Best pitchers traded at MLB trade deadline: How Tarik Skubal can join C.C. Sabathia, Max Scherzer in company

There’s arguably nothing more valuable to a team’s World Series chances than a true No. 1 arm in the rotation — an ace who can shut down any opposing lineup. Because of the exclusivity of that group of pitchers, teams rarely choose to trade one midseason.

The best pitchers moved at the MLB trade deadline are typically mid-rotation arms who may have a good track record or even some All-Star nods but aren’t quite top-five pitchers in the sport or future Hall of Famers. When the true best-of-the-best pitchers are traded, it has typically happened in the offseason. But the Detroit Tigers‘ current situation with Tarik Skubal could be an exception to those trends.

With Skubal being the biggest name in trade rumors entering the 2026 deadline, the two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner has a chance to become one of the best pitchers ever moved at the trade deadline. There have, however, been a few previous aces traded at the deadline who became elite weapons for their new teams.

From Max Scherzer to Randy Johnson, here’s a look at some of the best pitchers ever dealt at MLB’s trade deadline.

Here’s a look at some established ace-level starting pitchers who have been traded in blockbuster moves at the trade deadline, including how they fared with their new team.

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to Reds, 1958

• Accolades at time of trade: 4x All-Star, Rookie of the Year, 1956 MVP, 1956 Cy Young

• 1958 stats with Dodgers: 0-6,11 G, 7.86 ERA, 34.1 IP, 16 Ks

• Rest of 1958 stats with Reds: 7-7,20 G,3.85 ERA, 133.1 IP, 53 Ks

Accolades at time of trade: 4x All-Star, Rookie of the Year, 1956 MVP, 1956 Cy Young

1958 stats with Dodgers: 0-6,11 G, 7.86 ERA, 34.1 IP, 16 Ks

Rest of 1958 stats with Reds: 7-7,20 G,3.85 ERA, 133.1 IP, 53 Ks

One of the earliest examples of a star-level pitcher being traded midseason came in 1958. Fewer than two years after becoming the first player to win the MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards in his career, Dodgers pitcher Don Newcombe was sent to the Reds for Steve Bilko, Johnny Klippstein and two players to be named later.

Newcombe performed far better for Cincinnati down the stretch than he did with the Dodgers, and he remained with the Reds until his contract was sold to Cleveland during the 1960 season.
to Reds, 1977

• Accolades at time of trade: 10x All-Star, 1967 NL Rookie of the Year, 3x NL Cy Young Award, 1969 World Series Champion

• 1977 stats with Mets: 7-3, 13 G, 3.00 ERA, 96.0 IP, 72 Ks

• Rest of 1977 stats with Reds: 14-3, 20 G, 2.34 ERA, 165.1 IP, 124 Ks

Accolades at time of trade: 10x All-Star, 1967 NL Rookie of the Year, 3x NL Cy Young Award, 1969 World Series Champion

1977 stats with Mets: 7-3, 13 G, 3.00 ERA, 96.0 IP, 72 Ks

Rest of 1977 stats with Reds: 14-3, 20 G, 2.34 ERA, 165.1 IP, 124 Ks

To this day, Tom Seaver remains one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history, let alone one of the best starters ever traded during the season. The future Hall of Famer already had an extensive résumé by 1977, having spent his entire career with the Mets to that point while winning three NL Cy Young Awards and the 1969 World Series.

During his age-32 season, however, Seaver’s all-time run as a Met came to an end. He was in the middle of another terrific season, but New York, ahead of the June 15 trade deadline, sent Seaver to the Reds for pitcher Pat Zachry, minor league outfielder Steve Henderson, infielder Doug Flynn and minor league outfielder Dan Norman.

The Mets went on to finish in last place in each of the next three seasons, while Seaver remained one of MLB’s premier arms in Cincinnati, though the team made only one playoff appearance during his tenure from 1977-82.

Seaver did throw his only career no-hitter for the Reds, though, and he went 75-46 with a 3.18 ERA, 42 complete games and two more All-Star nods over 158 starts in Cincinnati before reuniting with the Mets in 1983.
, 1984

• Accolades at time of trade: 1979 NL Rookie of the Year, 1x All-Star

• 1984 stats with Indians: 4-5, 15 G, 5.15 ERA, 94.1 IP, 58 Ks

• Rest of 1984 stats with Cubs: 16-1, 20 G, 2.69 ERA, 150.1 IP, 155 Ks

Accolades at time of trade: 1979 NL Rookie of the Year, 1x All-Star

1984 stats with Indians: 4-5, 15 G, 5.15 ERA, 94.1 IP, 58 Ks

Rest of 1984 stats with Cubs: 16-1, 20 G, 2.69 ERA, 150.1 IP, 155 Ks

There may not be a more impressive Cy Young Award win than Rick Sutcliffe’s in 1984, when he claimed the honor despite being traded midseason. After struggling to open the season in Cleveland, Sutcliffe was traded to the Cubs for Mel Hall and Joe Carter, and he went on a dominant run.

Named an All-Star for the first time the previous season, Sutcliffe was everything the Cubs were hoping for, going 16-1 with a 2.69 ERA down the stretch in 1984. As the Cubs won the division title, Sutcliffe was named the NL Cy Young Award winner.

He went on to spend seven more seasons in Chicago, earning two more All-Star selections.

• Accolades at time of trade: 1x All-Star, 1988 AL Cy Young Award, 1987 World Series Champion, 1987 World Series MVP

• 1989 stats with Twins: 8-12, 24 G,3.79 ERA, 175.2 IP, 138 Ks

• Rest of 1989 stats with Mets: 5-5, 12 G, 3.38 ERA, 85.1 IP, 73 Ks

Accolades at time of trade: 1x All-Star, 1988 AL Cy Young Award, 1987 World Series Champion, 1987 World Series MVP

1989 stats with Twins: 8-12, 24 G,3.79 ERA, 175.2 IP, 138 Ks

Rest of 1989 stats with Mets: 5-5, 12 G, 3.38 ERA, 85.1 IP, 73 Ks

By 1989, Frank Viola was an established cornerstone of the Twins. He was named MVP of the team’s World Series win over the Cardinals in 1987, then followed it up in 1988 by winning the AL Cy Young Award with a 24-7 record and 2.64 ERA in 35 starts.

However, at the 1989 trade deadline, the Twins parted ways with Viola. He was sent to the Mets for four pitchers and a player to be named later, including Kevin Tapani and Rick Aguilera, both of whom became key players for Minnesota.

Viola finished off a solid season for the Mets and went on to play two more full seasons in New York, including two All-Star nods.
, 1995

• Accolades at time of trade: 3x All-Star, 1994 AL Cy Young Award, 1992 World Series Champion

• 1995 stats with Blue Jays: 9-6, 17 G,3.38 ERA, 130.1 IP, 102 Ks

• Rest of 1995 stats with Yankees: 9-2, 13 G,3.82 ERA, 99.0 IP, 89 Ks

Accolades at time of trade: 3x All-Star, 1994 AL Cy Young Award, 1992 World Series Champion

1995 stats with Blue Jays: 9-6, 17 G,3.38 ERA, 130.1 IP, 102 Ks

Rest of 1995 stats with Yankees: 9-2, 13 G,3.82 ERA, 99.0 IP, 89 Ks

David Cone was an accomplished pitcher by 1995, including winning the 1992 World Series as a member of the Blue Jays — where he had landed via mid-season trade — and winning the 1994 AL Cy Young award as a member of the Royals. Once again in 1995, he was traded, becoming the Yankees’ ace.

Ahead of the deadline, the Blue Jays sent Cone to the Yankees for Marty Janzen, Jason Jarvis and Mike Gordon. It wound up being a massive win for New York. Cone won nine games to finish the 1995 regular season, and he also won a playoff game vs. the Mariners — but it was his contributions in pinstripes over the coming years that would make a bigger difference.

After re-signing with the Yankees, Cone went on to help the team win the World Series in 1996 and its three-peat from 1998-2000. He led MLB in wins in 1998, pitched a perfect game in 1999 and earned two more All-Star nods in New York.

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, 1998

• Accolades at time of trade: 5x All-Star, 1995 AL Cy Young Award, 

• 1998 stats with Mariners: 9-10, 23 G, 4.33 ERA, 160.0 IP, 213 Ks

• Rest of 1998 stats with Astros: 10-1, 11 G, 1.28 ERA, 84.1 IP, 116 Ks

Accolades at time of trade: 5x All-Star, 1995 AL Cy Young Award, 

1998 stats with Mariners: 9-10, 23 G, 4.33 ERA, 160.0 IP, 213 Ks

Rest of 1998 stats with Astros: 10-1, 11 G, 1.28 ERA, 84.1 IP, 116 Ks

Randy Johnson needs little introduction — Hall of Famer, arguably the greatest left-handed starting pitcher ever, and a dominant force in baseball for 22 years. However, when he was 34 years old with the Mariners in 1998, Johnson’s resume wasn’t yet as stacked as it is now.

While he did have five All-Star selections and one Cy Young Award, Johnson hadn’t yet won a World Series in Seattle after joining the franchise in 1989. In 1998, cracks were starting to show for Johnson, who had a 4.33 ERA with Seattle, his highest since the beginning of his career as the Mariners had quickly fallen out of contention.

On July 31, 1998, the Mariners agreed to send Johnson to the Astros in exchange for minor leaguers Freddy Garcia, Carlos Guillen and John Halama. It didn’t result in a title for Houston, but it’s also hard to imagine the trade working out much better.

Johnson immediately returned to his dominance, winning 10 of his 11 starts for Houston — he finished seventh in NL Cy Young voting despite only pitching in the league for around two months. The Astros won the NL Central, but went on to lose to the Padres in the NLDS.

That following offseason, Johnson signed with the Diamondbacks, with whom he won the next four NL Cy Young awards.
to Diamondbacks, 2000

• Accolades at time of trade: 3x All-Star

• 2000 stats with Phillies: 6-6, 16 G, 3.91 ERA, 112.2 IP, 96 Ks

• Rest of 2000 stats with Diamondbacks: 5-6, 13 G, 3.69 ERA, 97.2 IP, 72 Ks

Accolades at time of trade: 3x All-Star

2000 stats with Phillies: 6-6, 16 G, 3.91 ERA, 112.2 IP, 96 Ks

Rest of 2000 stats with Diamondbacks: 5-6, 13 G, 3.69 ERA, 97.2 IP, 72 Ks

Before he was a three-time World Series champion, Curt Schilling had steadily improved with the Phillies to become a three-time All-Star. By 2000, however, Philadelphia was on a path to the NL’s cellar during the season — and Schilling had requested a trade to a more competitive club.

Schilling was sent to the Diamondbacks for first baseman Travis Lee and pitchers Vicente Padilla, Omar Daal and Nelson Figueroa. Arizona missed the playoffs in 2000 despite acquiring Schilling, winning 85 games, but he was a difference-making in the years to come.

In 2001, Schilling had a 22–6 record with a 2.98 ERA in the regular season, leading MLB in wins and innings pitched. Then, he helped guide the Diamondbacks to the World Series title, sharing the 2001 World Series MVP award with Johnson.
, Indians to Brewers, 2008

• Accolades at time of trade: 3x All-Star, 2007 AL Cy Young Award

• 2008 stats with Indians: 6-8, 18 G, 3.83 ERA, 122.1 IP, 123 Ks

• Rest of 2008 stats with Brewers: 11-2, 17 G, 1.65 ERA, 130.2 IP, 128 Ks

Accolades at time of trade: 3x All-Star, 2007 AL Cy Young Award

2008 stats with Indians: 6-8, 18 G, 3.83 ERA, 122.1 IP, 123 Ks

Rest of 2008 stats with Brewers: 11-2, 17 G, 1.65 ERA, 130.2 IP, 128 Ks

C.C. Sabathia’s 2008 season is typically regarded as the best rental pitcher acquisition ever. When the Indians traded the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner to Milwaukee during the 2008 season, the Brewers knew there was a chance he wouldn’t re-sign after the season, as he was set to hit free agency.

Still, Cleveland agreed to send Sabathia to Milwaukee for Matt LaPorta, Zach Jackson, Rob Bryson and future All-Star outfielder Michael Brantley.

Despite the rental risk, which did materialize when Sabathia signed with the Yankees, he was outstanding for a team that reached the playoffs for the first time since 1982. Sabathia posted a 1.65 ERA in 17 regular-season starts. The Brewers went on to lose to the Phillies in the NLDS.

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, Indians to Phillies, 2009

• Accolades at time of trade: 1x All-Star, 2008 AL Cy Young Award

• 2009 stats with Indians: 7-9, 22 G, 3.14 ERA, 152.0 IP, 107 Ks

• Rest of 2009 stats with Phillies: 7-4, 12 G, 3.39 ERA, 79.2 IP, 74 Ks

Accolades at time of trade: 1x All-Star, 2008 AL Cy Young Award

2009 stats with Indians: 7-9, 22 G, 3.14 ERA, 152.0 IP, 107 Ks

Rest of 2009 stats with Phillies: 7-4, 12 G, 3.39 ERA, 79.2 IP, 74 Ks

For the second consecutive year, Cleveland opted to trade a homegrown star pitcher before the deadline in 2009. Cliff Lee emerged in 2008 to win the AL Cy Young Award, yet was a bright spot on a struggling franchise. 

Days before the 2009 trade deadline, the Indians agreed to send Lee to the Phillies for Carlos Carrasco, Jason Knapp, Lou Marson and Jason Donald.

Alongside Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ, Lee began his Phillies career on a heater, helping Philadelphia win the NL East. In the postseason, he was also dominant, pitching to a 0.74 ERA across the first three playoff starts of his career.

Philadelphia reached the World Series but lost to the Yankees, who had Lee’s former star teammate, Sabathia. That offseason, the Phillies traded Lee to Seattle. He would later return for a second stint with the franchise.
, Rays to Tigers, 2014

• Accolades at time of trade: 4x All-Star, 2012 AL Cy Young Award

• 2014 stats with Rays: 11-8, 23 G, 3.11 ERA, 170.2 IP, 189 Ks

• Rest of 2014 stats with Tigers: 4-4, 11 G, 3.59 ERA, 77.2 IP, 82 Ks

Accolades at time of trade: 4x All-Star, 2012 AL Cy Young Award

2014 stats with Rays: 11-8, 23 G, 3.11 ERA, 170.2 IP, 189 Ks

Rest of 2014 stats with Tigers: 4-4, 11 G, 3.59 ERA, 77.2 IP, 82 Ks

David Price was a member of the Rays’ 2008 squad that reached the World Series when he was a rookie, and he quickly emerged as one of the best pitchers in baseball. In his second full season, Price started in the All-Star Game. In his fourth full season, he was the AL Cy Young Award winner.

However, at the 2014 trade deadline, a Rays team falling out of contention decided to move on from the star left-hander. Price was sent to the Tigers in a three-team deal that sent Drew Smyly, Nick Franklin and Willy Adames to the Rays, and Austin Jackson to the Mariners.

Price helped the Tigers win the AL Central to finish out the 2014 season, including leading MLB in strikeouts. However, Detroit fell to Baltimore in the ALDS, and one year later, the Tigers again shipped away Price at the trade deadline, this time to the Blue Jays.

• Accolades at time of trade: 3x All-Star, 2x World Series Champion

• 2014 stats with Red Sox: 10-7, 21 G, 2.52 ERA, 143.0 IP, 149 Ks

• Rest of 2014 stats with A’s: 6-4, 11 G, 2.35 ERA, 76.2 IP, 71 Ks

Accolades at time of trade: 3x All-Star, 2x World Series Champion

2014 stats with Red Sox: 10-7, 21 G, 2.52 ERA, 143.0 IP, 149 Ks

Rest of 2014 stats with A’s: 6-4, 11 G, 2.35 ERA, 76.2 IP, 71 Ks

Thanks to the two World Series titles he helped bring to Boston in 2007 and 2013, Jon Lester was a fan-favorite with the Red Sox. He was proven as one of the steadiest left-handed pitchers in baseball and a reliable threat to throw for over 200 innings each season.

However, Boston was on its way to a 71-win season in 2014, struggling as the defending champions. That brought an end to Lester’s run with the franchise; he was traded to the Oakland Athletics alongside Jonny Gomes ahead of the deadline in exchange for Yoenis Cespedes and a competitive round 2015 draft pick.

For the A’s, it was an all-in move for a team eyeing its third-straight postseason appearance, adding an ace. Lester was as advertised, pitching to a 2.35 ERA in 11 starts as Oakland was a Wild-Card team — but despite pitching over seven innings against the Royals in that wild-card matchup, Lester received a no decision in a loss.

Lester wound up being a rental for Oakland, as he signed with the Cubs in the offseason.

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, Tigers to Astros, 2017

• Accolades at time of trade: 6x All-Star, 2006 AL Rookie of the Year, 2011 AL MVP, 2011 AL Cy Young Award

• 2017 stats with Tigers: 10-8, 28 G, 3.82 ERA, 172.0 IP, 176 Ks

• Rest of 2017 stats with Astros: 5-0, 5 G, 1.06 ERA, 34.0 IP, 43 Ks

Accolades at time of trade: 6x All-Star, 2006 AL Rookie of the Year, 2011 AL MVP, 2011 AL Cy Young Award

2017 stats with Tigers: 10-8, 28 G, 3.82 ERA, 172.0 IP, 176 Ks

Rest of 2017 stats with Astros: 5-0, 5 G, 1.06 ERA, 34.0 IP, 43 Ks

There was a time when it appeared Justin Verlander would spend his entire career as a Detroit Tiger — he was a homegrown superstar, drafted second overall by the franchise in 2004 and winning a Rookie of the Year award, a Cy Young Award and an MVP by age 28.

Verlander remained one of the true aces in MLB for years to come, including leading the Tigers to two AL pennants in 2006 and 2012. But Detroit never got over the World Series hump, and in 2017, with Verlander 34 years old, still elite but pitching for a bad team, he was traded.

The Astros sent prospects Franklin Perez, Jake Rogers and Daz Cameron to Detroit in exchange for the superstar pitcher. Verlander proved to be a needle-mover for Houston. He made five terrific starts to finish the regular season, then won ALCS MVP and posted a 2.21 ERA in five postseason starts as he won his first World Series title.

Verlander remained in Houston for five more years, including winning two more Cy Young Awards and another World Series title.
, Diamondbacks to Astros, 2019

• Accolades at time of trade: 6x All-Star, 2009 AL Cy Young Award

• 2019 stats with Diamondbacks: 10-4, 23 G, 2.90 ERA, 146.0 IP, 135 Ks

• Rest of 2019 stats with Astros: 8-1, 10 G,3.02 ERA, 62.2 IP, 52 Ks

Accolades at time of trade: 6x All-Star, 2009 AL Cy Young Award

2019 stats with Diamondbacks: 10-4, 23 G, 2.90 ERA, 146.0 IP, 135 Ks

Rest of 2019 stats with Astros: 8-1, 10 G,3.02 ERA, 62.2 IP, 52 Ks

Two years after they acquired Verlander, the Astros made another big trade-deadline swing for a former Cy Young winner. At age 35, Zack Greinke wasn’t quite an ace anymore, but he was undoubtedly one of the most effective starters in baseball still, named an All-Star for the Diamondbacks in 2019.

Three years after he signed a $206.5 million contract with Arizona, Greinke was traded ahead of the 2019 deadline to Houston for four minor league prospects: Corbin Martin, J. B. Bukauskas, Seth Beer and Joshua Rojas. Arizona also ate $24 million of Greinke’s remaining salary.

Greinke became yet another high-profile arm for Houston, going 8-1 to finish the regular season. He went on to start Games 3 and 7 of the World Series, but the Astros lost to the Nationals in the winner-take-all matchup.

Grienke remained an Astro through the 2021 season before making a return to the Royals.

• Accolades at time of trade: 8x All-Star, 3x Cy Young Award, 1x World Series Champion

• 2021 stats with Nationals: 8-4, 19 G, 2.76 ERA, 111.0 IP, 147 Ks

• Rest of 2021 stats with Dodgers: 7-0, 11 G, 1.98 ERA, 68.1 IP, 89 Ks

Accolades at time of trade: 8x All-Star, 3x Cy Young Award, 1x World Series Champion

2021 stats with Nationals: 8-4, 19 G, 2.76 ERA, 111.0 IP, 147 Ks

Rest of 2021 stats with Dodgers: 7-0, 11 G, 1.98 ERA, 68.1 IP, 89 Ks

The world knew what Max Scherzer was capable of by 2021. He was an aging veteran by that point, but still one of the best pitchers in baseball — after winning three Cy Young Awards between the Tigers and Nationals, he helped Washington win a title for the first time in 2019.

Two years later, however, Washington was struggling once again, and Scherzer’s elite run as a National would meet its end. With Scherzer in the final year of his contract, he was part of an all-time trade deadline blockbuster, sent to the Dodgers alongside All-Star shortstop Trea Turner. L.A. sent Josiah Gray, Keibert Ruiz, Donovan Casey and Gerardo Carrillo to D.C.

Scherzer proceeded to turn it up a notch on a World Series contender, winning seven games and striking out 89 hitters over 11 starts in the regular season for a 106-win Dodgers team. Los Angeles went on a run to the NLCS, but lost to the Braves. Scherzer ultimately left the Dodgers to sign with the Mets in the offseason. 

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