What happened: The New York Times released its MLB trade deadline Big Board 1.0, a ranking of the top 50 players most likely to change hands before the deadline, with Tarik Skubal sitting atop the list. His placement at No. 1 marks him as the most coveted name on the board as the deadline approaches.

Why it matters: Skubal's standing atop the board underscores how aggressively contenders are expected to chase front-line starting pitching this summer. His name has now topped multiple deadline rankings, signaling a sustained industry consensus that he is the marquee arm of the 2026 trade season.

What to watch: Watch whether the board's top tier actually reaches the market as the deadline nears, and which contenders move to position themselves for Skubal.