The Dodgers, Mets and Cardinals are among the contenders with potential interest in adding left-handed relievers to their respective bullpens this month. Here’s a partially speculative list of potentially available left-handers:
- Brian Fuentes, free agent – The recently-released 36-year-old has drawn some interest from the Cardinals. He posted a 6.84 ERA with an 18K/10BB ratio before the Athletics removed him from their roster.
- Will Ohman, free agent – Ohman’s available for nothing but a roster spot and the league minimum salary after being released by the White Sox.
- Matt Reynolds, Rockies – The Rockies and Mets discussed Reynolds when considering Ramon Hernandez deals.
- Jose Mijares, Royals – Mijares is pitching well and he earns just $925K, so there’s a good chance he’ll draw interest as a July trade candidate.
- Darren Oliver, Blue Jays – The Blue Jays don’t figure to consider trades for Oliver unless their next three weeks are particularly ugly. If they do make him available he’d be in high demand.
- Wesley Wright, Astros – Wright has three years of team control remaining after 2012, so the Astros aren’t under pressure to trade him. Wright has a 4.13 ERA with 9.0 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 through 24 innings and will head to arbitration for the first time over the winter.
- Brian Duensing, Twins – While there's no indication the Twins are shopping Duensing, they could consider offers for the 29-year-old at a time that left-handed relief is in demand. Duensing is on track for a significant raise via arbitration this coming offseason.
- Joe Thatcher, Padres – The 30-year-old has averaged more than one strikeout per inning with the Padres, both in 2012 and for his career. It wouldn't be surprising if teams inquire about him.
MLBTR has previewed the trade market by looking at potentially available catchers, first basemen,second basemen, third basemen, shortstops, outfielders and starting pitchers. Right-handed relievers are up next.
What the hell were the WS thinking?
Ohman
vs LHB 64PA .186/.250/.305
vs RHB 48PA .286/.375/.595
that looks like a pretty effective LOOGY if they had used him that way.
Might have been his 6.41 ERA and his strikeouts per 9 dropped a lot.
Ben, I see you listed Jose Mijares from KC. Tim Collins has also been pitching well, so do you suspect they would make him available? Or does the fact that he makes almost 1/2 what Mijares makes mean that he’s probably not going anywhere for now?
Just a guess, but I think KC holds onto Collins because he’s younger, and is capable of multi-inning relief appearances. As long as their rotation is as terrible as it is, they need those multi-inning guys.
Oliver also has an option for next year, with the way he has performed the jays may hold on to him
Rich Hill will be back in the short term with Boston. They send Morales back to the pen with Matsuzaka and Cook in the rotation and that is 3 lefties. I could see Andrew Miller being moved and all dislike for him aside from his past.. he has been very effective this season as a lefty specialist and short reliever period.