SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball

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<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

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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

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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

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<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

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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

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

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