The Los Angeles Dodgers remain in the middle of trade conversations, including being the front-runner for the biggest prize before the MLB trade deadline: Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal.
The Dodgers will have to be willing to part with not only some of their younger talent, but also some of the role players from their championship runs if they want to help strengthen their ability to three-peat by adding Skubal.
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The franchise has faced its share of injuries this season with Shohei Ohtani being the latest. While Ohtani has been able to serve as a designated hitter, he’s been unavailable as a pitcher.
Despite his absence, the pitching rotation will still have a strong selection of arms to work with. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are taking steps towards a return and participating in rehab assignments in the coming days.
The bullpen saw the return of relief pitcher Edwin Diaz this week.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
1. Luis Arraez, 2B, Giants There he is, the perfect trade deadline candidate: A man on an expiring contract playing for a terrible team and enjoying a career year. What’s not to love? While Arraez noted he would not like to move off second base after doggedly improving to Gold Glove caliber this year, his tune might change once he realizes he has plenty of equity to take into the offseason. The three-time batting champ has, thanks to his viability at second, amassed 3.1 WAR and has a 136 adjusted OPS despite just four homers. Immediate lineup punch for a team in need.
(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
1. Luis Arraez, 2B, Giants There he is, the perfect trade deadline candidate: A man on an expiring contract playing for a terrible team and enjoying a career year. What’s not to love? While Arraez noted he would not like to move off second base after doggedly improving to Gold Glove caliber this year, his tune might change once he realizes he has plenty of equity to take into the offseason. The three-time batting champ has, thanks to his viability at second, amassed 3.1 WAR and has a 136 adjusted OPS despite just four homers. Immediate lineup punch for a team in need.
(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
2. Luke Weaver, RP, Mets Since June 1, Weaver has given up two hits and zero earned runs across 14 appearances, with a 19-3 strikeout walk ratio. He served as Yankees closer all the way through the 2024 World Series and can fill any role in a club’s bullpen. At $8 million this year and $11 million in 2027, he’s a reasonable get. The only question is whether the Mets will want to hang on to him for their hoped-for 2027 renaissance.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
3. Robbie Ray, SP, Giants It’s been five years since Ray struck out 248 and won the AL Cy Young Award; now, he’s averaging just 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings. But the man posted a 3.38 first-half ERA and had two starts of eight scoreless innings. And a 41-55 team went 12-7 in his starts. Perfect lefty starter rental.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
4. Michael Wacha, SP, Royals If not for his limited no-trade protection, Wacha might top this list, given the Royals’ 38-59 record and his All-Star season. Simply, no one’s getting deeper into games – and with a 1.19 WHIP – than Wacha, who is guaranteed a reasonable $15 million in 2027.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
5. Mason Miller, RP, Padres Volatile one, this. The Padres remain a sellout machine and are just 3½ games out of a wild card spot. And a pending sale of the club should be finalized soon. From an “optics” standpoint, not the best time to trade the most dominant closer in baseball. But AJ Preller usually has five or six next steps in mind when he does a deal, and Miller would still fetch a significant return – perhaps better than the Padres having to deal top prospect Leo DeVries to the A’s to get him.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
6. Tyler Stephenson, C, Reds Definitely checks the “his team will be sellers” and “he’s a pending free agent” boxes. Ty Steve has just six homers and an 88 adjusted OPS this season but did smack 19 homers last year and would bring far more offensive upside than your typical catcher on the move at the deadline.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
7. Foster Griffin, SP, Nationals Another tricky one. Griffin has been the biggest coup for the new-look Nationals front office, unleashing his eight-pitch mix on hitters after three years in Japan and winning 10 games with a 2.77 ERA, earning a most unlikely All-Star nod. Even more surprising: The Nationals were near or above .500 most of the first half, generating some buzz that they might actually buy at the deadline. But they hit the break coming off a sweep at the hands of the Yankees, and reality might further intrude these next three weeks. Trading Griffin would allow the Nats to split the baby, in a sense: Getting back a potentially very good return for a difference-making lefty, while holding on to All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams and not further depressing a fan base that’s lived through six consecutive losing seasons.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
8. Jake McCarthy, OF, Rockies Dealing McCarthy would fulfill a successful first stage for the Paul DePodesta Regime: Collecting veterans, pumping their trade value and getting assets in return. Never mind Coors Field, McCarthy’s adjusted OPS is 23% above league average and offers significant value as a lefty bat who’s manned all three outfield spots this season.
(Dustin Bradford, Getty Images)
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
9. Tarik Skubal, SP, Tigers Here’s how the Tigers start the second half: At Angels, at Cubs, Royals, Orioles and then a trip to Yolo County to face the Athletics just before the deadline. A nice formula to jump right back in the race and thus decrease the likelihood Skubal gets dealt. It doesn’t hurt that the Tigers have a pair of races to attack – the AL Central (6½ out) and wild card (3½ out).
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
10. Eduardo Rodriguez, SP, Diamondbacks A few hurdles here: Arizona must further fade from contention. Rodriguez, fresh off an All-Star appearance, can block trades to 10 teams. And he’s had a good first half yet is still owed $19 million in 2027, and a $17 million 2028 option can vest after just 36 more innings pitched this year. A lot of what-ifs for a pitcher often wracked by injury, but Rodriguez is throwing the ball very well right now and could make a postseason difference for somebody, perhaps if Arizona kicks in a little cash for ‘27.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
11. Dustin May, SP, Cardinals A pretty low-risk add for a contender, May nearly no-hit the Padres, then had a pair of blow-up starts, but he’s essentially providing a quality start (4.55 ERA) out of his spot in St. Louis’ rotation. Not the flame-throwing prodigy once in the Dodgers’ system, but May is more reliable now and is owed only a $500,000 buyout after this season.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
12. Devin Williams, RP, Mets He hasn’t been great this year but performed serviceably of late, with six saves in his past eight chances and a 3.07 ERA. Not great, and then he’s owed $30 million the next two seasons. Yet just imagine how many clubs will be seeking competent bullpen help.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
13. Mickey Moniak, OF, Rockies The Rockies’ 1A outfield trade chip behind McCarthy, Moniak offers less defense but decent pop from the left side, with 15 homers in just 209 at-bats.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
14. Lars Nootbaar, OF, Cardinals Nootbaar wasn’t a part of the Cardinals’ surprise early season surge in this supposed rebuilding year, missing the first 60 games after offseason surgery on his heels. And he’s been fine in his return, OPS-ing .778 as he gets up to speed. But Nootbaar already doesn’t play against lefties, and as a free agent after 2027, he doesn’t necessarily fit the Cardinals’ timeline for earnest contention. He’d be a nice clubhouse and on-field addition for a club seeking a lefty-swinging outfielder, and the Cardinals could both open up plate appearances for younger players and still try to contend by dealing him.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
15. Bo Bichette, INF, Mets Let’s be up front about this: Bichette has a full no-trade clause, giving him control over basically every lever in the three-year, $142 million deal he signed with New York, a pact that includes opt-outs in 2027 and 2028. Yep, he’s in a great spot: Hit the market again next winter or collect $42 million after a season in which he’s produced an 88 adjusted OPS and a .300 OBP. So why would a team acquire him? Well, the dude can still rake and given a fresh start could go win someone a World Series. But so many what-ifs: Bichette green-lighting a deal, and a team willing to take on a potentially huge salary the following two seasons. The upside: Bichette’s still a really great hitter in a league with few of them.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
16. Spencer Steer, 1B, Reds After an uneven first half (he batted .159 with a .629 OPS in June), Steer has surged nicely to bump his home run total to 14 and OPS to .749. The Reds are one of just a few sellers and Steer’s multi-positional magic will be a nice selling point to contenders.
(Isaiah J. Downing, Imagn Images)
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
17. Peter Lambert, SP, Astros A really nice find for the Astros after Lambert spent 2025 in Tokyo with the Yakult Swallows, he kept their rotation afloat the entire first half, with a 3.14 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 15 starts. For now, Houston is intent on adding but come Aug. 3, the Astros could be staring at too high a climb for either division or wild card. Lambert can help someone immediately.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
18. Luis Garcia, 1B-2B-DH, Nationals The above caveats with Griffin largely also apply to Garcia, though he has one more year before free agency, potentially enhancing his value. Garcia’s slow rise with the Nationals finally gave way to a career year, with 20 homers and an .871 OPS, justifying his move to first base. Would be a nice stealthy power bat for a contender to add, and a great sell-high scenario for Washington.
(Christopher Hanewinckel, Imagn Images)
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
19. Isaac Collins, OF, Royals He was a nice cog in the Brewers’ NLCS club last year and then got dealt to the Royals, where he’s been perfectly fine (five homers, .345 OBP, 103 adjusted OPS). Yeah, that’s kind of what you get with Collins, but a competent switch-hitting outfielder should have several teams (Phillies, anyone?) interested.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
20. Jonathan Loaisiga, RP, Diamondbacks The former Yankee late-inning guy has, after three injury-wracked seasons, found his groove again in the desert, posting a 0.99 WHIP even as his strikeouts per nine innings (6.3) is far off his 2021 peak (8.8) If the D-backs collapse, closer Paul Sewald should be available too, but his 4.34 FIP is far inferior to Loaisiga’s 2.78.
(Anna Carrington, Imagn Images)
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
21. JJ Bleday, OF, Reds Does Cincinnati buy Bleday’s breakout and view him as a key part of their future? He has two more seasons before free agency, and perhaps the Reds believe in his massive jump in OBP (.294 to .350) and slimmed-down strikeout rate (36.9% to 28%). Conversely, after Bleday hit 16 first-half homers, perhaps this is the ultimate sell-high scenario.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
22. Jack Flaherty, SP, Tigers The usual qualifiers that apply to Skubal play here, too. Flaherty didn’t look like he’d have much trade value, his ERA at 5.81 through 12 starts, but he’s figured it out, with a 2.12 ERA and 34-10 strikeout-walk ratio in his past six outings.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
23. JT Brubaker, RP, Giants Hard to believe there’s anything redeemable from the rancid Giants bullpen, but Brubaker has a 2.87 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, though he doesn’t miss many bats. Club could silently score PR points with its base by dealing one of the No-Pride Four.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
24. Michael Soroka, SP, Diamondbacks He hasn’t made more than 17 starts since 2019, but perhaps Soroka’s major health issues are finally behind him. He was just fine through 15 starts in Arizona, posting a 1.09 WHIP. Making just $7.5 million on an expiring contract, so he’s far more easily tradeable than the All-Star Rodriguez.
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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026
25. Ty France, 1B, Padres Signed just as free agency began, France has once again emerged as a handy right-handed bat, with 11 homers and an .815 OPS. He won’t play much else than first these days – he’s logged five innings at third base this season – but got a touch of World Series experience with Toronto last season.
(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)
Skubal remains a top prize for the Dodgers, but he may not be the only priority for them before the deadline.
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The Dodgers have been linked to Skubal since December and that buzz has only progressed with the deadline drawing closer.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner is one of MLB’s best pitchers and the Dodgers could greatly benefit from having him on the mound — and not having to face him in the postseason.
Adding a starting arm like Skubal could also help alleviate some pressure from the rotation, though he’s also dealt with his share of injuries this season.
The pitcher missed about five weeks with an elbow injury earlier this season and returned sooner than expected after he underwent a revolutionary procedure.
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More: Do the Dodgers need Tarik Skubal?
What are other positions of need for Dodgers?
The Dodgers have likely continued to evaluate their depth at catcher. The Dodgers are still hoping to get primary catcher Will Smith back in the near future.
Smith started his hitting progression in the batting cages on July 31, according to Roberts. The news indicates a step in the right direction for Smith’s recovery.
With Smith out, the Dodgers have relied on Dalton Rushing. While there were some miscues early, Roberts has been pleased with his performances in recent weeks.
“He’s doing great and growing up,” Roberts said. “I love the relationships he’s building with the pitchers. He cares and that’s a really good thing, and he’s starting to build trust with those guys.”
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If the Dodgers have confidence in Rushing as a secondary option, the team may simply explore a minor-league talent at the position.
The team has plenty of outfield prospects and could part ways with one of them to help rebalance the farm system with a catching prospect.
More: Los Angeles Dodgers need to evaluate catchers before trade deadline
The Dodgers are not reportedly shopping Teoscar Hernández before the deadline, but that does not mean the team wouldn’t listen to offers.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote on Threads during a Q&A session: “With the lack of (right-handed hitters on the market) and the Dodgers’ minor league outfield depth, Hernández could potentially be on the move.”
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Hernández is under contract through the 2027 season but has experienced a lack of production this season, especially compared to previous seasons.
Passan cited the New York Yankees as a potential destination for Hernández, especially if they were to value what potential he could still offer and his postseason experience.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dodgers trade rumors: Latest on Tarik Skubal, Teoscar Hernandez and more
