As Major League Baseball approaches its July 31 trade deadline, attention turns to the starting pitching market, where a variety of players have emerged as potential trade candidates. Despite the speculation, the availability of many pitchers remains uncertain, with discrepancies between their reputational value and actual performance impacting trade discussions. Amidst this buzz, a selection of intriguing starters has surfaced, sparking analysis on which teams would be the best fit for their skills.

According to reports from Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Washington Nationals are open to offers for pitcher MacKenzie Gore, receiving calls from numerous teams regarding his availability. However, indications suggest that the Nationals are 'very unlikely' to part with the 2025 All-Star. A fitting destination for Gore could be the Seattle Mariners, who entered the 2025 season labeled as a pitching powerhouse but have struggled with injuries to key players like Logan Gilbert and George Kirby. With a current ERA of 3.59 and 140 strikeouts over 112.2 innings, Gore is viewed as a pitcher who still has considerable potential. Furthermore, the Mariners hold the top-ranked farm system according to B/R's Joel Reuter, which could facilitate a trade that accelerates the Nationals' rebuilding efforts.

In a separate development, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic noted that Luis Severino, despite being under a three-year, $67 million contract, is being actively explored as a trade option by the Oakland Athletics. Severino's preference for a different environment and his struggles at Sutter Health Park may make a trade beneficial for all parties involved, with the New York Mets appearing as a plausible destination. Given the health issues in their pitching rotation, the Mets would benefit from Severino's arm, which delivered a 3.91 ERA and stretched across 182.0 innings in 2024. Furthermore, the Mets may be one of the few teams that can absorb Severino's contract without significant financial strain.

Meanwhile, the San Diego Padres have received interest in Dillon Cease, with reports indicating that six teams have made inquiries, although the Padres' approach may not align with a traditional selling team. The Chicago Cubs are one among these interested parties, as their rotation struggles with a 20.3 strikeout percentage could find a solution in Cease, who boasts a strikeout rate of over ten per nine innings. Such a move not only represents a return for Cease, who began his career in the Cubs system, but could also provide the Padres with aforementioned offensive help, including prospects like outfielder Owen Caissie.

Further complicating the trade landscape, the Padres have expressed interest in Sandy Alcantara while also weighing the option of retaining him for the duration of his club contract, especially following his struggles post-Tommy John surgery. The Toronto Blue Jays emerge as a fitting candidate for Alcantara, given their need for an upgrade in rotation despite their current first-place standing. By pairing him with elite framer Alejandro Kirk, the Blue Jays could help stabilize Alcantara's performance metrics and leverage their solid infield defense, which aligns well with Alcantara's ground-ball pitching style.

In another standout trade possibility, reports from Jesse Rogers of ESPN indicate that Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins has garnered significant attention on the market. At 27, Cabrera presents an affordable investment for acquiring teams, owning a 2.47 ERA across his last 13 starts. While the Houston Astros may question whether they can afford another injury-prone starter, Cabrera's combination of youth, control, and potential fits neatly with the Astros' aspirations of adding another capable arm to complement their current rotation.

Shifting to the Kansas City Royals, the organization may consider trading Seth Lugo, even as they remain competitive in their division. Despite a pressing need for starting pitching, the Los Angeles Dodgers might seek relief options over a starting arm. With Lugo's high innings pitched over the past two seasons and limited options for the Dodgers' rotation, he could provide crucial performance stability in a time of need, especially given his near-3.00 ERA.

As the Pittsburgh Pirates look to make pivotal moves leading up to the trade deadline, ace Mitch Keller stands as the centerpiece in their strategy, attracting interest from various teams, including the Cubs and Blue Jays. While Keller's strong metrics illustrate potential, he excels more as a mid-rotation starter, making him an ideal candidate for teams seeking balance in their lineup. Particularly, the Boston Red Sox would integrate Keller smoothly into their rotation focused on playoff contention, utilizing his durability and experience amid an array of injured players.

Lastly, the Arizona Diamondbacks have signaled a willingness to engage in the trade market, with speculation growing around pitcher Zac Gallen. Despite his lapses in performance this season, Gallen remains a respected figure within the league. Should he find himself in the New York Yankees' sights, it presents an intriguing opportunity for a franchise looking to bolster their rotation amid injury concerns. With a plethora of pitching prospects on hand, the Yankees could emerge as a compelling trading partner with Arizona, especially if they can align on prospects that meet the Diamondbacks' goals.

With the MLB trade deadline fast approaching, teams will soon determine how they approach roster changes while considering the potential impact of these pivotal players.