🔮 Predicting the 2026 MLB trade deadline

Based on what ESPN's Jeff Passan is hearing, we predict where the top trade candidates will land -- and how they impact each other.

The top 3

  1. Top 3 Deadline Trades That Won Championships: Key examples include the 2017 Houston Astros acquiring Justin Verlander, who helped them win their first World Series, the 2016 Chicago Cubs acquiring Aroldis Chapman, who closed out their historic championship run, and the 2021 Atlanta Braves' series of outfield acquisitions (Jorge Soler, Adam Duvall, Eddie Rosario, Joc Pederson) that fueled their World Series victory.
  2. Three Most Blockbuster Deadline Player Swaps: The 2022 trade sending Juan Soto and Josh Bell to the Padres for a massive prospect haul including MacKenzie Gore, C.J. Abrams, and James Wood was a significant blockbuster. Other notable deals include the 2021 trade of Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Dodgers for Keibert Ruiz and Josiah Gray, and the 2008 acquisition of Mark Teixeira by the Angels, which indirectly led to them acquiring Mike Trout through compensation picks.
  3. Top 3 Most Unpredictable Deadline Shocks: The 2004 Boston Red Sox trading Nomar Garciaparra for Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz was a major surprise that helped end their 86-year curse. Randy Johnson's 1998 move to the Houston Astros, finalized minutes before the deadline, was another shocker. The 2008 acquisition of CC Sabathia by the Milwaukee Brewers, who then pitched them into the playoffs, was also unexpected and highly impactful.

Sources

Open the full topic