What happened: The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees are positioned as potential suitors for starting pitcher Tarik Skubal. The back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner anticipates being traded ahead of the upcoming deadline.
Why it matters: Acquiring an elite frontline arm provides a massive rotation upgrade for either title-contending club. Both organizations are pushing for deep playoff runs and view high-end starting pitching as a premium asset.
By the numbers: The Phillies hold a 50-39 record this season and are currently playing a tied 1-1 series against the Kansas City Royals. The market for the starting pitcher remains active, following recent evaluations placing his trade odds at 90 percent.
What to watch: Front offices will evaluate their prospect capital to meet the expected asking price.