If you’re a pitcher, there aren’t many more important skills than racking up strikeouts and limiting walks. The on-the-block starters who have been adept in both categories in 2019 figure to be among the players who garner the most interest from other teams leading up to the July 31 trade deadline. With help from the trade candidates list MLBTR’s Jeff Todd and Steve Adams assembled last week, here’s a look at the five qualified, potentially movable starters who have stood out more than the rest in the K/BB department this year…
Zack Greinke, RHP, Diamondbacks: K/BB ratio: 7.13
- Even though he’s 35 years old and has a fastball that clocks in just below 90 mph, Greinke remains one of the majors’ preeminent starters. Greinke has fanned 8.02 batters per nine this year and walked a paltry 1.13, helping him to a 2.95 ERA/3.20 FIP across 128 frames. Plus, in a game where home runs are becoming more prevalent, Greinke has yielded under one per nine. If the Diamondbacks go into sell mode, Greinke is theoretically someone who’d draw plenty of interest. However, his contract could serve as a major roadblock. Not only is Greinke owed roughly $79MM through 2021, but his partial no-trade clause gives him the right to say no to 15 teams.
Matthew Boyd, LHP, Tigers: K/BB ratio: 6.33
- A glance at Boyd’s MLBTR page shows no shortage of teams in pursuit of the breakout 28-year-old, who has evolved into a K/BB master this season. Boyd has struck out 12 per nine and issued just 1.89 BB/9 at the same time, though a low groundball percentage (37.1) has played in a part in recent difficulties preventing home runs. Boyd has allowed 10 in seven starts dating back to the beginning of June, when he owned a 3.01 ERA. He has now posted a 3.95 mark in 114 innings this year, albeit with a 3.47 FIP/3.35 xFIP and the majors’ 11th-highest swinging-strike rate (14 percent). Considering Boyd’s 2019 production, his $2.6MM salary and his three remaining seasons of arbitration control, it’s no wonder teams are lining up for him.
Jacob deGrom, RHP, Mets: K/BB ratio: 5.14
- Despite their awful 42-51 record, the Mets probably aren’t going to trade deGrom, the reigning NL Cy Young winner whom they signed to a four-year, $120.5MM extension entering the season. The 31-year-old hasn’t been the otherworldly force he was in 2018, but that’s far more of a compliment to his work a season ago than a knock on what he has done in 2019. To this point, deGrom has pitched to a sparkling 3.21 ERA/3.12 FIP with 11.27 K/9 and 2.19 BB/9 over 115 innings. Should the Mets at least consider trading him? Many of you think so, but general manager Brodie Van Wagenen’s unlikely to pull the trigger.
Madison Bumgarner, LHP, Giants: K/BB ratio: 4.84
- It’s true Bumgarner isn’t the ace he was in his halcyon days, but the 29-year-old’s K/9 (9.33) and BB/9 (1.93 BB/9) are befitting of a front-line arm. His 3.86 ERA and 3.80 FIP tell another story, though they’re certainly not subpar. The multi-time playoff hero has drawn tons of interest in advance of the deadline, and is likely the top rental starter in the rumor mill. For a while, Bumgarner has looked like a surefire trade candidate for the Giants, but a recent hot streak has put them just three games back in the National League’s wide-open wild-card race. Still, odds are that they’ll move Bumgarner for a solid return in the next two weeks.
Mike Leake, RHP, Mariners: K/BB ratio: 4.72
- Leake’s inclusion on this list comes as a surprise in light of the other hurlers on it, and he’s definitely not part of it because of an impressive strikeout total. To the contrary, Leake has fanned a meager 6.63 batters per nine over 115 1/3 frames. On the other hand, his 1.4 BB/9 is outstanding. The same can’t be said for Leake’s 4.60 ERA/4.99 FIP or his 88.2 mph average fastball velocity, though. As a back-end starter who’s owed the balance of $36MM through 2020 (including $9MM from his prior team, the Cardinals, and a $5MM buyout in 2021), there isn’t much trade value here despite Leake’s placement in this top five.
Central Valley
A must win game, I’m still riding with MadBum.., analytics can’t measure October.
Just my opinion..
RootedInOakland
The 2014 version when his stuff was still nasty I agree but idk about the 2019 madbum, his last playoff start in the 2016 NLCS vs the Cubs was a dud
dodgerfan
He can still blow one heck of a snot rocket tho….I agree, madbum WAS impressive but he is nowhere near what he was.
Pickle_Britches
A dud?? You gotta also think madbum pitched a complete game shut out 3 days before throwing over 120 pitches and he gave up 3 runs vs cubs that start and they ended up winning the game in extras. He still pitched well just not as dominant.
Melchez
Hey pickles… Boyd is on this list.
Pickle_Britches
Another 5run 2hr outing for trash can Boyd. Smdh era steady climbing.
bencole
Gimme DeGrom because he’s easily the best pitcher. Agree about sample size in October but I’ll still take the percentages when they’re this slanted. Mad Bum was incredible back then but he’s nowhere the same pitcher or stuff. That was years ago. I’d no longer take Sabathia in the postseason either haha.
petfoodfella
I wish the Mets would trade deGrom to Atlanta. I’d prob be ok with just about any package required.
DTD
You don’t wreck a farm system for a pitcher, ever. One starter isn’t the answer.
davidkaner
Houston Astros gave up 3 prospects to win a World Series. Yes, you do what it takes to win it all. No trophies for second place no trophies for having a top farm system. If you aren’t first, you are last! “Ricky Bobby”
ahale224
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”
-Wayne Gretzky
-Michael Scott
24TheKid
“I declare bankruptcy”
drgntrnr
Verlander didn’t cost top prospects from their system. Degrom would.
SportsFan0000
garbage.
Verlander was having a “down year” playing for a rebuilding team, coming off injuries and had a huge 30M+ per year contract.
Tigers did well getting 3 of the Astros Top Ten Prospects at the time
CF Daz Cameron (son of CF Mike Cameron), RHSP Franklin Perez and C Jake Rogers….All three will be on the Tigers major league team in 2020 or 2021..
Could they have received even more?!
Of course!
But, remember, teams like the Yankees, Dodgers and others “passed” on Verlander…their analysis was completely wrong on Verlander….
Even Houston was hesitating and did not actually do the deal until the end of the “waiver trade deadline” at the end of August (since discontinued)…
That means Verlander passed through waivers and not 1 ballclub claimed him in August…30 clubs passed on a waiver claim on Verlander?!
SportsFan0000
Verlander is a proven winner who raises his game in the playoffs and WS…
Verlander is the reason the Astros made the WS and won it.
Degrom is good, but he never helped the Mets win a WS..
Advantage Verlander..
BartoloHRball
You don’t bring a guy like deGrom in to win games during the regular season. You bring him in to win the deciding game in a playoff series. Other than Max Scherzer, deGrom is who I’d want on the mound for a game 7.
muskie73
According to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, Seattle righthander Mike Leake is owed about $26 million through the 2020 season: the prorated balance of his 2019 salary of $16 million, $15 million in 2020 and the $5 million buyout of his 2021 option:
legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/al…
The Cardinals are paying the Mariners $5 million this year and $4 million next year.
Leake has posted 4.3 fWAR, valued at $34.4 million, in 55 starts with Seattle.
giveemthecurve
I’d imagine the Mariners would eat a bunch of money to move him. Someone will scoop him up as an emergency 6th starter IMO.
BuddyBoy
Yep…considering 2/3 of this year is done it’s even less and Mariners will definitely pay to move him for more return. If you look at his hand logs, his numbers are skewed by two terrible performances that surrounded a pretty solid stretch.
astrosfan4life
He will get moved for a couple of low level prospects and Seattle paying most of what he is owed. It’s better to get the possibility of a hidden gem than keeping him and paying all of his salary.
jbigz12
The Red Sox we’re willing to pay half of Cashner’s 3.6 MM salary for the rest of the season and only give up two lotto tickets. That theoretical dollar value isn’t going to mean much. They ate a ton of money on EE, and Bruce. Leake will be no different. I think they have to eat it to around 9-10 million left on the final tab to facilitate a trade. And that’s w next to nothing coming back in return.
bencole
Mets should be looking to deal DeGrom not Thor. Sell high not low. And by the time the Mets are good DeGrom very well may not be.
iamhector24
So keep Thor, a player people want but is playing like crap? I’m glad you’re not the GM.
refereemn77
But a player playing like crap is pretty hard to trade, no?
Mystery Team
Why are deGrom and Greinke on this list? Neither one will be traded. Greinke because he’s owed too much money plus he’s afraid to play under bright lights and deGrom because not even the Mets are dumb enough to trade one of the best young arms in the game. You never know what can happen, the Mets could be a completely different team next year, a better team. LOFL okay no way that’ll happen but still no way they trade deGrom.
jbigz12
I’d agree Degrom is one of the best arms in the game but there’s nothing young about him. He’s 31 years old.
ExileInLA 2
Actually, deGrom’s arm is the youngest org of him.
He came up as a SS, so he hasn’t thrown as many lifetime innings as most ace pitchers who are 30+.
jbigz12
Maybe that’s an advantage. But maybe not. You don’t know when age will wipe a guy out. Just because he hasn’t thrown 2k innings at age 31 doesn’t mean his body isn’t still 31 years old. You obviously never know. Verlander and Scherzer have done it well into their mid to now late 30’s.
bdpecore
I would love for the Brewers to go after Greinke. They need a consistent top of the rotation starter and he could be had for a lesser cost if Mark A is willing to take on some additional salary. If Arizona would be willing to take back Braun, then their prospect haul would be even better.
refereemn77
It’s just a list of the top five K/BB ratio pitchers… Doesn’t mean any of them get traded.
JayRyder
Greinke HOF
Melchez
If CC and Scherzer are locks, Greinke belongs
fox471 Dave
Really wish Greinke was still with the Dodgers. Those three years were arguably his best.
Not too sure he will be a HOF selection, though. 197-122.
ellisburks
His W/L record? Really? Every other stat he has says Hall of Fame.
Pickle_Britches
I think if he gets 3000ks he could get in the HOF
Dad
Can’t blow a decent snot rocket however….
dugdog83
Jury’s still out of that one. The desert is dry.
Erie4312
Braves trade Bryce Wilson and a lottery prospect for Greinke, AZ pays 10 mil eqch year of his contract
Realistictiger84
Avila will be to greedy on what he wants for Boyd and the tigers will farther into the abyss
drfelix
I really believe the “hidden value” on this list is Leake.
Why?
He has a 4.6 ERA, because he’s had the WORSE defensive team in the “history” of MLB behind him. ANY contending team he goes to he will be an instant #3 starting innings eater with a 3-3.5 era. With a 1.4 BB/9 rate?
Because of Seattle’s horrendous defense this year, Dipoto will be required to eat much of Leaks salary in order to move him. AND sadly as a Mariners fan that means Dipoto will get very little in return for Leake, and whatever Dipoto can get he’s gonna have to take the best offer that is out there…which will not be much for Leake.
greatgame 2
The worst defensive team in the “history” of MLB was the Florida Marlins. Guys pitching for them were totally screwed.
phenomenalajs
Honestly, the only true sellers right now should be any team more than five games back in the wildcard race. In the NL, the only team that fits that description is Miami. A hot streak by any of the other teams on the outside looking in could get the team a playoff berth.
degrominator34
Putting degrom on this list discredits, the integrity of it all.