2011 MLB Trade Rumors: Teams Targeting Starting Pitching

While front-line starters such as C.J. Wilson, Mat Latos, Mark Buehrle and Yu Darvish have all been swiped from the market, there are plenty of arms still available.  That’s a good thing for the many teams that are still looking to add another starting pitcher this winter.  According to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com, the Nationals, Yankees, Red Sox, Marlins, Blue Jays, Royals, Tigers, Mariners, Orioles and others are hoping to acquire at least one more starter.

With the bevy of starting pitching options still available, Knobler finds it hard to believe that any club will “feel the need to panic”.

The free agency still offers productive veterans Hiroki Kuroda and Roy Oswalt, as well as the young and enigmatic Edwin Jackson.

If this isn’t enough, teams can find a plethora of available starters on the trade market.  Knobler runs off the list of potentially available arms; Gio Gonzalez (Athletics), Jair Jurrjens (Braves), Wade Davis and Jeff Niemann (Rays), Wandy Rodriguez (Astros), and Matt Garza (Cubs).  Others such as James Shields (Rays), Jon Niese (Mets), Gavin Floyd (White Sox), Ervin Santana (Angels) and Jeremy Guthrie (Orioles) have had their names floated in trade rumors this offseason.

Many thought once the winner of the Yu Darvish bidding was announced, the trade market for pitchers would heat up.  Since then, no moves have been made and no free agents have been signed.  Knobler believes this makes sense, as teams are unlikely to spend wildly or throw a ton of young talent at a team when so many starters are available.