Trade rumors: Robert Jr., Rays, Giants bats, Marlins

The rumor mill is really starting to spin as we now 12 days away from the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline

Here's a rundown of the latest rumblings, the growing interest in Luis Robert Jr., how the Rays may be ready to go big at the Deadline, which Giants hitters may be on the move and more.

Robert Jr., fresh off IL, generating interest

Multiple teams are interested in the Mets' Robert Jr., even though he just returned from nearly three months on the injured list with a spine ailment, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon in The Athletic.

Robert showed Tuesday with a 451-foot homer that he can still be a force when healthy, something that teams looking for right-handed bats certainly noticed. Before his IL stint, though, he was hitting just .224 with two homers and a .656 OPS in 98 plate appearances. Robert has dealt with injuries for most of his career, having played more than 100 games just three times in seven seasons. His best season came in 2023, when he was an All-Star with the White Sox and hit 38 homers with an .857 OPS in 145 games.

Robert is set to make $5.9 million after the Trade Deadline. He also has a $2 million buyout on a $20 million team option for 2027, but it's unclear whether the Mets would be willing to pay any of that down in a trade. The Mets plan to play Robert in center field two out of every three days, The Athletic reports.

Are the Rays preparing to swing big?

The Rays sure seem well-positioned to end a two-year postseason drought. Entering play on Wednesday, they owned the best record in the American League and held a two-game edge over the Yankees for first place in the AL East.

Tampa Bay may be preparing to make significant upgrades to its roster, too.

A rival executive told The Athletic that the Rays will be “buying big” at the Deadline, specifically citing the organization’s prominent scouting presence. And for a club that does a lot of things well, the Rays still have a lot of holes that they can fill over the next two weeks.

As a starting point, there’s an obvious need for another bat to supplement the “Big Three” of Yandy Díaz, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero. That could come in the form of a catcher: According to USA Today, Tampa Bay had scouts at Wrigley Field last weekend to watch Twins backstop Ryan Jeffers. On the infield, the Rays could use an upgrade at second, where their second basemen have combined for a .662 OPS that ranks seventh lowest in MLB. Notably, Bob Nightengale of USA Today has linked Tampa Bay to Giants All-Star second baseman Luis Arraez.

The Athletic also reported that the Rays want to add pitching between now and Aug. 3. Might they be a contender for Tarik Skubal, should the Tigers decide to deal the two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner? MLB Network insider Jon Heyman (New York Post subscription required) listed the Rays as one of the clubs expected to be a “prime player” for Skubal. Detroit is said to be looking for controllable starting pitching plus quality prospects in a potential Skubal return, and, at least on paper, Tampa Bay would be able to meet those demands. How high will they aim?

What might Tigers look for in a possible Skubal trade?

It remains the No. 1 question on everyone's lips as we get closer to the Deadline: Will the Tigers actually trade two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal? It's still anyone's guess as to whether a deal will go down.

But if it does, it may not signal that the Tigers are giving up on this year. According to The Athletic, Detroit is “at least mulling the possibility” of a Skubal swap that keeps the club competitive for the rest of this year as well as into the future. MORE >>

Clubs eyeing Giants hitters; Arraez viewed as most likely to be deal

Outfielder Heliot Ramos and utilityman Casey Schmitt are among the Giants who teams are scouting as the Deadline nears, according to a report from Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle (subscription required). The Phillies and Mariners had scouts at Monday's game against the Royals, Slusser reports.

Schmitt would seem to draw the most interest, especially from teams looking for right-handed pop. His 19 homers and .782 OPS ranked second on the team entering Wednesday. But beyond that, he brings strong defensive versatility. Schmitt has mostly played left field this season, but has also spent significant time at first and third bases, along with time at second base and shortstop. Ramos, meanwhile, was hitting .273 entering Wednesday with nine homers and a .772 OPS.

But the player the Giants may be most likely to trade is second baseman Luis Arraez, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

"No player in baseball seems more likely to be dealt than Arraez, who has been in vintage form at the plate in 2026 after hitting a career-low .292 last season," Feinsand wrote.

Arraez, a three-time batting champ with three different teams, entered Wednesday hitting .323, which ranks second in the NL.

How will losing streak influence Marlins' Deadline direction?

Want an example of how quickly plans can change during Deadline season? Consider this paragraph about the Marlins from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal on July 10:

"Barring an utter collapse, the hottest team in baseball not only intends to keep staff ace Sandy Alcantara but also add strategically to its roster, according to people briefed on the club’s plans who were granted anonymity to speak freely."

Alcantara and the Marlins lost that evening against the Guardians and haven't won since. They enter Wednesday on an eight-game losing streak that has taken them from a three-game advantage in the NL Wild Card race to a half game out of the last playoff spot. The loss of All-Star starting pitcher Max Meyer to a neck strain has only made matters worse. That has given Miami pause as to how to act regarding the Deadline.

According to The Athletic, Miami is "going to let things further play out before making any firm decisions" about whether to buy or sell or stand pat.

If the team's fortunes don't change over the next week, could it reconsider holding on to Alcantara? The former NL Cy Young Award winner -- who leads the Majors with 136 2/3 innings pitched -- carries a $21 million club option for 2027 and would be one of the more attractive pitchers in a deep market of starters. He is scheduled to start tonight against the Astros.