With less than one week until the August 31 MLB Trade Deadline and there has never been a more unpredictable trade deadline in baseball history as nearly every team is within reach of a playoff spot.
We could see an onslaught of trades as teams such as the Baltimore Orioles and Miami Marlins, each of whom have been moribound franchises for the past few seasons, figure that this season might be their only chance at a playoff run for the next few seasons and choose to trade prospects for established veterans. On the contrary, there’s unlikely to be many teams that are selling, which means teams will be more willing to hold onto their players in hopes of a playoff run.
Nevertheless, here are five pitchers, in no order, who are most likely to be traded before the August 31 deadline.
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- Taijuan Walker
Rumors have already swirled around Walker and the Seattle Mariners as his name was linked to the New York Yankees earlier this week before he was dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday. Walker has gone from a top prospect to a decent starting pitcher but he looked dominant in his past two starts against the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers. He’s a free agent after this season and the Mariners would be smart to deal him as they are highly unlikely to make the playoffs.
- Johnny Cueto
Cueto is now the de-facto ace for the San Francisco Giants after Madison Bumgarner signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks in the winter. Cueto is signed through 2021 and will be paid over $20 million next season, both of which might make teams hesitant to trade for him. However, Cueto is the most qualified starting pitcher on the trade block and San Francisco should be looking to deal him and acquire some mid-level prospects in hopes of continuing their rebuild. Cueto also has the reputation of being a reliable starter in the postseason after his dominant performances in the 2015 postseason for the Kansas City Royals.
- Matt Boyd
Boyd has been the de-facto ace for the Detroit Tigers, who’ve severely struggled over the past few seasons. Boyd’s numbers aren’t great as his career ERA is over 5.00 and he’s 0-4 so far this season. However, Boyd has always been a strikeout machine and had 238 strikeouts last season. He may not get dealt this week but could serve as either an interesting reclamation project for a losing team or a long-man for a playoff-contending team
- Mike Clevinger/Zach Plesac
Both Clevinger and Plesac established themselves as potential aces of the future with the Indians in the past year. However, both players were sent to the alternate site in early August after breaking COVID-19 protocol on a road trip and have yet to be recalled. The Cleveland Indians have been doing fine without both pitchers and could trade one of them to help bolster an offense that has been anemic at times. Clevinger has higher trade value currently but Plesac has three more years of control than Clevinger.
- Trevor Rosenthal
Rosenthal might’ve been the worst pitcher in baseball last season as he had a 22.74 ERA in 12 appearances with the Washington Nationals and a 7.00 ERA in 10 appearances for the Detroit Tigers. Now, he’s a lights-out reliever with a low ERA with the Royals. He’s always been a hard-thrower and has experience as a closer in pressure-packed situations during his time with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Royals will definitely sell at the deadline, whether it be Rosenthal or fellow relievers Ian Kennedy and Greg Holland. The Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies are two teams to watch out for this week.
