Dodgers Land Skubal as MLB Trade Deadline Rush Begins
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- Tarik Skubal was acquired by the Los Angeles Dodgers late Saturday night in the summer's biggest blockbuster, setting off a chain reaction with under 36 hours remaining until Monday's 6 PM ET trade deadline.
- Buster Olney predicts starting pitchers will move in waves before Monday's deadline, naming Clay Holmes, Freddy Peralta and Robbie Ray as likely movers, with the Cubs, Braves, Phillies, Rays and Brewers all expected to add rotation help.
- Tampa Bay Rays are positioned to be among the most active teams, with Jeff Passan reporting they are in the market for starters, relievers and possibly a bat, and willing to spend prospect capital.
- Boston Red Sox are the biggest threat to land one of the shortstops marginally available — Zach Neto, Otto Lopez or CJ Abrams — though Passan notes the asking prices for the controllable players are "exorbitant."
- Houston Astros spiked a deal that would have sent Bryan Abreu to Minnesota for Trevor Larnach and remain in the market for a long-desired left-handed outfield bat ahead of the deadline.
- Philadelphia Phillies are described as the most intriguing team to watch, with Olney suggesting they could be bold enough to acquire a better defensive shortstop and push Trea Turner to the outfield amid their recent slump.
- Milwaukee Brewers lead the NL Central by 6½ games and still want a starting pitcher to pair with Jacob Misiorowski, even after losing out on Skubal.
Why it matters: The AL has no dominant team — with the Yankees, Rays and Red Sox separated from wild-card contenders by almost nothing, the next 36 hours of aggressive moves could be the difference between hosting and watching October baseball for a half-dozen clubs.
