The heart-pounding suspense of the MLB trade deadline always shakes up rosters across the league. This year? No different. With the deadline set for 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 31st, all eyes are on several starting pitchers who might be in new uniforms by nightfall.
From marquee names to rising stars, teams are lining up bold moves that could change the course of their seasons. Here’s a look at the most notable trade candidates and how this frenzy might ripple through the league.
Top Arms Likely on the Move
Seth Lugo stands out as the crown jewel among this year’s trade candidates. The Kansas City Royals might lose him to free agency, since he’s likely to opt out after the season.
Teams have noticed, and Lugo’s availability could start a bidding war among contenders desperate for a steady arm. With his consistency and upside, he’s easily the market’s biggest prize.
Veteran Talent from Contending Teams
There’s a deep pool of experienced arms turning heads this year. Take the Texas Rangers’ Patrick Corbin—he’s surprised a lot of people with a resurgent season, boosting his trade value after a few rough years.
Andrew Heaney, another Rangers lefty, has popped up as a prime trade candidate. Mike Soroka of the Nationals, even with middling ERA numbers, draws interest thanks to solid underlying stats that hint at a possible turnaround.
The Orioles are selling too, moving players with contracts expiring soon. Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, and Tomoyuki Sugano are reportedly up for grabs, giving playoff hopefuls plenty of rotation options.
Zach Littell of the Rays and Chris Paddack of the Twins are also in the rumor mill, offering teams with rotation depth issues more possibilities.
Franchises Ready to Shake Things Up
Some teams see the trade deadline as a chance to overhaul their approach. The Arizona Diamondbacks, stuck between contending and rebuilding, could get things moving.
Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen, both nearing free agency, might bring back big returns if Arizona decides to sell. Cincinnati’s Nick Martinez—always versatile—could be on the block too, depending on how the Reds view their playoff odds in the next few days.
Central Teams Eyeing a Reset
The Chicago White Sox, never shy about bold moves, look ready to deal both Aaron Civale and Adrian Houser. The Milwaukee Brewers, with an almost ridiculous amount of rotation depth, may trade pitchers like Nestor Cortes or Jose Quintana.
Fans of these teams sense that a reshuffle is coming, and the deadline feels like the perfect time to get things moving.
Young Guns Queueing Up for Rotation Spots
When veteran pitchers change teams, younger arms get their shot. A trio of promising young hurlers is waiting in the wings after the deadline.
Joe Boyle, Chayce McDermott, and Caden Dana could all find themselves logging big-league innings soon, giving their teams a chance to see what the future might look like.
Why Youth Movement Matters
Letting these young pitchers take the mound isn’t just about plugging holes. It’s a peek at the future.
For teams in rebuild mode, player development is everything, and evaluating pitchers under pressure is huge. If Boyle, McDermott, or Dana can make a splash right away, maybe their teams enter next year with a little unexpected momentum.
What to Watch for As the Deadline Approaches
With so many big names possibly moving, fans and analysts will be glued to their screens as the suspense builds. Will contenders push all-in for veterans like Lugo, Corbin, and Kelly?
Will rebuilding teams use the deadline to grab promising young talent? How will rising prospects handle the pressure when they finally get their shot?
The July 31st trade deadline is shaping up to be a high-stakes chess game for MLB general managers. Teams have to juggle their current hopes with future plans.
This year’s trades could make or break playoff runs or even launch the next dynasty. Honestly, baseball might look pretty different by Friday morning.
Here is the source article for this story: MLB Trade Deadline: Merrill Kelly, Seth Lugo, and other starting pitchers who could be on the block
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