MLB: The Five Best Pitching Staffs Post-Deadline

With roughly 50 games to go in the regular season, here are the best pitching staffs in MLB after the trade deadline.

Now that the dust has settled from the 2016 MLB trade deadline, one of surprising stories to develop was the high cost of any trade involving pitching.

Teams such as the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres demanded and received top-level prospects as the Chicago Cubs and others opened up the farm hoping to harvest a championship. As closers moved to different contenders, those at the top of the heap now have to wait and see whether the price was worth it.

With one-third of the season left to go, teams must hope the injury bug stays away. Any missing piece of the puzzle now has to clear waivers. Stopping your rival from getting that needed starter is a time-honored tradition in August. The eternal game of cat and mouse plays out as much in the front office as it does on the field.

Saturday, we looked at the five worst pitching staffs in baseball. Today, we examine the five best. These squads have the horses to reach the playoffs. The big question is can they outlast each other to win the World Series? Whoever lifts the Commissioner’s Trophy at the end of the season will need a staff of 12 pitchers working at their peak.

Although the teams ranked are in ideal shape to contend for the postseason next year, teams such as the Yankees are ready to reclaim their mantle soon. You never know when your team will get the chance on the sport’s biggest stage again.

Here is who we figure are the top five pitching staffs in baseball. All statistics are as of Saturday, August 6.

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