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MLB trade deadline rumors start with Tarik Skubal intrigue With 41 days remaining until Major League Baseballs Aug.
3 trade deadline, the market will remain remarkably fluid, with teams dipping in and out of contention, injuries creating unforeseen needs and player performance greatly affecting market value.
The big prize? There might be no big prize, so long as the Detroit Tigers remain sentient and free-agent-to-be Tarik Skubal remains in Motown.
The Tigers crawled within 10 games of the .500 mark this week, making it more than conceivable theyll be at least treading water come deadline time.
USA TODAY Sports will keep track of the latest rumblings in the market all the way until the buzzer sounds Aug.
3: Sonny Gray might be best starter available The starting pitcher pool may be getting a significant upgrade.
Boston Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray confirmed to the Boston Globe that he would be "open to a conversation" if the club approached him to waive his no-trade clause.
It only makes sense: The Red Sox are floundering at 32-45 and Gray is in the final year of his contract, though he does have a 2027 player option.
And hes pitching exceptionally well: Hes 9-1 with a 2.95 ERA and just threw seven innings of one-run ball at Coors Field.
A significant question is whether Boston would be willing to dangle Gray immediately, which could enhance their return in allowing the trading team to enjoy his services an extra six weeks before the deadline.
Trade partners to be in short supply Clarity will be hard to come by on this market.
Because so many teams are near contention, defining buyers and sellers will remain difficult right up until the deadline.
A high-ranking baseball official for a contending team told USA TODAY Sports that teams are currently assessing their place in the market, and the tightly-bunched standings remain the biggest impediment to trade action.
Giants arent a teardown While his accountability session with reporters was largely viewed as a debacle, Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey did set a few parameters for whats expected to be a significant selloff by the Bay.
Most notably: Logan Webb will not be traded.
Webb has been fantastic of late, completing at least seven innings in four consecutive starts, and hes signed on a reasonable deal through 2028.
But Posey says he wont be dealing Webb, indicating the Giants arent stripping the house down to the studs.
So, good luck with everything else: Rafael Devers is still owed more than $200 million, Posey granted California native Matt Chapman a full no-trade clause and Willy Adames remains below league average at the plate with $140 million due from 2027-31.
So, just how much can a singles hitter like Luis Arraez fetch? The better news: Robbie Ray made his case as the best lefty available on the market with eight innings and no earned runs given up against the Athletics, lowering his ERA to a fathomable 3.70.