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3 unrealistic blockbusters that would blow up 2026 MLB trade deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 MLB trade deadline is going to be weird. Nearly the entire league is in playoff contention, and, therefore, most of the league is a potential buyer at the deadline. That leaves just a handful of teams looking to sell talent. In fact, it has been reported that as few as six teams could be realistic sellers. The Colorado Rockies, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, and New York Mets are the only teams considered guaranteed to move on from talent at the deadline, making this a sellers’ market.
Teams vying for playoff positioning will be willing to pay a pretty penny to add some of the best players on the block, and there certainly are plenty of talented stars being rumored as trade candidates. The lack of selling teams means that there might not be as many big trades as usual, though, and it could even lead to some unrealistic trade ideas. So, here are three deals that are too unrealistic to actually happen, but because of the circumstances of this year’s deadline, could certainly be rumored, and 100% would blow up the deadline if they actually came to fruition.
An untradeable legend finally gets dealt
Trade offer: Los Angeles Angels trade Mike Trout to the Philadelphia Phillies for Gage Wood, Francisco Renteria, and Jean Cabrera
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Mike Trout is the greatest player in the history of the Los Angeles Angels. His 11-year run from 2012 to 2022 was arguably the greatest peak in MLB history. Injury issues and regression have plagued him in the years since, but Trout is still having a productive season. He is at 18 home runs this year and even returned to the All-Star Game.
His Angels, meanwhile, have been horrendous for quite some time, so it has come as somewhat of a surprise that Trout hasn’t been traded in years prior. The outfielder could have been viewed as one of the top trade candidates at multiple previous trade deadlines, but he has shown no desire to move on from the team that he has spent his entire career with. He even has a no-trade clause, making it close to impossible for the Angels to deal him even if they wanted to.
Of course, the one thing lacking from Trout’s impressive resume is a World Series title. At some point, the five-tool star may want to pursue that. If he were to ring chase, it could very well come with the Philadelphia Phillies, a team he not only grew up rooting for, but one that is in the twilight of their contention window. The Phillies are littered with big-name superstars, but most of their talent, like Trout, doesn’t have much left in the tank. Trout could give this aging roster the boost they need in one final championship push. They just so happen to desperately need centerfield help, too.
Of course, this trade is unrealistic because Trout has still yet to show any motivation in leaving Anaheim. Trout’s injury history and massive contract also make it tough to gauge what his trade value would even be. In this deal, the Phillies actually get to hold onto their blue-chip prospect: Aidan Miller. It certainly would be fun to see Trout pair up with Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Trea Turner, some of the best players of this generation.
Rafael Devers is on the move again
Trade offer: San Francisco Giants trade Rafael Devers to the Seattle Mariners for Ryan Sloan and Michael Morales
In 2018, Rafael Devers won the World Series. In 2023, the Dominican slugger signed a 10-year, $313.5 million deal with the Boston Red Sox. The 2024 season marked his third All-Star appearance in four seasons and proved he was one of the best third basemen in MLB and well worth his massive contract.
Things haven’t gone according to plan ever since. Boston agreed to a deal with Alec Bregman that forced Devers off of the hot corner and created tension with his franchise. Ultimately, it led to him being traded to the San Francisco Giants. Instead of becoming the franchise player on his new team, Devers has slumped in San Francisco, and the Giants are now primed to be one of the biggest sellers at the trade deadline.
Despite that, it seems unlikely that Devers will be moved because of his regression and the fact that he has so many years left remaining on his contract. The Seattle Mariners are one team that should at least consider trading for the superstar. Last year, Seattle traded for power hitters at both infield corner spots when they made deals for Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez. Those moves made the Mariners one of the biggest winners of the trade deadline and helped them nearly make the World Series for the first time ever.
Suarez is no longer with the team, and Seattle again needs an influx of power potential because of Cal Raleigh’s down season at the plate. Another change of scenery could certainly help get Devers back on track. Devers could DH, he could play first over Naylor, or he could spend time back at the hot corner, which has recently been inherited by J.P. Crawford, a natural shortstop who has moved positions since Colt Emerson’s arrival.
Even during what is being considered a down season, Devers has still already surpassed the 20 home run mark. He could be the missing piece that finally gets the Mariners over the top.
The back-to-back champions get the best pitcher in baseball
Trade offer: Detroit Tigers trade Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Emmet Sheehan, Zyhir Hope, and Sterling Patick
Tarik Skubal is the best pitcher in MLB. He has also been rumored as a trade candidate because of the Detroit Tigers’ struggles and his status as an impending free agent. Every team would love to have the lefty ace, but only one trade candidate can end up with him.
Somehow, the Los Angeles Dodgers are considered one of the frontrunners to land the starter. In fact, because of a stacked farm system and loads of talent on the big league roster, the back-to-back reigning champions might have the best trade package to offer Detroit.
In recent years, the Dodgers have landed whichever superstars they’ve so desired to land, including Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Teoscar Hernandez, Tanner Scott, Roki Sasaki, Edwin Diaz, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Blake Snell. While they’ve used free agency more than the trade market, if they really want Skubal, they can probably go get him. That is hard to believe, though, because at some point, opposing teams can’t keep letting the rich get richer.
If Skubal is, in fact, traded to the Dodgers, a preexisting dynasty may truly become unbeatable. Skubal would join a rotation that features Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Sasaki. Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Gavin Stone are on the mend but expected to return at some point, too.
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