Latest MLB Trade Rumors to Know and New Predictions for World Series Contenders Ahead of Deadline

As the trade deadline approaches in Major League Baseball this Monday, August 3 at 6:00 p.m., discussion has turned to the top targets in the game, including an All-Star shortstop in the midst of the best season of his young career.

What is the latest on the Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams and others who may find themselves sporting a new jersey by end of day Tuesday?

Find out in this collection of reports from the industry's most trusted insiders.

Latest on Nationals Shopping CJ Abrams

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Will Sammon and Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reported that, "The Nationals are not shopping Abrams, according to people briefed on the club's thinking. But they will at least listen to offers, which they anticipate will be more serious than they were over the winter as he tracks toward career highs in, well, just about everything."

There is plenty of reason to suspect that offers will be more serious considering the season Abrams is having for the surprising Nats. The 25-year-old shortstop is hitting .295 with 27 home runs and 82 RBI through July and is coming off of an All-Star appearance. He also has 17 steals, making him a threat on the base path.

His superb play has helped fuel Washington to a 54-53 start that has the team battling for a Wild Card spot in the jam-packed National League.

The best hitter available in a market that does not have a ton of them, he figures to be a coveted target of teams in need at the shortstop position, including the Boston Red Sox, who Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported is a potential suitor. The rival New York Yankees are another team to keep an eye on as they look for an upgrade at the position amid Anthony Volpe's struggles.

Prediction: Nationals hang onto Abrams amid playoff potential

Yankees Seeking Righty Outfielder

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MLB insider Jon Heyman reported on X, "Yankees may seek a righty hitting OF but seem leery about Luis Robert Jr. after his injury troubles. Some other possibilities (if available): Lane Thomas, Spencer Steer, Jo Adell, Jorge Soler, George Springer."

Robert Jr. started his tenure with the Mets red-hot but suffered a lumbar spine disc herniation that put him out of action for nearly three months.

Recently back in the lineup, Robert Jr. is now hitting .208 with four home runs and 10 RBI.

The Yankees should be leery, but there are hangups to every other player mentioned in Heyman's report, be it inconsistency, age, or lack of production.

With Cody Bellinger on the IL due to a hamstring strain, the team needs to do something to improve its depth in the outfield, even if it means potentially overpaying for a player with an injury-filled past or someone who may not be the consistent presence at the plate that they would like.

Prediction: Yankees make a deal, but not for Robert Jr.

Phillies Looking for Starting Pitching

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Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported:

"The Phillies have told teams in recent weeks that they are searching for a No. 5 starter, according to several sources from rival clubs who were granted anonymity to disclose trade talks. That is no surprise. But, of late, the Phillies have been more willing to discuss higher-caliber arms — the kind of pitcher who would be capable of starting a postseason game."

Philadelphia is currently 57-50 and seeded in the second Wild Card position.

Gelb added, "the Phillies would be challenged to create a prospect package that outbids others to land a controllable starter."

Those players include Reid Detmers, Sandy Alcantara, Joe Ryan, Michael Wacha, and Seth Lugo, not to mention two-time defending AL Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal.

Potential rental options include Kevin Gausman, Freddy Peralta, Clay Holmes, Brady Singer, Shane Beiber, and more.

The Phillies have an extraordinary front of the rotation but their World Series hopes hinge on a quality fifth starter who can deliver wins and not be a question mark every time he takes the mound.

Prediction: Phillies do not deal for a high-profile starter

Updated World Series Predictions

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are, and have been, the best team in baseball over the last three seasons and the prospects of that glorified All-Star team not returning to the Fall Classic are low.

Shohei Ohtani is an National League MVP front-runner, Freddie Freeman is hitting .301, and the pitching staff has been mostly great, especially Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Justin Wroblesky.

The team has all of the pieces necessary to become the first team since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees to win three consecutive World Series.

Things are far murkier in the American League, where no team has established itself as the undisputed favorite to earn the pennant.

The Tampa Bay Rays are the best team now, but have a history off falling off late. The Yankees are right behind them, but are facing so many uncertainties surrounding stars such as Bellinger and Aaron Judge that there are real questions about sustainability.

The Chicago White Sox are one of the best surprises of this season and the Texas Rangers are only three seasons removed from a World Series win, but it may be a year too early for either to truly contend.

The Rays are the best, have shown few signs of slowing down, and should be considered the favorite to emerge from the conference victoriously.

Prediction: Dodgers over Rays in six games