MLB Trade Rumors: 20 Starting Pitchers Most Likely To Be Dealt
20 Starting Pitchers Who Are Likely to be Traded
MLB's trading deadline is always a fun event to follow. We will hear hundreds of rumors between now and July 31, most of which will not come true. Pitching is always a premium around the deadline as teams are constantly looking to improve their bullpen and add depth to their starting rotation. In this slideshow, I will give you the top 10 starting pitchers who are likely to be dealt.
There are some big names on my list, including four guys who have won Cy Young awards in the past, and other which may surprise you.
One team that I think did very well in building staring pitching depth in the offseason is the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs added Scott Feldman, Edwin Jackson, Carlos Villanueva and Scott Baker (who has been out in 2013 so far because of Tommy John surgery) to an already fairly deep rotation, and will have no problem parting with a couple of these guys before the trade deadline.
Obviously, there will be many other teams who could look to sell. We are still fairly early in the 2013 season so it is hard to pinpoint exactly who will be buyers and sellers, but the obvious teams along with the Cubs as sellers are the Houston Astros and Miami Marlins. Teams that could be looking to add to their starting rotations include the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Indians, Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees. There will surely be more teams looking to add starting pitching as we get closer to the trade deadline.
Could one of these guys be the player who puts your favorite team over the top?
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20. David Price
David Price becomes a free agent after the 2015 season. Everything that I have heard says that the Tampa Bay Rays will definitely trade him before then. That may be before this year's deadline, the offseason or next year's deadline, it is hard to say. With his declining velocity and a lot of mileage on his arm, I think that Price is a risk because he is surely going to cost you a lot in a trade.
19. R.A. Dickey
It might be a short stay with the Toronto Blue Jays for R.A. Dickey. The Blue Jays went for it in the offseason, adding many key pieces to their team, but have gotten off to a slow start. If they continue to slide in a competitive division, I could see them selling off at the deadline. Dickey coming off his Cy Young season with the New York Mets so even though he has struggled in the early going, there would certainly still be interest from teams.
18. Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee is a tough one to figure out. He is still pitching outstandingly and the Philadelphia Phillies are still right in the thick of things. That being said, I do not think the Phillies are not as good as the Atlanta Braves or Washington Nationals in their division, and I think they will fall out of contention by the deadline. A contending team would love to have Lee in their rotation, and I am sure the Phillies would love to have his massive contract off their books.
17. Tim Lincecum
Fresh off of his no-hitter, Tim Lincecum would be an interesting target for teams to acquire. The San Francisco Giants are struggling to stay in contention and Lincecum becomes a free agent after the season. Both of those things make me think it is possible he will be dealt.
16. Phil Hughes
The New York Yankees are reportedly willing to trade Phil Hughes because he becomes a free agent at the end of the season. I think this is unlikely because the Yankees are still in the race, but I guess you never know.
15. Ted Lilly
Ted Lilly is currently trying to come back from injury. With the Los Angeles Dodgers having rotation depth and looking to acquire more, I think Lilly is a piece that could be dealt if he returns in time. He is a nice veteran arm that could help a team looking for cheap rotation depth.
14. Ervin Santana
Ervin Santana has been very good this season, posting a 5-6 record with a 3.37 ERA. If a team is willing to over-pay for the recent success of Santana, I am sure that the Kansas City Royals will be willing to deal him.
13. Jeremy Guthrie
Jeremy Guthrie has been solid this season as his 8-7 record and 4.25 ERA shows. He would be a nice option for a team looking for cheap rotation depth.
12. Jake Peavy
The Chicago White Sox need to start rebuilding. They have an old roster and their minor league system is not highly thought of. Jake Peavy would net the White Sox a nice return. I think this one is a no-brainer for the White Sox organization if Peavy returns from injury in time to be dealt.
11. Joe Saunders
As a soon-to-be free-agent Joe Saunders appears to be a prime trade candidate. He probably does not figure in to the future plans of the Seattle Mariners but he could be a nice addition for a contender this season.
10. Vance Worley
Vance Worley has struggled this season, but he is still young (25 years old) and is under contract for the next couple of seasons. Worley may be worth taking a shot on.
9. Edinson Volquez
Edinson Volquez has struggled some this season, but the talent is still there and he does eat some innings. He would make for some nice rotation depth on a contender not looking to pay too much for a rental.
8. John Danks
John Danks has been solid since returning from injury this season. The White Sox are known sellers and it is believed that they will listen on any players except for star pitcher Chris Sale. Danks would be one of the more attractive pieces remaining on the White Sox and would be a welcomed addition to many contending teams.
7. Erik Bedard
Decent numbers on a rebuilding team for a player that is a free-agent at the end of the season. Yea, I think it is fairly likely that Erik Bedard is traded if anybody is interested.
6. Kyle Lohse
It has been a very disappointing season for the Milwaukee Brewers. They are now believed to be sellers and Kyle Lohse is probably available. Lohse is currently holding a 3.67 ERA and would be a nice addition to many rotations.
5. Lucas Harrell
It is no secret that the Astros will be sellers at the deadline. Lucas Harrell is one of their most valuable pieces and I think he will surely be traded.
4. Bud Norris
Bud Norris' situation is exactly the same as Harrell's. The Astros are a pitiful 10-30 and are going nowhere. They will certainly be sellers.
3. Matt Garza
Matt Garza is an interesting case. The Cubs have tried to trade Garza over and over again but have not gotten the value they wanted. I believe Garza would have been traded last season if he was healthy. Garza has pitched extremely well up until the deadline and I think there is a good chance the Cubs trade him.
2. Scott Feldman
Feldman has been outstanding early in this season with a 2.53 ERA and 1.148 WHIP. His success, coupled with the Cubs surely being sellers and having great starting rotation depth, makes Feldman an obvious candidate to be traded.
1. Ricky Nolasco
Ricky Nolasco is the highest paid player on the Marlins, making $11.5 million this season. The second-highest player on Miami's roster is Placido Polanco, who makes about $2.75 million. It is obvious that the Marlins are looking to dump salary and Nolasco is surely the next guy to go.
