MLB trade deadline looms as 23 teams close on postseason

With the Major League Baseball trade deadline set for 6 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 3, a crowded and competitive playoff landscape has created a complex market for contenders and sellers alike. As of July 27, 23 of the league’s 30 teams were within five games of a postseason spot, setting the stage for potential bidding wars for the few impact players expected to be available.

The biggest name on the market remains Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, the two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner who can become a free agent after this season. The Tigers, holding a 50-56 record and sitting 3.5 games out of a wild card spot, are reportedly considering a middle path that could involve trading Skubal for a package including a controllable major league pitcher and prospects. However, with the team playing better recently, standing pat remains a possibility, a scenario that would significantly dampen the trade market.

Several other high-profile players are drawing significant interest. The San Diego Padres’ star reliever Mason Miller, who boasts a 0.86 ERA and is under club control through 2029, has been linked to teams like the Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York...