The 2026 MLB season has been a whirlwind of surprises, with two managerial firings already and big-market teams struggling early on. This has led to an unprecedented level of trade activity, with front offices engaging in discussions much earlier than usual. As we approach the August 3 trade deadline, it's time to take a closer look at some of the starting pitchers who could be on the move. While many of these pitchers are on teams that are still in the postseason race, there are a few who could be available if their respective teams fall behind.
One pitcher who stands out is Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins. Ryan, a 29-year-old right-hander, has been a reliable top-of-the-rotation presence for the Twins since 2022, throwing over 135 innings in each of the last four seasons. He made his first All-Star team last year and has looked like an All-Star so far this year, even as the Twins have struggled. Ryan has always thrown a lot of strikes and has done an excellent job limiting home runs, making him a highly sought-after trade target this summer.
Another pitcher who could be on the move is Freddy Peralta of the New York Mets. Peralta, a 29-year-old right-hander, was traded to the Mets this offseason in a deal that was supposed to put them in position to contend for a World Series title. While the Mets have struggled so far, Peralta has pitched to his career norms and has given them reliable innings every five days. His command isn't always perfect, but he typically misses bats and has one of the best changeups among starters.
Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins is also a pitcher who could be on the move. Alcantara, a 30-year-old right-hander, won the NL Cy Young Award in 2022 and had Tommy John surgery in October 2023. He returned for a full season last year, making 31 starts, although his ERA was 5.36. This year, he looks much more like himself, and his value on the mound is complemented by his role as a mentor to young pitchers.
Robbie Ray of the San Francisco Giants is another pitcher who could be dealt if the Giants don't improve dramatically. Ray, a 34-year-old left-hander, is in the final year of his contract and had an excellent start for the Giants last season, making 32 starts with a 3.65 ERA over 182 1/3 innings. However, he faded last season after a strong first half, which could make it more likely that the Giants look to move him sooner rather than later.
Trevor Rogers of the Baltimore Orioles is also a pitcher who could be on the move. Rogers, a 28-year-old left-hander, is presently on the injured list with an illness but is off to a slow start on the bump, going 2-3 with a 4.75 ERA. Last year, he started the season on the IL while rehabbing an offseason knee injury, but when he returned, he went 9-3 with a 1.81 ERA in 18 starts. If he can get back to last year's form, playoff hopefuls will monitor him closely since he's eligible for free agency in the offseason.
Seth Lugo of the Kansas City Royals is another pitcher who could be dealt if the Royals aren't in the race at the deadline. Lugo, a 36-year-old right-hander, was the Royals' best starting pitcher in 2024, going 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA and making his first All-Star game. Last year, due to injuries, he slumped to an 8-7 record with a 4.15 ERA. However, he's looked like the 2024 version of himself so far this season, and if the Royals aren't in the race, it's most likely he'll be dealt.
Finally, Zac Gallen of the Arizona Diamondbacks is a pitcher who could be on the move due to his impending free agency. Gallen, a 30-year-old right-hander, has finished in the top 10 in NL Cy Young Award voting three times. Unfortunately for him, he had the worst year of his career last season in what was his free-agent walk year and didn't get the offers he expected in free agency. However, since he'll be a free agent again at the end of this year, teams are going to be scouting him closely ahead of the trade deadline.
In my opinion, the most fascinating pitcher on this list is Sandy Alcantara. While he's a free agent after 2027, his value as a mentor and his impact on the Marlins' young starters make him a unique and intriguing prospect. If the Marlins drop out of the playoff hunt, I expect them to trade him with only a year remaining of team control after this season. This raises a deeper question: how will the Marlins replace his mentorship and leadership if they do decide to trade him?
