The top starting pitchers on the trade block, ranked

The top starting pitchers on the trade block, ranked

1:52 AM UTC

As usual, starting pitching is in high demand as we approach the Trade Deadline (Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET). However, there’s a limited supply of arms on the market who can make a big difference for playoff contenders.

The list of available starters became even shorter on Friday afternoon, when the Rays traded Zach Eflin to the Orioles for three prospects.

With the Eflin deal kicking off what could be a frenzied period of activity in the trade market for starting pitchers, here’s a breakdown of the nine best starters with a chance to be dealt before the Deadline, ranked based on their ability to help a rotation in 2024 and beyond.

All stats below are through Friday.

1. , LHP, Tigers
Contract status: controllable through 2026

It’s going to take an exorbitant package to get Detroit to move Skubal, but it’s hard to argue he isn’t worth it. The left-hander has cemented himself as one of the best starters in baseball over the past year, recording a 2.52 ERA with 248 strikeouts, 36 walks and 149 hits allowed in 203 1/3 innings since he returned from flexor tendon surgery last July. The 27-year-old has two more years of team control remaining after 2024, which gives him the potential to impact three pennant races.

2. , LHP, White Sox
Contract status: controllable through 2026

While concerns about his workload and his reported desire for a contract extension could complicate trade talks, Crochet is easily one of the best hurlers on the market. Although he missed all of 2022 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and pitched exclusively in relief prior to this season, he has made a seamless transition to Chicago’s rotation. Still just 25 years old, Crochet has posted a 3.07 ERA with an AL-leading 157 strikeouts and 2.30 FIP over 111 1/3 innings. That includes a sparkling 1.76 ERA and 1.53 FIP since the beginning of May. Sure, there’s a risk he won’t be available for the playoffs this year. But given his years of control remaining and young age, he still has a ton of appeal as a trade candidate.

3. , RHP, Tigers
Contract status: pending free agent

What a difference a year makes. Flaherty was also on the trade block in 2023, but when he was dealt from the Cardinals to the Orioles on Aug. 1, he had a 4.43 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. He was even worse after joining Baltimore, pitching to a 6.75 ERA over nine games (seven starts). Fast forward to 2024, and Flaherty is one of the most attractive starters available. The veteran right-hander has rejuvenated his career after signing a one-year, $14 million deal with Detroit, notching a 2.95 ERA with a 133-to-19 K/BB ratio over 106 2/3 innings.

4. , LHP, Giants
Contract status: has opt-out (one year left on deal)

Less than a month ago, it seemed unthinkable that Snell would draw any trade interest, considering his performance over his first six starts (9.51 ERA) and his contract, which guarantees him $30 million in 2025 but also gives him the ability to opt out and become a free agent. However, the two-time Cy Young Award winner has turned his season around since returning from the injured list on July 9, posting a 1.00 ERA with a .105 opponents’ batting average over three starts entering Saturday’s scheduled outing against the Rockies. With the Giants expected to be sellers, Snell is reportedly drawing interest from at least five teams, who are surely hoping the left-hander can continue his history of improvement after the All-Star break (career 3.98 ERA pre-break, 2.47 ERA post-break).

5. , RHP, White Sox
Contract status: signed through 2025

Fedde had a 5.41 ERA with the Nationals from 2017-22, but after earning the Korea Baseball Organization’s MVP Award during his one-year stopover in the Far East, the right-hander has continued to excel in his return to MLB. One of the bright spots on MLB’s worst team, Fedde owns a 2.98 ERA with 104 strikeouts and 32 walks over 117 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old is signed for just $7.5 million next year as well.

6. , RHP, Cubs
Contract status: signed through 2026

Taillon’s tenure with the Cubs got off to a rough start when he recorded a 6.93 ERA over his first 14 starts in 2023, but he finished the season strong and has kept it up in 2024. Over 17 starts this season, Taillon has registered a 2.96 ERA with a 3.71 K/BB ratio (78 strikeouts, 21 walks) in 100 1/3 innings. His four-year, $68 million deal runs through 2026, so the Cubs aren’t facing much urgency to trade him now, but they don’t exactly have a lot of attractive trade chips. Trading the veteran righty is one of the best ways for Chicago to bring some younger talent into the organization without completely punting on 2025.

7. , RHP, Blue Jays
Contract status: signed through 2025

The Blue Jays are sellers, but it remains to be seen how much selling they’ll actually do aside from trading away their rental players. and are almost assuredly staying put, but will the Jays take advantage of the demand for starters and move one of their veteran arms? If they do, Bassitt seems to have more of a chance to be traded than either or , who are both younger and on longer-term deals. Bassitt had a 5.03 ERA through nine starts this season, but he has improved his trade value with a 2.93 ERA and a 3.34 FIP over his past 12 outings.

8. , LHP, Angels
Contract status: signed through 2025

Anderson looked to be a free-agent bust after posting a 5.43 ERA in the first season of a three-year, $39 million deal with the Angels, but he has turned things around in 2024. The left-hander made the All-Star team for the second time in three years and has a 2.91 ERA over 123 2/3 innings this season. That said, his 1.85 K/BB ratio, 4.44 FIP and 4.32 expected ERA cast some doubt on his ability to keep it up.

9. , LHP, Blue Jays
Contract status: pending free agent

Kikuchi is one of Toronto's most likely trade candidates, with his three-year, $36 million contract set to expire at the end of 2024. The left-hander’s ERA has ballooned to 4.75 as he has been hit hard in his past eight starts (7.75 ERA), but his peripherals (4.33 K/BB ratio, 3.64 FIP, 3.97 expected ERA) paint a rosier picture of his abilities.

Other notable SP trade candidates: (CIN), (SF), (COL), (COL), (TEX), (MIA)