Seven things to observe on MLB trade deadline day: Will an ace be traded?

Here are seven things it’s best to consider before Close of trading at 6:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, it needs to be a dramatic day that might see several big transfers.

1. Is an ace moved?

The Tigers have listened to inquiries from teams about their American League Cy Young Award candidate Tarik Skubal. The White Sox proceed to check with teams about their star Garrett Crochet. The Giants have done their due diligence on two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. So far, neither has been traded. It seems unlikely any team pays the high price that comes with Skubal (however the Tigers can still get a very good deal in the event that they trade Jack Flaherty). Crochet and his agency, CAA, have been downplaying his trade value by saying he wouldn't pitch in October if he doesn't get a contract extension first, but there are still teams that might trade him anyway. The Snell situation can even be interesting to observe. After the Giants traded Jorge Soler back to the Braves late Monday night, the possibility of trading Snell is way higher than it was yesterday.

Just remember, all it takes is one owner, team president or GM to rise up on the proper foot this morning and judge to pay the exorbitant price for a star who could make the most important difference of all of the players traded at this 12 months's deadline.

2. Where will the most effective available closers land?

The Marlins have been offering their closer Tanner Scott for over a month now, and so they are only hours away from having to determine where to trade him. Three teams from the AL East are ahead in terms of signing Scott, with the Orioles, Yankees and Red Sox all within the running and the AL Central's Royals an out of doors candidate, in accordance with major league sources. But will one other team step in on the last minute with a proposal the Marlins can't refuse? And how long will or not it’s after trading Scott before one in all the teams that missed out pivots and tries to catch up with Kyle Finnegan from the Nationals? It's closing time.

3. Will the Twins accomplish anything significant?

The Twins have been very cautious this transfer window. They haven't made a trade within the last two weeks. They wish to strengthen their starting pitchers, but their situation is complicated: most of their talks have revolved around trades between buyers, as they can’t increase their salaries significantly and could have to chop salaries from their roster so as to add them back in a trade. They need to seek out an answer, nevertheless, because signing an experienced starter would significantly increase their probabilities of making the playoffs.

4. Which AL East contender could have probably the most bullpen depth?

The Red Sox, Orioles and Yankees are attempting to enhance their respective bullpens by way of leverage and depth. They have all traded for Tanner Scott and Kyle Finnegan, but that's just the highest end of the market. They have also tried to get relievers like Mark Leiter Jr. from the Cubs, Luis Garcia from the Angels, Dylan Floro from the Nationals, Chad Green from the Blue Jays and each Lucas Erceg and Austin Adams from the A's.

5. Are the Rays and White Sox finished selling?

The Rays have traded Isaac Paredes, Randy Arozarena, Jason Adam, Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale and Phil Maton. They could also trade second baseman Brandon Lowe, first baseman Yandy Díaz and closer Pete Fairbanks, amongst others. The Rays have been one in all the stories of the trade deadline, but are they done? Meanwhile, the White Sox have traded Erick Fedde, Michael Kopech and Tommy Pham. Will they trade Garrett Crochet or Luis Robert Jr. now? Or will they find yourself trading more fringe players, like shortstop Paul DeJong or one in all their right-handed power hitters like Andrew Vaughn or Eloy Jiménez? They've lost 15 games in a row – it's time to win some trades.

6. Will the Giants proceed to sell?

The Giants' trade of Soler and Luke Jackson to the Braves reduced their future financial risk, but in addition suggested they may proceed to sell and retool for 2025 and beyond. (A combination of shopping for and selling can be possible for San Francisco, which enters Tuesday's standings 4 games out of a playoff spot.) They have arguably the most effective trade object: No pitcher or player could fetch higher value on the deadline than Snell. The Yankees, Red Sox and Orioles, in addition to other teams, can be taken with signing Snell, and sure willing to pay a painful price, especially given his performance in his last 4 starts (0.75 ERA in 4 appearances in July). Will he stay or go? And what other moves will the Giants make?

7. Desperation Meter: Which teams are most eager to do something?

The Yankees and Orioles are gearing up for an epic race within the AL East, and each are eager to add players before the deadline. The Mariners and Astros have made significant additions to enhance their rosters, so will the rival Rangers feel pressure to make a giant move as well? Will the Mets land a starter? Will the Red Sox and Royals get the right-hander they've been on the lookout for? The desperation meter could determine who makes a move and who doesn't before the clock strikes 6 p.m.