MLB Trade Deadline: Astros Commit to Buyers’ Market as Dodgers Hold Firm on Skubal
While Houston and the White Sox look to strengthen their rosters, New York and Los Angeles adopt cautious stances ahead of the deadline.
With the Major League Baseball trade deadline set for Monday, 3 August 2026, clubs are finalising their strategic positions as the window for transactions closes. General Manager Dana Brown of the Houston Astros has confirmed the organisation’s intent to act as buyers, seeking an outfield bat to bolster their playoff prospects. The Astros currently sit two games out in the AL West and the wild-card race, with Brown emphasising the parity in the division and the need for offensive upgrades to lengthen the lineup.
In contrast, the Los Angeles Dodgers are not expected to pursue Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal, despite the Tigers being 3½ games out of a playoff spot and the Dodgers facing injuries to Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, alongside Shohei Ohtani’s indefinite shutdown. Although the two-time defending champions possess significant financial resources and a strong farm system, sources indicate they are not actively moving toward a trade for the left-hander, though they may monitor the situation closely.
The New York Mets are preparing to pivot toward a sell-off, with President of Baseball Operations David Stearns establishing high return thresholds for players under contract. Stearns is open to moving assets controlled through 2027, including Luke Weaver, Jorge Polanco, and Huascar Brazobán, provided the price meets his standards. This approach comes as several key players, such as Luis Robert Jr. and Clay Holmes, approach free agency after the current season.
Washington Nationals pitcher Foster Griffin has emerged as a significant trade chip, drawing interest from contenders despite the team being only one game away from the NL wild-card spot. Griffin, who holds a 12-2 record and a 2.76 ERA, is on a one-year deal and has attracted scouts from the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays, signalling his value as a major asset in the current market.
Meanwhile, the Chicago White Sox have added organisational depth by acquiring right-handed pitcher José Urquidy from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Urquidy, who posted high ERAs in recent stints with the Pirates and Tigers, represents a low-risk move for the White Sox to bolster their starting pitching options before the deadline.
