Newest MLB Trade Rumors Reviewed and Updated Landing-Spot Predictions Ahead of 2026 Deadline

The MLB trade market is moving.

Not really with actual transactions quite yet, but rather the kinds of conversations that will grease the gears for moves to be made between now and the August 3 trade deadline.

With no shortage of notable names being bandied about, this trade environment is shaping up to be a potential landscape-shifter. With that in mind, let's break down the latest trade buzz and predict what it might mean for the players involved.

All-Star Catcher Up for Grabs?

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The list of contenders who could use an upgrade at catcher is not a short one.

So, more than a few eyebrows were likely raised when ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan reported that the Balitmore Orioles "are certainly listening" on trade offers for 2019 No. 1 pick and three-time MLB All-Star Adley Rutschman.

Now, that report didn't include that the Orioles "aren't exactly looking to trade Rutschman," but it also detailed the reasons why a deal could go down. Rutschman can be a free agent after next season, Baltimore already has Samuel Basallo signed long term and, per that report, "there's almost no chance" an extension is reached with Rutschman.

The timing for a trade seems less than ideal, since Rutschman is on the IL with wrist inflammation, and the Orioles very much have a pulse in the Wild Card race. That said, if team's don't discount their offers given his current injury, Baltimore might have to strike. This is certainly a seller's market at catcher, and Rutschman's trade value feels unlikely to increase the closer he gets to 2027 free agency.

Prediction: Rutschman gets traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Angels Taking Offers for Zach Neto?

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As wide open as things might be in the AL, the Los Angeles Angels aren't at all in position to take advantage of it. Their .402 winning percentage is worst in the AL and second-worst in the Majors.

What they could take advantage of, then, is an apparent shortage of sellers. And they seem to be open to that possibility, as they are "at the very least listening" to trade calls for Zach Neto, per Passan and McDaniel.

It's the right approach to take. While Neto looks like a legitimate building block—the 25-year-old will have three years of control left after this season—he could also be the key to delivering a bunch of roster-building assets. If someone wants to throw an enormous offer on the table, L.A. might have to take it.

And that's definitely possible with Neto proving plenty productive (68 homers and 69 steals since 2024) and a capable defender at a premium position. Some team might want to pay a fortune for that, but the odds don't seem great of anything coming together.

Prediction: The Angels keep Neto.

AL East Fight for Ryan Jeffers?

As mentioned earlier, this is a great time to be trading a catcher. But is it great enough for the Minnesota Twins to ship out their big-hitting backstop and perhaps torpedo their Wild Card hopes?

The AL East will be watching. As Bob Nightengale wrote for USA Today, the New York Yankees "are salivating over the chance to acquire Ryan Jeffers," and the Tampa Bay Rays "are in the mix, too."

While Jeffers has encountered a few injury hiccups, he has also authored a career-best campaign at the plate. His .941 OPS is easily the best he's ever had, as he has crammed 18 extra-base hits (eight of them home runs) and 31 RBI into his 42 appearances.

The Twins would be worse after a Jeffers trade, but that shouldn't be their focus. They should be prioritizing the future and capitalizing on Jeffers' trade value could be a big step in that direction.

Prediction: The Twins trade Jeffers to the Yankees.