Making their pitch: A look at the top five available starters ahead of MLB trade deadline
Scott Kazmir and Johnny Cueto were the first dominoes to fall in the leadup to Major League Baseball’s nonwaiver trade deadline, as the righthanded pitchers were dealt to Houston and Kansas City, respectively.
But there are still a handful of highend starters thought to be on the market and for sale to the highest bidder.
Here’s a look at the top five starting pitchers, who could be on the move before Friday’s 4 p.m. deadline:
COLE HAMELS
2015 stats: 6-7, 3.64 ERA, 9.6 K/9
The Phillies’ ace will almost certainly be dealt prior to Friday’s deadline and should net the biggest return, given he is not a rental and remains under contract for three more seasons.
DAVID PRICE
2015 stats: 9-3, 2.31 ERA, 8.6 K/9
He would be the best pitcher on the market — if he is actually on the market.
The Tigers are built to win now, but they are two games under .500 and could become unexpected sellers. The free-agent-to-be is their best chip.
JEFF SAMARDZIJA
2015 stats: 7-5, 3.91 ERA, 6.9 K/9
The White Sox are another club whose hopes of contending have gone unfulfilled. The Shark, who has had a fantastic July, will be a free agent next year is likely joining a pennant race later this week.
JAMES SHIELDS
2015 stats: 8-3, 3.77 ERA, 10.2 K/9
It was just this past off-season San Diego signed the 31-year-old righthander to a four-year, $75 million (U.S.) contract, but given how disastrously their season has gone, word is they are already looking to sell and rebuild.
YOVANI GALLARDO
2015: 7-9, 3.19 ERA, 6.2 K/9
The Rangers are in an odd buy-and-sell mode in that they are expected to go after Hamels, while also dealing some of their expiring assets, like Gallardo, with whom they haven’t been able to work out an extension.