Bullpen Trade Deadline Part 2
Get prepared to add the Closers-in-waiting
LAB REPORTS
Sellers
NYM
Devin Williams 31 (2Y) Stays
Luke Weaver 32 (1Y) Traded
Brooks Raley 38 (FA) Traded
A.J. Minter 32 (FA) Traded
It's been a terrible season for the boys in Queens but that might mean some of them are on the move. I have these four as the most likely since outside of Austin Warren the rest of the bullpen is mostly just FA guys and Brazoban is older but under team control for some time. Williams is a tough call since his contract is big but short. I think him moving depends more on how many true closers are on the market. He has been okay this year but certainly not the guy we saw with MIL. Right now I am leaning towards him staying. Raley and Minter are LHP so they will have a market. No question the are being shopped and I think at least one if not both gets moved. Minter probably more likely to stay due to his injuries this past few years. Luke Weaver has been great and his contract is cheaper and shorter than Williams. I think he will be on the move and really he seems like one of the better guys on the market. He hasn't allowed a run since April. I could certainly see a fire sale here and that might leave Brazoban as next up but it will probably be whoever of 4 is left in New York.
SFG
Ryan Walker 30 (3Y) Stays
Sam Hentges 29 (1Y) Traded
Matt Gage 33 (2Y) Stays
For such a lousy team the bullpen doesn't have many tradable pieces. Most of the guys are inexperienced and under team control. I would think everyone is available but what would the return be? Walker has struggled and he really isn't something that would bring much back. He does have some years left which is a plus and he is still throwing hard. Hentges and Gage are both LHP which gives them some value but once again I cant see the return being very much. I think they keep Kilian since he s under team control and really seems like he could be a decent reliever just not a closer. It wouldn't shock me at all to see no one from the bullpen on the move but I'll say if anyone it will be Hentges.
Up in the Air
BAL
Ryan Helsley 31 (1Y) Traded
Yennier Cano 32 (2Y) Traded
Rico Garcia 32 (5Y) Stays
Andrew Kittredge 36 (FA) Traded
Tyler Wells 31 (1Y) Stays
Keegan Akin 31 (FA) Stays
This year seems to be trending in the same direction as last year which ended with them selling. Kittredge should be on the move again but he is older and not having as good a year. Akin just went on the IL so that makes it likely that he will stay. I think they will be looking to move Helsley and his contract is a player option for next year. He could opt out or in depending on how the rest of this year goes. Helsley had been good prior to the injury but is still working back into form. Just like last year it wouldn't surprise me if he went to a team as an 8th inning guy instead of the closer. That will depend on this next month and what other closers end up on the market. Wells and Cano should draw interest and I think Cano has a better chance of being traded but he would be more of a mid leverage guy on most of the buyers. Garcia is under contract for a long time but is older. I think he will stay and take over the role of closer. He has struggled in June so he needs to get back to his April/May form.
TEX
Jakob Junis 33 (1Y)
Tyler Alexander 31 (FA)
Chris Martin 40 (FA)
Jalen Beeks 32 (FA)
As of now they are sitting atop the AL West but hot streaks always come to an end. Pretty similar situation to last year except they have found an internal option at closer in Latz. It appears they will be buying but if they cool off we could see some lateral moves. Martin is old and has been hurt so he likely stays. Beeks is also hurt but they have enough LHP's that if he comes back by the deadline they could at least shop him. If they sell; Junis and Alexander have pitched well enough in big spots that they have value. Teams with solid bullpens like LAD or HOU could use a guy like Junis for the 7th. The rest of the bullpen is full of young guys ready to see a chance later in the game. If they buy I would say RHP is probably the need. Martin isn't the answer and the bullpen has more LHPs. A struggling pitcher who has had success would be my expectation. I think a Dennis Santana type would be the target.
Buyers
*Every team needs bullpen help. It might not be a priority but they all should be checking in with teams selling.
MIL
They are always an interesting deadline team because they tend to trade away the big name closers (Hader and Williams) Would they consider that again with Megill? They have Uribe to replace him if they decided too. Looking at the bullpen a LHP is probably what they should be looking for even if it is more of a lower leverage guy. They have had some injuries which has depleted the depth. They have also been known to do wonders with guys who come over or sign. I believe they have Kuhnel throwing at 97 instead of the 93 that he was at with the ATH. Really it comes down to do they think they can beat the Dodgers and that will determine how much they add to the bullpen or if they shock everyone and move Megill.
HOU
Things completely flipped with Hader returning. It set the rest of the bullpen back up to have guys in the proper roles. King fits into the 8th nicely and lets be honest Enyel De Los Santos was cut last year before joining the team. He shouldn't be in the mix after the 7th inning on a contending team. Abreu seems to be unfixable at this point so they need to find a late inning RHP. That should be the main target but they could always hold out on Abreu finding. Either way a I would be looking for a top level RHP to put this team over the top in a winnable division.
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