Contenders are almost always on the lookout for bullpen help after the All-Star break. The Rays, Red Sox, Phillies, and Reds are a few clubs that may continue the hunt into August. Here's a look at who might be available, including their 2010 salaries, 2011 buyouts, and no-trade protection.
- Brian Fuentes, Angels (LHP) - $9MM. The Angels are eight games out with a 2.5% shot at the playoffs. If they give up on the season, unloading some of Fuentes' contract makes sense. He's pitched decently and flashed the ability to neutralize lefties in various seasons.
- Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks (RHP) - $8.5MM. Webb may try to come back as a reliever, but the latest word is of a skipped bullpen session. A trade seems a long shot. Gil Meche fits into this boat as well, but he's owed big money in 2011.
- Trevor Hoffman, Brewers (RHP) – $7.5MM, $500K buyout, can block trades to 25 teams. Perhaps Hoffman would prefer to close out the season with a contender. He was decent in June and July. On July 28th, Hoffman told MLB.com's Adam McCalvy he hasn't thought about the trade possibility and he's comfortable in Milwaukee.
- Fernando Rodney, Angels (RHP) - $5.5MM in '10 and '11. Maybe the Angels view Rodney as their closer for 2011, or maybe they'll acknowledge his flaws and try to escape the contract.
- Scott Linebrink, White Sox (RHP) - $5.5MM, no-trade protection. He's been homer-prone, but has whiffed a batter per inning. A trade back to the NL with the Sox picking up most of the tab could work.
- Scot Shields, Angels (RHP) - $5.35MM. The lifelong Angel is healthy this year but the numbers haven't been there.
- Koji Uehara, Orioles (RHP) - $5MM. He battled an elbow strain but has pitched well in limited samples.
- David Riske, Brewers (RHP) – $4.5MM, $250K buyout. Back from Tommy John surgery, Riske hasn't been terrible.
- George Sherrill, Dodgers (LHP) - $4.5MM, arbitration-eligible for '11, cleared waivers in July. It's difficult to find a silver lining in Sherrill's season.
- Brandon Lyon, Astros (RHP) – $4.25MM in '10, $5.25MM in '11, $5.5MM in '12. The major difference from last year: groundballs are down. The Astros are stuck with this contract.
- Rafael Betancourt, Rockies (RHP) - $3.775MM in '10 and '11. His strikeout and walk rates are fantastic, but he allows tons of flyballs and home runs. Betancourt may be a popular trade target this month.
- LaTroy Hawkins, Brewers (RHP) – $3MM in 2010, $4MM in '11. He's had a couple of scoreless appearances since coming off the DL July 30th from a shoulder injury. He'd need several more to spark interest.
- Pedro Feliciano, Mets (LHP) - $2.9MM. Too many walks against righties, but remains death to lefties. His likely Type B status may be a factor in the Mets' decision.
- Jason Frasor, Blue Jays (RHP) – $2.65MM. The Blue Jays could still trade Frasor now if they'd prefer not to risk offering him arbitration for a potential draft pick after the season.
- Aaron Heilman, Diamondbacks (RHP) - $2.15MM. Heilman is Arizona's de facto closer, not that he's pitched well in terms of peripheral stats.
- Todd Coffey, Brewers (RHP) – $2.025MM, arbitration-eligible for '11. He'd be a reasonable seventh-inning addition for a contender.
- Brian Tallet, Blue Jays (LHP) – $2MM, arbitration-eligible for '11. He's been solid against lefties this year, so maybe the Jays will eat some money and send him off.
- Tony Pena, White Sox (RHP) – $1.2MM, arbitration-eligible for '11 and '12. This isn't what the Sox had in mind when they traded Brandon Allen for Pena, but they might consider moving him now rather than non-tendering him after the season.
- Mark Hendrickson, Orioles (LHP) - $1.2MM, $1.2MM club option for '11 with $200K buyout. Handles lefties, comes cheap, really tall – what's not to like?
- Miguel Batista, Nationals (RHP) - $1MM. The Nats may prefer to keep him around as Stephen Strasburg's understudy.
- Manny Delcarmen, Red Sox (RHP) - $905K, arbitration-eligible for '11 and '12. The Red Sox seem willing to move him, but perhaps they'll want to add someone first.
- Joe Beimel, Rockies (LHP) - $850K. His 2.81 ERA is nice, but his other numbers predict rougher times.
- Elmer Dessens, Mets (RHP) - $700K. Another case of a good ERA and bad peripherals.
- Chad Gaudin, Yankees (RHP) - $700K. Could be expendable if Alfredo Aceves returns.
- Joel Peralta, Nationals (RHP) – $400K, arbitration-eligible for '11. Small sample, but he's pitched well aside from a wealth of flyballs.
- Note: the wheels are already in motion for potential trades of Chris Resop and/or Chan Ho Park.
