Top 20 pitcher trade candidates
We rank the top 20 pitchers who could be moved prior to the Aug. 2 trade deadline.
1. Luis Castillo, Reds*
* - July 29: Mariners acquired Castillo for 4 prospects
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.77 | 78 | 82 | 166 | 3.05 | 1.08 |
Position: SP
Age: 29
Contract: Arb eligible through 2023
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Castillo tops our list thanks to an impressive 13-start showing that earned him his second All-Star Game appearance. The 29-year-old has a career-best 2.77 ERA, which ranks 12th among NL starters with at least 70 innings pitched. The right-hander is also striking out 9.5 hitters per nine and has allowed just five homers.
2. Carlos Rodon, Giants
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.95 | 110 | 138 | 139 | 2.25 | 1.14 |
Position: SP
Age: 29
Contract: Signed through 2023 (opt out after 2022)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
If the Giants decide to sell, Rodon will instantly become one of the deadline's biggest prizes even with the risk of opting out. The 29-year-old has proven last year's breakout campaign was no fluke. Rodon currently leads the NL in FIP, sits second in strikeouts and K/9, and has allowed only five homers in 110 innings.
3. Frankie Montas, Athletics
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.16 | 99.2 | 105 | 118 | 3.24 | 1.08 |
Position: SP
Age: 29
Contract: Arb eligible through 2023
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Montas looked solid during a recent three-inning outing - his first since missing nearly three weeks with shoulder inflammation. The right-hander has serious swing-and-miss stuff, striking out 105 hitters in 99 2/3 frames after recording 207 in 2021. He's also issuing fewer walks and hits than he did a year ago while lowering his ERA and FIP.
4. Martin Perez, Rangers
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.59 | 118 | 101 | 153 | 3.13 | 1.18 |
Position: SP
Age: 31
Contract: FA after 2022 (owed $1.6M)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Perez is in the midst of a downright shocking career year that's put him among the best AL starters - and on a very cheap deal. If the Rangers don't take advantage of this and cash him in for prospects, it will be one of the more surprising deadline-day developments.
5. Nathan Eovaldi, Red Sox
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.30 | 75.1 | 79 | 99 | 4.73 | 1.24 |
Position: SP
Age: 32
Contract: FA after 2022 (owed $6.8M)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Seeing Eovaldi's name as a trade possibility would have been laughable a month ago, but things have changed in Boston. The Red Sox are losing a lot, which could lead to a trade of their talented ace, who was an All-Star and finished fourth in Cy Young voting last season. His numbers aren't as stellar this year, but he still boasts a 9.4 K/9 and 1.24 WHIP.
6. Tyler Mahle, Reds
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.48 | 98.1 | 107 | 102 | 3.79 | 1.27 |
Position: SP
Age: 27
Contract: FA after 2022 (owed $2.1M)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mahle's numbers may not jump off the page like other names on this list, but he's sure to be a wanted man. The 27-year-old would be a solid mid-rotation pickup for just about any contender and comes at a relatively cheap cost financially.
7. Marcus Stroman, Cubs
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.38 | 61.2 | 59 | 97 | 3.73 | 1.15 |
Position: SP
Age: 31
Contract: Signed through 2024 (owed $56M)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️
It would be strange for the Cubs to trade Stroman after signing him to a lucrative three-year deal in the offseason, but Jed Hoyer might jump if the right deal ends up on the table. Stroman has only made 12 starts after missing a month with shoulder inflammation, but he rarely walks people and is striking out opposing hitters at a career-best 8.6 K/9 clip.
8. David Bednar, Pirates
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.96 | 45.2 | 61 | 142 | 2.58 | 1.09 |
Position: RP
Age: 27
Contract: Arb eligible through 2026
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Pirates' All-Star representative would presumably fetch a nice haul for Pittsburgh. He's now one of the best closers in baseball, ranking top-10 in saves despite pitching for the lowly Pirates. With another four years of control remaining, contenders should be lining up to obtain him as a potential long-term bullpen anchor.
9. Corey Kluber, Rays
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.91 | 99 | 84 | 93 | 3.44 | 1.14 |
Position: SP
Age: 36
Contract: FA after 2022 (owed $3.2M)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This isn't the same Kluber who won multiple Cy Youngs with Cleveland, but the 36-year-old has pitched well for the Rays. Tampa Bay might opt to keep the veteran right-hander for a playoff run instead, but its also got a track record of dealing productive players when least expected.
10. Noah Syndergaard, Angels
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.83 | 80 | 64 | 105 | 3.96 | 1.21 |
Position: SP
Age: 29
Contract: FA after 2022 (owed $8.4M)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Syndergaard hasn't looked like the old Thor in Anaheim. His strikeout numbers are down, and he's generally been inconsistent. Still, this is a former All-Star with plenty of playoff experience, and there were some signs of a possible turnaround during Syndergaard's solid June. Someone's likely to take a chance on him for the stretch run, and if he doesn't cost too much in prospect capital it's a bet that could pay off big.
11. David Robertson, Cubs
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.83 | 39.1 | 50 | 232 | 3.26 | 0.99 |
Position: RP
Age: 37
Contract: FA after 2022 (owed $1.4M)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Robertson's been one of the bright spots of the Cubs' season. He's proving to still be a useful and important bullpen arm, and will make a difference for someone this October. If he's still wearing a Cubs uniform on Aug. 3, something went very wrong.
12. Scott Barlow, Royals
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.93 | 46.2 | 45 | 214 | 3.55 | 0.96 |
Position: RP
Age: 29
Contract: Arb eligible through 2024
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Barlow has quietly been one of the most effective relievers in baseball over the past two seasons, making him an extremely valuable trade piece for the underachieving Royals. Barlow's 2.7 fWAR since the beginning of 2021 ranks fourth among AL relievers, while his 2.25 ERA during that same span is better than Liam Hendriks, Jordan Romano, and Ryan Pressly.
13. Paul Blackburn, Athletics
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.35 | 101.1 | 82 | 86 | 3.93 | 1.26 |
Position: SP
Age: 28
Contract: Arb eligible through 2025
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Blackburn has been a great story, pitching his way to his first All-Star Game appearance after being designated for assignment in 2021. The rebuilding A's could sell high on Blackburn, who is under club control through 2025 and making $710,000. He's posting career-best marks in every important pitching category.
14. Jordan Lyles, Orioles
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.79 | 112.2 | 93 | 84 | 4.44 | 1.45 |
Position: SP
Age: 31
Contract: Signed through 2022 ($11M team option for 2023)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The well-traveled Lyles will give up his share of runs, but he also eats innings quite well and can fill any number of roles on a pitching staff. For contenders just looking to make small tweaks that won't cost too much in prospect capital, Lyles would be a good addition - assuming the Orioles decide to sell.
15. Jose Quintana, Pirates
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.70 | 97.1 | 85 | 113 | 3.27 | 1.28 |
Position: SP
Age: 33
Contract: FA after 2022 (owed $800K)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Quintana has righted the ship after an awful 2021 campaign and looks primed to be traded by the rebuilding Pirates, who signed him to a low-cost one-year deal in the offseason. The southpaw's ERA is his lowest since 2016 and he's allowed just seven homers in 97 1/3 frames.
16. Joe Mantiply, D-Backs
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.39 | 37.2 | 38 | 171 | 2.54 | 0.98 |
Position: RP
Age: 31
Contract: Arb eligible through 2026
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A lot of baseball fans outside of Arizona might be shocked to learn that Mantiply is one of the best relievers in baseball, but it's true. The 31-year-old has walked just two batters in 37 2/3 innings, and was the D-Backs' very deserving All-Star selection. With plenty of control remaining, he should net Arizona a decent return.
17. Alex Colome, Rockies
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.47 | 36.1 | 25 | 134 | 2.82 | 1.51 |
Position: RP
Age: 33
Contract: FA after 2022 (owed $1.6M)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Colome may not strike out people like he used to, but the veteran right-hander has pitched well for the Rockies and could be a terrific addition to a contender's bullpen. Despite an inflated ERA, his 2.82 FIP ranks 17th among qualified NL relievers.
18. Zack Greinke, Royals
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.35 | 82.2 | 47 | 95 | 4.41 | 1.29 |
Position: SP
Age: 38
Contract: FA after 2022 (owed $5.2M)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Elite Greinke is no longer, but the 38-year-old can still pitch and might thrive on a more productive team. While his ERA is only better than eight other AL starters who have pitched more than 70 innings, the veteran has allowed just 15 free passes and has lowered his FIP and home runs allowed per nine from a season ago when he won 11 games for the Astros.
19. Andrew Chafin, Tigers
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.64 | 30.2 | 37 | 150 | 2.21 | 1.08 |
Position: RP
Age: 32
Contract: Signed through 2023 (opt out after 2022)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A stealthy free-agent signing in the winter, Chafin's quietly been one of the better left-handed relievers in baseball this year. Equally devastating against both righties and lefties, he's the exact kind of midseason bullpen addition contenders should be lining up for.
20. Michael Wacha, Red Sox
| ERA | IP | K | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.69 | 70.1 | 50 | 159 | 3.98 | 1.11 |
Position: SP
Age: 31
Contract: FA after 2022 (owed $2.8M)
Trade probability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Before landing on the injured list in July, Wacha had been the most reliable Red Sox starter while turning in his best individual season since 2015. He's closing in on a rehab assignment and appears to be on track to return shortly after the deadline. The health of his shoulder will weigh into whether he's dealt, and it's still unclear which way the Red Sox will go. But a healthy Wacha will draw no shortage of interest.