Samwise MLB Newsletter
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
2026 MLB Trade Deadline Closes: Nearly 50 Deals Reshape Playoff Picture
The 2026 MLB trade deadline concluded Monday at 6 p.m. ET, capping one of the most active final days in recent memory with nearly 50 deals. Contending teams made aggressive pushes while rebuilders stripped their rosters for future assets. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs emerged as the most aggressive buyers, each landing significant pieces. Baltimore Orioles and the New York Mets operated as primary sellers, with the Orioles drawing attention for parting with multiple cornerstone pieces. The Milwaukee Brewers were viewed by analysts as leaving too much on the table, failing to land their primary target at the deadline.
Sources: CBS Sports · CBS Sports
Dodgers Acquire Two-Time Cy Young Winner Tarik Skubal From Tigers
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers in the biggest move of the 2026 trade deadline period, with the deal announced Saturday night. In exchange, Detroit received outfield prospect Zyhir Hope, who had slashed .293/.369/.530 with 23 home runs and 18 stolen bases at Double-A this season, along with right-hander River Ryan and 21-year-old right-hander Brady Smith. Skubal, described as one of the all-time great trade deadline rentals, joins what is already baseball’s most formidable rotation, adding further pressure on NL rivals attempting to dethrone the two-time defending champions.
Sources: CBS Sports · CBS Sports
Red Sox Land All-Star Catcher Adley Rutschman From Orioles on Deadline Day
The Boston Red Sox made the biggest splash on deadline day Monday, acquiring three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman from the Baltimore Orioles about an hour before the 6 p.m. ET cutoff. Boston also received catcher Jake Rogers in the deal, surrendering right-hander Anthony Eyanson — the organization’s No. 2 prospect — along with right-hander Kyson Witherspoon, outfielder Enddy Azocar, catcher Carlos Narvaez, and a player to be named later. Rutschman, 28, is batting .251 with eight home runs and 47 RBI but is currently on the injured list with left wrist inflammation. He can become a free agent after next season.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors · CBS Sports
Cubs Acquire Clay Holmes From Mets to Shore Up Injury-Depleted Rotation
The Chicago Cubs completed another rotation addition Monday, acquiring right-hander Clay Holmes from the New York Mets along with outfielder Tyrone Taylor. In return, Chicago sent Jefferson Rojas, the Cubs’ No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Holmes had a 2.39 ERA in nine starts for the Mets but has not pitched since May 15, when a 111-mph comebacker fractured his right fibula. The Cubs have battled a rash of rotation injuries this season — including losing Cade Horton to Tommy John surgery in April — and also added Kevin Gausman from the Blue Jays earlier in the deadline period.
Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports
Seigler’s Ninth-Inning Triple Lifts Red Sox Past Marlins 4-2
Anthony Seigler hit a go-ahead triple in the ninth inning Monday night to lift the Boston Red Sox to a 4-2 victory over the Miami Marlins. Pinch-runner Eli White scored from first on the line drive, and Nick Sogard followed with an RBI single. Mickey Gasper had two hits and two walks for Boston, which won its fourth consecutive game. Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks started the ninth but departed after just one batter due to nerve irritation and numbness in his throwing arm. Sandy Alcantara had allowed one run on six hits over seven innings, reaching his major league-leading 21st quality start of the season.
Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports
Nationals Rout Rockies 13-3 as Colorado Drops to Season-Worst 7-Game Losing Skid
Cade Cavalli won his fourth consecutive start and Daylen Lile homered and drove in five runs as the Washington Nationals routed the Colorado Rockies 13-3 Monday night, sending Colorado to their season-worst seventh consecutive defeat. Washington went hitless for four innings against Rockies starter Ryan Feltner before erupting in the fifth. A sacrifice bunt by Nasim Nunez resulted in a throwing error that allowed two runs to score, and CJ Abrams laced a go-ahead double to give Washington a 3-2 lead. Willi Castro and Ezequiel Tovar homered for Colorado, which has now lost seven straight games and fallen to 50-80.
Sources: NBC Sports · ESPN
Trade Deadline Reaction: Dodgers Lead Winners, Orioles Draw Scrutiny for Rutschman Deal
Analysts widely credited the Los Angeles Dodgers as the biggest winner of the 2026 MLB trade deadline following Monday’s close, with two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal landing in Los Angeles in exchange for a package of minor league prospects. The New York Yankees drew criticism for failing to address a glaring need at catcher despite adding infielder Luis Garcia Jr. The Baltimore Orioles also faced scrutiny for trading three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox — a division rival — leaving analysts questioning the wisdom of dealing a franchise cornerstone to a team competing in the same division.
Sources: CBS Sports · CBS Sports
American League
AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays — 77–53, —
2. NY Yankees — 74–56, 3.0 GB
3. Boston Red Sox — 71–59, 6.0 GB
4. Toronto Blue Jays — 64–68, 14.0 GB
5. Baltimore Orioles — 63–68, 14.5 GB
AL Central
1. Chicago White Sox — 68–62, —
2. Cleveland Guardians — 65–66, 3.5 GB
3. Minnesota Twins — 63–68, 5.5 GB
4. Detroit Tigers — 61–69, 7.0 GB
5. Kansas City Royals — 58–74, 11.0 GB
AL West
1. Houston Astros — 65–66, —
T-1. Texas Rangers — 65–66, —
3. Seattle Mariners — 62–69, 3.0 GB
4. LA Angels — 52–79, 13.0 GB
5. Athletics — 51–80, 14.0 GB
National League
NL East
1. Atlanta Braves — 76–55, —
2. Philadelphia Phillies — 73–58, 3.0 GB
3. Miami Marlins — 67–64, 9.0 GB
4. Washington Nationals — 61–71, 15.5 GB
5. NY Mets — 59–72, 17.0 GB
NL Central
1. Milwaukee Brewers — 81–50, —
2. Chicago Cubs — 75–56, 6.0 GB
3. St. Louis Cardinals — 66–66, 15.5 GB
4. Pittsburgh Pirates — 63–69, 18.5 GB
5. Cincinnati Reds — 62–69, 19.0 GB
NL West
1. LA Dodgers — 80–51, —
2. San Diego Padres — 71–60, 9.0 GB
3. Arizona Diamondbacks — 69–62, 11.0 GB
4. San Francisco Giants — 52–78, 27.5 GB
5. Colorado Rockies — 50–80, 29.5 GB
Every newsletter preserved and searchable
Curated by JD · samwise.agency