Seven Starting Pitchers Who Could Shake Up the Market
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The Winter Meetings came and went without a single trade involving a notable starting pitcher. But there is still a lot of offseason left, and the rumors about several trade candidates are continuing to swirl.
Here’s a look at seven intriguing rotation arms whose potential availability could shake up the market.
1. tarik Skubal, tigers
Contract situation: arbitration eligible (controllable through 2026)
Pros: He’s the American League Cy Young Award winner two years running, is entering his age-29 season and has averaged 193 innings, 234 strikeouts, a 2.30 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP over the past two years. Is that good? Any team that acquires Skubal isn’t just gaining a top-shelf starter; it is sending a clear signal to the rest of the league that it will do whatever it takes to win the 2026 World Series. Skubal was MLB’s most valuable pitcher by Statcast’s pitching run value metric last season, and his changeup was the game’s most valuable pitch.
Cons: It’s expected that any Skubal suitor will have to pony up a haul of players for his services and even then, there is no guarantee that his next team will have him for more than one year. The sensational southpaw is represented by Scott Boras, who typically likes for his clients to reach the open market. Thus, teams interested in skubal have to ask themselves if it’s worth possibly mortgaging their future for 30-35 starts from Skubal — and one postseason run — before he bolts in free agency.
2. MacKenzie Gore, Nationals
Contract situation: arbitration eligible (controllable through 2027)
Pros: Gore has been considered a star in waiting as he was th
Mitch Keller or Dean Bubic: which Starting pitcher Should Be Traded?
As we head into the offseason, several teams will be looking to make moves to improve their rosters. Among the potential trade candidates are starting pitchers,and two names that have surfaced in discussions are Mitch Keller of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Dean Bubic of the Kansas City Royals. Both pitchers offer intriguing value, but each team’s situation suggests one might be more likely to move than the other.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Mitch Keller
The Pirates have a promising core of young pitching prospects, including Paul Skenes, Bubba Chandler and Hunter BarcoJared Jones (who is recovering from right elbow surgery), Mike Burrows and Braxton Ashcraft, you have the makings of a strong group of starters who are all 26 or younger. However, what the Pirates have in arms, they lack in offense. Pittsburgh had the lowest OPS (.655) and the fewest runs scored this past season (583), so trading Keller, who turns 30 in April, could help them bring back a much-needed bat.
Pros: Keller will answer the bell every fifth day. He has recorded at least 30 starts and 175 innings in each of the past three seasons. His 548 2/3 innings since 2023 are the sixth most in the Majors. A 2023 All-Star, he can keep hitters guessing with a six-pitch mix that includes a low-80s sweeper that gets 17.5 inches of horizontal break. He’s under contract for three more seasons at a relatively affordable $18.5 million average annual value.
cons: Keller profiled as a potential ace when he was a high-ranking prospectbut he’s much more of a mid-rotation innings eater than a frontline starter. His ERA+ ranged between 98 and 106 over the past three seasons (100 is league average). He finished with an ERA above 4.00 in each of those years, including a 4.18 ERA and a 4.46 expected ERA in 2025.His strikeout rate has fallen from 25.5% in ’23 to just 20.0% this year, and he’s lost a full tick off his four-seamer during that span.
Contract situation: arbitration eligible (controllable through 2026)
Kansas City Royals: Dean Bubic
Much like the Pirates, the Royals are searching for a lineup boost and have the pitching depth to make something happen. They traded for Isaac Collins and signed Lane Thomas to a one-year dealper sources, but Kansas City’s outfield still needs an impact bat just about anywhere. Although Cole Ragans and 2025 rookie Noah Cameron have also been mentioned in trade rumors, Bubic seems likeliest of the bunch to be moved since he is under club control for just one more season, and his stock is up on the heels of an All-Star campaign.
Pros: Bubic ended this year with a 2.55 ERA and a 2.89 FIP over 116 1
Assessing the future of Detroit Tigers Pitcher Alex Faal
Detroit Tigers reliever Alex Faal is a fascinating case for teams heading into the offseason. While he possesses intriguing stuff, a concerning drop in his batted ball profile and durability issues raise questions about his future performance. Teams will need to weigh the potential reward against the inherent risks when evaluating whether to pursue the young pitcher.
2023 performance & Concerns
Faal, 26, showed promise in his first few seasons with the Tigers, but his 2023 campaign was marked by inconsistency and a significant decline in key metrics. He finished the year with an unsightly 15.2% barrel rate [https://baseballsavant.com/player/alex-faal/], a stark contrast to previous years. This suggests hitters were making much more solid contact against him.
Further analysis reveals troubling trends in his batted ball data:
* Batted Rate: A high batted rate indicates a greater frequency of balls put into play.
* Hard Hit Percent: A higher hard-hit percentage suggests hitters are consistently driving the ball with power.
* Whiff Percent: A lower whiff percentage means fewer swings and misses,indicating hitters are making more contact.
These metrics collectively paint a picture of a pitcher who struggled to consistently fool hitters and allowed more damaging contact in 2023. The Tigers’ website details his season statistics [https://www.mlb.com/player/alex-faal-660641].
Durability issues & Injury History
Beyond his performance,Faal’s health is a significant concern. he has made five trips to the injured list since June 2023, including two stints in 2024 (right middle finger blister in March, right elbow sprain in September) [https://www.mlb.com/news/alex-faal-injury-update]. His career-high 137 2/3 innings pitched in 2025 were the first time he reached 100 Major league innings in a year, raising questions about his ability to handle a heavier workload. This lack of durability is a major red flag for teams considering him for a high-leverage role.
What’s Next for Faal?
The key question for inquiring clubs is whether Faal’s 2023 struggles were an anomaly or a sign of underlying issues.A deeper dive into his pitch mechanics and health records will be crucial. Teams will need to determine if adjustments can be made to improve his command and movement, and if his injury history is a chronic problem or a series of unfortunate events.
Key Takeaways:
* Performance Decline: Faal’s 2023 season was marked by a significant increase in hard contact and a decrease in swing-and-miss stuff.
* durability Concerns: Frequent trips to the injured list raise questions about his ability to stay healthy and contribute consistently.
* Potential Upside: Despite the concerns, Faal still possesses the raw talent to be a valuable reliever if he can regain his form and stay on the field.
Ultimately, Faal represents a high-risk, possibly high-reward proposition. Teams willing to invest in his progress and manage his workload could unlock his potential, but they must be prepared for the possibility that his struggles may continue.
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