Skubal watch heats up as MLB trade market waits for deadline clarity

Tarik Skubal is the name hanging over baseball’s trade market, and ESPN’s reporters say the Detroit Tigers are not ready to make a call on their ace just yet.

With MLB’s deadline set for Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. ET, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that Detroit’s schedule out of the All-Star break gives the club time to see whether it can keep climbing. The Tigers are set to face the Angels, Cubs, Royals, Orioles and A’s before the deadline, according to ESPN.

Passan identified the Dodgers, Cubs, Braves and Rays as clubs to watch if Detroit decides to listen on Skubal. He noted that Los Angeles has the prospect depth and money to chase almost anyone, while Chicago’s need is sharper but its farm system is not in the same position. Atlanta, ESPN reported, could dream on pairing Skubal with Chris Sale, and Tampa Bay has both the American League’s best record and a strong system.

ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that rival executives are skeptical Detroit will move Skubal while the team is playing well. Olney cited the Tigers’ 22-14 record since the start of June, a stretch he said translates to a 99-win pace over nearly a quarter of a season. One unnamed official told ESPN that after keeping Skubal and signing Framber Valdez, it would be difficult to see Detroit trading Skubal unless the club drops a run of games after the break.

Giants could become deadline sellers

San Francisco is one of the few clubs ESPN’s writers described as clearly positioned to sell. Jesse Rogers pointed to Robbie Ray as a major name likely to move, saying the left-hander is pitching well enough now to be viewed as a postseason starter.

Jorge Castillo wrote that Luis Arraez also looks like a strong trade candidate. Arraez, the Giants’ All-Star second baseman, is set to become a free agent after the season, according to ESPN. Castillo reported that he is batting .330 with a 4% strikeout rate and has improved sharply by defensive metrics at second base.

Castillo also noted that Arraez has recent experience at first base, giving contenders more ways to fit his contact-heavy bat into a playoff lineup.

Rays, White Sox and Yankees are teams to watch

Olney expects Tampa Bay to be aggressive, citing the Rays’ strong season, a softer American League race, a deep farm system and a new ownership group seeking public backing for a new ballpark. He also reported that Rays baseball operations chief Erik Neander is viewed by peers as willing to act quickly.

Rogers named the White Sox as another club that could swing big, pointing to their playoff ambitions, their chance in an open division and a system crowded with infielders after the draft. He also wrote that the Yankees could get more ambitious if they decide their injury situation will not clear soon, and said the Mariners could seek a clubhouse jolt.

For New York, Castillo reported that catcher is the glaring hole. Yankees catchers Austin Wells, J.C. Escarra and Ali Sanchez rank last in MLB in OPS and wRC+, according to ESPN. Castillo listed Minnesota’s Ryan Jeffers and Colorado’s Hunter Goodman as obvious trade possibilities, while noting that Jeffers could be hard to pry loose if the Twins stay close and that Goodman’s remaining team control would make him expensive.

A crowded AL could slow the action

ESPN’s reporters said the American League race may keep teams from selling early. Olney wrote that clubs from the Rays to the Yankees, Mariners and White Sox can still picture a postseason path.

Passan warned that a flat standings picture could make deadline day quieter than expected. He reported that, for now, only the Giants and Mets combine useful trade pieces with a willingness to move them. Kansas City intends to keep Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo, according to ESPN, while the Angels and A’s have incentive to sell but fewer impact names.

Castillo reported that the Mets could trade most of their impending free agents, with possible exceptions including Clay Holmes and Bo Bichette because of contract complications. He also listed Freddy Peralta, A.J. Minter, Brooks Raley and Tyrone Taylor among pending free agents, and said Luke Weaver or a Mets catcher could draw interest.

As for Boston, Rogers reported that the Red Sox were built to chase the playoffs and may avoid selling if their improved form continues.

This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.