What happened: Minnesota is acquiring left-handed reliever A.J. Minter from New York, sources told ESPN, beginning the Mets’ sell-off. Tarik Skubal remains the market’s top available prize as Detroit considers its options.
Why it matters: Detroit entered Friday 4½ games behind the final American League wild-card spot, complicating any decision to move its ace. Skubal can become a free agent after the season, raising the cost of keeping him beyond Monday.
By the numbers: Skubal posted a 2.03 ERA with 41 strikeouts over 31 innings in his past five starts. The 29-year-old won the American League Cy Young Award in 2024 and 2025.
What to watch: Watch whether Detroit’s asking price produces a deal and which contenders add pitching before the cutoff.