There are only 10 days left until the traditional MLB trade deadline, and if you have a starting pitcher on your list, bring along additional prospects.
Here are three available starting pitchers who are being sought by contenders as the July 30 deadline approaches.
LHP Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
As a bona-fide player under team control until 2026, the 27-year-old would cost a lot of top prospects, but for a World Series contender, that’s the price you’re willing to pay to put your team over the top this season.
The Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers, who entered the season with the No. 1 and No. 8 farm systems, respectively, according to MLBpipeline.com, are depleted in starting pitching because of injuries and have a deep prospect pool to land a first-time All-Star.
At the 2022 trade deadline, San Diego Padres acquire All-Star Juan SotoThe deal cost San Diego four of its best players — shortstop C.J. Abrams, outfielders James Wood (Washington's current No. 1 pick) and Robert Hassell III (No. 9) and left-handed starter MacKenzie Gore — and also cost the team a World Series title, but every trade carries both risk and reward.
Skubal, who entered the second half going 17-6 with a 2.57 ERA, 242 strikeouts and 35 walks in 34 games over the past season and a half, certainly appears to be worth the risk.
LHP Garrett Crockett, White Sox
June 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crockett (45) throws a ball against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports Crockett is under team control through 2026 and would be an expensive acquisition in terms of trade possibilities in return. But signs point to the White Sox parting with the 25-year-old first-time All-Star, as well as other trade chips, as they continue their quest to get out of baseball's basement.
Potential suitors might be concerned that Crockett’s innings total this season (107 1/3) is already outpacing the 73 frames he threw from 2020-23 (he missed the 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery). But he’s been impressive after a difficult April, posting a 1.61 ERA in 72 2/3 innings with a major-league-leading 150 strikeouts against just 23 walks heading into the All-Star break.
count out Dodgers among World Series contenders, interested in acquiring this left-handerAccording to an ESPN report on Saturday: Crochet is “believed to be at the top of the (Los Angeles) Dodgers’ list, regardless of whether he’s a starter or a reliever the rest of the time.
“He could at least be a vital multi-inning member of the Dodgers' bullpen, but the White Sox would still demand a return based on his value as a starter.”
LHP Tyler Anderson, Los Angeles Angels
July 6, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Anderson (31) throws a ball against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports Unlike the pair of right wingers mentioned above, Anderson is older (34) and under contract until 2025, the final year of a three-year, $39 million deal. However, given his age and contract, a contender could acquire him without losing one of their top prospects.
His two All-Star selections in the past three seasons prove that he is nowhere near lost, even in his 30s. 2011 first-round pick earned his second trip to the Midsummer Classic this year for a lousy Angels team, with a 2.97 ERA and an 8-8 record in 19 first half starts.
This is the value that teams look for when looking for reliable players who are highly experienced and are constantly on the move.
Could Anderson reunite with the Dodgers, with whom he earned his first All-Star nod in 2022 (15-5, 2.55 ERA)? Maybe if they don’t bring in Skubal or Crockett, but the valuable veteran will certainly have suitors interested in his share of the 2025 salary, including the Cardinals, Red Sox, Guardians and Brewers.
