RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesThe biggest domino of the MLB trade deadline has officially fallen.
As many around baseball expected, the Los Angeles Dodgers won the Tarik Skubal sweepstakes, acquiring the back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner from the Detroit Tigers in a blockbuster deal late Saturday night. With the top pitcher on the market now off the board, several contenders are suddenly scrambling to identify their next best option.
Teams like the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, and Tampa Bay Rays all remain in need of rotation help, and with the deadline fast approaching, they’ll have to pivot quickly. Here are three starting pitchers who should immediately become top targets.
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Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays
Jun 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) pitches to the Texas Rangers during the third inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Kevin Gausman instantly becomes one of the most attractive arms still available.
The veteran right-hander has plenty of postseason experience and has proven throughout his career that he can anchor a rotation. His ability to miss bats while consistently working deep into games makes him an ideal fit for contenders looking to stabilize their pitching staff.
Whether it’s the Phillies looking for another frontline starter or the Cubs trying to overcome a wave of pitching injuries, Gausman would immediately strengthen almost any rotation.
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Robbie Ray, San Francisco Giants
Robbie Ray is another experienced left-hander who could generate significant interest before the deadline.
A former Cy Young winner, Ray has the type of swing-and-miss arsenal that becomes especially valuable in October. While he isn’t the same pitcher as Skubal, he still offers top-of-the-rotation upside when healthy and could give a contender another reliable playoff starter.
For teams seeking a veteran capable of pitching meaningful innings down the stretch, Ray could become one of the hottest names on the market. Tampa and Atlanta seem like the best fits.
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Freddy Peralta, New York Mets
May 29, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images Freddy Peralta may be the pitcher whose market grows the most now that Skubal is off the board.
Peralta combines frontline stuff with the ability to rack up strikeouts, making him an appealing option for clubs looking to add another impact arm without sacrificing as much prospect capital as a Skubal deal required.
The Rays, Brewers, Braves, and several other contenders have all been connected to starting pitching, and Peralta fits the profile of a pitcher capable of changing the outlook of a postseason rotation. A return to the Brewers makes the most sense of all the teams, as they are very familiar with him and he is very familiar with them.
Pitching Market About to Heat Up
With Skubal now headed to Los Angeles, demand for the remaining top starters is expected to skyrocket.
Gausman, Ray, and Peralta all offer different strengths, but each has the potential to make a significant impact for a contender chasing a World Series. As the deadline approaches, don’t be surprised if the bidding intensifies quickly, as teams that missed out on baseball’s biggest prize race to secure the next best available arm.
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