Matt Johnson
The 2026 MLB trade deadline is still a few months away, and it will likely be several weeks before we see any significant moves go down. However, based on some of the latest MLB trade rumors, it is fun to try to figure out potential deals that could be made.
Let’s dive into a few potential MLB trades we’d love to see this month.
New York Yankees Acquire Daniel Lynch
Our level of concern with the New York Yankees bullpen is not particularly high. After all, the club ranked 10th in reliever ERA (3.59) and seventh in xERA (3.44) entering play June 2. Furthermore, Ryan Weathers will eventually be moved to the bullpen, and it seems that the club is already thinking about a call-up for one of its top prospects as a reliever. With that said, there is room to improve for sure.
- New York Yankees trade: LHP Kyle Carr, OF Jace Avina
- Kansas City Royals trade: LHP Daniel Lynch
Enter Daniel Lynch. The Kansas City Royals’ left-handed reliever holds a 1.93 ERA with a 28.1 percent strikeout rate across 23.1 innings this season, limiting opponents to a .174 batting average, and he has a 0.39 HR/9 rate. He would be even more attractive for the Yankees because he is arbitration-eligible through 2028 (age-31 season). A trade package of left-handed pitcher Kyle Carr, ranked as the team’s 11th-best prospect by MLB Pipeline, and outfield prospect Jace Avina would give Kansas City two players who could reach the majors in 2027.
Related: Insider Proposes Potential Tarik Skubal Trade for Yankees
Freddy Peralta Dealt to the San Diego Padres
The New York Mets aren’t ready to be sellers at the MLB trade deadline, but it does feel inevitable in a sense. When the decision finally comes, All-Star starting pitcher Freddy Peralta will be one of the most coveted names available. While there are plenty of potential suitors, a deal with the San Diego Padres seems like the best fit.
- San Diego Padres trade: SS Jorge Quintana
- New York Mets trade: RHP Freddy Peralta
We are proposing a one-for-one trade between San Diego and New York. The Mets would acquire shortstop Jorge Quintana, who received a $1.7 million signing bonus when he signed out of the 2024 international free agency class. Rated by both FanGraphs and MLB Pipeline as San Diego’s fifth-best prospect, he gives the Mets a toolsy infielder who could develop into an above-average regular if his hit tool progresses.
As for the Padres, Peralta would immediately step in as a front-line starter for a club that entered June 2 ranked 23rd in rotation ERA (4.63). Peralta is a proven playoff starter, and he could slot in ahead of Michael King for San Diego. Come October, the Padres could potentially have Peralta, King, Nick Pivetta and Randy Vasquez as their four starters.
Related: MLB Teams Eyeing Trade for New York Mets Star
Chicago Cubs Bolster Rotation with Robbie Ray
Ideally, the Chicago Cubs would be ultra-aggressive this summer and acquire Tarik Skubal. However, we do believe there are a few other clubs that might be more motivated and willing to pay the price to acquire the two-time AL Cy Young Award winner. Consequently, Robbie Ray could be a more cost-effective target for Chicago, and the San Francisco Giants should be willing sellers.
- Chicago Cubs trade: C Owen Ayers
- San Francisco Giants trade: LHP Robbie Ray, $5 million in cash
It is another one-for-one trade. San Francisco, which has no viable long-term plan at catcher, brings in one of the top Cubs prospects. Owen Ayers, a 24-year-old catcher, is rated by FanGraphs and MLB Pipeline as the 10th-best prospect in Chicago’s farm system. While he is likely two years away from making his MLB debut, he has projectable offensive tools as a switch-hitter, and he could become a solid regular.
Meanwhile, Chicago lands a front-line starter it desperately needs, and it does not deplete its farm system much. Ray, who is in a contract year, has struggled this year (4.45 ERA). However, he still has good stuff and could step in behind Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd and Edward Cabrera to serve as an outstanding fourth starter. San Francisco can also attach cash to cover a portion of his remaining salary, which would leave Chicago on the hook for around $14 million for the rest of the season.
Related: Insider Proposes Potential Tarik Skubal Trade for Chicago Cubs
Luis Arraez Traded to Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers certainly still view themselves as a playoff contender. However, for playoff contention to be on the table, a Rangers lineup that ranks 24th in runs scored (239) and 22nd in batting average (.235) needs to be addressed. One of Texas’ weakest positions is second base, with the club ranking 19th in wRC+ (96) and 24th in OPS (.689) since April 1.
- San Francisco Giants trade: 2B Luis Arraez
- Texas Rangers trade: RHP Leandro Lopez
It is a natural fit for Giants second baseman Luis Arraez. Signed to a one-year contract this offseason, he has rebounded in San Francisco with a .321 batting average and surprisingly outstanding defense (99th percentile Range). He is everything Texas needs at second base.
In exchange for just over half a season of Arraez, the Giants turn their low-risk investment into right-handed pitching prospect Leandro Lopez. The 23-year-old, a consensus top-15 prospect in the Rangers’ farm system, has struggled this year in Double-A (7.20 ERA) but still offers an intriguing upside.
Related: SF Giants Held Meeting with Top Draft Prospect
Tampa Bay Rays Pull off Tarik Skubal Trade
We feel increasingly confident that we will see a Tarik Skubal trade this summer. The list of suitors for the two-time American League Cy Young Award winner feels endless; every contender should and will check in with the Detroit Tigers on his availability. With that said, we are warming up to the belief that the Tampa Bay Rays might be the team to pull it off.
- Detroit Tigers trade: LHP Tarik Skubal, $7.5 million cash considerations
- Tampa Bay Rays trade: SS Carson Williams, OF Jacob Melton, C Caden Bodine
Detroit might even be willing to cover a portion of Skubal’s salary ($32 million) for a club like the Rays since it would improve the return. That is important because, since Skubal is only a half-season rental, there will be a limited number of clubs willing to package top prospects for him. The Rays, however, are the club that nearly traded Junior Caminero for Shohei Ohtani.
Carson Williams, who was rated as Tampa Bay’s No. 1 prospect in 2025, is part of the trade package. He still offers enticing tools, but the 22-year-old’s career 39.5 percent strikeout rate in the majors (139 plate appearances) and a 28.5 percent strikeout rate this season in Triple-A highlight the risk with his profile. He would be a buy-low for Detroit. Outfielder Jacob Melton, a top-five prospect in the Rays’ farm system, would also provide the Tigers with an outfielder who is nearly MLB-ready. Catcher Caden Bodine, a top-20 prospect in Tampa Bay, is enjoying a productive season in the minors (.343/.412/.574) and could work his way into becoming an everyday catcher.
Related: 4 Teams named Early Suitors for Tarik Skubal
