Trade season is fast approaching, and teams have mostly begun to start sorting themselves between the contenders and pretenders. At almost every trade deadline, there’s one need that teams prioritize filling than any other: starting pitching. There’s no such thing as too many starters, and that’s become even more true in recent years as pitching injuries have skyrocketed. Plenty of teams will want to add an impact arm (or at least some depth) to their rotation this summer, but which need help the most ahead of the stretch run? Here’s a look at some of the league’s top contenders:
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have fought their way back into the AL Wild Card conversation recently, and they’ve done so despite a bottom-five rotation in baseball by ERA. Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt are both solid veterans who can be trusted to start a playoff game, and Jose Berrios is getting good results despite worrisome peripherals for the second year in a row. After that trio, however, things start to look dire. Bowden Francis has been one of the worst qualified starters in baseball this year, and the team has no defined fifth starter at all for the moment.
Spencer Turnbull is coming to help out sooner or later, but relying on a pitcher who last made even 20 appearances back in 2019 to help turn things around is risky. Alek Manoah and Max Scherzer could both contribute at some point in theory, but they’ve similarly dealt with injuries that have made them major question marks in recent years. For Toronto, one could argue that the question is less about whether or not they need another starter, but whether or not they’ll remain firmly enough in contention to justify the expense come July.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs enter play today with the best record in the NL, and with Kyle Tucker set to reach free agency in November, there’s little question they’ll be buyers this summer. A stacked lineup that features few obvious holes makes pitching the most sensible place for them to look for upgrades, and it’s not hard to argue for starting pitching as the best choice when looking for upgrades. Cubs’ starters have combined for a 3.99 ERA this year, good for 19th in baseball. That’s below average in the league overall despite players like Matthew Boyd (3.01 ERA) and Colin Rea (3.59 ERA) pitching better than anyone would’ve assumed preseason.
Justin Steele is out for the season after undergoing surgery on his UCL, and he’s joined on the IL by co-ace Shota Imanaga while the veteran works his way back from a hamstring strain. Imanaga is expected back at some point this month, but with depth options like Javier Assad, Jordan Wicks, and Brandon Birdsell all also on the injured list, Ben Brown (5.72 ERA) struggling badly this season, and top prospect Cade Horton likely operating on an innings limit, it’s hard to imagine the Cubs not doing something to address their rotation this summer.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers, at least on paper, have more rotation arms than they know what to do with. The reality of their situation is much different, however, as the vast majority of those pitchers are presently on the injured list. In conjunction with disappointing performances from players like Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, Tony Gonsolin, and Clayton Kershaw, those injuries have left the Dodgers with a 4.35 rotation ERA and the fifth-weakest starting staff in the NL this year. Their two-game lead on the Padres and three-game lead on the Giants in the NL West aren’t nearly as comfortable as they would surely like, and with a stacked lineup that has few obvious holes, that could make starting pitching the most obvious area for them to upgrade this summer.
On the other hand, it’s possible L.A. could simply rely on internal improvements as players get healthier. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is in the NL Cy Young conversation this year, and Dustin May has looked like a capable arm for the middle-to-back of the rotation. Glasnow, Sasaki, and Blake Snell are all expected back at some point or other this year, and Shohei Ohtani is of course working his way back to the big league mound. For a club that managed to win a World Series with a patchwork rotation just last year, perhaps that’s enough to feel comfortable standing pat this summer. Even so, at least another depth arm or two couldn’t hurt.
Cleveland Guardians
Long renowned for their excellent starting pitching development, the Guardians were one of several playoff teams last year who limped into October with major question marks in the rotation. With a 4.07 ERA and 4.55 FIP out of the rotation this year, they look to be at risk of doing so once again. Luis Ortiz looks like a solid mid-rotation arm, but Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams have both seen their peripherals take a nosedive this year despite solid enough results. Cleveland recently lost Ben Lively for the season to Tommy John surgery as well, creating another hole in their rotation mix.
Perhaps an internal option like right-hander Zak Kent can be a surprise contributor, and Shane Bieber’s eventual return from the injured list could provide a big boost so long as he can shake off the rust from a long layoff. That could make an outfield in need of upgrades a more pressing issue but it’s hard to imagine the rotation not being an area worth upgrading this summer. That’s especially true given that the bullpen that helped carry Cleveland to October last year has looked more “good” than “superhuman” in 2025.
Other Teams In Need
These four aren’t the only teams who could use some pitching help this summer. The Red Sox and Diamondbacks have both struggled to get results from their rotation, but have a deep group of arms in-house already and are far enough out of contention at this point that they may end up selling. That latter point is also true of the Braves, whose pitching situation looks more worrisome than ever after Spencer Strider has struggled in his return from surgery and AJ Smith-Shawver was lost for the year. The Yankees and Twins have pitched extremely well this season, but it would be understandable for either team to look for upgrades given the significant blow losing Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery) and Pablo Lopez (Grade 2 Lat Strain) dealt to each respective rotation. The Cardinals have gotten middling results from their rotation but have a bigger need in the outfield. The outfield also seems likely to be a bigger priority for the Astros, who have gotten great results from Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez but are currently relying on a patchwork at the back of their rotation while players like Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti heal up on the injured list. Like the Astros, the Padres are currently running a top-heavy rotation a handful of question marks.
Which team do you think ought to be the most aggressive in pursuing starting pitching this summer? Have your say in the poll below:
How are the Yankees not listed here? They should be very desperate. However, they don’t have a lot of assets they are willing to unload. All the reason they should have gone above and beyond last winter.
They Have Fried and Rodon, that’s why they weren’t mentioned.
Who was available that they missed? Like the Braves & their bullpen. Who was available?
I’m 100% convinced you don’t actually watch the Yankees but still come on here to spew complete nonsense
Yankees could use a good swingman. The Padres could use an Ace.
The Mariners need an Ace, Gilbert and Kirby could both be heading for surgery.
The Astros need depth behind Framber and Brown.
The Twins need a starter as bad as any team with Lopez’s injury.
The Cardinals have gotten good pitching as a whole but an Ace would make them serious contenders.
The D’Backs need a starter.
It’s a good market for those with starting pitching to trade.
I agree with the Yankees take, but the Padres have two aces, and Mariners have 3 aces, the Astros could definitely use some depth but don’t have the assets, I’m sure if I would call the Twins a contender, the Cardinals have Gray and also don’t have the assets, Burnes just got hurt so Arizona will be selling.
Odd poll all of the “other” teams should have their own bubble. The Blue Jays are somehow more relevant than any other contenders?
The outfield is absolutely not a higher priority than SP for the Astros. They’re going to look for SP depth, perhaps a lhb 2b option, and possibly unload a rhb OF.
Chas McCormick’s days are numbered
Even rooting for crosstown club, Cubs fit the bill. Their lineup is well balanced and play excellent defense. Tucker also quite possibly gone-go for it w/o being totally reckless. They have prospects to get a TOR arm (or whoever most fits bill) whether it is Sale/Eovaldi or whatever team is fading fast a month plus from now.
So many AL clubs rightfully may think they are a hot 10 game stretch from vying for a 2nd or 3rd WCard spot that they don’t sell.
Cubs. Another arm in the rotation would be really nice, Brown has been inconsistent…
Brown looked pretty good in Detroit tonight. He was throwing a lot of strikes and kept them in the game. Only gave up 2 runs and a reliever gave up another. Tiger pitching and defense made the difference and the Cubs ran them selves out of a couple innings. Really good 3-1 Tiger victory.
Brown pitched like an ace last night. And it was most definitely the Tiger’s defense that won them that game. They made at least two spectacular catches in the outfield with men on base that prevented several runs from scoring.
two big plays, Dingler nailing Shaw at second on the SB attempt, and Greene nailing Crow-Armstrong at the plate on Swansons double. Great game last night.
Blue Jays? I thought it said contenders
The Jays are literally the first team out of a wildcard spot in the AL.
Also, for the time being, a half game better then the Mariners.
I would consider the first four currently out of the wildcard as contenders (Jays, Mariners, Royals, Red Sox) Maybe Texas if they could get it together for long enough.
If the Yankees lose tonight, Toronto will not only be in front of the AL wildcard pack, they will only three games back in the AL East. Maybe you should crawl out from underneath that rock and look around once in a while before commenting.
CLE should be at the top of the list, but they won’t part with any prospect capital to do so – never. They’ll root through the basement under the dumpster as usual.
The Dodgers may have lots of rotation arms but those arms are consistently on the shelf. It was predictable. But with their offense, it would be crazy not sign at least one durable top-flight rotation arm.
Boston has one SP they have some sort of familiarity with
Reds will be,selling Martinez, for sure.
Orioles it’s not over until it’s over
Not a Redbird fan but the Cardinals are an obvious choice here. They have a fantastic defense and quality offense and are right there in the chase but need another starter.
But who do they have that anyone would want
They could move on from Jordan Walker or Nolan Gorman
Walker is interesting but Gorman’s done nothing and is almost out of options.
I see that you have forgotten that the Padres exist.
Seems to be a lot more contenders in need of rotation help than the Padres. I think they target the outfield first.
Agreed on the Guardians having a clear rotation need, but some of the internal solutions listed here don’t make much sense. Zak Kent has pitched almost exclusively out of the bullpen for two years now.
If they rely on internal options beyond Bibee/Ortiz/Williams (which is what I’d imagine will happen), you’d be looking at some combination of Cantillo, Cecconi, Nikhazy, and Parker Messick. John Means should be back around the last month or so of the season too.
Hopefully Bieber too. If he can get healthy and pitch like the Bieber of old, that would be a significant boost.
Guardians and Jays are too cheap to get rotation help and Los Angeles is aggressive anyways regardless if they need help or not. The Cubs, to me, are the best fit for being most aggressive.
Jay’s payroll is a big number this year But, if they do wanna go cheaper route maybe an inter divisional trade with my Orioles? Surgano and Laureano for a couple of lower level pitching prospects like a King and a Rojas?
The Yankees need to be aggressive for a top starter.
Gotta be the punchless Mariners. Woiuldn’t it bne amaziong if they traded with their old friend the Rays for Chandler Simpson to fire things up.
The Mariners and Rays may get together on another trade, but I doubt Simpson will be the Mariners’ target.
They should all be calling the Pirates.
The Pirates should empty the Dodgers farm system for Skenes. They could get some good players:
Dalton Rushing
Ryan Ward
Josue De Paula
Estuery Ruiz
Jackson Ferris
Roki Sasaki
Dustin May
would be a nice package of players.
Trade Cruz for
Andrew Painter
Mick Abel
Moises Chace
Aidan Miller
Pirates would stack their system.
Umm, the Padres? Musgrove is out for the year, Darvish has yet to pitch for us this year, and now King is on the IL for who knows how long. We are down to Cease and whoever is on the taxi squad at the moment.
Pivetta, Vasquez, and Kolek are all pitching better than Cease right now. King and Darvish are both currently throwing so they’re likely to get innings out of them this summer.
Way bigger needs at LF and C. Especially with how good and deep the Padres bullpen is. That helps take a load off the SP.
SD and whoever else want to sock it.to the Dodgers in the Wild, Wild West
It’s pretty amazing that the Cubs have the best record in the NL without their two aces. They’ll get Shota back soon, but they definitely need to add a starter.
Ricketts will never put his big boy pants on and pony up what it’ll take to sign Tucker, but hopefully Hoyer will make a significant addition to the rotation and not some bargain basement deal.
Mariners need damn near an entire bullpen. A first baseman and corner outfielder would be nice too. Seems like Robles won’t be back until September now. I suspect Cole Young is close to being sent down too if he checks in with a few more 0-4 games. Maybe not. Moore can’t hit righties and Miles has zero business being in a major league roster. Corbin Burnes is having Tommy John. The DBacks have been losing. Now is the time to go out and grab Josh Naylor.
Yankees are thin right now. They need a Starter that eats innings for the back end of the rotation
Can’t we at least pretend that the Tampa Bay rays are a normal team? They are playing great and should definitely be looking to add at the trade deadline. The fact that they are cheap and will probably trade away Littell and Fairbanks (also known their our most reliable starter and closer) to pinch a few pennies … but that doesn’t mean they all SHOULD!
The Jays. Bowden Francis (-0.7 fWAR) shouldn’t be in the rotation and probably not in the majors. Compound that with a bullpen day every 5th start with the hope that an oft injured, 40 summin year old Scherzer is going to help makes them the team most in need.
Shouldn’t the Tigers?
Empty the 3-8 for Skenes?
Cubs will trade for Chris Sale
Cubs need a core RH power bat. Maybe more than a SP or closer with Brown and Horton finding their way and Palencia figuring the 9th out
Houston Astros
The Astros because they don’t know how to get pitchers off the IL.
There’s always a mysterious setback they’re forced to admit to, but they only do so in the shadiest manner possible.
Jed Hoyer contract up- he will deal anyone to win
Brewers!!
Cubs look to be on decline- becoming Homer happy or nothing.