MLB Trade Deadline 2026 End Date and Fresh Rumors

With All-Star Week in the rear view, MLB teams are fully focused on gearing up for the playoff push. However, those hoping to add reinforcements for the closing stretch are running out of time.

Struggling teams looking to sell are in a similar position.

This year's trade deadline will arrive at 6 p.m. ET on Monday, August 3. Naturally, the rumor mill will be rapidly spinning between now and the deadline. Let's dive into some of the latest buzz.

Important MLB Dates

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August 3 at 6 p.m. ET

2026 MLB Trade Deadline

September 29

Postseason Start Date

October 23

World Series Start Date

October 31

World Series Game 7 (if necessary)

5 Days After World Series Ends at 5 p.m. ET

Free Agency Start Date

Skubal Still a Top Trade Target, Brewers Could Be Dark-Horse Destination

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If there's a consensus top prize in 2026 free agency, it would appear to be Detroit Tigers pitcher and two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. While Detroit is still hoping to make a postseason run, it is also keeping one eye on the long-term picture.

According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, trading Skubal could be part of the long-term plan:

"The Detroit Tigers probably cannot trade Tarik Skubal without dramatically compromising their chances of winning the World Series. But the Tigers are at least mulling the possibility of securing a package for Skubal that potentially would keep them strong in the present while making them stronger for the future."

Naturally, just about every contender with a need for pitching will have some level of interest in the 29-year-old. The Milwaukee Brewers appear to be among the interested teams.

According to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, Milwaukee officials have "touched base" with the Tigers about Skubal.

Sammon, Patrick Mooney and Katie Woo of The Athletic recently noted that while the Brewers don't have a history of parting with the prospects necessary to land Skubal, they are viewed as a possibility.

"I do wonder whether this is a little bit different," one NL executive said, per Sammon, Mooney, and Woo.

There's certainly no guarantee that Skubal will be traded before the deadline, but he should remain one of the top targets for teams like Milwaukee until then.

Dodgers to be Aggressive, Could Target Skubal

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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts

This rumor probably won't sit well with fans who believe that big-spending franchises are ruining baseball.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have won back-to-back World Series and boast some of MLB's top stars—including Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Freddie Freeman. Yet, the NL West leaders are expected to be aggressive buyers at the deadline.

"Rival executives believe the Dodgers plan to be greedy, and are infatuated with the opportunity of becoming the first National League team to win three consecutive World Series championships," Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote on Friday.

According to Nightengale, rivals also expect Los Angeles to be "all in" on Skubal if he does indeed become available.

"They may not really need Skubal, but it sure beats facing him in the postseason," Nightengale wrote.

Fans who don't want to see the rich get richer may want to direct their attention away from the Dodgers until after the trade deadline.

Nationals Still Weighing the Future of Foster Griffin

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Starting pitchers are always in demand at the trade deadline, and Skubal isn't the only name drawing interest. Washington Nationals rising star Foster Griffin has generated plenty of attention since rising to the level of All-Star.

Griffin, who spent the last two seasons with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan, signed with Washington on a one-year deal in December. It's safe to say that he's given the Nationals a strong return on their investment.

What's unknown is whether the Nationals will look to cash in on Griffin now. Washington's chances of making the postseason aren't great—though they're not nonexistent either—and the soon-to-be 31-year-old would likely bring a strong return.

According to Rosenthal and Sammon, many expect Griffin to be dealt, but the Nationals are still weighing their option:

"Some rival executives believe a Foster Griffin trade is inevitable. The Washington Nationals, however, are still assessing whether to deal, extend or keep the starting pitcher through the end of the season, according to people familiar with the club's thinking who were granted anonymity to speak freely."

If Griffin isn't moved in the coming days, expect the Nationals to begin discussing an extension or a new offseason contract.