Trade rumors: Skubal fallout, SP market, unexpected seller emerging?

Tarik Skubal is a Los Angeles Dodger.

The back-to-back World Series champions acquired the biggest name on the trade block Saturday night. That should clear the way for a lot of transaction action in the mere hours remaining before the Trade Deadline arrives at 6 p.m. ET Monday.

Here's a look at some of the latest topics swirling in the rumor mill, including how the other Skubal suitors could pivot in the wake of Saturday's blockbuster, a hint on the White Sox next move and rumblings about some of the other top starting pitchers in the market.

What's next for Yankees, Cubs and other Skubal suitors?

There could be only one winner, but there were at least seven clubs linked to Skubal in the hours and days leading up to Saturday's big news. Here's a rundown how each of those clubs could respond to missing out on the two-time Cy Young Award winner.

Yankees: A source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand on Saturday that the Yanks “will get a catcher, but it may not be the one they really wanted.” Two execs tabbed the Reds' Tyler Stephenson as New York’s catching answer while another predicted that the Orioles' Adley Rutschman winds up in the Bronx. Writing in the New York Post (subscription required), MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reports that New York has shown interest in two lefty-hitting infielders: the Nationals' Luis García Jr. and the Giants' Luis Arraez.

Rays: The Rays pivoted to another starting pitcher on Sunday, acquiring Freddy Peralta from the Mets (per a source), and are perhaps closer than any other team to landing Arraez. According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Rays are the "heavy favorite" to acquire the three-time batting champion. The AL East leaders are looking to upgrade at catcher as well.

• Where the trade market stands in wake of Skubal deal

Cubs: Pitching is at the forefront of Chicago's Deadline to-do list. It wants to address its rotation and bullpen by adding three pitchers, according to The Athletic. The Cubs have been reportedly linked to the Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman as well as Angels starters Reid Detmers and José Soriano. Per Nightengale, the Cubs have had talks regarding the Giants' Robbie Ray, the Mariners' Emerson Hancock and the Mets' Clay Holmes. Mize is another option, according to The Athletic.

Brewers: Milwaukee came up short in its efforts to pair Skubal with Jacob Misiorowski in its rotation. However, the Brewers still plan to be aggressive in addressing all areas of its roster before Monday's Deadline. A source told Feinsand that the club “will push some chips into the center” and make acquisitions to try taking down the Dodgers.

Braves: Atlanta's need for rotation help was apparent before the Skubal trade, and it was exacerbated by the news that Reynaldo López is heading to the injured list with left knee inflammation. The Braves did make a notable move Saturday, trading with the Royals for outfielder Lane Thomas and left-hander Bailey Falter.

Phillies: Philadelphia has emerged as a possible contender for Arraez, according to FanSided's Robert Murray. It is hunting for a right-handed-hitting outfielder and has been linked to the Orioles' Taylor Ward. The club is also looking for a starting pitcher. The Blue Jays have players who could fit most of the Phillies' needs, and those two sides have been in talks, per MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi.

White Sox not done after landing RHP Castillo

Before the Skubal-Dodgers trade took over the headlines, the White Sox had made this trade season's most prominent deal yet, acquiring four-time All-Star Luis Castillo from the Mariners for three players. Augmenting their starting rotation was a priority for the White Sox, and it remains so even after that trade.

According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, the AL Central leaders are open to bringing in another starting pitcher. Since Castillo is under contract through 2027 with a vesting option for 2028, Chicago is willing to look for a rental starter who may not require as much of a return. Available starting pitchers who will be free agents after this season include Gausman, Mize, Ray, the Reds' Brady Singer, the Orioles' Trevor Rogers and the Blue Jays' Shane Bieber.

What's the Tigers' next move?

Everyone was waiting to see where Skubal will go. Now that we know, there should be a marked increase in trade market activity. And the southpaw probably won't be the last player to exit the Motor City.

A lot of attention will now be paid to Mize, who was scratched from his scheduled start Friday as a precaution ahead of the Deadline. Interest in the right-hander is picking up, with the Rays, Cubs, Braves and Diamondbacks reportedly among the clubs keeping tabs on him. The 29-year-old Mize will reach free agency after this season and has pitched to a 2.70 ERA across 86 2/3 innings this year.

Starter Jack Flaherty and second baseman Gleyber Torres are also on expiring contracts and could be on the move as well. The Tigers could also unload relievers Kenley Jansen, Drew Anderson and Kyle Finnegan. Jansen ($12 million) and Anderson ($10 million) each carry a club option for next season. Finnegan has a mutual option for '27.

Rangers' Deadline direction may hinge on Sunday result

Buy or sell? For the Rangers, the answer may depend on what happens in Sunday's series finale versus the Astros, according to Rosenthal.

"Beat the Houston Astros on Sunday, and perhaps the front office keeps the team intact, or even adds," Rosenthal wrote. "Lose, and the Rangers could sell, perhaps even in a big way."

Texas (55-56) has dropped the first two games of the Silver Boot Series and four games in a row to put it 1 1/2 games behind Houston in the AL West. It is a half-game out of a Wild Card spot. Rosenthal reports that the Rangers "are not ruling anything out" as the final day until the Deadline looms.

The Rangers' most likely trade chips are designated hitter Joc Pederson and reliever Jakob Junis, both of whom are on expiring contracts. Moving a headline player such as Corey Seager or Jacob deGrom would be more difficult. The oft-injured Seager has a partial no-trade clause and is due $155 million from 2027-31. deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi have full no-trade clauses with significant money remaining on each of their contracts. However, Rosenthal writes that it's "not out of the question" that deGrom waives his clause to pitch for a team located closer to his Florida residence -- like the Braves, perhaps.

The Rangers, who added catcher Logan O'Hoppe and reliever Chase Silseth in a trade with the Angels on Wednesday, will be one of the many clubs scouring the market for bullpen help -- if they do decide to buy.

Other notes

-- After bolstering their 'pen with Camilo Doval on Saturday, the Pirates are staying on alert to add more relief help and a right-handed-hitting outfielder, per Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. Ward and the Angels' Jo Adell have been brought in discussions, and Pittsburgh has talked to the Mets about right-handed reliever Luke Weaver.

-- The Blue Jays are "open to moving" players on expiring contracts, per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. That's a long list of talent, including Gausman and Bieber, outfielder Daulton Varsho and DH George Springer. Reliever Jeff Hoffman is under contract through 2027, but he may be moved as well.

-- Red Sox's No. 1 prospect Franklin Arias is not untouchable in trade talks, according to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe (subscription required). Arias, a 20-year-old shortstop, is MLB Pipeline's No. 7 overall prospect in baseball.

-- Teams are showing "considerable interest" in Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle and relievers Antonio Senzatela and Victor Vodnik, according to Rosenthal and Sammon.