Bullpen Trade Deadline
Who could change teams and how it affects bullpens
LAB REPORTS
Sellers
COL
Antonio Senzatela 31 (FA) Traded
Jimmy Herget 32 (1Y) Traded
John Brebbia 36 (FA) No value/who cares
The three guys I list are the most likely to move since the rest of the bullpen is young and under team control for several years. It would take a big offer to get anyone else and none of them have been that good so I don't expect it. Senzatela is their best piece and one of the better guys on the market. A converted starter with a club option for 14 mil next year which likely gets declined no matter where he ends up. I wouldn't expect him to close if he gets moved. Anyone who ends up buying and needs a RHP should be in on him. Herget is the other tradeable guy they have. He has found himself in the 9th though that wont continue if traded. More of a junk thrower but has good numbers. A good team would likely slide him into the 6th/7th innings. I doubt he returns much but I do think he will be on the move. Brebbia is recently signed so he could be cut or maybe traded for cash. I am confident Senzatela gets moved anyone else is up in the air.
KCR
Alex Lange 30 (2Y) Stays
Lucas Erceg 31 (3Y) Stays
Daniel Lynch 29 (2Y) Stays
John Schreiber 32 (FA) Traded
Matt Strahm 34 (FA) Traded
Carlos Estévez 33 (Club) Stays
Nick Mears 29 (1Y) Stays
Lots of option here. I would think they need an offer that blows them away to trade Lynch. I'm sure they would love to trade Estévez but his injury probably prevents that. Since Mears is hurt I expect he stays as well. No question they will try and move Strahm and Schreiber. Strahm will likely be the easier one to trade since we know there is always a market for LHP. The two question marks are Lange and Erceg. Lange was an afterthought until Erceg fell apart. I would expect them to at least shop him around and if traded I doubt he continues closing. Erceg is a guy who teams would love to get since I'm sure they think he can be fixed and he still throws hard. If they move him it depends how goo the offer is since he has a few years of control left. I expect him to stay.
Up in the Air
PIT
Gregory Soto 31 (FA) Traded
Dennis Santana 30 (FA) Traded
Yohan Ramirez 31 (3Y) Stays
Isaac Mattson 30 (2Y) Stays
The bullpen has been terrible. They will need to decide if they are buyers or sellers. If they went out and got a stud closer (Chapman, Helsley, Dev Williams, Sewald) that would do wonders but considering their history selling this year seems more likely. If they did buy I think they go after controllable pieces or cheap one year options. If they sell and your team needs a LHP or RHP Soto and Santana are above average options. With how they have pitched this year I wouldn't expect either to close on a contender. Think back to last year when Soto was traded to the Mets and slid in as a more of a mid leverage LHP. That is what I would expect for both. The rest of the bullpen is generally young, not very good, and under team control. Ramirez and Mattson could draw some interest but I would expect them to stay put.
TOR
Tyler Rogers 35 (3Y) Stays
Jeff Hoffman 33 (1Y) Traded
Yimi García (FA) Stays
Another team that is on the fringe. I expect them potentially buy a high leverage LHP. Gregory Soto, Jojo Romero, Brooks Raley would look good here. With Hoffman's demise they need a high leverage guy. Most of the bullpen is young and under control. Rogers is older but has been great. I doubt he goes but teams should ask. Garcia has been hurt so I think he stays. Hoffman is the wild card. He is a guy who has had success closing and I am sure teams that need a RHP think they can fix him. I've seen him mentioned as a target for the ATH and I wouldn't count out LAD. Closing seems unlikely but again it depends on the team. He does have another year of control at a hefty price. I think it depends on how disgruntled he is or the team is with him as to if he gets moved but right now I am leaning towards him finding a new home. Varland isn't going anywhere for those wondering.
Buyers
*Every team needs bullpen help. It might not be a priority but they all should be checking in with teams selling.
PHI: They have a dominant closer and the rest of the bullpen is pretty solid. The big question is how bad is Brad Keller hurt? Haven't seen much news on him since he went on the IL. If he is out they will need to add a high leverage RHP. If Keller returns they probably need a mid level RHP or LHP. Honesty Strahm who I doubt they would bring back or Hegert would be nice targets. As the market comes more into focus over the next month I will be checking back in on this teams needs.
LAD: They potentially have Diaz returning around the break or deadline. That would push Scott back to the 8th and the rest of the guys into more of a mid level roles. Brock Stewart could develop into that RHP they are missing. Could they go out and make a splash? Sure but at the moment I would expect them to see if Diaz is going to return. We also know in the postseason they might flip a starter into the bullpen which worked well last year. They have the depth.
Explore The Lab.
