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Contenders And Lefty Relievers

Athletics lefty reliever Jerry Blevins has been designated for assignment and is presumably available, leaving me to wonder which contenders have a need.  For now I'll define a contender as any team five games out in the division or wild card at worst.  That generously leaves 24 teams to consider.  Note that I haven't included minor league southpaw starters who could be promoted to the big league pen, like Charlie Furbush was with the Tigers.  The lefties on each team's active or Triple-A roster or DL list:

AL East

• Yankees (1): Boone Logan.  Pedro Feliciano aiming for July return.  Randy Flores and Andrew Sisco at Triple-A.
• Rays (2): J.P. Howell, Cesar Ramos.  Jake McGee and R.J. Swindle at Triple-A.
• Red Sox (2): Rich Hill, Franklin Morales.  Felix Doubront is on the DL but will be used as a starter.  Hideki Okajima could remain in the organization if he clears waivers.  Also have Andrew Miller, Randy Williams, and Tommy Hottovy at Triple-A.
• Blue Jays (2): Luis Perez, Marc Rzepczynski.  Willie Collazo, Sean Henn, Wil Ledezma, and Rommie Lewis at Triple-A.
• Orioles (2): Mike Gonzalez, Clay Rapada.  Alberto Castillo, Mark Hendrickson, Chris George at Triple-A.

AL Central

• Indians (2): Rafael Perez, Tony Sipp.  Nick Hagadone at Triple-A.
• Tigers (2): Charlie Furbush, Daniel Schlereth.  Brad Thomas on the DL with elbow inflammation.  Ramon Garcia, Matt Hoffman, Fu-Te Ni at Triple-A.
• White Sox (3): Will Ohman, Chris Sale, Matt Thornton.
• Royals (2): Tim Collins, Everett Teaford.  Blaine Hardy at Triple-A.

AL West

• Rangers (2): Darren Oliver, Arthur Rhodes.  Beau Jones, Michael Kirkman, Zachary Phillips at Triple-A. 
• Angels (2): Scott Downs, Hisanori Takahashi.  Scott Kazmir on DL with lower back stiffness.  Barret Browning, Horacio Ramirez at Triple-A.
• Athletics (3): Craig Breslow, Brian Fuentes, David Purcey. 
• Mariners (1): Aaron Laffey.  Cesar Jimenez, Royce Ring at Triple-A.

NL East

• Phillies (2): Antonio Bastardo, J.C. Romero.  Juan Perez, Mike Zagurski at Triple-A.
• Marlins (2): Randy Choate, Mike Dunn.  Victor Garate, Dustin Richardson at Triple-A.
• Braves (3): Eric O'Flaherty, George Sherrill, Jonny Venters.  Yohan Flande, Jose Lugo at Triple-A.
• Mets (3): Tim Byrdak, Pat Misch, Michael O'Connor.  Justin Hampson, Taylor Tankersley at Triple-A.

NL Central

• Cardinals (2): Trever Miller, Brian Tallet.  Rich Rundles, Raul Valdes at Triple-A.
• Reds (1): Bill Bray.  Aroldis Chapman on DL with shoulder inflammation.  Tom Cochran, Jeremy Horst, Joseph Krebs, Dontrelle Willis at Triple-A.
• Brewers (0): None, though Danny Ray Herrera could join the active roster soon.  Zach Braddock, Manny Parra, Mitch Stetter on DL.  Sam Narron, Chase Wright at Triple-A.
• Pirates (1): Joe Beimel.  Dan Meyer, Daniel Moskos, Garrett Olson, Justin Thomas, Tony Watson at Triple-A.

NL West

• Giants (3): Jeremy Affeldt, Javier Lopez, Dan Runzler.  Justin Dowdy, Geno Espineli at Triple-A.
• Rockies (1): Matt Reynolds.  Rex Brothers, Eric Stults at Triple-A.
• D'Backs (1): Joe Paterson.  Tom Layne, Jordan Norberto at Triple-A.

The Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, Tigers, Royals, Brewers, Mets, and Diamondbacks strike me as a few clubs looking light on lefty reliever depth, though unproven or journeyman pitchers step up every year.  Plus, some teams are comfortable with their right-handers' abilities to retire left-handed hitters.

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