What happened: Trade-deadline chatter around Tarik Skubal points to a scenario where, despite being one of the game's most dominant arms, he may not bring back the single largest prospect haul on the market. The argument leans on his acquisition cost and contract control rather than any question about his ability on the mound.

Why it matters: Skubal has been a fixture in deadline conversations all month as one of the headline names among MLB's top available assets. How the market values him shapes the entire pitching-trade landscape, setting the bar for what contenders will pay for front-line starting depth and what a selling club can realistically expect in return.

What to watch: Watch which contending clubs emerge as serious suitors and what return framework takes shape as the deadline approaches.