Relief Pitching Options

[Eye Black]

Nick Anderson from Marlins 29yrs old - 4.24 ERA, but 2.77 FIP, 2.97 xFIP 14.4 SO/9

Nick Anderson was actually drafted by the Brewers in the 32nd round back in 2012 (didn’t sign despite being a college senior). That is the same year the Brewers took Brent Suter in the 31st round (some impressive late round drafting that year).

 

It looks like Anderson has had a small number of blow-up outings that have inflated his ERA. Since late May he has a sub-3.00 ERA. He has allowed 0 runs in 31 of his 41 appearances this year. This past Thursday he struck out 5 of the 7 batters he faced versus the Padres. Anderson’s fastball averages 96-mph, and the slider is his go to pitch. He just turned 29 years old this month, but is actually under team control through 2024.

 

He could be a sneaky good option for a team in need of stability in the middle innings.

[MDCrew]

What about Mychal Givens? He has been pitching pretty well lately on a bad O’s team.

[LouisEly]

Wonder what the price on Chris Martin would be if the Rangers decide to sell. He wouldn’t be the main relief piece in a best case scenario, but could be a great complimentary piece and likely wouldn’t cost a ton. He signed a two year deal with the Rangers before 2018 so he’s expiring and is 33 years old.

His numbers this year are actually extremely solid and I feel like it hasn’t gotten any attention.

ERA: 2.97

xFIP: 2.84

BB/9: 0.74(!)

He seems like a guy Stearns would have his eye on if the Rangers do in fact sell. Which is looking more and more likely.

Same team, but I'm looking at their de-facto closer Shawn Kelly. He's 35, has a slightly higher but very good BB rate (1.4) and has a $2.5M option for 2020 with a $250K buyout. He's been very good 4 of the last 5 years with 2017 an aberration likely because he was hurt part of the year. Not a "proven closer", but has some experience closing this year. At 35 he shouldn't cost much, and isn't in the Rangers long-term plans.

 

Martin is an interesting guy. Signed out of the independent leagues at age 24, got to the majors and then missed two years likely with injury. Not much track record with him, shouldn't cost much either.

[LouisEly]

Nick Anderson from Marlins 29yrs old - 4.24 ERA, but 2.77 FIP, 2.97 xFIP 14.4 SO/9

Nick Anderson was actually drafted by the Brewers in the 32nd round back in 2012 (didn’t sign despite being a college senior). That is the same year the Brewers took Brent Suter in the 31st round (some impressive late round drafting that year).

 

It looks like Anderson has had a small number of blow-up outings that have inflated his ERA. Since late May he has a sub-3.00 ERA. He has allowed 0 runs in 31 of his 41 appearances this year. This past Thursday he struck out 5 of the 7 batters he faced versus the Padres. Anderson’s fastball averages 96-mph, and the slider is his go to pitch. He just turned 29 years old this month, but is actually under team control through 2024.

 

He could be a sneaky good option for a team in need of stability in the middle innings.

Given that team control, the Marlins are likely in no rush to trade him. In fact, since the Marlins will likely dump Sergio Romo for whatever they can get prior to the deadline, there is a good chance they put him in the closer's role and try to inflate his value prior to next year's trade deadline.

 

My guess is that his price is going to be higher than it may appear to be.

[wntrtxn21]

I was looking at relief options who wouldn't break the bank (no Burnes, Peralta, Huira, Turang, Lutz). Why? Hader won't have to go two innings and he can then go back to back days.

 

#1. Roenis Elias: With Hader, it would be a 7 inning game.

#2. Alex Colome: A notch better than Greene.

#3. Shane Greene: Package with Boyd but Burnes or Peralta would be included.

#4. Ken Giles: Should be reasonable.

#5. Ian Kennedy: Should be reasonable.

#6. Will Smith: The price is rising, Milwaukee may be outbid.

#7. Jake Diekman: Compliment to Albers/Jeffress in the 6th to 8th inning.

#8. Sean Doolittle: Better than what we have.

#9. Sergio Romo: I always wanted him to be a Brewer.

#10. Greg Holland: If all else fails. May be an improvement.

 

I just can't see Eilas even in the picture this year. 4.85 ERA - 4.91 FIP - 42 IPs -40 hits - 1.7 HR/9 - 3.6 BB/9. He has regressed badly from last year. Colome and Giles would be far and away better than Elias, and either would be a huge help to the beleaguered bullpen. Their salariers and both being arby eligible is a problem that may stop Stearns in his tracks. The Nats aren't going to part with Doolittle and you're right that Smith is going to be too expensive prospect wise. Kennedy's massive salary rules him out unless KC dumped in $10-11M, and then the prospect pkg. they would want would go up. I too would love to have Diekman. Many other teams are also looking for lefties and who knows what that does to his price. Holland and Romo would help the pen, that's for sure. Both should be affordable and either one of them might be where Stearns concentrates his efforts.

[Brew crew 92]

If possible, I try to trade for Edwin Diaz. Could be the perfect storm, disastrous year, fans booing, GM that probably should go back to being an agent, that might sell low if he can get a package he likes just enough to rid him of people reminding him of how stupid his trade with Dipoto was.

 

Diaz > Supak & Ray & D Williams & Bello

 

Then I trade for Jake Diekman.

 

Diekman > T Williams & Barnes

 

Bullpen:

 

Houser Peralta Nelson Diekman Guerra Jeffress Hader Diaz

[Jaylyn]

I like the targeting of Diaz, but you are backing the truck up for him! That's a lot!

[KeithStone53151]

I just saw a blurb that the Rockies will not be looking to add at the deadline. Doesn't necessarily mean they'll sell, but they are playing bad and probably makes sense to explore selling moves. Relief options that caught my eye are Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee. Both signed for 3/27 last year and have been fairly meh this year. Both are solid arms that I would think we could get for next to no prospect value. Not specifically advocating for either guy, just throwing options out there.

[Brewcrewin07]

I just saw a blurb that the Rockies will not be looking to add at the deadline. Doesn't necessarily mean they'll sell, but they are playing bad and probably makes sense to explore selling moves. Relief options that caught my eye are Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee. Both signed for 3/27 last year and have been fairly meh this year. Both are solid arms that I would think we could get for next to no prospect value. Not specifically advocating for either guy, just throwing options out there.

 

I'd try to get Scott Oberg myself.

[wntrtxn21]

If possible, I try to trade for Edwin Diaz. Could be the perfect storm, disastrous year, fans booing, GM that probably should go back to being an agent, that might sell low if he can get a package he likes just enough to rid him of people reminding him of how stupid his trade with Dipoto was.

 

Diaz > Supak & Ray & D Williams & Bello

 

Then I trade for Jake Diekman.

 

Diekman > T Williams & Barnes

 

Bullpen:

 

Houser Peralta Nelson Diekman Guerra Jeffress Hader Diaz

 

The Royals won't take two bums like Barnes and Williams for Diekman. They would get a better pkg. from any other team interested in Diekman. Diaz is nowhere near the pitcher he was last year. More hits than IPs - 21 ERs in only 38 IPs - 1.6 HRs/9. 3+ BBs/9. Right now I wouldn't give up Williams for him, much less the whole pkg..

[Brew crew 92]

If possible, I try to trade for Edwin Diaz. Could be the perfect storm, disastrous year, fans booing, GM that probably should go back to being an agent, that might sell low if he can get a package he likes just enough to rid him of people reminding him of how stupid his trade with Dipoto was.

 

Diaz > Supak & Ray & D Williams & Bello

 

Then I trade for Jake Diekman.

 

Diekman > T Williams & Barnes

 

Bullpen:

 

Houser Peralta Nelson Diekman Guerra Jeffress Hader Diaz

 

The Royals won't take two bums like Barnes and Williams for Diekman. They would get a better pkg. from any other team interested in Diekman. Diaz is nowhere near the pitcher he was last year. More hits than IPs - 21 ERs in only 38 IPs - 1.6 HRs/9. 3+ BBs/9. Right now I wouldn't give up Williams for him, much less the whole pkg..

 

I made that quite clear in my description of Diaz when I said he’s having a disastrous year. Which I believe to be an anomaly, and I believe he’s far and away the best reliever to possibly be had. I’ve been told the prospects offered is too much, but I doubt anyone else on this earth of ours, besides you, wouldn’t trade Williams straight up for Diaz.

 

Diekman will not be expensive, so the royals scouts might not know the mental weakness of Williams Barnes, as well as brewer fans do.

[KeithStone53151]

I just saw a blurb that the Rockies will not be looking to add at the deadline. Doesn't necessarily mean they'll sell, but they are playing bad and probably makes sense to explore selling moves. Relief options that caught my eye are Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee. Both signed for 3/27 last year and have been fairly meh this year. Both are solid arms that I would think we could get for next to no prospect value. Not specifically advocating for either guy, just throwing options out there.

 

I'd try to get Scott Oberg myself.

 

I can understand that, he's also under more team control and would cost significantly more in prospects. Im guessing the price tag would be prohibitively expensive.

[JohnBriggs12]

A nice cheap bullpen option is Chris Martin from the Rangers. What's not to like about his 13.67/1 K/BB ratio?

[Eye Black]

I thought Keone Kela was a good pick-up by the Pirates last year, but he has reportedly had an off the field altercation with one of their staff and it appears they are ready to trade him. Seems like the talent is there, but he is developing a poor reputation. That being said he is a possible buy low candidate for teams in need of bullpen help.

 

Article from The Crawfish Boxes, Buy Low: Keone Kela?

[BlazingGunz]

I thought Keone Kela was a good pick-up by the Pirates last year, but he has reportedly had an off the field altercation with one of their staff and it appears they are ready to trade him. Seems like the talent is there, but he is developing a poor reputation. That being said he is a possible buy low candidate for teams in need of bullpen help.

 

Article from The Crawfish Boxes, Buy Low: Keone Kela?

 

 

Sign me up...26...has options, another year of control...and is filthy when right. If they really want to dump him...maybe Bubba Derby and Taylor Williams gets it done...

[tmwiese55]

Probably unrealistic but I was going through White Sox and Pitt as we seem to do business with them a lot. Vasquez would fit a common goal here of controllable cost controlled players, he's on a 4 year deal with the first two years really cheap then two team option years at 10 mil. He would likely cost a lot but he sure would be a weapon and allow Hader to go back to the swing role like last year.

 

Reds closer Iglesias also having a bit of a down here and is controlled at 2/18 after this year. Due to being a bit pricey maybe that keeps his prospect cost down.

 

I guess trying to look bigger and longer term a bit on those guys. My guess is they go cheaper one year guys that don't cost us much in prospect capital, guys like Greg Holland.

[Eye Black]

Along the same theme of players the Brewers drafted in 2012, but didn’t sign, I think former Brewers 15th round selection Buck Farmer could be a decent pick up for the bullpen (more as a secondary bullpen addition, not a primary move). I remember being disappointed at the time the Brewers couldn’t come to terms with Farmer who went to the Tigers in the 5th round the following year.

 

Buck Farmer hasn’t been particularly good throughout most of his MLB career, but this season he has had his average fastball velocity tick up about a MPH to just better than 95-mph and his results have been much better overall. Out of the bullpen he has a 10.6 K/9 and a 3.34 FIP. He has also allowed just 4 home runs in 41.2 IP. Farmer gives up more hits than you would like, but he has a low walk rate which helps limit the damage. He had some rough outings in the middle of the season, but has given up just 2 earned runs over his past 15 outings (basically since mid-June) and has allowed a .574 OPS against over that timeframe. Again, I don’t think he is the type of guy you want to be your big bullpen move, but he would be about the equivalent of adding another Matt Albers to the bullpen which at this point is an upgrade over pitchers like Junior Guerra and Taylor Williams.

[Brewcrewin07]

I thought Keone Kela was a good pick-up by the Pirates last year, but he has reportedly had an off the field altercation with one of their staff and it appears they are ready to trade him. Seems like the talent is there, but he is developing a poor reputation. That being said he is a possible buy low candidate for teams in need of bullpen help.

 

Article from The Crawfish Boxes, Buy Low: Keone Kela?

 

Robert Murray

@ByRobertMurray

·

1m

#Brewers have talked to #Pirates about Keone Kela, sources tell The Athletic. Deal doesn’t appear imminent. Other teams involved.

[OnTheBlack]

If possible, I try to trade for Edwin Diaz. Could be the perfect storm, disastrous year, fans booing, GM that probably should go back to being an agent, that might sell low if he can get a package he likes just enough to rid him of people reminding him of how stupid his trade with Dipoto was.

 

Diaz > Supak & Ray & D Williams & Bello

 

Then I trade for Jake Diekman.

 

Diekman > T Williams & Barnes

 

Bullpen:

 

Houser Peralta Nelson Diekman Guerra Jeffress Hader Diaz

 

 

What on Earth have you seen from Jimmy Nelson that would suggest he's going to be participating on any productive role on this team?

[OnTheBlack]

If possible, I try to trade for Edwin Diaz. Could be the perfect storm, disastrous year, fans booing, GM that probably should go back to being an agent, that might sell low if he can get a package he likes just enough to rid him of people reminding him of how stupid his trade with Dipoto was.

 

Diaz > Supak & Ray & D Williams & Bello

 

Then I trade for Jake Diekman.

 

Diekman > T Williams & Barnes

 

Bullpen:

 

Houser Peralta Nelson Diekman Guerra Jeffress Hader Diaz

 

The Royals won't take two bums like Barnes and Williams for Diekman. They would get a better pkg. from any other team interested in Diekman. Diaz is nowhere near the pitcher he was last year. More hits than IPs - 21 ERs in only 38 IPs - 1.6 HRs/9. 3+ BBs/9. Right now I wouldn't give up Williams for him, much less the whole pkg..

 

 

 

Diaz still has a 3.83 FIP and a 3.24 xFIP playing in front of the worst IF defense in the game.

 

Of course his .398 BABIP just MIGHT be contributing to his more hits than IP, the HR rate is 3x what it was last year, over twice what it was 3 years ago. He's 25, he's absolutely filthy and has dominated at the big league level.

 

Diaz, again, 25 years old has a CAREER line of;

231 IP, 2.78 FIP, 14.1 K/9, ERA +135 and a whip of 1.09.

 

4+ years of team control.

His K/BB ration also ranks 8th of 174 qualified pitchers...THIS year. So even despite his struggles(4 poor outings account for 16 of his 22 ER's) he's still got elite stuff.

 

He hasn't lost ANYTHING on his FB, he hasn't lost any velocity anywhere.

 

You're talking about one of the premier relievers in all of baseball and you don't want him?

 

You seem to really make an effort to point out the flaws of every trade target. The perfect player does not exist, but who would YOU go after that you could acquire without giving up similar packages?

 

 

Edit-Here's a link that goes into detail about Diaz, the 2nd most valuable reliever in all of baseball last year;

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/edwin-diaz-is-worse-but-to-what-extent/

[adambr2]

If possible, I try to trade for Edwin Diaz. Could be the perfect storm, disastrous year, fans booing, GM that probably should go back to being an agent, that might sell low if he can get a package he likes just enough to rid him of people reminding him of how stupid his trade with Dipoto was.

 

Diaz > Supak & Ray & D Williams & Bello

 

Then I trade for Jake Diekman.

 

Diekman > T Williams & Barnes

 

Bullpen:

 

Houser Peralta Nelson Diekman Guerra Jeffress Hader Diaz

 

The Royals won't take two bums like Barnes and Williams for Diekman. They would get a better pkg. from any other team interested in Diekman. Diaz is nowhere near the pitcher he was last year. More hits than IPs - 21 ERs in only 38 IPs - 1.6 HRs/9. 3+ BBs/9. Right now I wouldn't give up Williams for him, much less the whole pkg..

 

You wouldn't give up Taylor Williams for Edwin Diaz? You're kidding, right?

 

Diaz has been really, really unlucky. If you look a little beyond ERA and hits, all signs point to him still having dominant reliever stuff. He'll be fine. He might have lost a little value since the Mets dealt for him, but not THAT much.

[Eye Black]

It sounds as though the Pirates Felipe Vázquez is likely to be on the move today.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

It sounds as though the Pirates Felipe Vázquez is likely to be on the move today.

 

He would be a huge get for the Brewers. I shudder when considering the acquisition cost, though.

[TURBO]

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that Daniel Hudson is "drawing plenty of interest" and it's "more likely than not" he gets traded.

 

The Twins and Red Sox are two clubs known to have interest in Hudson. The veteran reliever has had a nice season in Toronto with a 3.00 ERA and 48/23 K/BB ratio across 48 innings of work. He doesn't figure to cost much in a trade.

 

Source: Mark Feinsand on Twitter

Jul 31, 2019, 12:59 PM ET

[Yellin4Yelich]

I wonder if its worth rolling the dice on Ken Giles - he's have a great year. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/07/ken-giles-still-in-play-in-trade-talks.html

 

With his elbow inflammation, maybe we can get him on a discount. Worse case scenario, he is limited this year, but useful next year.