MLB trade rumors: 9 teams that could target Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chad Kuhl

The Colorado Rockies look poised to be sellers at the trade deadline that’s in three weeks so if that is the case, there are a lot of pieces that could be on the move. One of the most sought-after pieces could be Chad Kuhl.

Overall, the starting pitching trade market does not have a lot of supply but a lot of demand, which means that the return for Kuhl could be better than you’d expect for a middle to back of the rotation rental piece.

The Rockies signed Kuhl, who turns 30 in September, at the beginning of spring training to a one-year, $3 million deal. This season, he is 6-5 with a 4.02 ERA in 16 starts and an ERA+ of 117. He also has a 4.29 FIP, a 1.351 WHIP, and an average of 3.4 walks and 6.5 strikeouts per nine innings. That walk rate is the lowest in his career since his rookie season.

Here are nine teams that could look to trade for Chad Kuhl in the next few weeks.

MLB trade rumors: 9 teams that could target Colorado Rockies starter Chad Kuhl

Chad Kuhl trade rumors: The Baltimore Orioles

In recent weeks, the Baltimore Orioles have shocked the baseball world. After going 29-20 in their last 49 games entering Tuesday, they are still in last place in the American League East. But they were 43-44 and just two games back of the final AL Wild Card spot.

To be true contenders, they will need some help in the starting pitching department. Their starters have a 4.57 ERA, which is 23rd in baseball.

Their only starter with at least 10 starts that’s been above league average is Tyler Wells (3.28 ERA in 17 starts). Dean Kremer and Austin Voth have pitched well recently too but they need some more veterans and some better pitchers in general to make the playoffs.

The Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers are in a similar boat as the Orioles are. The Rangers are just 3.5 games back of the final AL Wild Card spot as their record is 40-44.

Their starters have an ERA of 4.50, which is 22nd in the sport. Former Rockies starter Jon Gray and Martín Pérez have been their best starters. After those two, the Rangers starters have been below league average and/or currently on the injured list.

The Chicago White Sox

Unlike the previous two teams we talked about, the Chicago White Sox have been an unmitigated disaster. After handily winning the AL Central last year, they are 3.5 games back of the last Wild Card spot. Frankly, they don’t have a prayer to make the playoffs unless they fire manager Tony La Russa.

If they decide that they want to win and move on from him, one area that should be addressed is the starting rotation.

Their rotation has a 4.18 ERA, which is 19th in baseball. Dylan Cease should be an All-Star, Johnny Cueto has been good (2.91 ERA in 11 games, 10 starts) and Michael Kopech has been good too (3.35 ERA in 16 starts).

But Kopech has been handled with kid gloves as he is returning from Tommy John and is averaging less than five innings per start and the other starters, including Lucas Giolito who has received Cy Young Award votes in each of the last three seasons, have an ERA north of 5.00.

The Cleveland Guardians

The specialty of the Cleveland Guardians for the last decade or more has been their starting rotation but in 2022, they have been pretty mediocre.

They have a 4.16 ERA, which is 18th in baseball. Shane Bieber is their ace and Triston McKenzie has been very good too. Zach Plesac and Cal Quantrill have been around league average but the fifth starter spot has been a hole for them. Aaron Civale has been injured for part of the year and in 11 starts, he has a 6.28 ERA.

The Boston Red Sox

Of the five Boston Red Sox that currently have at least nine starts, four of them are currently on the injured list. They just got Chris Sale back as he made his season debut on Tuesday and two of the four starters on the IL should be back by the weekend. Still, their rotation is a bit thin on depth.

Even if they trade for Chad Kuhl and the rest of the rotation returns, they could have Garrett Whitlock in the bullpen (13 games, nine starts). Their starter ERA is still 4.02, which is 17th in the sport so they still could use some improvement, regardless of health.

The Milwaukee Brewers

Entering the 2022 season, if there was one team that didn’t need starting pitching, it was the Milwaukee Brewers. They had five starters with an ERA+ of 129 or better. But now they need starters.

Corbin Burnes is pitching like the Cy Young Award winner that he was last year but everyone else has regressed. Eric Lauer is still pitching well but his ERA+ has dropped by 24 percent (131 to 107). Brandon Woodruff has gone from a 163 ERA+ to a 103 ERA+. Adrian Houser and Freddy Peralta are both below league average now and both are on the injured list.

Even with Burnes’ 2.20 ERA and a 187 ERA+, their starters have an ERA of 3.92, which is 14th in the sport, or 25 percent higher than it was last year.

The Atlanta Braves

The reigning World Series Champion Atlanta Braves are the final team on our list. Their starters have an ERA that is better than any other team on our list at 3.87, which is tied for 12th.

Spencer Strider has stepped up for them in the rotation but the back of the rotation has been shaky and, in particular, Ian Anderson. Anderson has a 4.98 ERA in 17 starts. In his last eight starts, he has a 5.77 ERA.

All stats and standings are current as of Tuesday, July 12.

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