MLB trade deadline proposals send Skubal, Miller and Lindor into play
ESPN experts floated fantasy deals involving Tarik Skubal, Mason Miller, Francisco Lindor and more before the Aug. 3 deadline.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
ESPN’s latest batch of MLB trade deadline proposals goes straight for star power: Tarik Skubal to a contender, Mason Miller as a bullpen prize, and Francisco Lindor making a fantasy hop from the Mets to the Yankees.
The exercise, published by ESPN’s MLB staff on July 28, comes with the Aug. 3 deadline less than a week away. ESPN said its writers were asked to build one trade proposal each using players from its ranking of the top 100 trade candidates.
Which MLB trade deadline proposals did ESPN experts make?
Jeff Passan sent Skubal from the Detroit Tigers to the Milwaukee Brewers, arguing Milwaukee should seize a rare title chance. His proposed return to Detroit: right-hander Logan Henderson, second baseman Josh Adamczewski and infielder Ricki Moneys.
Passan framed the move around a Brewers rotation led by Skubal and Jacob Misiorowski. He wrote that Milwaukee’s system is deep enough to take the hit, even if models might push back on the price.
Kiley McDaniel also moved Skubal, but to the Tampa Bay Rays. His proposed Tigers package included catcher Caden Bodine, shortstop Cooper Flemming and right-hander Michael Forret, with McDaniel noting that 2026 draft picks would not be eligible to be dealt.
McDaniel wrote that big-name trades often come down to stacking multiple top-150 or top-200 prospects rather than prying away one of the sport’s very best prospects. He described Bodine and Flemming as rising talents from the 2025 draft class.
Where did ESPN send Mason Miller?
Paul Hembekides proposed the San Diego Padres send Miller to the Brewers for Adamczewski, Braylon Payne, Bishop Letson and Sal Frelick. Hembekides described Miller as baseball’s best reliever and noted that the Brewers could make the move without giving up any of their top five prospects on McDaniel’s Milwaukee list.
Bradford Doolittle picked the Chicago White Sox as Miller’s landing spot. He wrote that Chicago’s trade chatter has focused on starting pitching, but argued Miller would give the White Sox a high-end late-inning arm for the stretch run and potentially beyond, since Miller is under club control for at least the next three seasons.
Doolittle said a deal could be built around Billy Carlson, or Caleb Bonemer if needed, after Chicago selected Roch Cholowsky with the No. 1 pick in the draft.
How wild was the Lindor idea?
Jorge Castillo supplied the New York curveball, proposing that the Mets send Lindor to the Yankees. Castillo noted that players of Lindor’s stature rarely move between the two New York clubs and that Lindor has full no-trade protection.
In Castillo’s scenario, the Yankees would address shortstop while Aaron Judge deals with a rib injury. The Mets, meanwhile, could move money off the books, depending on how much of Lindor’s remaining five years and $160 million they were willing to cover. Castillo wrote that George Lombard Jr. would not be offered, but Dax Kilby could be a possibility.
David Schoenfield proposed the Houston Astros send Jeremy Pena to the Boston Red Sox, citing Boston’s need for shortstop help and a right-handed bat. He wrote that reports indicate Houston is unlikely to do a full teardown, but suggested Marcelo Mayer, Anthony Eyanson or Kyson Witherspoon could fit in talks.
ESPN also listed Byron Buxton to the Philadelphia Phillies as a fantasy fit. The case centered on Buxton’s center-field defense, his right-handed bat, Philadelphia’s defensive issues, Adolis Garcia being out for the season and the Phillies’ .280 wOBA from that side.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.