What happened: USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale predicts the Detroit Tigers will move left-hander Tarik Skubal before the deadline and that he lands with the Atlanta Braves, citing rival executives. The forecast is a column prediction rather than a reported agreement, and multiple MLB voices have floated the same fit in recent weeks.

Why it matters: Atlanta's rotation has leaned on Chris Sale and Martín Pérez, leaving starting pitching as an obvious upgrade target for a club still chasing consistency from its core. Adding a front-line arm like Skubal would reshape the Braves' postseason ceiling, and general manager Alex Anthopoulos has both prospect capital and cash to swing a large deal.

What to watch: Watch whether the speculation hardens into reported negotiations as more insiders weigh in, and whether Anthopoulos signals rotation help as the priority ahead of August 3.