As the calendar turns toward early August, the MLB trade deadline looms on August 3, a date that has taken on added significance this year thanks to the league’s expanded playoff format. The extra wild‑card spot has softened the urgency of many deals, causing teams to move more deliberately as they weigh long‑term implications against short‑term gains.
The Athletic’s latest Big Board, a ranking of 78 players who are projected to be on the move before the deadline, offers a comprehensive view of the talent that could change hands. The list blends established veterans with emerging breakout stars, each evaluated on factors such as contract control, recent performance trends and fit within contending rosters.
At the top of the board sits Casey Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, a left‑hander whose recent stretch of dominant starts has turned him into a pennant‑altering ace. Analysts project that a trade involving Skubal could fetch a package of top‑tier prospects, making him one of the most coveted assets on the market.
Closely behind him is Corbin Burnes, whose addition of a knuckle‑curve to his repertoire has helped him post a career‑year in strikeouts and ERA. The Milwaukee Brewers’ willingness to part with the veteran reflects both his elevated value and the team’s focus on replenishing a farm system that has been depleted by recent trades.
Among the younger names, shortstop CJ Abrams is generating buzz after a breakout season that has seen his power and on‑base skills surge. The San Diego Padres retain control over his rights through the next two years, a factor that could make him an attractive piece in a deal that benefits both clubs.
Veteran catcher Yasmani Grandal, meanwhile, has reinvented himself as a first‑base option while delivering the best offensive numbers of his career. His versatility and proven clutch hitting have positioned him as a potential trade chip for clubs seeking a right‑handed bat down the stretch.
Other arms on the radar include Sonny Gray, whose once‑electric fastball has seen a modest dip in velocity but remains complemented by a devastating breaking ball, and Jose Soriano, who has retooled his mix to pair a four‑seam fastball with a splitter that has boosted his strikeout rate.
The board also reflects recent movements, with players such as Byron Buxton, Sandy Alcantara and Jeremy Peña removed from consideration, underscoring how health, contract status and team strategy can reshape a player’s trade prospects.
At the same time, new entries like Kevin Gausman, Spencer Jones and Eugenio Suárez illustrate how performance spikes and roster needs can add fresh faces to the trade conversation, keeping the market fluid up to the deadline.
The Market Landscape
The evolving landscape suggests that while the expanded playoffs have tempered the pace of deals, the underlying demand for high‑impact talent remains strong. Teams that can package the right mix of prospects and major‑league ready pieces may find themselves in a position to tip the balance of the pennant race, making the next few weeks a critical window for both buyers and sellers.