the remainder of the trade board. New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes and Washington Nationals lefty Foster Griffin are among the most capable starters available. These arms are critical for teams looking to stabilize rotations heading into the postseason.
Bullpen pieces are also in high demand. Adrian Morejon from the San Diego Padres stands out as a high-velocity arm that playoff-bound teams want. St. Louis Cardinals starter Dustin May also presents value, as his advanced metrics suggest he has been more effective than his standard win-loss record reveals. The Detroit Tigers and New York Mets continue to serve as active sellers, looking to balance their long-term team control with immediate returns on high-performing veterans.
As the clock ticks down, the focus shifts to whether clubs will be willing to part with quality prospects to acquire these pieces. Recent history suggests front offices are protective of their top-tier minor league talent. This reluctance makes individual player-for-player trades or deals involving multiple mid-tier assets more probable than massive prospect hauls. Fans should expect a flurry of activity as general managers finalize their rosters for the stretch run.