Top 3 Starting Pitchers Most Likely To Be Traded This Summer

The trade deadline is still a ways away, but teams are already starting to get a feel for what types of moves they'll be looking for. And with the surging number of starting pitchers hitting the injured list, rotation moves will be at the forefront. 

Let's take an early look at three top starters who are most likely to be traded this summer.

Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox

The White Sox season hasn't quite gone the way they were hoping, and with a slew of free agents at the end of the year, teams will be looking to grab what they can from the Pale Hose. 

Giolito, a former All-Star who struggled mightily in 2022, is having a somewhat improved season in this, his contract year, with a 4.15 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP and a 34:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio. If the White Sox are still far from a playoff spot in July, he will be high on teams' lists come the trade deadline. 

Eduardo Rodriguez, Detroit Tigers

E-Rod has come out on fire this season, making up for his previous two mediocre years. He's posted a 2.21 ERA with an 0.73 WHIP and a 30:7 K/BB ratio. He's been limiting hard contact, as he ranks in the 90th percentile in hard hit %, and the 88th percentile in average exit velocity. 

The Tigers haven't been as bad as expected thus far in 2023, but it's likely that come trade season, they'll be out of the race and ready to deal. Besides, Rodriguez can opt out of the three years and $49M left on his contract after this season. 

Jordan Montgomery, St. Louis Cardinals

The left-hander will be a free agent after the season, and if the Cardinals aren't able to get back into the race in the NL Central (currently last pace, at 10-21, 9.5 GB), they could look to recoup some assets for him. 

Montgomery is off to a solid start in 2023, with a 3.34 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP and a 32:8 strikeout-to-walk ratio. 

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