2026 MLB trade deadline: One deal ESPN experts would make - ESPN

It's less than one week from the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline — and this year's edition needs a kick start to get the action going.

While we wait for this summer's first blockbuster deal, we asked our MLB experts to give us their best trade proposal for some of the hottest names swirling in the deadline rumor mill with the only rule being they have to be on our latest ranking of the top 100 MLB trade candidates.

Where did our experts send Tarik Skubal and Mason Miller? Which teams landed an impact bat? And what should the teams most in need of a boost in the next week do? Let's dig in.

The Brewers recognize the opportunity this season presents. They haven't won a World Series in their 58 years of existence, and they are in the midst of a season in which they have the game's most dominant pitcher in Jacob Misiorowski, a deep well of arms beyond him, a lineup with depth and good gloves aplenty. This is the time to push, so how about a package of RHP Logan Henderson, 2B Josh Adamczewski and infielder Ricki Moneys for Skubal.

And as painful as it would be to give up a good rotation piece in Henderson, a surefire big leaguer in Adamczewski and a high-ceiling talent in Moneys, Milwaukee's farm depth allows this sort of deal. Models don't like it, but this isn't the time to listen to them. It's time to headline a rotation with Skubal and Misiorowski and let the rest take care of itself. — Jeff Passan

I love when small payroll teams go for it, so the Brewers or Rays are my favorite potential Skubal destinations; both have the farm system to make it happen comfortably. My assumption is OF Theo Gillen is off the table, but anyone else could be considered other than 2026 draftees who aren't eligible to be traded, so let's send C