With one week until the trade deadline, the relatively quiet trade market is expected to heat up before long. Front-of-the-rotation lefthanders Tarik Skubal (Tigers) and Garrett Crochet (White Sox) are expected to be the biggest names available.
It’s possible neither are moved. Both are under team control through the end of the 2026 season. These aren’t players who have to be traded as much as ones who only make sense to trade if the return is right. But if either is traded, they will likely be within blockbuster deals rarely seen at the deadline.
The White Sox and Tigers both seem willing to at least listen to offers, so here’s our look at playoff contenders with the prospect depth to pull off a deal.
If they desire, the Orioles’ combination of top-end prospect talent, close-to-the-majors prospects and enviable depth can trump any other trade offer. The Orioles are the Amazon.com of prospect talent. No matter what you’re looking for, they most likely have it in stock.
Teams very rarely trade their absolute best prospects. If the Orioles decide Jackson Holliday is available, though, he’s the best possible prospect trade chip. Even if Holliday is off limits, Coby Mayo, Samuel Basallo and Heston Kjerstad compare favorably with any prospect any other team could offer, especially if the White Sox or Tigers emphasize receiving plug-and-play prospects.
Holliday and Mayo are two Top 100 Prospects in Triple A. Another (Basallo) is in Double-A. The Orioles have two more (Kjerstad and lefthander Cade Povich) in the majors. Baltimore also has other successful young big leaguers, like Colton Cowser, who would have significant value if made available.
But the close-to-the-majors depth stretches beyond them. Connor Norby, Chayce McDermott and Kyle Stowers have plenty of Triple-A experience. They’re all candidates to step right into a big league lineup if traded. Basallo, Jud Fabian, Seth Johnson, Cameron Weston and Brandon Young are all in Double-A.
There’s a plethora of intriguing players deeper into the system, although the Mariners are a better fit for a team emphasizing lower-level prospects with the highest ceilings in a return. Otherwise, Baltimore has the best potential trade chips.
2. Seattle Mariners
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