MLB trade deadline in La La Land: Dodgers chase Skubal, Angels to sell again

These two Southern California teams are separated by just 33 miles in distance, but are galaxies apart in popularity and approval rating.

In the past 13 years, the Los Angeles Dodgers have won three World Series titles, five National League pennants and have been to the postseason all 13 seasons.

In the past 13 years, the Los Angeles Angels have been to the postseason just once, and it’s been 16 years without a single playoff victory.

Now, here they are at the Aug. 3 trade deadline, going opposite directions once again.

The Dodgers, with Shohei Ohtani’s inflamed knee preventing him from pitching since July 3, will be in the market to replace him with their eyes set on two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, vying for a three-peat.

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Tarik Skubal in action against the Angels in Anaheim.

The Angels, who used to have Ohtani, are telling teams to bring their best offers on everyone, hoping to rebuild in hopes of ending their 11-year drought without a winning record, and an eventual path to return to the World Series for the first time since 2002.

The Dodgers have certainly shown their aggressiveness at the deadline, making 92 trades in July since 2000, the second-most in MLB. The Angels have displayed their passiveness, making 51 trades, tied for the fewest in MLB.

When the smoke clears Monday, the Dodgers are hoping they have Skubal in their rotation while the Angels are hoping to have a horde of prospects leading them back to the postseason.

“We are open-minded to anything,” John Mozeliak, Angels interim president of baseball operations told USA TODAY Sports. “Our message to the fans is that change has to happen. We need to do some things differently.”

This is why the Angels dumped catcher Logan O’Hoppe, who was likely to be non-tendered this winter anyways, and traded him along with reliever Chase Silseth to the Texas Rangers for infield prospect Angel Arredondo.

It didn’t matter that both players had four years of control, but O’Hoppe was just demoted to the minor leagues and wasn’t going to receive a contract offer this winter. And they believe Arredondo, 19, provides greater future value than Silseth, who was out of options.

They are telling all teams they are open for business, no matter their contract status. Outfielder Jo Adell, who’s under control through 2027, is expected to be gone at Monday’s trade deadline. They also are listening to offers on starters Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano, who are under control through 2028.

Teams would love to acquire shortstop Zach Neto, but unless the Angels are absolutely blown away by an offer they can’t refuse, he’s staying put.

“We are not at the point of making a decision yet,” Mozeliak said. “But time is on our side. The fact is that we have control; we don’t have to make a bad deal.”

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Ranking the top 25 MLB trade deadline targets for 2026

1. Luis Arraez, 2B, Giants There he is, the perfect trade deadline candidate: A man on an expiring contract playing for a terrible team and enjoying a career year. What’s not to love? While Arraez noted he would not like to move off second base after doggedly improving to Gold Glove caliber this year, his tune might change once he realizes he has plenty of equity to take into the offseason. The three-time batting champ has, thanks to his viability at second, amassed 3.1 WAR and has a 136 adjusted OPS despite just four homers. Immediate lineup punch for a team in need.

(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)

**2. Luke Weaver, RP, Mets** Since June 1, Weaver has given up two hits and zero earned runs across 14 appearances, with a 19-3 strikeout walk ratio. He served as Yankees closer all the way through the 2024 World Series and can fill any role in a club’s bullpen. At $8 million this year and $11 million in 2027, he’s a reasonable get. The only question is whether the Mets will want to hang on to him for their hoped-for 2027 renaissance.

(Michael McLoone, Imagn Images)

**3. Robbie Ray, SP, Giants** It’s been five years since Ray struck out 248 and won the AL Cy Young Award; now, he’s averaging just 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings. But the man posted a 3.38 first-half ERA and had two starts of eight scoreless innings. And a 41-55 team went 12-7 in his starts. Perfect lefty starter rental.

(Dustin Bradford, Getty Images)

**4. Michael Wacha, SP, Royals** If not for his limited no-trade protection, Wacha might top this list, given the Royals’ 38-59 record and his All-Star season. Simply, no one’s getting deeper into games – and with a 1.19 WHIP – than Wacha, who is guaranteed a reasonable $15 million in 2027.

(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)

**5. Mason Miller, RP, Padres** Volatile one, this. The Padres remain a sellout machine and are just 3½ games out of a wild card spot. And a pending sale of the club should be finalized soon. From an “optics” standpoint, not the best time to trade the most dominant closer in baseball. But AJ Preller usually has five or six next steps in mind when he does a deal, and Miller would still fetch a significant return – perhaps better than the Padres having to deal top prospect Leo DeVries to the A’s to get him.

(Rhona Wise, Imagn Images)

**6. Tyler Stephenson, C, Reds** Definitely checks the “his team will be sellers” and “he’s a pending free agent” boxes. Ty Steve has just six homers and an 88 adjusted OPS this season but did smack 19 homers last year and would bring far more offensive upside than your typical catcher on the move at the deadline.

(Dustin Bradford, Getty Images)

**7. Foster Griffin, SP, Nationals** Another tricky one. Griffin has been the biggest coup for the new-look Nationals front office, unleashing his eight-pitch mix on hitters after three years in Japan and winning 10 games with a 2.77 ERA, earning a most unlikely All-Star nod. Even more surprising: The Nationals were near or above .500 most of the first half, generating some buzz that they might actually buy at the deadline. But they hit the break coming off a sweep at the hands of the Yankees, and reality might further intrude these next three weeks. Trading Griffin would allow the Nats to split the baby, in a sense: Getting back a potentially very good return for a difference-making lefty, while holding on to All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams and not further depressing a fan base that’s lived through six consecutive losing seasons.

(Brad Mills, Imagn Images)

**8. Jake McCarthy, OF, Rockies** Dealing McCarthy would fulfill a successful first stage for the Paul DePodesta Regime: Collecting veterans, pumping their trade value and getting assets in return. Never mind Coors Field, McCarthy’s adjusted OPS is 23% above league average and offers significant value as a lefty bat who’s manned all three outfield spots this season.

(Dustin Bradford, Getty Images)

**9. Tarik Skubal, SP, Tigers** Here’s how the Tigers start the second half: At Angels, at Cubs, Royals, Orioles and then a trip to Yolo County to face the Athletics just before the deadline. A nice formula to jump right back in the race and thus decrease the likelihood Skubal gets dealt. It doesn’t hurt that the Tigers have a pair of races to attack – the AL Central (6½ out) and wild card (3½ out).

(Rick Osentoski, Imagn Images)

**10. Eduardo Rodriguez, SP, Diamondbacks** A few hurdles here: Arizona must further fade from contention. Rodriguez, fresh off an All-Star appearance, can block trades to 10 teams. And he’s had a good first half yet is still owed $19 million in 2027, and a $17 million 2028 option can vest after just 36 more innings pitched this year. A lot of what-ifs for a pitcher often wracked by injury, but Rodriguez is throwing the ball very well right now and could make a postseason difference for somebody, perhaps if Arizona kicks in a little cash for ‘27.

(Rick Scuteri, Imagn Images)

**11. Dustin May, SP, Cardinals** A pretty low-risk add for a contender, May nearly no-hit the Padres, then had a pair of blow-up starts, but he’s essentially providing a quality start (4.55 ERA) out of his spot in St. Louis’ rotation. Not the flame-throwing prodigy once in the Dodgers’ system, but May is more reliable now and is owed only a $500,000 buyout after this season.

(Rick Scuteri, Imagn Images)

**12. Devin Williams, RP, Mets** He hasn’t been great this year but performed serviceably of late, with six saves in his past eight chances and a 3.07 ERA. Not great, and then he’s owed $30 million the next two seasons. Yet just imagine how many clubs will be seeking competent bullpen help.

(Dale Zanine, Imagn Images)

**13. Mickey Moniak, OF, Rockies** The Rockies’ 1A outfield trade chip behind McCarthy, Moniak offers less defense but decent pop from the left side, with 15 homers in just 209 at-bats.

(Dustin Bradford, Getty Images)

**14. Lars Nootbaar, OF, Cardinals** Nootbaar wasn’t a part of the Cardinals’ surprise early season surge in this supposed rebuilding year, missing the first 60 games after offseason surgery on his heels. And he’s been fine in his return, OPS-ing .778 as he gets up to speed. But Nootbaar already doesn’t play against lefties, and as a free agent after 2027, he doesn’t necessarily fit the Cardinals’ timeline for earnest contention. He’d be a nice clubhouse and on-field addition for a club seeking a lefty-swinging outfielder, and the Cardinals could both open up plate appearances for younger players and still try to contend by dealing him.

(Jeff Curry, Imagn Images)

**15. Bo Bichette, INF, Mets** Let’s be up front about this: Bichette has a full no-trade clause, giving him control over basically every lever in the three-year, $142 million deal he signed with New York, a pact that includes opt-outs in 2027 and 2028. Yep, he’s in a great spot: Hit the market again next winter or collect $42 million after a season in which he’s produced an 88 adjusted OPS and a .300 OBP. So why would a team acquire him? Well, the dude can still rake and given a fresh start could go win someone a World Series. But so many what-ifs: Bichette green-lighting a deal, and a team willing to take on a potentially huge salary the following two seasons. The upside: Bichette’s still a really great hitter in a league with few of them.

(Jeff Hanisch, Imagn Images)

**16. Spencer Steer, 1B, Reds** After an uneven first half (he batted .159 with a .629 OPS in June), Steer has surged nicely to bump his home run total to 14 and OPS to .749. The Reds are one of just a few sellers and Steer’s multi-positional magic will be a nice selling point to contenders.

(Isaiah J. Downing, Imagn Images)

**17. Peter Lambert, SP, Astros** A really nice find for the Astros after Lambert spent 2025 in Tokyo with the Yakult Swallows, he kept their rotation afloat the entire first half, with a 3.14 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 15 starts. For now, Houston is intent on adding but come Aug. 3, the Astros could be staring at too high a climb for either division or wild card. Lambert can help someone immediately.

(Troy Taormina, Imagn Images)

**18. Luis Garcia, 1B-2B-DH, Nationals** The above caveats with Griffin largely also apply to Garcia, though he has one more year before free agency, potentially enhancing his value. Garcia’s slow rise with the Nationals finally gave way to a career year, with 20 homers and an .871 OPS, justifying his move to first base. Would be a nice stealthy power bat for a contender to add, and a great sell-high scenario for Washington.

(Christopher Hanewinckel, Imagn Images)

**19. Isaac Collins, OF, Royals** He was a nice cog in the Brewers’ NLCS club last year and then got dealt to the Royals, where he’s been perfectly fine (five homers, .345 OBP, 103 adjusted OPS). Yeah, that’s kind of what you get with Collins, but a competent switch-hitting outfielder should have several teams (Phillies, anyone?) interested.

(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)

**20. Jonathan Loaisiga, RP, Diamondbacks** The former Yankee late-inning guy has, after three injury-wracked seasons, found his groove again in the desert, posting a 0.99 WHIP even as his strikeouts per nine innings (6.3) is far off his 2021 peak (8.8) If the D-backs collapse, closer Paul Sewald should be available too, but his 4.34 FIP is far inferior to Loaisiga’s 2.78.

(Anna Carrington, Imagn Images)

**21. JJ Bleday, OF, Reds** Does Cincinnati buy Bleday’s breakout and view him as a key part of their future? He has two more seasons before free agency, and perhaps the Reds believe in his massive jump in OBP (.294 to .350) and slimmed-down strikeout rate (36.9% to 28%). Conversely, after Bleday hit 16 first-half homers, perhaps this is the ultimate sell-high scenario.

(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)

**22. Jack Flaherty, SP, Tigers** The usual qualifiers that apply to Skubal play here, too. Flaherty didn’t look like he’d have much trade value, his ERA at 5.81 through 12 starts, but he’s figured it out, with a 2.12 ERA and 34-10 strikeout-walk ratio in his past six outings.

(Matt Marton, Imagn Images)

**23. JT Brubaker, RP, Giants** Hard to believe there’s anything redeemable from the rancid Giants bullpen, but Brubaker has a 2.87 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, though he doesn’t miss many bats. Club could silently score PR points with its base by dealing one of the No-Pride Four.

(Robert Edwards, Imagn Images)

**24. Michael Soroka, SP, Diamondbacks** He hasn’t made more than 17 starts since 2019, but perhaps Soroka’s major health issues are finally behind him. He was just fine through 15 starts in Arizona, posting a 1.09 WHIP. Making just $7.5 million on an expiring contract, so he’s far more easily tradeable than the All-Star Rodriguez.

(D. Ross Cameron, Imagn Images)

**25. Ty France, 1B, Padres** Signed just as free agency began, France has once again emerged as a handy right-handed bat, with 11 homers and an .815 OPS. He won’t play much else than first these days – he’s logged five innings at third base this season – but got a touch of World Series experience with Toronto last season.

(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)

While the Dodgers have the most talented team in baseball, they want this team to make history, and they want to be remembered forever.

A third consecutive World Series championship, which has never been done by a National League team, would accomplish that feat.

This is why they not only are one of a handful of teams aggressively pursuing Skubal, but may be the favorites. They can assume the remaining $9.4 million in his contract without blinking, while also having the most prospects to entice the Tigers. They can offer a major-league starter like Emmet Sheehan, outfielder Alex Call, and one of their top three prospects.

Come on, they’re going to sign Skubal as a free agent anyway, so why not let him get comfortable?

Besides, the Dodgers could actually use him. They have World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto atop the rotation, but Ohtani hasn’t pitched in a month with an inflamed knee. Justin Wrobleski has already exceeded his career high in innings pitched. Roki Sasaki is wildly inconsistent. Blake Snell, who’s on a rehab assignment recovering from arthroscopic elbow surgery, has pitched only three innings all season. And Tyler Glasnow, sidelined with back spasms, hasn’t pitched since May 6.

So, why shouldn’t the Dodgers grab Skubal, and listen to everyone scream to the high heavens while they’re on the parade floats once again?

“There just aren’t that many star-level players in the game,” Andrew Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations, told reporters. “Any time one is available, we’re always going to participate in those conversations. We’ve shown to be very aggressive in the past. …

“But we’re able to be in those conversations because of the incredible work by our scouts and our front office and our player development group that has our farm system in such a strong spot to be able to talk to any team basically about any player.”

Besides, if the Dodgers acquire Skubal, it assures they won’t be facing him in October, knowing how terrifying the Milwaukee Brewers could with Jacob Misiorowski and Skubal as a 1-2 punch.

“If I was so concerned about a player going to another team,” Friedman said, “I’d probably want that player and then I would just acquire that player.”

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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers

Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2026 in New York City. The crown jewel of the 2026 MLB trade deadline is undoubtedly two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. The Tigers’ lefty has missed some time due to injury this season, but still boasts a remarkable 2.70 ERA on the season while striking out 11 batters per nine innings pitched.

In a sense, this has been Skubal’s best season. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is the highest it’s ever been at 8.46. His FIP (2.68) is still elite and below where his ERA currently stands. All that to say that every team in position to contend for a World Series this year should be dialing the Tigers’ number and trying to get their paws on Skubal.

(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)