The recent trade of MacKenzie Gore from the Washington Nationals to the Texas Rangers involved an impressive return of five prospects, highlighting how valuable starting pitchers have become in the current MLB landscape. This surge in trade prices, especially for pitchers with cost-controlled contracts, suggests that several top-tier pitchers, including Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan, might soon attract significant interest from contending teams.
Joe Ryan’s Strong Trade Potential Despite Twins’ Reluctance
The Minnesota Twins have maintained a firm stance that Joe Ryan is not available for trade. However, the level of assets Washington secured for Gore has intensified speculation about Ryan’s true market value. Ryan’s 2025 season statistics underscore his superior performance: a 3.42 ERA compared to Gore’s 4.17, along with deeper innings pitched and better command indicated by a lower walk rate of 2.05 BB/9 versus Gore’s 3.61. Both pitchers are under club control through 2027, removing contract length as a differentiating factor.
Considering Minnesota’s clear rebuilding trajectory, it makes strategic sense for them to at least explore trade opportunities involving Ryan, whose superior metrics could generate an even more lucrative return than Gore’s multi-prospect haul. Ryan’s ability to pitch deeper into games and exhibit stronger command places him at the forefront of valuable starters available on the market.
Pablo Lopez as a Comparable Trade Option for the Twins
If the Twins contemplate moving Ryan, Pablo Lopez emerges as another valuable starter who could attract interest. Lopez posted a remarkable 2.74 ERA over 14 starts in the 2025 season and earned a seventh-place finish in the American League Cy Young Award voting in 2023. He is recognized as a frontline starter when healthy, although his contract terms could slightly dampen his trade appeal.
Lopez’s salary of $21.75 million in both 2026 and 2027 contrasts sharply with Gore’s manageable $5.6 million price tag, the latter of which was a key factor in Gore’s appeal to the Rangers. Despite his higher salary, Lopez’s more established performance record gives the Twins leverage to command a substantial return. Like Ryan, Lopez has been labeled as unavailable by Minnesota, but the impressive prospects surrendered for Gore suggest that reconsidering Lopez’s trade status might be prudent.
Kris Bubic’s Trade Prospects With the Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are in a different phase than the rebuilding Twins, aiming to compete in 2026. This context means they might be more hesitant to move Kris Bubic, though he remains a plausible trade candidate. Bubic’s promising 2025 season was cut short by a shoulder injury, and he enters his final year of club control, which both reduce his potential trade value compared to Gore.
Evaluating Bubic against Freddy Peralta, who received a large trade package last season, reveals promising potential despite Bubic’s fewer starts (20 to Peralta’s 32). Bubic’s performance when healthy—evidenced by a 2.55 ERA—shows ace caliber potential. While Bubic may not generate as large a haul as Peralta, the Royals could realistically acquire a top prospect and an additional player or impactful bat. The team’s solid depth in pitching lessens the cost of trading Bubic if a strong offer arrives, and reports indicate he could command a significant return without compromising Kansas City’s rotation strength.
Miami Marlins’ Position on Sandy Alcantara Amidst Offseason Moves
The Miami Marlins’ trade of pitchers Ryan Weathers and Edward Cabrera this offseason suggests an openness to transactions, making Sandy Alcantara another possible piece in trade discussions. Despite an overall 5.36 ERA in 2025, Alcantara showed signs of improvement, with a 4.28 FIP indicating better underlying performance. His second-half 3.33 ERA also signals a return to his previously strong form.
Alcantara’s contract remains reasonable with a $17.3 million salary in 2026 and a $21 million club option for 2027. While the Marlins might hesitate to part with their ace, the willingness to trade younger pitchers primarily for prospects illustrates a broader readiness to restructure. Several teams in need of frontline pitching could value Alcantara highly, and given the precedent set by Gore’s trade, Miami might find trading Alcantara compelling if the right offer emerges, especially as the club is not firmly positioned for a 2025 playoff push.
Pitching Market Dynamics and What to Expect Next
The elevated valuations demonstrated by the MacKenzie Gore trade have sent ripples across MLB’s pitching market, creating pressure and opportunity for teams holding controllable aces. For organizations like the Twins and Royals, testing the trade waters for pitchers such as Joe Ryan, Pablo Lopez, and Kris Bubic could yield substantial returns that help accelerate rebuilds or roster improvement. Meanwhile, the Marlins’ offseason activities hint that even teams not fully rebuilding may consider dealing valuable pitching assets under the right conditions.
As the 2026 trade deadline approaches, the market for elite starting pitchers may grow even more intense, driven by teams’ demands for controllable talent capable of anchoring rotations. The dizzying pace and scale of recent trades create a flood of questions regarding how many top-tier pitchers will change jerseys this year, with Joe Ryan emerging as one of the most intriguing names to watch. The value these aces command will continue reshaping team strategies and roster construction across the league.
