It wouldn't be surprising to see any contender other than the Padres (and perhaps the Rays) acquire bullpen help before July 31st. Here are the options teams will consider between now and July 31st, sorted by 2010 salary:
- Kerry Wood, $10.5MM ($11MM vesting option for 2011) – There doesn't appear to be much interest in Wood now, but he will be an August trade candidate, since he will likely clear waivers.
- Trevor Hoffman, $7.5MM ($7MM mutual option or $500K buyout for 2011) – Hoffman's season numbers are ugly: an 8.33 ERA and a walk rate (4.3 BB/9) that nearly doubles his career average. If would be surprising to see the all-time saves leader traded, but his last ten innings have been quite good.
- Kyle Farnsworth, $4.5MM ($5.25MM club option or $500K buyout for 2011) – Some fans find Farnsworth frustrating, but his strikeout to walk ratio and 95 mph fastball should have appeal as the deadline nears.
- Chad Qualls, $4.2MM (free agent after 2010) – Qualls has good strikeout and walk numbers, but has been extremely hittable and has already allowed more runs than he has in any season since 2006.
- Scott Downs, $4MM (free agent after 2010) – The Phillies have interest in Downs who, like two other Toronto relievers, is available. He should have trade value because he induces ground balls, limits walks and throws left-handed.
- Matt Capps, $3.5MM (free agent after 2011) – It would be a surprise to see the Nationals trade Capps, since they have limited bullpen depth and can retain the righty for 2011. He has 23 saves and a lower walk rate than he had in 2009.
- Octavio Dotel, $3.25MM ($4.5MM option or $500K buyout for 2011, option becomes mutual after a trade) – The Marlins have inquired on Dotel, who is striking out and walking lots of batters, as usual.
- Joakim Soria, $3MM ($4MM for 2011, club options through 2014) – Something tells me it'd be tough for the Royals to trade away 25 saves, 11.1 K/9 and a deal that provides lots of flexibility for the team.
- David Aardsma, $2.75MM (free agent after 2012) – Aardsma's peripherals aren't as good as they were last year and his season ERA is 5.40.
- Jason Frasor, $2.65MM (free agent after 2010) – Frasor is available, and continues to be an effective middle reliever, though he is walking more batters than usual.
- Aaron Heilman, $2.15MM (free agent after 2010) – Heilman, who has already been traded three times in the past two years, has been one of the few somewhat effective relievers the D'Backs have had this season.
- Kevin Gregg, $2MM ($4.5MM club option for 2011 or $8.75MM for 2011-12 with $750K buyout) – Like Downs and Frasor, Gregg is available. He has 20 saves for a fourth consecutive year in spite of his usual high walk total.
- Leo Nunez, $2MM (free agent after 2012) – We haven't seen a clear indication that the Marlins would move Nunez. They were looking for relief help recently and Nunez is under control for two more years, but they could consider a trade.
- Will Ohman, $1.35M (free agent after 2010) – Ohman leads the league in appearances and should have appeal, partly because he's left-handed. He can strike hitters out, though he will walk his share, too.
- D.J. Carrasco, $950K (free agent after 2012) – Carrasco has value as a cheap option who can go more than one inning at a time. He has 7.1 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 midway through another solid season.
- Bruce Chen, minor league contract (free agent after 2011) – The 33-year-old has been a swingman of sorts for the Royals and could become a long reliever for a contender.
- Teams could always call the Padres to see if they'd part with any of their relievers, but as Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports points out (via Twitter), the Padres seem more likely to hold their relievers now that Mike Adams is going on the DL.
- Free agents like Chad Cordero and lefties Alan Embree and Scott Schoeneweis are also available.
You could also put Chan Ho Park on that list as available arms. He is not meant for the AL East, perhaps the AL in general. He is of no use to the Yankee’s any longer and they can bring up some one from the minors. I’d be willing to ship him off for an average b- prospect.
I doubt Park would fetch a B prospect and in my mind is a DFA candidate.
I doubt Park would fetch a B prospect and in my mind is a DFA candidate.
The ChiSox should bring Carrasco back to fortify the pen. He should be cheap to acquire, and he would ease the workload of Linebrink, Putz and Pena as the season continues.
I would’t call Soria potentially available. It would take something like Joe Mauer to blow KC away. This obviously isn’t going to happen.
alright buddy, take it easy
A little overboard there…
But yeah, he’s probably cost a couple of top prospects. In other words a price tage no GM will want to pay for.
NO way. I’d definitely keep Soria over Mauer! Especially if I was KC. They can’t afford a $100M catcher.
I’m not understanding the intro paragraph here, how are the Braves looking for bullpen help or any type of pitching for that matter?
With Matt Daley and Taylor Bucholtz progressing health wise, I think you may see the Rockies put some flexibility in moving either Betancourt or Corpas. Definately can consider Morales as tradebait as well.
I’m just confused as to why Soria keeps popping up on this site and, as far as I have seen, this site only in rumors for relievers. As far as I know, the Royals haven’t made him available, and no rumors have even stated teams are asking about him. Maybe I just missed something.
well, I am just going on a limb here, considering the Royals do their perpetual l suck job and if another team says hey “you guys suck again” but we are willing to give you a couple highly touted A prospects, would you be interested. Can’t see how MLBTR is in the wrong for assuming this. What’s the point of holding onto a championship caliber closer, without the championship.
If you hadn’t noticed, the Royals are over .500 since they fired Trey Hillman. Are they in fourth place? Yes. Is there still a lot of work to be done? Yes. But it’s not like they’re pulling the crap they did 3-6 years ago with losing 100+ games a season.
true, they’ll only lose 90 games this year
But have a farm system that will begin to churn out players in a year or two that could very well make the team very competent, perhaps even good. Why give up your closer who is so dominant but not absolutely necessary for this team this season but could be needed for a competitive team in a season or two, when he is signed to such a great contract?
Okay let me rephrase : I would find it surrprising if the Braves needed any type of pitching help, especially bullpen help
Yeah we know, the Braves rock and it wouldn’t make sense for Wren to look at all options to improve the team, even if it is a marginal improvement.
I would actually like to see the reds go after dotel or kerry wood. Put them in the 8th inning spot where nick”i lost my control” Masset they would be kinda cheap more so Kerry Wood. I think i would kinda rather have him because he has a solid k/bb ratio and he wouldnt be that bad in the 8th inning role and the indians would eat alot of the salary to trade him so it could cost the reds a warm minor league body.
I wonder if the Dodgers would trade Jonathan Garcia, Brian Cavazos-Galvez, Kyle Smit, to the Indians for Kerry Wood and the Indians pay the rest of Wood’s contract.
I wonder if the Dodgers would trade Jonathan Garcia, Brian Cavazos-Galvez, Kyle Smit, to the Indians for Kerry Wood and the Indians pay the rest of Wood’s contract.
The Reds NEED to get a backup closer and,maybe,another setup guy.But,a secondary closer(whether in or out of the organization),I would think,is a necessity.ANY ideas from the pros here?