As the MLB trade deadline approaches, contending teams are targeting players they hope can fix problem areas in their lineups or rotations.
Adding power, starting pitching or bullpen help through a mid-season acquisition could be the key to a strong second-half and a deep playoff run.
The AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles and the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgersboth entered the All-Star break as top-five teams by record. Both are positioned to make noise in the postseason but both would also like to bolster their rotations at the trade deadline by adding an elite starting pitcher. The hurler both clubs appear to have set their eyes on is Detroit Tigers’ ace Tarik Skubal.
The only issue is that while the Tigers are going nowhere this season and will happily part with a number of players, including the resurgent Jack Flaherty, Detroit has indicated that the team would like to hang on to Skubal. Ultimately it would take an “overwhelming offer” of major league-ready position players for the Tigers to part with their excellent young pitcher. However, in baseball, as in life, everything has a price. And the Orioles appear more capable of paying that price than the Dodgers, per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi on X.
