The MLB All-Star break provides the ability to reset, digest the first half of the season, and more importantly, to look ahead towards the second half of the season. Now, we just need to figure out what’s going to happen. What’s more fun than some bold predictions? So let’s go through three of them.
MORE: MLB Power Rankings: All 30 teams ranked ahead of the 2026 All-Star Game
Detroit Trades Skubal, and Wins the American League Central
Let’s just be clear: the Tigers are not going to re-sign Skubal this off-season. I’m not sure that’s going to be due to lack of trying or the desire to do so, but to simple economics. There are a lot of other teams there who are better equipped to pay Skubal what the market says he’s worth. So why shouldn’t the Tigers maximize their value and set their team up for continued success?
The way to do that is to trade Skubal. However, the timing is odd, to say the least, as the Tigers are 6.5 games out of first place in the American League Central after a 7-3 record in their last 10 games. The Tigers are getting healthier, and in Framber Valdez, they have also signed their Skubal replacement.
There’s nothing to say that Detroit can’t move Skubal, get some pieces that could potentially help this year, and then make other trades with a focus on 2026. Also, can we really expect the Chicago White Sox to continue their torrid pace? The Cleveland Guardians are also beatable, and now that they are healthy, the Tigers have the best lineup.
The Mets End With the Worst Record in MLB
With a .412 winning percentage, there are only three teams worse than New York at this point: the Colorado Rockies at .398, the Kansas City Royals at .392, and the Los Angeles Angels at .392. From a talent perspective, the Mets should be far and away ahead of each of those teams. Instead, for multiple reasons, 2026 has been a disaster.
No team is going to put more of an emphasis on selling at the Trade Deadline than the Mets, and they also have the assets to move. Every big name except Juan Soto could be gone. After they sell, New York will see the biggest dip in talent, and that should lead them to the worst record in the league.
The Los Angeles Dodgers Don’t Make a Major Trade
Yes, I know what I just said and how crazy it sounds. But the Dodgers payroll isn’t getting any smaller, and we know there are going to be some limitations on salary next season. It’s going to become that much more important for Los Angeles to continue to build and mold their young prospect core.
There are no real holes in Los Angeles, assuming Edwin Diaz, Tyler Glasnow, and Blake Snell all return to action. The division is already in hand, and a healthy Dodgers’ team can beat any opponent.
Yes, trading for Skubal would be great, but there’s more competition in the trade market than in other years. If the Dodgers don’t need to pay those prices, why should they? They then have the offseason to evaluate where to spend their riches if it’s possible.
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