The trade market for relief pitching has already started developing, and it should stay busy over the course of the next week.
Huston Street and Joakim Soria are now pitching for the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers, respectively, but there are still plenty of potential trade chips out there. Just as importantly, plenty of clubs need relief, the Toronto Blue Jays included.
Here, in alphabetical order, are seven relievers that should draw interest between now and the July 31 non-waiver deadline:
Joaquin Benoit, RHP, San Diego Padres
Stats: 1.99 ERA, 40.2 IP, 47 strikeouts, 11 walks, 3 home runs allowed
Contract Status: $6 million salary in 2014, $8 million salary in 2015, $8 million team option in 2016
While he’ll be 37 by the trade deadline, Benoit continues to pitch tremendously in San Diego. As a bonus, he’s controllable through 2015.
Steve Cishek, RHP, Miami Marlins
Stats: 3.40 ERA, 42.1 IP, 51 strikeouts, 14 walks, 1 home run allowed
Contract Status: $3.8 million salary in 2014, arbitration eligible 2015-17
While the Marlins are on the fringes of contention, they could consider trading Cishek, who has 23 saves. He’s pitching well, but he projects to earn a lot in arbitration due to his saves totals.
Neal Cotts, LHP, Texas Rangers
2014 stats: 3.35 ERA, 43.0 IP, 50 K, 18 BB, 2 HR allowed
Contract status: $2.2 million in 2014
Cotts will be a free agent after the season so he’s an ideal rental for a team seeking another left-handed reliever. At age 34 his numbers remain solid after resurrecting his career with a 1.11 ERA in 2013.
Andrew Miller, LHP, Boston Red Sox
Stats: 2.31 ERA, 39 IP, 63 strikeouts, 12 walks, 2 home runs allowed
Contract Status: $1.9 million salary in 2014
The 29-year-old has lowered his ERA in each of the last four seasons and could appeal to contenders such as the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals.
Jonathan Papelbon, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
Stats: 1.96 ERA, 41.1 IP, 37 strikeouts, 11 walks, 1 home run allowed
Contract Status: $13 million salary from 2014-15, $13 million vesting option in 2016
It sure sounds like Papelbon would be open to a trade based on what he told reporters before the All-Star Game. “Some guys want to stay on a losing team? That’s mind-boggling to me. I think that’s a no-brainer,” he said. There should be interest in Papelbon, though his salary will be too rich for some buyers, and he has struggled of late.
Chad Qualls, RHP, Houston Astros
2014 stats: 1.78 ERA, 35.1 IP, 31 K, 4 BB, 2 HR allowed
Contract status: $2.75 million in 2014, $3 million in 2015 with a club option of $3.5 million in 2016
The 35-year-old can still contribute as a solid reliever, and he’s surely available. He is 11 for 13 in save opportunities this season with a very good ERA.
Brad Ziegler, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stats: 2.84 ERA, 50.2 IP, 44 strikeouts, 17 walks, 3 home runs allowed
Contract Status: $4.5 million salary in 2014, $5 million salary in 2015, $5.5 million team option in 2016
The sidearming right-hander has led the National League in appearances in each of the last two seasons, so you know he’s durable. The asking price on Ziegler would presumably be modest, but left-handers have a .789 OPS against him, so he’s basically a righty specialist.
With files from Jeff Simmons.