*Photo from Logo Design Love*
With the MLB trade deadline fast approaching, let's take a look at some pitchers who could be in different uniforms come August.
1. Zack Greinke, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
*Photo from Arizona Sports*
Greinke is having a good season this year, with an ERA under 3 and 114 strikeouts. He is owed $70 million from 2020 to 2021, but a team that needs an ace could do worse than paying up for Greinke.
2. Noah Syndergaard, SP, New York Mets
*Photo from SNY*
When he is on top of his game, the man they call Thor is one of Baseball's best pitchers. Unfortunately, injuries have plagued Syndergaard throughout his career. He also hasn't looked all that sharp this year. He has a career low strikeout rate and a career high walk rate. If the Mets deal him, they'll want premium prospects, as Thor is arbitration eligible through 2021.
3. Trevor Bauer, SP, Cleveland Indians
*Photo from Believeland Ball*
Bauer had a breakout year in 2018, but has regressed this year, and has struggled with limiting homers. Anyone that wants Bauer should also note that he desires to sign one year deals for the remainder of his career because he wants to challenge and bet on himself every year.
4. Marcus Stroman, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
*Photo from NJ.com*
Stroman is perhaps the Jays' biggest trade chip this season. He produces a lot of ground balls and has a 3.25 ERA. He has been linked to the Yankees the most, as he is from New York.
5. Madison Bumgarner, SP, San Francisco Giants
*Photo from NBC Sports*
Bumgarner has been a Giant for 11 years, but his time in the bay area is more than likely coming to a close. With the Giants in full rebuild mode, Bumgarner will be shipped for a bevy of prospects. He's been one of baseball's best lefties and has a great playoff reputation, which will be critical if he is traded to a world series contender.
6. Matthew Boyd, SP, Detroit Tigers
*Photo from Sporting News*
Boyd is having a breakout year in 2019 for the lowly Tigers, ranking in the top 10 in the AL in strikeouts and WHIP, and he has 152 punchouts this year. It would take quite the haul for a team to get Boyd, especially with Detroit in rebuild mode.
7. Robbie Ray, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
*Photo from the Orange County Register*
If the D-Backs opt to sell at the deadline, Ray could be dealt as well as Greinke. He has taken a step back in his strikeout and walk rates, but is still posting a solid season. He has potential to be a good trade chip, but he could fail to bring the prospects Arizona wants.
8. Felipe Vazquez, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates
*Photo from CBS Pittsburgh*
If he is made available, Vazquez is the best reliever on the market. He has a brilliant ERA of 2.06, and a 20 save season for Pittsburgh already. With the Pirates around .500 but still in contention, Vazquez won't be a cheap buy, as they have made it clear they want top prospects and nothing less for Vazquez.
9. Zack Wheeler, SP, New York Mets
*Photo from CBS Boston*
With Syndergaard being a little more difficult to get, Wheeler is more available for teams. He is coming off of a breakout season, although he has regressed by ERA, he has better strikeout and walk numbers, and should attract teams who are open to dealing a good prospect or two.
10. Kirby Yates, RP, San Diego Padres
*Photo from The San Diego Union-Tribune*
Although the Padres are just a few games back of a playoff spot, Yates continues to pop up in trade rumors. He has been one of baseball's best relievers this year, with 30 saves and a sparkling 1.10 ERA, but the Padres have made it clear that he won't come cheap. Now, it all depends if the Padres will decide to sell him.
11. Ken Giles, RP, Toronto Blue Jays
*Photo from Yahoo! Sports*
Giles has had some struggles, but overall has been an elite closer for the Jays. He has 13 saves this season, as well as a brilliant 1.45 ERA. Giles, Yates, and Shane Greene are the only 3 relievers with a sub 1.50 ERA and at least 10 saves this year. Giles has one more season of team control, so he will be more than just a rental.
12. Mike Minor, SP, Texas Rangers
*Photo from ESPN.com*
A trade for Minor is a little less likely, as the Rangers are deep in the playoff hunt and he has been one of their best pitchers this year. He's on a team friendly deal and the Rangers are in contention, so low trade odds here. He has a nice 2.73 ERA and has 121 punchouts and a WHIP of 1.16.
13. Will Smith, RP, San Francisco Giants
*Photo from NBC Sports*
The Giants haven't had a ton of save chances this year, but when they get one, Smith is all but automatic. He has 23 saves in 24 opportunities, and is in the top 10 in punchouts of NL relievers. He has a stellar 2.17 ERA, and will be a free agent at the end of the season.
14. Shane Greene, RP, Detroit Tigers
*Photo from MLive.com*
Greene has bursted onto the spotlight this season, with 22 saves and an amazing ERA of 1.06. With Detroit in rebuild mode, the odds of dealing Greene are high, and would solidify the back end of the bullpen for teams that need it.
15. Jeff Samardzija, SP, San Francisco Giants
*Photo from NBC Sports*
Samardzija would be a good option for teams looking for depth at the back of the starting rotation. He is an innings eater with a 4.01 ERA this season, and has a WHIP of 1.21. He's owed $20 million next year, which could make it easier to acquire him.
16. Jason Vargas, SP, New York Mets
*Photo from Newsday*
Vargas hasn't had a good season with the Mets, but could be used as rotation depth down the stretch for teams that need it. However, the Mets could be motivated to trade Vargas, as he recently challenged a reporter to a fight. He has an $8 million option for next year, so he will be less expensive than Samardzija.
17. Mike Leake, SP, Seattle Mariners
*Photo from the Seattle Times*
Leake isn't a flame thrower, and won't blow anyone away, but he is an innings eater who can be used at the back of the rotation. He is 4th best in baseball in walk rate, and has thrown the 7th most innings in the AL this year.
18. Sam Dyson, RP, San Francisco Giants
*Photo from The San Francisco Examiner*
Dyson has been a reliable arm in the bullpen for San Francisco. He has a low walk rate this year, and has an ERA of 2.86. He would solidify the bullpen as a middle reliever or as a setup man. Any team that trades for him will get a pitcher who finds the strike zone consistently, which will be paramount come October.
19. Sergio Romo, RP, Miami Marlins
*Photo from the Mercury News*
Romo has 125 saves in his career, and can be used in many different situations, which a team loves in a reliever. The former all star has a 4.01 ERA this season and 16 saves, and has plenty of experience in the postseason, which will draw contenders looking for bullpen help.
20. Jake Diekman, RP, Kansas City Royals
*Photo from The Kansas City Star*
Diekman is probably the most sought after Royals pitcher this summer. He has good splits this season, as righties are hitting .213 off Diekman, while lefties are hitting just .182. He has a rather high 5.06 ERA, but has a solid strikeout rate. He also has a problem with giving up walks.
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