2025 MLB Trade Deadline: 3 SPs on the Move and 2 Staying Put

On the Move: Sandy Alcántara, Miami Marlins

Sandy Alcántara’s 2025 campaign hasn’t lived up to his 2022 Cy Young form, but there’s more than meets the eye. He leads MLB in E-F (ERA minus FIP) with a ridiculous +2.19 gap, meaning his ugly 6.66 ERA masks more respectable expected metrics—4.99 xERA and 4.41 FIP.

Over his last four outings, Alcántara posted a 2.74 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across 23 innings with 19 strikeouts. His fastball still hits 97.3 MPH, top 10% in the league, and he’s delivered four straight quality starts. With one more year left on his deal, he’s a high-upside gamble for contenders who need bulk innings.

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Staying Put: Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins

If anyone is untouchable in the Minnesota Twins’ rotation, it’s Joe Ryan. The right-hander is sporting a pristine 2.82 ERA, a 137:24 K: BB ratio, and a WHIP under 0.95—third in MLB behind only Tarik Skubal and Zack Wheeler.

Even though the Twins are floundering below .500 and have already dealt Chris Paddack to the Detroit Tigers, Ryan is viewed differently. He’s under team control through 2027 and has been a top-15 arm in the league all season.

Unless someone offers a king’s ransom, Minnesota’s smart to ride it out and bet on 2026.

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On the Move: Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates

Don’t let the 4-10 record fool you—Mitch Keller’s been a rock for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He owns a 3.69 ERA, 2.6 fWAR, and his four-seamer carries a +10 run value, tied for 13th in MLB. The punchouts are down (18.8% K-rate), but he’s limited damage lately, with four straight starts allowing two runs or fewer.

Keller isn’t a rental either—he’s under control through 2028. That makes him more than just a deadline addition; he’s a long-term piece. With Pittsburgh deep in another rebuild, Keller could bring back a strong return.

Expect real traction here before the buzzer.

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Staying Put: MacKenzie Gore, Washington Nationals

MacKenzie Gore has been everything the Washington Nationals hoped for—an All-Star with electric stuff. He was the first to hit 100 strikeouts this season and enters the deadline with a 3.52 ERA, 144 Ks, and a top-tier 29.4% strikeout rate. Opposing hitters are batting .181 against his secondary mix.

But here’s the key: he’s still under arbitration control for two more seasons. Even if the Nationals are buried in the NL East, Gore is part of the long-term rebuild.

Unless someone comes in with an absurd offer, he’s going nowhere.

On the Move: Sandy Alcántara, Miami Marlins

Sandy Alcántara’s 2025 campaign hasn’t lived up to his 2022 Cy Young form, but there’s more than meets the eye. He leads MLB in E-F (ERA minus FIP) with a ridiculous +2.19 gap, meaning his ugly 6.66 ERA masks more respectable expected metrics—4.99 xERA and 4.41 FIP.

Over his last four outings, Alcántara posted a 2.74 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across 23 innings with 19 strikeouts. His fastball still hits 97.3 MPH, top 10% in the league, and he’s delivered four straight quality starts. With one more year left on his deal, he’s a high-upside gamble for contenders who need bulk innings.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.