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MLB Trade Deadline: 15 biggest names on the market

By Nathaniel Reeves

Apr 6, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) throws against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) throws against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 2, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore (55) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore (55) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Matt Moore, SP, Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay has lost 11 consecutive games and is quickly falling out of contention at 31-42 without a good enough lineup to keep up in the AL East. What Tampa Bay does have is a deep and talented starting rotation, which will be useful to it at the deadline.

Given the lack of pitching available, it would be wise for the Rays to try to get another team to overpay for a starter. Of any Rays starting pitcher, Moore is the most likely to go, and would return some good young talent should he be dealt.

Like so many other young pitchers, Moore appeared headed for stardom before being derailed by injuries. Moore turned in an excellent rookie season in 2012, and was named an All-Star the next year while posting a 3.29 ERA (3.95 FIP) and over 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings according to FanGraphs.

The 27-year-old then suffered a partially torn UCL early in 2014, and missed much of 2015 as well. Moore is now fully healthy and owns a 5.04 ERA (4.59 FIP) with a strikeout rate approaching 22 percent through 14 starts.

While those overall numbers aren’t great, the stuff is still there for Moore, and he turned in a pair of strong outings in mid-June. ESPN reported back in May that the Rays were willing to deal Moore, and he would be one of the bigger starting pitching names in a weak trade market.

Next: 10. Rich Hill, SP, Oakland Athletics

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