10 pitchers who might move by trade deadline
Major league baseball teams always seek more pitching before the trade deadline.
Whether aces, closers, back-of-the rotation starters or middle relievers, new arms are welcome in every clubhouse.
Of the 10 teams sitting in postseason spots at the AllStar break, eight clubs are in the majors’ top 10 in earned run average.
Yes, pitching is that important.
The defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs already bolstered their rotation by acquiring 2016 All-Star Jose Quintana from the White Sox on Thursday.
Here are 10 other pitchers who could be changing teams before the July 31 nonwaiver deadline:
› Gerrit Cole, Pittsburgh, RHP: Cole has struggled since going 19-8 with a 2.60 ERA in 2015. He’s 7-7 with a 4.43 ERA, but he’s only 26 and won’t be a free agent until 2020. His upside, age and contract could bring the Pirates a hefty return.
› Jeremy Hellickson, Philadelphia, RHP: Hellickson is 5-5 with a 4.49 ERA after starting the year 4-0. He’s making $17.2 million and will be a free agent after the season, so it won’t take too much to get him from the rebuilding Phillies.
› Scott Feldman, Cincinnati, RHP: Feldman is 7-6 with a 3.94 ERA. He’s 34 and will be a free agent after the season. Feldman pitched well out of the bullpen for Houston last
season, so he’s a nice fit for a contender that needs a starter who could pitch in relief in a postseason series.
› Sonny Gray, Oakland, RHP: Gray is 10-15 with an ERA approaching 5 the past two seasons after winning 14 games in 2013 and 2014. But he’s been outstanding in his last four starts: 1.33 ERA, 21 strikeouts, 11 hits in 27 innings. The 27-yearold
won’t be a free agent until 2020, so he’s another starter who can find a new home and be part of the rotation for a few years.
› Edinson Volquez, Miami, RHP: Volquez is 4-8 with a 4.19 ERA — and a no-hitter — after signing a two-year, $22 million contract. The well-traveled veteran has postseason experience and won a World Series with the Royals two years ago.
› Pat Neshek, Philadelphia, RHP: Neshek was one of the best relievers in the first half of the season, posting a 1.27 ERA and earning his second trip to the All-Star Game. He has 36 strikeouts and only five walks in 35 1/3 innings. The 36-year-old will be a free agent after the season. He can pitch the seventh, eighth or ninth inning.
› Brad Hand, San Diego, LHP: Hand has a 2.30 ERA in 42 appearances, and he’s more than a lefty specialist. He pitched a scoreless inning in the All-Star Game and has been one of the most consistent relievers in baseball the last two seasons.
› Addison Reed, New York Mets, RHP: The big righty has 15 saves and a 2.53 ERA and is versatile. Reed had 101 saves from 2012 to 2o14 and can close or pitch in the late innings. He’ll be a free agent after the season.
› Drew Storen, Cincinnati, RHP: Storen has rebounded nicely after a tough season in the American League. He has a 2.72 ERA in 38 appearances and has been a successful closer in the past.
› David Robertson, Chicago White Sox, RHP: Robertson is the best closer on the market. He has 13 saves this season and 123 saves since 2014. His contract has one year at $13 million remaining and might be a deterrent for some teams.