Bullpen Trade Deadline

Part 3 (6 teams tonight)

LAB REPORTS

LFX OVERALL

By: The Lab

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Bullpen Trade Deadline⚾️

Part 3 (6 teams tonight)

Sellers

LAA

Sam Bachman 26 (2Y) Stays

Ryan Zeferjahn 28 (2Y) Stays

Kirby Yates 39 (FA) Traded/DFA

Chase Silseth 26 (2Y) Stays

Brent Suter 36 (FA) Traded

Another seller that really doesn't have any tradeable pieces. Bachman, Zeferjahn, and Silseth have two years until they hit arbitration so they should have even longer. Any of them could go but it would take one hell of an offer and I'm not sure teams are willing to pony up. The new GM might be more willing to move them but I am leaning towards all three staying. Yates is old and they will be trying to move him. He isnt too far off that great year so maybe someone bites. If they dont trade him I think he ends up DFA'd since they really have no need for him and should let the kids play. At some point Joyce should be back as well. Suter is a LHP but a low leverage guy they should be trying to trade him and I think he will find a new home.

BOS

Aroldis Chapman 38 (1Y) Traded

Garrett Whitlock 30 (2Y) Traded

Justin Slaten 28 (3Y) Stays

Danny Coulombe 36 (FA) Traded

Greg Weissert 31 (2Y) Stays

They're selling but this next week should confirm that. They have two of the top guys who could be on the market. Chapman should be every teams target that needs a closer. I believe the next year of his deal becomes official if he reaches 40IP. He has been great closing games and don't forget he has pitched outside the 9th recently too. I would think a Cubs reunion makes a lot of sense and the White Sox and Nats could use a guy in the 9th if they decide to go for it. The Dodgers can never be counted out if Diaz has a snag in his recovery. He should be the best option on the market so I think he will be on the move. Whitlock could also be on the move and he will be a little tougher to get since he has a couple years left. I'd look to some of the up in the air teams for him. TEX with Junis going down and PIT could use a RHP with some control. He could end up closing in PIT. I'm 50/50 on him being moved but for now I'll say he goes. I think Slaten and Weissert stay but Coulombe should be on the move. As a LHP he will draw interest even as a lower leverage guy.

Up in the Air

CLE

Hunter Gaddis 28 (2Y) Stays

Colin Holderman 30 (2Y) Stays

Shawn Armstrong 35 (1Y) Traded

I think they will end up being buyers as they are right in the hunt for the division and wildcard but they do have some interesting pieces. Gaddis has struggled so that could help or hurt him. Ultimately they know best but as a controllable RHP he has a lot of value. I think he stays. Holderman has been a revelation and Armstrong is having another strong year. Holderman probably stays due to his struggles prior to the year but I could see Armstrong going due to his age. If they do move Gaddis it is because these guys have stepped up. For now I'll say the move Armstrong but I think it is very likely all of these guys end up staying and this remains one of the best bullpens in the league without a new addition.

STL

Riley O'Brien 31 (2Y) Stays

JoJo Romero 29 (FA) Traded

Ryne Stanek 34 (1Y Club) Traded

Another interesting team which you would think is buying but they have good pieces to sell and are in what is supposedly a rebuild year. O'Brien is on here because of his injury history and age. This is as high as his value is going to be so they should at least listen. If he closes would be dependent on where he ends up. I believe he will stay. Romero and Stanek are the guys who they should move. Romero is a LHP and pretty much everyone is looking for that. He has struggled but with an expiring contract I would expect him to be on the move. Stanek is having a good year but has historically struggled the late in games. With a club option he is essentially a FA. I also think he will be traded though I am more confident in Romero being on the move. This team has lateral move written all over it as they shouldn't sell but the offers might be too good to pass up.

Buyers

*Every team needs bullpen help. It might not be a priority but they all should be checking in with teams selling.

CHC

Another tough team to predict but they should be buying. They have a ton of guys who are hurt so they could always pull "the were getting that guy back" so it is like a trade move. Palencia hasn't closed for that long so if they added a closer he could slide back into the 8th inning. I would think they would be checking in on Chapman or Williams. They do have a decent amount of LHP so that isn't a huge need. I would think a guy like Kenley or even Alex Lange would make sense but are they much of an upgrade? Only if Palencia is out all year. I would love to see them go for broke on Chappy but if not maybe Williams. I think it is a big splash or nothing for the bullpen.

TBR

As I am writing this they are the best team in the AL. They need bullpen help though they have dealt with a ton of injuries. Craig Kimbrel has been pitching in big spots. They have a stud closer and a couple good setup men but I would expect them to at least check in on some lower leverage guys. They have a long history of going out and getting guys that fit the system so I would expect that. Think how many times in the Kevin Cash era you have said I cant believe that guy is pitching still and he is normally pitching well. Low leverage system guys is my expectation.

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