2026 MLB trade deadline: Tarik Skubal, Bryce Harper, Luis Castillo among winners, losers for fantasy baseball
The 2026 MLB trade deadline certainly didn't disappoint. Starting on Saturday night when Tarik Skubal joined the Dodgers, there was an avalanche of deals that spanned the final 48 hours. From a fantasy baseball perspective, the value of many players shifted over the past two days, which means that managers who react quickly can make substantial roster improvements.
Here are the details that every manager should know.
Winners
Tarik Skubal, SP, Dodgers: Although the value of Skubal couldn't go much higher, the needle is pointed up slightly by virtue of his membership on baseball's deepest roster. The Dodgers have outscored the Tigers by 67 runs this season, and the added offensive support could help Skubal secure an extra win or two down the stretch.
Freddy Peralta, SP, Rays: Fantasy managers who stubbornly held onto Peralta through four unproductive months (4.99 ERA, 1.48 WHIP) got the news they wished for when the right-hander was traded to one of the top organizations in terms of handling hurlers. The Rays' front office is well-aware that the right-hander's skills have declined — especially a strikeout rate that is 6.1% lower than last year — and surely has a plan to get him back on track. The guess here is that Peralta will be serviceable — and possibly better than that — over the final two months.
Kevin Gausman, SP, Cubs: Although Gausman is not a winner to the same degree as Peralta, he should enjoy the backing of an elite defensive group, and he will definitely have greater win potential while supported by a top-five offense rather than one that ranks last in runs scored. Of course, the greatest variable for Gausman will be his own effectiveness, as he went 0-7 with a 6.32 ERA over June and July before tossing six innings of one-run ball in his initial August start.
Clay Holmes, SP, Cubs: Similar to Gausman, Holmes will enjoy the switch to a winning team with a terrific defense and productive offense. Given that he maintains an elite groundball rate, Holmes could benefit from his supporting cast even more than Gausman. Holmes should return from the 60-day injured list in a few days and logged a 2.39 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over nine starts prior to suffering a fractured right fibula.
José Soriano, SP, Blue Jays: Gausman's replacement in Toronto, Soriano could finally realize his vast potential under the tutelage of Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker. The strengths of Soriano are obvious – he's a workhorse who uses his solid strikeout skills and elite ability to induce grounders to rack up innings and limit scoring. And his weakness is just as obvious — he leads the AL in walks. The Angels couldn't help Soriano to take the next step, but they're an organization that is known for failing to maximize the production of their pitchers.
Dustin May, SP, Brewers: May tends to infuriate fantasy managers, as his immense skills (3.13 FIP, 106:35 K:BB ratio) rarely translate to outstanding results (4.38 ERA, 1.28 WHIP). If only there was an organization that could get the most out of him.
Enter the Brewers, who are famous for maximizing pitcher production and opted to acquire May on Monday. Rostered in just 24% of Yahoo leagues, May should be added in 12-team formats as soon as he is inserted into Milwaukee's rotation. After all, the team leads the majors with a 3.36 ERA from their rotation despite having Jacob Misiorowski and a cast of characters who were fantasy afterthoughts in March.
Zac Thornton, SP, Mets: Now that the much-anticipated departure of Peralta has happened, the runway is clear for Thornton to remain in the Mets rotation. The rookie is coming off a rough outing against Miami (4.2 IP, 3 ER) but has been effective overall across five starts since being promoted on June 26 (2.10 ERA, 1.00 WHIP). There are weaknesses in Thornton's game, especially a lack of swing-and-miss skills, but he should be rostered in 12-team leagues.
Kade Anderson, SP, Mariners: Although the trade of Luis Castillo doesn't open up a rotation spot for Anderson, we are now one injury away from seeing the debut of the best pitcher who is currently toiling in the minors. Anderson's 2026 stat line is ridiculous, including a 1.20 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 119:12 K:BB ratio. He is worth stashing now, destined to be the most exciting waiver wire option over the stretch run.
Luis Arráez, 1B/2B, Phillies: Although this one is only a small upgrade, Arráez is better off as a member of the Phillies than Giants. Baseball's best contact hitter will post an elite batting average wherever he goes, and he lacks the power skills to take advantage of a favorable park switch. But the Phillies have a better lineup than the Giants, which raises the 29-year-old's floor for accumulating R+RBI.
Bryce Harper, 1B, Phillies: The arrival of Arráez coincides with a decision to move Harper from first base to right field. First base is this year's deepest position, while the 2026 outfield pool has proven to be shallow, especially in five-outfielder leagues. Having the option to slide Harper to the outfield will open exciting possibilities for some fantasy managers.
Cole Carrigg, OF, Rockies: Although Carrigg was likely going to play everyday anyways, the trade of Brenton Doyle has freed an outfield logjam in Colorado. A speedster with a .914 OPS and a hitter-friendly home park, Carrigg should see his 25% Yahoo roster rate double in the coming days.
Zyhir Hope, OF, Tigers: Hope has a much clearer path to the majors now that he has escaped a Dodgers organization that was loaded with outfield talent in both the majors and minors. The Tigers could bring the 21-year-old to the majors down the stretch, but the more likely scenario is that he debuts early in 2027. Either way, Hope is a big part of the Tigers future and a more desirable option in dynasty leagues.
Luke Weaver, RP, Pirates: This is exactly the type of news that closer-starved fantasy managers were looking for on deadline day. One of baseball's best relievers, Weaver (1.84 ERA, 0.82 WHIP) instantly becomes the top option in a mediocre Pirates bullpen. Gregory Soto has done a respectable job as the team's closer, converting 14 of 19 save chances. The right-handed Weaver and left-handed Soto could share the role in the coming days, with Weaver having the best odds of gaining sole possession of the ninth inning. Managers who need saves should add him tonight.
Heliot Ramos, OF, Yankees: A lifelong member of the Giants, Ramos is a power hitter who has never known the benefit of a hitter-friendly home park. The slugger should thrive in Yankee Stadium, which should push his current Yahoo roster rate (39%) past the 50% threshold. It’ worth noting that the win for Ramos could eventually come to an end, as the Yankees 1B/OF/DH situation could become crowded when Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger return from the IL. But given that neither of those two stars have a firm timeline, fantasy managers can live in the moment by adding Ramos.
Losers
Taylor Ward, OF, Mariners: Ward has completely remade himself as a hitter this season, and although the changes aren't necessarily bad from a real-life perspective, they aren't what fantasy managers are looking for. The 32-year-old is currently 29 homers and 73 RBI short of his 2025 totals, with the power dropoff being offset by major on-base improvements (.383 OBP). Ward's power is unlikely to return at T-Mobile Park, which is notoriously tough on hitters. His current roster rate (81%) should drop by at least 25%.
Jo Adell, OF, Guardians: An all-or-nothing power hitter, Adell is leaving a home park that is above average for right-handed power and is going to a venue that suppresses the homer total of righties. The slugger also ditched an Angels offense that ranks 22nd in runs scored for a Guardians group that ranks 29th. Things aren't completely hopeless, as Adell could be spurred by a postseason chase, but otherwise, there isn't much to like about this move from a fantasy perspective.
Lane Thomas, OF, Braves: The Royals played Thomas regularly during June and July, which led to nine homers, 27 RBI and 23 runs over the two-month stretch. Unfortunately, the Braves will deploy him as a short-side platoon player when everyone is healthy, which will push him to the waiver wire in deep formats.
Brenton Doyle, OF, White Sox: Chicago grabbed Doyle (.635 OPS over 2025-26) as a reclamation project. He leaves an outfield logjam in Colorado and joins a similar situation with his new team, and will no longer benefit from playing his home games at Coors Field. He should be on waivers in all mixed leagues.
Emmet Sheehan, SP, Dodgers: Although Sheehan has been a disappointing fantasy asset (4-7, 4.95 ERA), his underlying skills (104:29 K:BB ratio) and rotation spot on a juggernaut Dodgers team has made him someone to dream on. Unfortunately, the acquisition of Skubal may end the dream, as there may not be a rotation spot for Sheehan when Blake Snell returns from the IL in the coming days. Managers can keep Sheehan for now but should be looking for more stable options.
Luis Castillo, SP, White Sox: Although Castillo had struggled at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park this season (5.04 ERA), the possibility of succeeding at the venue where he has a lifetime 3.07 ERA was the only thing keeping the veteran on the radar. Now that he is no longer affiliated with Seattle, Castillo is someone to drop in mixed leagues.
Gregory Soto, RP, Pirates: Although I wouldn't immediately drop Soto in deeper formats, the addition of Weaver is bad news for the inconsistent closer. Soto rebounded from a terrible June (13.50 ERA) with a strong July (1.74 ERA) but continues to walk more batters than one would expect from a reliable closer. His days in the ninth inning could be numbered, especially since he is just one of two lefties in the Bucs bullpen.
Foster Griffin, SP, Guardians: I was close to putting Griffin in the “unchanged” section, as the Guardians typically do a good job of maximizing the value of their hurlers. But it’s hard to imagine things going any better for someone who entered the season as a fantasy afterthought and now sits at 12-3 with a 3.06 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. Griffin has less win potential now that he is backed by the 29th best offense rather than the one in top spot, and it’s hard to imagine him making improvements on his terrific ratios.
Value Unchanged
Adley Rutschman, C, Red Sox: Rutschman will play as often in Boston as he did in Baltimore. The biggest variable in his stretch-run production will be his return from the IL (wrist inflammation). The same can be said for Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo, who is on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. Upon his return, he would have played often whether Rutschman was on the team or not.
Liam Hicks, C/1B, Rays: Hicks had already cooled off from his surprising start to the season (.692 OPS in July). He will continue to hit for average while being platooned (.515 OPS vs. LHP) in Tampa.
Luis Garcia Jr., 1B/2B, Yankees: Garcia goes from a quality lineup where he played exclusively against righties to a quality lineup where he will play exclusively against righties. Overall, there is a small lineup downgrade and small park upgrade. Consider it a wash.
Daulton Varsho, OF, Astros: Varsho hasn't been able to match his power production from 2025, which is the main reason that he is a fringe fantasy asset. He will play against all right-handers and some lefties in Houston, just as he did in Toronto.
Robbie Ray, SP, Padres: Ray had been spectacular at home (2.22 ERA) and mediocre on the road (4.06 ERA) this season, which may make his relocation down the west coast feel like a downgrade. But the Padres have their own pitcher-friendly home park, where the southpaw should succeed.
Casey Mize, SP, Padres: Mize is having a terrific season (2.70 ERA, 0.99 WHIP), albeit one that has been limited by injury to 16 starts. He is unlikely to fare any better in San Diego, but he also shouldn’t be worse while enjoying the benefits of a pitcher-friendly home park and outstanding relief corps.
