SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_26552376-scaled-e1751911424874-768x432.jpg

<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/mlb/players/zachary-eflin/57865">Zach Eflin</a> might not be the biggest name on the market, but he’s quietly turning himself into a cost-effective option for contenders who don’t have the prospect firepower to chase a frontline ace.
The 31-year-old righty has weathered a rough season overall — carrying a 5.95 ERA and a 5.72 FIP with just 6.1 strikeouts per nine — yet recent outings hint he could deliver steady innings down the stretch. 
The <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/mlb/depth-chart/baltimore-orioles-depth-chart">Baltimore Orioles'</a> season has cratered back into seller mode, and with Eflin heading for free agency and owed $18 million, a willing team could grab him for minimal prospect capital by covering more of his salary. For pitching-hungry playoff hopefuls, he’s a classic low-risk, medium-reward deadline swing.
For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at <a href="https://www.justbaseball.com/">Just Baseball.</a>

5. Zach Eflin — Orioles’ Bargain Arm

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_26507596-1-e1751911265633-768x432.jpg

Like <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/mlb/players/zachary-gallen/58634">Zac Gallen</a>, <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/mlb/players/kenneth-kelly/58639">Merrill Kelly</a> is another arm the <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/mlb/depth-chart/arizona-diamondbacks-depth-chart">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> might dangle if their postseason hopes dim. The 36-year-old has a 3.55 ERA and a sparkling 1.09 WHIP through 18 starts — a reliable veteran profile any contender would crave.
He’s no stranger to October either, boasting a 2.15 ERA in four playoff starts in 2023, including a dominant seven-inning gem against the <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/mlb/depth-chart/houston-astros-depth-chart">Houston Astros</a> in the World Series.
With Kelly approaching free agency for the first time at 37, a qualifying offer could entice him to stay — so Arizona might prefer to move him now for guaranteed value.

4. Merrill Kelly — Arizona’s Second Trade Chip

https://web.sportsgrid.com/assets/images/AZ_FanCash_Day_Affiliates.webp

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_26434502-scaled-e1751911157811-768x431.jpg

The <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/mlb/depth-chart/kansas-city-royals-depth-chart">Kansas City Royals</a> made a shrewd move landing <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/mlb/players/jacob-lugo/57904">Seth Lugo</a> for just $15 million per season. He rewarded them by logging 206.2 innings with a 3.00 ERA last year — and he’s kept the momentum with a tidy 2.65 ERA so far in 2025.
At 35, Lugo is likely to opt out and cash in for a longer deal this offseason. The Royals, stuck in offensive limbo, shouldn’t pay big bucks to keep him. Instead, shipping him now as a rock-solid mid-rotation arm could net a strong return they can’t ignore.
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/"> SportsGrid</a>.

3. Seth Lugo — KC’s Smart Flip

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_26530051-e1751910994916-768x432.jpg

<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/mlb/players/zachary-gallen/58634">Zac Gallen</a> sits at the crossroads for the <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/mlb/depth-chart/arizona-diamondbacks-depth-chart">Arizona Diamondbacks</a>. A true ace when healthy, he has two top-five Cy Young finishes in the last three seasons. Arizona hoped pairing him with <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/mlb/players/corbin-burnes/57818">Corbin Burnes</a> would keep them in the title hunt — but Burnes’ elbow injury has complicated that plan.
Gallen’s ERA is an uncharacteristic 5.45 over 18 starts this year, but the upside remains. With free agency looming, Arizona must decide: push for the Wild Card or flip their 29-year-old ace for a package better than a compensation pick? Expect his name to swirl if the D-Backs fade further.
Swing for the Fences with SportsGrid’s free daily<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/mlb/picks"> MLB Game Picks</a> and <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/mlb/player-props">MLB Prop Picks.</a>

2. Zac Gallen — Arizona’s Tough Call

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_26557874-scaled-e1751910828732-768x431.jpg

If there’s one pitcher who could headline the deadline as a short-term ace, it’s <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/mlb/players/framber-valdez/57588">Framber Valdez</a>. The <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/mlb/depth-chart/houston-astros-depth-chart">Houston Astros</a> southpaw has quietly been one of the game’s most reliable arms, posting a sub-3.50 ERA every year since 2021 while rarely missing a turn.
Valdez already has a postseason legend on his resume — his 1.44 ERA during Houston’s 2022 World Series title run still stands out. This season, he’s once again All-Star caliber, spinning a 2.90 ERA through 18 starts.
If Houston decides to retool and move him, Valdez’s track record and big-game experience would make him the best pure rental on the market.
Thanks to <a href="https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/rental-arms-bats-mlb-trade-deadline-candidates/">Just Baseball</a> for the stats, analysis and insights for this slideshow article.

1. Framber Valdez — Houston’s Ace Rental

2025 MLB Trade Deadline: Top Rental Starting Pitchers on the Market Ranked

Explore the dynamics of Micah Parsons' contract negotiations and Jerry Jones' strategies at the Cowboys' training camp. We also analyze the Hall of Fame game.

Micah Parsons Contract Saga: Impact on Dallas Cowboys

Despite cool temps, Tom Vecchio joins to explain why he expects a high-scoring game tonight as the Brewers take on the struggling Braves and pitcher Eric Fedde.

Back This Brewer to Have a Big Night vs. Braves on Monday

Milwaukee Brewers show strong odds at -142, potentially rising to -150. Known for aggressive play against weak pitchers, they're set to challenge Atlanta.

Brewers Visit Braves in Pivotal Series for Playoff Positioning

LATEST VIDEOS

MLB trade deadline 2025,top MLB trade chips,Framber Valdez trade rumors,Zac Gallen trade rumors,Seth Lugo trade value,Merrill Kelly trade deadline,MLB rental pitchers 2025,MLB starting pitchers trade market,Astros trade deadline targets,Diamondbacks trade deadline plans,Royals trade deadline rumors,MLB pitchers on trade block,best MLB trade deadline rentals,frontline starter trade candidates,MLB trade deadline predictions,MLB trade deadline deals,MLB trade deadline rumors,Framber Valdez ERA 2025,Zac Gallen ERA 2025,Seth Lugo ERA 2025,Merrill Kelly ERA 2025,MLB deadline trades to watch,MLB contenders starting pitchers,MLB playoff push rentals,Astros trade deadline news,Diamondbacks trade rumors 2025,Royals trade rumors 2025,top pitchers for MLB trade,MLB ace rentals 2025,MLB playoff rental pitchers,Astros possible trades,D-Backs pitcher trade rumors,Royals pitcher trade market,MLB rental arms,best deadline pitchers 2025,MLB starting pitching trade chips,MLB trade deadline analysis,MLB playoff pitching help,MLB contender trade fits,MLB pitchers to trade for,MLB rental aces 2025,MLB big name trade candidates,trade deadline MLB pitchers,best trade chips 2025,MLB free agent rentals,MLB postseason pitching upgrades,MLB pitching help deadline,top arms MLB trade,MLB trade deadline news,MLB pitching rumors,MLB ace trade rumors,MLB trade buzz pitchers,MLB starters on trade block,MLB deadline trade ideas,MLB pitching trade deadline 2025,Valdez trade prediction,Gallen trade prediction,Lugo trade prediction,Kelly trade prediction,best pitcher rental MLB,MLB trade candidates 2025,MLB midseason trade chips,MLB player trade rumors,MLB July trade deadline,MLB pitchers deadline 2025,Astros pitchers trade rumors,Diamondbacks pitchers trade rumors,Royals pitchers trade rumors,MLB trade deadline stories,MLB deadline pitchers to watch,MLB contenders trade rentals,best MLB arms for trade,MLB top pitching targets,MLB contenders pitching upgrades,MLB trade deadline watch list,MLB trade deadline top names,MLB trade deadline arms to know,MLB rumors pitching market,MLB playoff rotation upgrades,MLB pitching staff upgrades,best deadline rental pitchers,MLB ace rentals for playoffs,MLB must-watch trade chips.,Merrill Kelly,Zac Gallen,Zach Eflin,Framber Valdez,Seth Lugo,Arizona Diamondbacks,Arizona  AZ,National League,National League West,Baltimore Orioles,Baltimore  MD,American League,American League East,Houston Astros,Houston  TX,American League West,Kansas City Royals,Kansas City  MO,American League Central

keywords

twitter:card

twitter:title

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumnbail-webp/article/2105942-1920x1080.webp?v=1754322228

twitter:image

thumbnail

google

These frontline starters could headline MLB’s 2025 trade deadline: Valdez, Gallen, Lugo, Kelly, and more arms contenders might chase for a postseason push.

description

expires

robots

og:locale

og:site_name

og:type

og:title

og:description

og:image

og:image:type

og:image:width

og:image:height

og:image:secure_url

article:published_time

article:modified_time

Most Surprising 13 Players Not Dealt at the MLB Trade Deadline

Top 10 MLB World Series Winner Odds Before and After Trade Deadline

MLB Trade Deadline Tracker & Winners: Every Player Dealt, Every Trade

MLB Trade Deadline Mistakes: 5 Teams Who Failed at the Deadline?

MLB Best Bets Today: Monday's Top 2 Betting Picks (August 4)

MLB Trade Deadline Impact: Which Teams' Odds Are on the Move?

MLB Futures Betting: Odds Updates Post-MLB Trade Deadline

Recapping the Power Moves From the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline

Which Team is the Biggest Loser After the MLB Trade Deadline?

Tigers vs. Phillies: Sunday Night Baseball Same Game Parlay

Where to Watch 2025 MLB Speedway Classic Today: Braves vs Reds from Bristol

MLB on FOX Bristol Speedway Classic: Braves vs Reds Same Game Parlay Picks Today

SportsMillions: Pick'em, Blitz'em and Social Casino

Comment

Home

Articles

SportsGrid is your source for the best sports bets today. Watch SportsGrid for live sports news coverage, scores, odds, moneylines, sports betting tips & more.

sportsgrid.com

College Football Today

NFL Pro Football Today

Bare Knuckle Fighting Main Event

Fantasy Sports Today

The Early Line Live

NewsWire Live

The Bostonian Vs. The Book

Bare Knuckle Fighting Knuckle Up

MODUS Super Series Darts

Gametime Decisions Live

Color Up How To Win At Craps

The Smylie Kaufman Show

Daily Racing Form Weekend Preview

Combat Sports Report

LatiNation Futbol Club

MLB Pro Baseball Today

2025 NFL Draft Special

Front Office Sports Today

2025 NBA Draft SportsGrid Special

OUR SHOWS

Explore today’s MLB betting insights with top home run predictions. Learn about Jose Ramirez's and Luis Robert Jr.'s potential to hit home runs tonight.

Top MLB Home Run Picks and Betting Tips for Today's Slate

Explore Shohei Ohtani's RBI potential against Joe Boyle. Key insights on this crucial matchup. Can Ohtani hit his over on RBIs today? Will he leave the yard?

Shohei Ohtani's High RBI Odds and Logan Evans Pitching Prop

Tonight, the Philadelphia Phillies face the Detroit Tigers, with Charlie Morton pitching against Cristopher Sanchez. The Phillies are favored; total runs at 8.

Philadelphia vs Detroit: High Stakes Baseball Clash Tonight

Explore the Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners match, starring the Jacob deGrom-Logan Evans duel. The Rangers are slightly favored in the betting odds.

Texas vs. Seattle: Analyzing deGrom-Evans Pitching Match-up

LATEST SPORTSGRID VIDEOS

Wherever you are, SportsGrid can be there too. Here are all of the platforms and subscription services you can find us on and how to watch SportsGrid today.

Where to Watch SportsGrid | How to Watch SportsGrid | SportsGrid

Samsung TV Plus

Roku TV

FireTV

LG Channels

Vizio

Xiaomi

VIDAA

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following Connected TV’s

FREE ON MY TV

Amazon Prime Video

YouTube TV

FuboTV

Plex

Sling Tv

FreeCast

Local Now

Stremium

Rad TV

Free Live Sports

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following Streaming services

LIVE STREAMING SERVICES

Sirius XM

Sports.Tv

YouTube

Download the new SportsGrid app, watch on SportsGrid.com or our YouTube Channel

WEB/MOBILE

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following platforms

ALL PARTNERS

Wherever you are, SportsGrid can be there too. Here are all of the platforms and subscription services you can find us on:

MORE ARTICLES

Sports Betting

Sportsbook Promos

Social Casinos