Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ head of baseball operations, enters the Aug. 3 trade deadline with limited pressure. Los Angeles remains a title contender, and Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and other injured pitchers are expected back before October. Friedman could pursue upgrades — the Dodgers have been linked in the source to potential interest in Detroit’s Tarik Skubal — but the team’s standing would be largely unchanged by October’s outcome.
Scott Harris and the Detroit Tigers face one of the clearest dilemmas. Harris must decide whether to trade Tarik Skubal, the most coveted starting pitcher in years, as Detroit sits nine games out in the AL Central and six games behind for the third wild-card spot. According to Fangraphs, the Tigers’ current playoff probability is 22.8%. Two years ago the club rallied late and reached the playoffs, but ownership apparently believes Skubal could sign elsewhere this winter, increasing the return he would fetch. Other potential trade chips include Gleyber Torres, Casey Mize and Kenley Jansen.
David Stearns arrived in New York under heightened expectations after last season’s collapse, and many of the Mets’ offseason moves have not worked out. Luis Robert Jr. and Jorge Polanco have again been sidelined with injuries, Bo Bichette and Marcus Semien struggled earlier in the year, and Freddy Peralta, acquired from Milwaukee, has pitched more like a No. 3 starter than a No. 1. The Mets are 14½ games behind the Atlanta Braves and near the bottom of the National League, meaning they would need to pass several teams to reach a wild-card spot. If owner Steve Cohen approves midseason moves, Stearns is tasked with acquiring long-term building blocks such as Carson Benge, A.J. Ewing and Nolan McLean; Peralta could be his top trade chip.
Craig Breslow received a public vote of confidence from Red Sox president Sam Kennedy, but the fan base remains frustrated as Boston’s offense has been stagnant for much of the season. The team was 10-17 before Alex Cora was fired and 19-23 after, and local media speculation about Breslow’s status persists, though that does not necessarily indicate imminent dismissal. Breslow’s work at the trade deadline — whether adding or subtracting players — is likely to shape the local narrative about his stewardship.
