Baseball fans, the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline is upon us. With blockbuster moves already being made, WBN has you covered with analysis of every trade happening today until the deadline at 6:00 p.m. EDT.
Toronto Blue Jays Make Surprising Trade To Acquire José Soriano From Los Angeles Angels
Angels trade Jose Soriano to Blue Jays for Arjun Nimmala, Eddie Micheleti, and Angel Rivero
Only one day after trading away ace Kevin Gausman, the Blue Jays acquire 27-year old Jose Soriano from the Angels in a move that allows their starting rotation to get younger. Soriano is having a career year with a 3.29 ERA in 123 innings of work and still has two more years of control after this season. In the Kevin Gausman trade, the Blue Jays netted two prospects in Brett Bateman and Ty Southisene. This gave them the ability to trade away one of their top prospects in Indian-American shortstop Arjun Nimmala as well as two high-upside players in pitcher Angel Rivero and slugger Eddie Micheleti. The Blue Jays currently sit in last place in the American League East at 52-60, so the move for Soriano helps them reload their pitching staff for next season.
Luis Arraez and Kaleb Kilian traded to Phillies for Ramon Marquez and Marty Gair
How Big Of A Difference Will Luis Arraez Make For the Philadelphia Phillies?
Luis Arraez was one of the biggest names rumored to be traded this deadline, and he lands in Philadelphia in order to boost the Phillies lineup. Dave Dombrowski makes a much needed move to help his 59-53 squad that stands eight games back of the division lead and is tied for the second Wild Card spot. In exchange for one of the best rental bats available, Philadelphia gave away their No. 4 prospect in 20-year old Dominican right-handed pitcher Ramon Marquez and 23-year old righty reliever Marty Gair. Arraez will play second base, meaning Bryson Stott will go to third, Alec Bohm rotates to first, and Bryce Harper will move back to the outfield for the first time since 2022.
Bryce Harper is moving back to right field, per @ToddZolecki
Harper last played outfield for eight games in 2022 and full-time in 2021. Luis Arraez will play second base, Bryson Stott third and Alec Bohm first pic.twitter.com/zTM454pbwz
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 3, 2026
Phillies continue to add, acquire Brooks Raley from Mets for Luke Gabrysh and John Spikerman
Bryce Harper’s request for both position player and pitching help has been answered, as the Phillies made a move for left-handed reliever Brooks Raley from the division rival New York Mets. In his ninth year in MLB, Raley has been lights out in the back of the Mets bullpen holding a 1.96 ERA and tallying up 14 holds. The rental reliever market at the deadline is always active, and the 38-year old Raley will help a Phillies bullpen that ranks 20th in the MLB in terms of bullpen ERA over the last two months of the regular season.
Braves make first move, nab Brent Suter from Angels for Nacho Alvarez Jr.
The Atlanta Braves are only two and a half games back of the best record in baseball, but now face major pressure to buy after the Dodgers made a big splash in Tarik Skubal. The first moves that the Brave made was to bolster their bullpen and they do so by bringing in veteran lefty Brent Suter. This will be Suter’s fifth MLB team in his 11 year career and his 120 ERA+ over that span makes him a reliable option in leverage situations. The Braves in turn part with former fan-favorite prospect Nacho Alvarez, who has spent the entire 2026 season in Triple-A Gwinnett. Alvarez will compete for playing time in an Angels infield that has struggled offensively this season.
Dodgers trade with Mets for Ben Rortvedt in exchange for Chayce McDermott
Ben Rortvedt has spent all of 2026 with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets and will now return to the team that he made his last big league appearance with in 2025. A defensive specialist, Rortvedt caught 18 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025 and will provide additional catching depth behind Dalton Rushing while Will Smith is on the 60-day Injured List. In 48 AAA games this year, Rortvedt has a .733 OPS and 26 RBIs. On the other side, the Mets get lefty reliever Chayce McDermott who has struggled in parts of three MLB seasons with both the Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles
Guardians add outfield help from Angels in Jo Adell for Jacob Cozart
The Cleveland Guardians trade their No. 18 overall prospect in catcher Jacob Cozart for outfielder Jo Adell. Adell had played seven years in Anaheim, breaking out last year in 2025 with 37 home runs. This season, Adell has regressed to his career average numbers, slashing .239/.287/.395 with a 93 OPS+. Adell still displays good power, having already slugged 16 home runs this season and will fill a hole in center in Cleveland. Jacob Cozart was the Guardians second round pick in 2024, and spent this year improving in Double-A.
Mariners make shock addition in Taylor Ward from Orioles for Brock Moore, Harrison Kreiling and Alex Hoppe
In a shallow market for right-handed bats, Taylor Ward and his expiring contract head to Seattle as a big splash for a 55-58 Mariners team that sits three games back of the division lead in the American League West. The Mariners have a deep farm system, and they were able to add Ward without parting with any prospect ranked in their top 30. It will be interesting to see how the A.L. West plays out with the Mariners softly buying as of now.
Pirates Acquire 2025-26 LBPRC MVP From Orioles in Pre-Trade Deadline Move
White Sox trade for Brenton Doyle from the Colorado Rockies for Mason Adams and Carlos Vielma
A two-time gold glove outfielder, Brenton Doyle has struggled with injuries and offensive production in 2026 with the Rockies. The Rockies are clear sellers with a record of 45-67, and they move a controllable piece to the AL Central leading Chicago White Sox. The White Sox add Doyle’s speed and defense into an outfield rotation that features 2026 All-Star Tristan Peters, Sam Antonacci, Braden Montgomery, and Andrew Benintendi. The trade only costs Chicago their No. 8 prospect in pitcher Mason Adams and a flyer in shortsop Carlos Vilema, adding to an eventful deadline for the squad that also saw the addition of pitchers Luis Castillo and Huascar Brazobán.
Rays get their big fish in Marlins Liam Hicks at the cost of Brayden Taylor, Jacob Kisting and Adrian Santana
While many insiders expected Tampa Bay to go out and make a move for Luis Arraez, they instead decide to make a trade with the Miami Marlins for one of the league’s best catchers in Liam Hicks. A great defender, Hicks has broken out offensively to the tune of a 124 OPS+ at one of the most offensively starved positions in baseball. It is unusual to see a mid-season catcher acquisition, but when it does it costs a hefty price. Nothing different here, as Tampa Bay sends three of their top 30 prospects to Miami to complete the deal. Brayden Taylor was ranked their No. 16 prospect per MLB Pipeline, while pitcher Jacob Kisting and shortstop Adrian Santana ranked 26 and 27 respectively. The team with the best record in the American League just upgraded big time.
Blue Jays continue to add, trade for Josh Smith from Rangers in exchange for Adam Macko
The Rangers solidify themselves as sellers by moving utility man Josh Smith to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for left-handed pitching prospect Adam Macko. Toronto makes another move centered towards next season, acquiring a versatile player in Smith who has two more years of team control.
Padres trade in division for Robbie Ray and give up Miguel Mendez and Joniel Hernandez
It is hard pressed to find an MLB Trade Deadline in the last decade where San Diego Padres’ General Manager A.J. Preller hasn’t been involved, and the same can be said this year as San Diego acquires former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray from the rival San Francisco Giants. The cost was two of the team’s top 10 prospects in pitcher Miguel Mendez and Joniel Hernandez. The Giants continue to try and offload any asset that they can, while the Padres get a much needed boost to their starting rotation in Ray. Ray is an unrestricted free-agent at the end of the season, but is also quietly having his best season since his 2021 Cy Young campaign.
Dodgers add even more pitching by sending Carlos Duran to the Royals for Kris Bubic
Even if you’re a juggernaut, you can never have enough quality pitching. That is clearly the message that the Dodgers front office is sending to the rest of baseball as they trade a low-level prospect arm for Kansas City lefty Kris Bubic. Bubic was an All-Star in 2025, but has missed time with injury this year and thus has regressed. However, he’s shown his arm talent in the past making this a no-brainer move for the Dodgers at this price point.
Boston Red Sox land Adley Rutschman from Orioles in exchange for five players in blockbuster
BREAKING: The Boston Red Sox are acquiring three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles, per @JeffPassan. pic.twitter.com/TAskq4p4oC
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 3, 2026
After news broke earlier today that Boston was close to acquiring Rutschman from Baltimore, the deal is finally made official per Jeff Passan of ESPN. This trade is shocking, and if not for the Tarik Skubal trade this past weekend would be the biggest deal at this year’s deadline. Rutschman, the first overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft, has shown off his talent in five MLB seasons to the tune of 16.6 WAR. However, injuries and the rise of Samuel Basallo made him expendable. Enter the Red Sox, who after being below .500 for most of the season have been one of the hottest teams in baseball over the last month and a half. Adley has one more year of team control and will be a significant upgrade at the catcher position for a 60-51 Boston squad. The Red Sox also will acquire backup catcher Jake Rogers and cash considerations in addition to Rutschman. Going back, it is a five player package from Boston that includes major league catcher Carlos Narvaez, No. 2 prospect Anthony Eyanson, No. 4 prospect Kyson Witherspoon, No. 5 prospect Enddy Azocar, and a PTBNL. Boston was able to hold on to No. 1 prospect Franklin Arias who was rumored to be available.
Pirates make a bullpen move, add Luke Weaver from Mets for Sammy Stafura
The Pirates send their No.9 prospect in talented infielder Sammy Stafura in exchange for a very productive back end arm in Luke Weaver. This comes in the wake of Pittsburgh trading for Camilo Doval from the Yankees on Saturday, August 1. With a record of 56-57, the Pirates are still only three and a half games out of the last National League Wild Card spot. The Pirates are able to strengthen their bullpen with Weaver, who will compete with both Doval and Gregory Soto for the closer role. Luke Weaver is also having the best season of his career, with a 1.84 ERA in 44 innings pitched.
Cubs trade for Braxton Garrett from Marlins in exchange for Jonathon Long and Jace Beck
The Cubs came into the deadline needing to upgrade their pitching, and they have made moves to do exactly that. Starting with Kevin Gausman on Sunday, Chicago has now added Braxton Garrett and Ryan Zeferjahn from the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Angels respectively. Garrett showed flashes in 2022 and 2023, but after struggling in years past he has spent the majority of this year in Triple-A Jacksonville. In Triple-A, Garrett has pitched 77 2/3 innings to the tune of a 2.90 ERA. This caught the attention of the Cubs, who traded away their No. 10 prospect in Long as well as their No. 28 prospect in Beck in order to add some lefty help on the mound.
Cubs also acquire right-handed reliever Ryan Zeferjahn from Angels
Zeferjahn will slot in to a high-leverage role in the back end of the bullpen for the Cubs, as he is in the middle of a great season. Owning a 3.66 ERA and a 13.1 K/9 in 51 2/3 innings for the Angels, Zeferjahn will join the core of Jacob webb, Trent Thornton, and Caleb Thielbar to help Chicago close games. The Angels in return get a significant package of catcher Moises Ballesteros and pitcher Mason Mason McGwire. Ballesteros shined in 20 games with the Cubs last season with a .868 OPS, but has not been able to find the same level of success this year while getting consistent at-bats between catcher and designated hitter. The Angels continue to be one of the biggest sellers of the deadline while Chicago gears up for October.
Brewers get Dustin May and JoJo Romero from Cardinals for Alex Frias and Josiah Ragsdale
Another inter-division trade, the contending Brewers give away two minor league outfielders in exchange for two major league pitchers. With the best record in baseball, the Brewers decide to add two more arms to their staff that has the second best team ERA in baseball at 3.48. May signed a one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals that also has a mutual option for 2027, and has turned in a 4.38 ERA in 21 starts. Romero has been great in relief for his entire five year tenure with the Cardinals, providing the Brewers with a reliable left handed option in an already strong bullpen. According to MLB Pipeline, Frias is the No. 11 prospect in Milwaukee’s system and Ragsdale is No. 13, giving the Cardinals two young lefty outfielders to add to their farm system as they enter a rebuilding phase.
Astros buy low on Daulton Varsho from Blue Jays and part ways with Spencer Arrighetti
In a rare big leaguer for big league deal, the Astros try to upgrade in the outfield while Toronto continues to have one of the most active deadlines both buying and selling. After a strong 2025 with Toronto where he had 2.7 WAR in 71 games and hit to an .833 OPS, Daulton Varsho has had a very disappointing 2026. Even with his struggles offensively, Varsho is still a good defender in center who will fit into an Astros outfield that hasn’t had much production in the outfield at all. Arrighetti had a great start to the year and had a 2.57 ERA in the middle of June, but has struggled mightily over his last six starts and his ERA is now 4.60. Arrigheti has three more years of control and will join new addition Jose Soriano as additions for the staff in 2027, while Houston attempts to add in a season that started in peril but now sees them sit atop the AL West leaders with a record of 58-55.
Cubs make yet another big move, this time for Clay Holmes and Tyron Taylor in exchange for Jefferson Rojas as the Mets continue their firesale
The Chicago Cubs have acquired the most players of any team at this year’s deadline, most of it pitching, but add their first bat in a move that sees them land Tyrone Taylor and Clay Holmes from the New York Mets. The Mets get a really nice piece back in infielder Jefferson Rojas, MLB Pipeline’s No. 63 overall prospect and Chicago’s No. 2. Holmes missed a chunk of time this season after fracturing his fibula in may, but has enjoyed a really successful tenure as a starting pitcher in Queens. This year in 52 2/3 innings pitched, he has a 4-4 record, a 2.39 ERA, and a 1.101 WHIP. Taylor will join a crowded Cubs outfield as a platoon bat against left-handed pitching as the Cubs look to catch the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL Central title in the second half of this season as the Mets continue to sell off most all of their talent that was projected to be sold away.
Royals gamble on Nolan Hoffman from Phillies in exchange for Manuel Colon and cash considerations
