MLB Trade Deadline: Arraez Hits .324 as Teams Target 10 Key Players

As the 6 p.m. ET MLB trade deadline approaches, Luis Arraez leads the National League with a .324 batting average while Casey Mize boasts a 2.70 ERA.

The 2026 MLB trade deadline concludes at 6 p.m. ET on Monday following the Los Angeles Dodgers' acquisition of Tarik Skubal. Among the remaining available talent, Luis Arraez leads the National League with a .324 batting average. The San Francisco Giants second baseman has improved his defensive footwork after primarily playing first base for the San Diego Padres in 2025. While Arraez lacks significant power and walk totals, he maintains an above-average on-base percentage. Potential suitors include the Boston Red Sox, who saw replacement Curtis Mead break his left wrist in his debut, and the Padres, where Jake Cronenworth is currently hitting .214.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize enters the deadline with a 2.70 ERA and 2.9 WAR through 16 starts. Mize has limited opponents to a .593 OPS, the 10th-lowest mark for pitchers with at least 80 innings, and has issued only 19 walks. Despite two stints on the injured list for groin strains, he has allowed just five home runs, four of which occurred on the road. The Tigers recently demonstrated caution by pushing his scheduled start back to Tuesday. This follows a dominant stretch for Detroit, including recent victories of 13-1 and 11-0 against the Athletics.

Pitching Market Leaders and Stat Lines

Clay Holmes of the New York Mets represents a top starting pitching option despite a $12 million player option for 2027. Holmes has recorded a 3.26 ERA over 40 starts in Queens since transitioning from a relief role with the Yankees. Although he missed two months with a broken right leg and is currently rehabbing in the minors, he maintains one of the highest groundball rates in the major leagues. Another Mets arm, Luke Weaver, carries a 1.84 ERA through 44 innings in 2026, surrendering only three home runs. Weaver is under contract for $12.5 million in 2027 and previously posted a 1.76 ERA across 12 games in 2024.

Washington Nationals left-hander Foster Griffin is 12-3 with a 3.06 ERA in 129⅓ innings. The 31-year-old rookie, who signed for $5.5 million after three years in Japan, recently completed a streak of eight consecutive starts allowing exactly one run. While his fastball averages 91 mph, opponents hit just .197 against the pitch. Conversely, San Francisco’s Robbie Ray is 10-6 with a 3.08 ERA. Ray has been dominant at home with a 2.22 ERA and .193 opponent average, compared to a 4.06 ERA on the road. Over his last eight starts, Ray has pitched to a 1.09 ERA, allowing one home run in 49⅓ innings.

Relief Options and Defensive Specialists

Adrian Morejón of the Padres features a 99 mph fastball, leading San Diego to reportedly decline a trade offer from the Yankees for Will Warren. The Padres have won eight of their last 10 games to rejoin the wild-card race. In St. Louis, Dustin May has posted a 3.14 FIP despite a 5-7 record and 4.38 ERA. May has struck out 106 batters in 109 innings while allowing seven home runs. His repertoire now emphasizes a 97 mph four-seam fastball and increased cutter usage over his traditional sinker.

Position Player Targets and Roster Needs

Daulton Varsho provides premium defense in center field for the Toronto Blue Jays, though he has been a below-average hitter in 2026. This follows a 2025 campaign where he hit for significant power. Potential fits include the Marlins, whose center fielders have combined for a .204 average and eight home runs. Detroit’s Gleyber Torres offers a .389 OBP, which exceeds that of Arraez. Torres has established a reputation as a difficult out in recent postseasons with both the Yankees and Tigers.

Additional names circulating in the rumor pipeline include Mason Miller, CJ Abrams, Zach Neto, George Kirby, and Otto Lopez. Unlike Skubal, nine of the top 10 most likely trade candidates are impending free agents, meaning they are unlikely to command a top-50 prospect in return. Teams remain hesitant to move elite prospects for players with multiple years of control, such as those mentioned in the pipeline who are controllable through at least 2028.