Teams evaluate trade options as MLB playoff race tightens
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 15, 2026, 11:32 PM
Last updated Jul 15, 2026
As the MLB season approaches the August 3 trade deadline, 23 of 30 teams are within four games of playoff berths. The Philadelphia Phillies begin the second half by facing the New York Mets, hoping to solidify their postseason contention. Key trade candidates include Tarik Skubal, who has returned from injury, and other players like Joe Ryan and Freddy Peralta. The Detroit Tigers, currently trailing for a Wild Card spot, will determine their trade strategy based on their performance leading up to the deadline. The Red Sox, after a strong turnaround, may also consider moves for closer Aroldis Chapman and starter Sonny Gray if they falter in the next few weeks.
- •23 teams are within four games of a playoff spot.
- •Phillies host the Mets to open the second half.
- •Tarik Skubal is prime trade bait after recovering from surgery.
- •Tigers need to assess their performance before the deadline.
- •Red Sox consider trades if they struggle after a good run.
- 11:32 PMYahoo Sports — Expanded playoffs make it hard to predict whether Skubal, Chapman, Gray get dealt
"Expanded playoffs make it harder to predict whether Tarik Skubal and other choice acquisitions will be dealt before the Aug, 3 trade deadline. Twenty-three of the 30 teams are within four games of a playoff position heading into the season's second half, which opens Thursday with the back-in-contention Philadelphia Phillies hosting the woeful New York Mets. “You’ve got a lot of really good teams that were on the bubble that have gotten in and kind of made it,” Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper said.
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