(670 The Score) The supply-and-demand dynamic will be tilted in favor of sellers at the MLB trade deadline, Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network told the Mully & Haugh Show on Monday morning.
Heyman fully expects buyers to overpay for starting pitcher ahead of the trade deadline that looms on July 31. That’s largely because there’s so little quality pitching available, he said.
“The problem really is the number of good starting pitchers who are going to be available is very, very limited and the numbers of teams that need starting pitching are very, very high,” Heyman said. “The Yankees, certainly with Clarke Schmidt presumably being out for the year now, they need to get a starting pitcher. I think that almost every contending team is going to need, is going to go for a starting pitcher. Maybe not the Phillies – they have pretty good starting pitching depth and they’re hoping that (Aaron) Nola is back. The competition is keen, and you’re going to have to overpay to get a Mitch Keller.”
Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller could end up being the best starting pitcher available at the trade deadline, Heyman added. The 29-year-old Keller has a 3.64 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 18 starts this season. He’s under contract through 2028 and is owed $16.9 million, $18.4 million and $20.4 million in the upcoming three years.
Royals right-hander Seth Lugo (2.65 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) could also be shopped on the trade market if Kansas City continues to be on the outside of the playoff race by the end of July, Heyman said. White Sox right-hander Adrian Houser (1.60 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) also should demand a solid return on the trade market.
The Cubs are one of the teams pursuing starting pitching, and they're shown interest in Keller. Prices remain "enormous" at this time, Heyman said.