As the MLB trade deadline approaches on July 31st, speculation is swirling around potential player movements, particularly regarding starting pitchers. History suggests that several pitchers will be traded, and this year promises to be no different.
The Potential Trade Landscape
With less than eight weeks remaining before the deadline, teams are beginning to solidify their positions as buyers or sellers. This clarifies which players are likely to be available. An early list features over three dozen pitchers who *could* be traded. However, various factors such as injury, poor performance, and team standing significantly reduce that number.
Realistically, only about 15 pitchers from the initial list are likely to be traded. Despite the uncertainty, ranking the best potentially available arms provides an interesting perspective on the current market.
Key Players to Watch
Justin Verlander: San Francisco Giants
Justin Verlander of the San Francisco Giants is a name that is circulating. However, his recent pectoral strain and $15M salary introduce a layer of complexity. Furthermore, the Giants would need to fall out of contention for Verlander to realistically be available. If he returns to form and the Giants struggle, he could become a valuable asset for a contending team.
Max Scherzer: Toronto Blue Jays
Another notable name is Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays. Like Verlander, Scherzer is recovering from an injury (thumb) and carries a significant salary ($15.5M). A return to health and a decline in the Blue Jays' performance would be necessary for a potential trade.
Other pitchers mentioned include Brandon Woodruff of the Milwaukee Brewers and Nestor Cortes of the New York Yankees. However, their situations are less certain at this stage.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining which starting pitchers are actually dealt at the MLB trade deadline. Stay tuned for more updates as teams strategize and make their moves.