MLB Trade Rumors and Updated Landing-Spot Predictions 1 Day Before the 2026 Deadline

The MLB trade market should see a flurry of deals before Monday's 6 pm ET deadline now that Tarik Skubal is off the market.

The Dodgers landed Skubal on Saturday night in what go down as the biggest move of the deadline.

The rest of the World Series contenders now have to turn their eyes to the other starters on the market.

Kevin Gausman is expected to be one of the big names on the market. George Kirby's name was added to the rumor mill on Saturday as well.

More attention will likely be on the pitchers, but there's always a possibility that C.J. Abrams or Luis Arraez get moved.

Kevin Gausman

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Kevin Gausman made what was likely his last start for the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.

The veteran right-hander is one of the top names on the market and should be dealt.

All of the teams that missed out on Skubal, including the Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies, should inquire about Gausman, who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

The rental shouldn't be as high as the one for Skubal, but a team still might have to part ways with a quality prospect or two.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported the Blue Jays and Phillies were emerging as trade partners.

Philadelphia needs help in its rotation to support Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sanchez.

A move for Gausman at a reasonable price would provide a huge boost for the Phillies as they try to secure a playoff spot.

Prediction: Gausman to Phillies

George Kirby

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George Kirby's name emerged on the trade rumor mill on Saturday.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, multiple teams engaged the Seattle Mariners in talks for the right-handed hurler.

Seattle dealt Luis Castillo to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. Castillo struggled all year and that move helps open a spot for star prospect Kade Anderson.

A Kirby trade doesn't make a ton of sense for the Mariners because they are just three games back of first place in the American League West.

He could be viewed as surplus with Anderson expected to arrive soon, but it would still be a peculiar move.

Milwaukee, Tampa Bay, Atlanta and others have to do their due diligence on a potential Kirby trade, but it might not be easy to pry him away from Seattle.

Prediction: Kirby stays in Seattle

C.J. Abrams

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C.J. Abrams is the No. 1 hitter target for contenders.

However, the Washington Nationals shortstop won't come at a cheap price. ESPN's Buster Olney reported on the situation a few days ago.

"Rival executives say the Nationals have been in listen mode to overtures for shortstop CJ Abrams, but say the asking price would be extremely high -- to the degree that it's very unlikely he'll be dealt before Monday's deadline," Olney wrote.

Atlanta and the New York Yankees stick out immediately as contending teams with glaring needs at shortstop.

Washington might not be willing to deal Abrams within the NL East because Atlanta could sign him long term. That's a potential trade that might haunt the Nationals for years to come.

The Yankees would love to have an upgrade over Anthony Volpe at short, but they also might not want to part ways one or more of their best prospects.

The Braves, Yankees and others might balk at the high price set for Abrams and tun their attention to Zach Neto, Jeremy Pena and Otto Lopez.

Prediction: Abrams stays with the Nationals.