Headlines

  • Framber Valdez Diagnosed With Fractured Finger
  • Out Of Options 2021
  • Royals, Hunter Dozier Agree To Four-Year Extension
  • Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal
  • Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement
  • Braves Extend Brian Snitker
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Trade Candidate: Roenis Elias

By Steve Adams | July 12, 2019 at 10:24am CDT

The trade market should pick up steam in earnest over the next week to 10 days, now that the All-Star break is behind us. Teams will play in pivotal series against divisional foes — some of which will dictate whether fringe contenders add pieces or wave a metaphorical white flag and begrudgingly sell off some veteran assets in exchange for youthful talent. Many of the names on the market are well known by now, as are others who could become available should their currently borderline teams ultimately sell. The Mariners are already known sellers, but there’s been little focus on lefty Roenis Elias, who has is in the midst of a second consecutive quality season.

Roenis Elias | Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

None of what’s written here will be a means of suggesting that Elias is a premium trade chip, but he’s certainly a more appealing trade piece than one would think given the lack of attention he’s drawn. The Cuban-born southpaw will turn 31 the day after the deadline, so he’s not the type of young, controllable asset after which so many clubs pine. However, he is controllable for another two seasons, and over the past two years, Elias has been a perfectly serviceable relief option for Seattle skipper Scott Servais.

In his past 91 2/3 innings, Elias has turned in a 3.24 ERA with 7.5 K/9, 3.1 BB/9, 0.69 HR/9 and a 34.7 percent ground-ball rate. Elias throws hard for a lefty, averaging 94.1 mph on his fastball dating back to last season. He’s had some curious struggles against lefties in 2019 (some, but not all of which can be attributed to a .364 BABIP), but Elias has also held right-handed hitters to an awful .206/.272/.339 batting line through 257 plate appearances since the 2018 season opened.

If spin rate is your cup of tea, then Elias is all the more appealing. His fastball spin is in the 91st percentile among big league hurlers, per Statcast, while his curveball falls into a less-impressive but still-solid 76th percentile. The lefty has induced swinging strikes at a 10.6 percent clip over the past two seasons, including an 11.9 percent rate in 2019 that has been accompanied by an uptick in strikeout rate (from 6.0 K/9 in ’18 to 9.3 in ’19). Elias has even emerged as a late-inning option for Servais, locking down 11 saves. That said, he’s also no stranger to multi-inning relief outings.

The Nationals, Twins, Rays, Cubs, Pirates, Dodgers and Red Sox (although Boston has already acquired Elias from the Mariners once, only to trade him back) are among the teams in the market for a bullpen arm or two. For a team with payroll concerns, Elias’ $910K salary is small enough that he can be squeezed into virtually any budget. It’s also affordable enough that he can be penciled onto a 2020 roster without forecasting too steep a raise in arbitration.

Elias isn’t an elite reliever, but he’s intriguing as a solid, perhaps too-seldom-discussed arm on a team that has been openly broadcasting its willingness to sell veteran assets since the beginning of the offseason. His eminently affordable salary makes him a fit for any team’s budget, and given the large number of clubs eyeing bullpen help, there should be a market for his services. He might not be any team’s “Plan A,” but Elias should nonetheless have a decent chance of changing hands over the next three weeks.

Share 0 Retweet 2 Send via email0

MLBTR Originals Roenis Elias Seattle Mariners

Cubs Release Junichi Tazawa
Main
Brian Cashman On Yankees’ Search For Rotation Help
19 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. david722

    2 years ago

    Dodgers should be in the market for at least 2 quality pen arms. Chargrois, Garcia, Alexander, Floro and the enigmatic Baez won’t help win them the WS.

    Like
    Reply
  2. kc38

    2 years ago

    This screams rays

    Like
    Reply
    • Connorsoxfan

      2 years ago

      Do they really need another multi inning reliever though? I haven’t watched them enough to know, so that’s a serious question. I just thought they were already loaded there, and Jose De Leon is due back soon and would fit into that role, and Glasnow is a ? but they seem like someone who would rely on internal reinforcements for pitching and try and boost their offense?

      Like
      Reply
      • kc38

        2 years ago

        They have said they will be in on everyone but they are going to get at least 1 possibly 2 relievers and possibly a bat depending on Matt Duffy and possibly another starter depending on if Glasnow will be back this year or not. But they said it’s gonna be more low key relievers rather than a bidding war for top guys. Like 2016 with cishek and dan Jennings and romo. This is that low key solid reliever

        Like
        Reply
  3. DarkSide830

    2 years ago

    his ability to swing should make him valuable. MIN, MIL, CLE, TEX and PHI should be all over him.

    1 Like
    Reply
  4. connfyoozed

    2 years ago

    Pirates should love Elias. He’s good, he’s cheap, and they could use not only any good bullpen piece but specifically another lefty setup guy. They have Vazquez and Liriano, both of whom are doing quite well, but Vazquez is the closer and Liriano might be a trade chip himself. One mild concern I have about Elias is that in reading about him he strikes me as being very similar to Liriano, so I’m not sure if having both in the same bullpen might cause issues.

    Like
    Reply
  5. BostonFern

    2 years ago

    Just love that the Sox never gave this guy a real look.

    Like
    Reply
    • ScottCarriere

      2 years ago

      They gave him plenty of “real looks”. He always looked real bad.

      Like
      Reply
  6. forwhomjoshbelltolls

    2 years ago

    If I were an MLB GM, I’d constantly make bad trade offers to Jerry DiPoto, hoping to catch him at a moment of boredom.

    2 Like
    Reply
    • Android Dawesome

      2 years ago

      Bring in a third team and you increase your odds

      Like
      Reply
    • swartnp7

      2 years ago

      Wonder what Pittsburgh would need to give up for him and Leake?

      Like
      Reply
      • forwhomjoshbelltolls

        2 years ago

        How good or bad has Leake been? Last I heard, that was an underwater contract.

        Like
        Reply
        • Shawn McLaughlin

          2 years ago

          Leake has been peak Mike Leake, although he got pummeled by the uber inspired Angels last night. He had a very good June and consistently gives you 7 IP with 3-4 R. Innings eater who is solid. Still some major clams left on his contract but Seattle has proven willing to eat money on previous deals.

          Like
          Reply
  7. terry

    2 years ago

    He is more likely to be traded than many of the premium trade chips talked about in the press. I just don’t see some of the contenders ponying up the prospects that some expect for these starters and relievers. Those that are free agents after the season will probably move but not bring back near what fans expect nor what they may be worth.

    Like
    Reply
  8. augold5

    2 years ago

    This screams David Stearns… multiple inning reliever and cheap.

    Like
    Reply
  9. dannycore

    2 years ago

    Mariners should hold on Elias and sign him to a mid range extension, unless of course his trade value explodes. He has had nothing but success in Seattle, even as a starter in his young career. If they are looking to compete starting 2nd half of 2020 they will need bullpen pieces. A lefty that gets righties out is a good place to start.

    Like
    Reply
  10. dlevin11

    2 years ago

    The money that Elias makes seems what the Red Sox are looking for but are they willing to give him another chance in Boston.

    Like
    Reply
  11. holecamels35

    2 years ago

    What team will Walk with Elias?

    Like
    Reply
  12. marinerfan

    2 years ago

    Elias didn’t do that well in Boston, and really seems to be comfortable in Seattle. I hope they keep him.

    Like
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Framber Valdez Diagnosed With Fractured Finger

    Out Of Options 2021

    Royals, Hunter Dozier Agree To Four-Year Extension

    Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal

    Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement

    Braves Extend Brian Snitker

    Yankees Sign Justin Wilson

    Braves Sign Jake Lamb

    Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland

    Yankees Re-Sign Brett Gardner

    Recent

    Minor MLB Transactions: 3/3/21

    Aaron Boone Taking Medical Leave To Receive Pacemaker

    COVID Notes: Locastro, Happ

    Health Notes: Leake, Sox, Rox, Angels

    MLBTR Poll: Expectations For 2021 Mets

    Jon Lester Will Undergo Surgery To Remove Thyroid Gland

    Framber Valdez Diagnosed With Fractured Finger

    Cubs, Eric Sogard Agree To Minor League Deal

    Danny Santana Expected To Sign Soon

    Marlins, Gio Gonzalez Agree To Minor League Deal

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Jackie Bradley Jr. Rumors
    • Jake Odorizzi Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version