We’re now under two months out from the MLB trade deadline and there’s been increasing buzz surrounding big names like Tarik Skubal, C.J. Abrams and Freddy Peralta.

While it will likely be another month-plus before a deal is made, it’s always a fun exercise to propose potential MLB trades that could help some of the top World Series contenders right now.

The New York Yankees’ situation at catcher has been disastrous this season. Austin Wells is good at pitch framing, but his woes with the bat and throwing runners out are responsible for New York catchers ranking 25th in fWAR (0.4). An upgrade is crucial. An intradivision Adley Rutschman trade certainly wouldn’t be the Baltimore Orioles’ preferred option, but they need cost-controlled starting pitching. That’s something the Yankees have, with Ryan Weathers (under contract through 2028), Will Warren (pre-arbitration), and top prospect Elmer Rodriguez. One of them can be the headliner in a deal with Baltimore and the Yankees get an All-Star caliber catcher who is outstanding behind the plate and producing an .832 OPS this season. Plus, he comes with one additional year of contract control.

Related: New York Yankees Trade Targets

Philadelphia Phillies Pull Off C.J. Abrams Trade

Entering MLB games today, the Philadelphia Phillies’ second basemen collectively rank 19th in fWAR (0.4) and 28th in OPS. It’s simply not working out with Bryson Stott. While C.J. Abrams stars at shortstop for the Washington Nationals, he’s a better fit defensively at second. The big improvement, of course, would be the Phillies lineup adding a hitter who has a .914 OPS, .286 batting average and is on pace for a 30-30 season. The 25-year-old is also under team control through 2028. Any deal with Washington would need to center around either Andrew Painter or Gage Wood, providing the Nationals with desperately-needed starting pitching. It could be a win-win for both clubs, enough so to justify another intradivision trade.