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Martin Prado To Undergo Knee Surgery

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TODAY, 12:03pm: The procedure wasn’t a major one, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). Prado could return in three to five weeks after a “cleanup” operation.

9:18am: Prado will undergo surgery, according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (via Twitter). The precise nature of the procedure and anticipated recovery period are not yet known, but clearly he won’t be a trade candidate for teams looking at third base options.

YESTERDAY: With his knee failing to progress as hoped, Marlins third baseman Martin Prado is weighing a surgical approach, manager Don Mattingly tells Craig Davis of the Sun Sentinel (via Twitter). He’ll make a final decision tomorrow.

The 33-year-old infielder had drawn some interest as a trade candidate. In the midst of a roster reshaping and organizational sale, the Marlins have seemed motivated to move some of the sizable contract — three years and $40MM — that Prado just began this season.

Leg troubles and performance problems, though, had already made a trade seem like an unlikely proposition. Prado was slashing just .250/.279/.357 in his 147 plate appearances on the year, and recently hit the DL for the third time after two prior placements connected to hamstring troubles.

In any event, today’s news makes it all but certain that Prado won’t be traded in the next few days. His contract will surely clear waivers in August, so he could conceivably be dealt at a later point, though that’d likely also require that he make it back on the field in time to prove his health.

Trade Market For Right-Handed Relievers

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This is the final entry in MLBTR’s 2017 Trade Market Series. Prior entries cover left-handed relievers, starting pitchers, outfielders, shortstops, second basemen, first basemen, third basemen, and catchers.

Anthony Swarzak and Pat Neshek recently became the latest right-handed relievers to be dealt to contenders this July, while Steve Cishek and Erasmo Ramirez were just swapped for one another. Those pitchers won’t be the last of their kind to move via trade — far from it, in fact. Quite a few appealing trade candidates will likely go to the highest bidder, with others perhaps also available at the right price:

Rentals

Addison Reed, Mets | $7.75MM in 2017 ($2.75MM remaining)

The Mets’ closer is one of the most marketable arms out there, as he’s been an absolute buzzsaw since going from Arizona to Queens. Reed misses bats and has a minuscule walk rate, though there’s been at least one report suggesting that there could be concerns about his heavy workload with the Mets. All the same, he could very well be the most impactful right-handed rental on the relief market.

Brandon Kintzler, Twins | $2.95MM in 2017 ($1.05MM remaining)

The Twins’ hopes at a playoff berth are increasingly slim, and Minnesota is reportedly listening on short-term pieces after being passed up by the surging Royals and Indians. If they make him available, Kintlzer’s heavy sinker and strong control would make him an in-demand commodity. He’s cheap and effective and would make a nice setup piece in a contender’s bullpen.

Drew Storen, Reds | $3MM in 2017 ($1.07MM remaining)

He’s not the strikeout machine he was when closing for the Nats a few years ago, but Storen is averaging better than eight strikeouts per frame with a strong ground-ball rate. He’s also on a cheap one-year deal, which should make him attractive to teams that want to bolster their bullpen without taking on too much cash.

Craig Stammen, Padres | $900K in 2017 ($320K remaining)

Stammen entered the year with just four big league innings since the conclusion of the 2014 season, but he’s up to 53 2/3 frames now with a 4.02 ERA, 8.4 K/9, 2.9 BB/9 and a 51.9 percent ground-ball rate. He can go multiple innings and is on a bargain contract for a team that is selling anything that’s not nailed down.

Bud Norris, Yusmeiro Petit & David Hernandez, Angels | $1.75MM; $2.25MM; unknown salary in 2017 

Tuesday’s poor outing notwithstanding, Norris has risen from reclamation project to shutdown reliever for most of the season, with 11.4 K/9, 4.0 BB/9 and a 48.4 percent ground-ball rate. His 3.12 ERA is backed up by FIP, xFIP and SIERA. Meanwhile, teams seeking multiple innings might not be able to better than Petit. The longtime Giant has totaled 56 2/3 frames in just 36 appearances while racking up a gaudy 59-to-12 K/BB ratio. Hernandez, like Norris, has missed bats and kept the ball on the ground, but he’s done so with fewer K’s and much better control (9.6 K/9, 2.1 BB/9). All three veterans are cheap and effective.

Juan Nicasio, Pirates | $3.65MM in 2017 ($1.3MM remaining)

As noted when looking at the trade market for lefty relievers, the Buccos may very well be buying, but they still flipped Mark Melancon at last year’s deadline with a Wild Card spot in arm’s reach. They’re closer to the division this time around, though, so perhaps flipping rentals isn’t in the cards. If they do, Nicasio has been terrific in 2017.

John Axford, Athletics | $5.5MM in 2017 ($1.95MM remaining)

The walks are back. Axford has issued 17 free passes in 21 innings (7.3 BB/9), and the resulting 6.30 ERA / 5.72 FIP is downright ugly. It’s tough to see anyone taking this contract following Axford’s recent DFA.

Seung-hwan Oh, Cardinals | $2.75MM in 2017 ($977K remaining)

The 35-year-old’s sophomore season in the Majors hasn’t gone as well as his brilliant rookie campaign. Oh’s strikeout rate is down, and he’s already allowed more homers in 2017 (eight) than he did in all of 2016 (five). His walk and ground-ball rates have also gone in the wrong direction.

Joaquin Benoit, Phillies | $7.5MM in 2017 ($2.66MM remaining)

Benoit hasn’t exactly lived up to his $7.5MM salary, but he’s still throwing hard (94.8 mph average fastball) and missing bats (9.1 K/9). His ground-ball rate is way down, though, and his control has been below average.

Joe Smith, Blue Jays | $3MM in 2017 ($1.07MM remaining)

Smith only just returned from the DL, but he’s racked up a ridiculous 50-to-8 K/BB ratio with a slightly above-average ground-ball rate in 33 2/3 innings. If teams are convinced that he’s healthy, they’ll want him. He’s arguably one of the more attractive rental options in the game, depending on one’s view of his health.

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Mariners Acquire Erasmo Ramirez From Rays For Steve Cishek

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The Marines and Rays have announced a swap of right-handed pitchers, with Erasmo Ramirez heading back to Seattle and Steve Cishek going to Tampa Bay in return.

Seattle will reportedly also send $1MM to Tampa Bay to help account for the differences in the salaries of the two players. Cishek is earning $6MM this year before reaching free agency, while Ramirez carries a $3.125MM annual salary and can be controlled for two more years via arbitration.

Both teams are pressing for a postseason berth — indeed, they could end up fighting one another for Wild Card position in the American League. This deal, then, appears mostly to be a lateral move designed to meet the particular needs of each organization.

Jun 21, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Erasmo Ramirez (30) throws a pitch during the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Ramirez, 27, has functioned as a swingman for the Rays since coming over from Seattle before the 2015 season. Now, he’ll head back to his original organization to provide another rotation option. He’ll also represent a potential part of the staff through 2019.

[Related: Updated Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners depth charts]

While Ramirez carries only a 4.80 ERA on the year, and has worked mostly from the pen over the past two campaigns, he has mostly been himself in 2017. The positive areas (7.1 K/9, 2.1 BB/9, 48.6% groundball rate) are on par with Ramirez’s career figures, and the problems (1.30 HR/9) are familiar. His velocity and swinging-strike rate sit right at career averages.

If and when his 63.8% strand rate normalizes, Ramirez will likely settle back into being a useful back-end starter or solid long-relief arm. And that’s what the M’s will need from him to stay in contention down the stretch. Seattle has cycled through starters for much of the year and still has an uncertain rotation mix. It’ll be interesting to see whether the club continues exploring the market for starters.

Jun 18, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Steve Cishek (31) in action during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Of course, that came at a cost, as the Mariners will sacrifice a solid late-inning option in Cishek. That’s just what the Rays have been searching for, with the team perhaps more willing to part with Ramirez with a variety of rotation options at or near the MLB level.

Since returning from hip surgery, Cishek has given the Mariners twenty frames of 3.15 ERA ball. But there are some worrying signs when you look below the surface. Cishek has managed just 6.8 K/9 on a career-low 7.5% swinging-strike rate. His velocity has dropped significantly. And he’s permitting 1.35 homers per nine on a 23.1% HR/FB rate.

Despite the concerns, the Rays will hope that Cishek can continue to be a force against right-handed hitters. He has always been less effective against southpaws, and perhaps now more than ever will be best utilized situationally, but the Rays have enough late-inning options that they won’t need to use Cishek in a strictly defined role.

Jon Morosi of MLB.com (via Twitter) first said the deal was close, with MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (Twitter link) adding that it was Cishek who’d go in return for Ramirez. Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune suggested on Twitter that the swap was fully agreed to, while ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick (Twitter links) had the financial element.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Nationals To Sign Neil Ramirez

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The Nationals have agreed to terms on a minor-league deal with righty Neil Ramirez, according to multiple reports. Eric Garment of NumbersMLB appears to have first tweeted the news.

Ramirez, 28, seems destined to provided some depth to the organization’s top affiliate as it continues to work out its MLB relief unit. He had just been released by the Mets after failing to hold down a job in New York.

Though he continues to show an ability to miss bats, Ramirez has struggled through his 31 1/3 major league innings this year. He owns a 7.18 ERA with 12.6 K/9 and 6.0 BB/9; in addition to the free passes, Ramirez has been hurt by permitting six home runs.

Position Player Market Notes: Granderson, Rays, Nats, Cards, Iglesias, Melky, Solarte

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Here’s the latest on the market for position players:

  • The Brewers have indicated some interest in veteran Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson, according to Ken Rosenthal of MLB Network (Twitter link). At this point, though, the sides don’t seem to have made any real progress toward a deal. The left-handed-hitting Granderson would add a new dimension to the lineup, which features a variety of right-handed outfield options.
  • As they continue to work on upgrading their roster, the Rays are willing to take trade offers for infielders Tim Beckham and Brad Miller, per ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick (Twitter links). With the recent additions of Adeiny Hechavarria and now Lucas Duda, the Rays are perhaps a bit overstocked in infielders. Still, Tampa Bay is more interested in listening to potential offers than in shopping the pair around, Crasnick notes.
  • The Nationals have scouted Cardinals outfielder Tommy Pham along with reliever Trevor Rosenthal, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com (via Twitter). As ever, it’s hard to read too much into this sort of report, but it does seem notable that the Nats would be putting any thought into an outfielder at this point. While the team has dealt with injuries — highlighted by Adam Eaton but also including Jayson Werth, Michael Taylor, and others — indications of late have been that outfield additions wouldn’t be pursued in earnest.
  • In other news on infielders, there’s some belief around the game that the Tigers could find a trade partner for shortstop Jose Iglesias, per ESPN.com’s Buster Olney (Twitter link). That’s a bit surprising to hear, given the lack of demand among contenders, though Iglesias is a controllable player who’d be of possible interest to a variety of organizations even if a run at the postseason this year isn’t likely.
  • The White Sox have gotten “a little” interest in left fielder/designated hitter Melky Cabrera, Jon Heyman of Fan Rag tweets, though he also notes that the ChiSox would clearly need to pay down some of the remaining $5.4MM on Cabrera’s $15MM salary. CSN Chicago’s Chuck Garfien tweeted earlier today that GM Rick Hahn is willing to do just that, however, so perhaps a modest market could develop for the veteran switch-hitter’s services. After this morning’s Dan Jennings trade, Cabrera is one of the few plausible trade assets that remaining on a gutted White Sox roster. Struggling pitchers James Shields, Derek Holland, Mike Pelfrey, Miguel Gonzalez and Tyler Clippard all figure to be plenty available as well, though none carries much (if any) trade value.
  • Though it’s been more than a month since Padres infielder Yangervis Solarte suited up for a game, Rosenthal tweets not to rule out a trade. Solarte is embarking on a minor league rehab assignment this weekend and has drawn interest from other clubs, per Rosenthal. Solarte, 30, was San Diego’s hottest hitter in mid-June (.337/.427/.589, seven homers in 26 games/110 PAs) before incurring an oblique strain from which he has not yet returned. The switch-hitting Solarte can handle both second base and third base, and may even spend some time at short during his rehab, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune tweets. That versatility at the plate and in the field both looked highly marketable prior to his injury — as did his contract. Solarte is earning just $2.625MM this season with a $4.125MM salary in 2018 plus a pair of club options for 2019 ($5.5MM) and 2020 ($8MM).
  • Recent indications are that Mets infielder Asdrubal Cabrera will be dealt, and he’s still drawing interest from at least a trio of rivals, per Mike Puma of the New York Post (via Twitter). The odds that he’ll be targeted perhaps also increased with an injury suffered on Wednesday by Phillies infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick. As MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki writes, Kendrick did not suffer a fracture when he was hit by a pitch on the hand. But it’s not yet known if he’ll miss time. Given that he has already missed two extended stretches with other health issues, Kendrick will perhaps need to reenter the lineup and show he’s at full speed to factor into the deadline shopping spree. (Even if he doesn’t, he’d be a candidate to move in August.)

Rangers Informing Interested Teams They Will Trade Yu Darvish

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Top righty Yu Darvish appears to be destined to change uniforms in the coming days, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal of MLB Network (via Twitter). While the Rangers have been waiting to decide whether to deal the talented starter, Rosenthal says the club is now informing rivals that it will trade him.

Darvish now clearly represents the top rental hurler available on the market. With the Rangers said to be “confident” of achieving a significant return, per Rosenthal, the organization is “actively exchanging names” with interested contenders. With less than four days to go til the non-waiver deadline, then, the report seemingly sets the stage for a bidding war on one of the game’s most accomplished starters.

To be sure, other pitchers of significance that could be traded in the coming days, some with greater trade value. In particular, the expectation remains that Sonny Gray will change hands. But there’s an argument to be made that no other pitcher has so much potential to impact the outcome of the current season.

That said, at thirty years of age, Darvish is hardly pitching at his highest levels. He’s averaging just under ten strikeouts per nine for the first time ever, has surrendered a few more home runs than usual, and carries an uncharacteristic 4.01 ERA through 137 innings. That earned run average ballooned by more than half a run after Darvish was knocked around in his start.

On the whole, as Dave Cameron of Fangraphs explored in detail today, there are some reasons for worry but also signs for ongoing confidence. Darvish is throwing hard and getting about as many swings and misses as ever. He is on track to approach or perhaps exceed two hundred innings for the second time in a full season. And whatever the risks, there will be no long-term contractual entanglements to magnify them.

It seems from this most recent report that rival organizations see enough cause to believe in Darvish to motivate the Rangers to deal him. In terms of possible landing spots, there are quite a few, as MLBTR’s Connor Byrne ran down earlier today.

Texas had reportedly advised other teams that it’d pursue a Wild Card run, despite a marginal position in the standings, if a sufficient return couldn’t be had for Darvish. Instead, it seems, the righty will likely end up on the move — leaving the organization looking to re-tool for 2018. Indications are that Adrian Beltre will remain mostly off limits, though Jonathan Lucroy seems to be on the block and we heard today that relievers Jeremy Jeffress and Keone Kela are available. Pending free agents such as Carlos Gomez and Mike Napoli (the latter’s contract includes a club option) would also appear to be fair game, with the Rangers perhaps now more motivated to deal them given their evident intentions regarding Darvish.

Rays Acquire Lucas Duda

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The Rays have officially struck a deal to acquire veteran first baseman Lucas Duda. In return, the Mets have added right-handed relief pitching prospect Drew Smith.

[RELATED: Updated Rays & Mets Depth Charts]

Duda is playing on a $7.25MM salary this year, just over $2.6MM of which remains and all of which will be absorbed by his new team, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post (Twitter link). To create 40-man roster space, the Rays have designated outfielder Shane Peterson for assignment, as Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times first reported (via Twitter).

Duda, 31, has posted compelling offensive numbers this year after an injury-riddled 2016 season. Through 291 plate appearances, he has slashed .246/.347/.532 and delivered 17 home runs, largely matching the output he provided in his excellent 2014 and 2015 campaigns.

Jul 26, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Mets first baseman Lucas Duda (21) singles during the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Clearly, the slugger has his limitations, beginning with the fact that he only plays first base (where he has graded as an average defender). He strikes out in about a quarter of his trips to the plate and carries a .246 batting average both this year and in his career. And he’s definitely better against right-handed pitching, though Duda has been better than usual against southpaws this year. But the power is obviously legitimate — Duda has knocked 125 career dingers — and he knows how to draw a walk (12.7% BB rate on the year).

Though the Rays have their own breakout offensive performer at first in Logan Morrison, the team has room for another big left-handed bat. With outfielder Colby Rasmus hanging up his spikes mid-way through the year, the Rays could utilize Corey Dickerson in the outfield to allow Duda to step in at DH.

For the Mets, the move helps to alleviate an immediate roster logjam by opening the door for Jay Bruce to play first base. Of course, that’s not likely to last long, as he and others could yet be on the move. New York will ultimately provide top prospect Dominic Smith his first taste of the majors; with the departure of Duda, that could come in short order.

Meanwhile, New York picks up a pitcher who could be a contributor in New York as soon as the present season — though the Mets likely won’t be in a rush to add him to the 40-man roster. Smith, 23, was a third-round pick in the 2015 draft. He made his way to the Rays as the player to be named later in the winter deal that sent Mikie Mahtook to the Tigers.

With a big fastball and quality curve, Smith looks as if he could turn into a steady and affordable MLB relief asset. The MLB.com prospect team ranked him 30th on the Tampa Bay farm, noting that his upside is as a setup arm. Smith threw 28 2/3 innings of 2.20 ERA ball at the High-A level upon landing with the Rays organization and recently ascended to Triple-A after a quick stop at the penultimate level of the minors.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post first reported that a deal had gained momentum (Twitter links) after Marc Carig of Newsday reported earlier that Tampa Bay had shown some interest in Duda. Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter) had Smith’s inclusion. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand tweeted that the deal was complete.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Trade Market For Left-Handed Relievers

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It’s a top-heavy market for left-handed relief help this summer, though there are still a few names of interest beyond the top available relievers. Sean Doolittle and Ryan Buchter are the biggest names to change hands thus far, though fellow lefties Tyler Webb and Travis Wood have also changed teams. Here’s a look at the rest of the market…

Rentals

Tony Watson, Pirates | Salary: $5.6MM ($2.05MM remaining through season’s end)

The Pirates have worked their way back into contention, but they showed last year that they’re willing to move rental assets even when in striking distance of a postseason berth by trading Mark Melancon to the Nationals. Watson doesn’t have the same value that Melancon carried, but the Bucs won’t consider making him a qualifying offer, so the alternative is to lose him for nothing at season’s end. Unlike last season, Pittsburgh has a shot at the division and not just a Wild Card spot, so perhaps they’ll be less willing to move a contributing asset this time around. Watson has a 3.63 ERA with 6.6 K/9, 2.6 BB/9 and a 43.8 percent ground-ball rate, though he’s been hit harder than those numbers might indicate (4.78 FIP, 4.62 xFIP).

Clayton Richard, Padres | $1.75MM ($641K remaining)

Richard got off to a solid start to the year in the Padres’ rotation but has been rocked since mid-June. He’s nonetheless an affordable arm with a recent track record of some bullpen success (2015 Cubs). Richard has struggled against lefties and righties alike, but the asking price here shouldn’t be prohibitive for any team looking to speculate.

Francisco Liriano, Blue Jays | $13MM ($4.76MM remaining)

Like Richard, Liriano has spent the season as a starter. He’s struggled all year, though, and while he doesn’t have considerable bullpen experience, he’s held left-handed opponents to a dreary .241/.267/.379 batting line with a 16-to-1 K/BB ratio and a 52.5 percent ground-ball rate. He may draw interest as a rotation option, but speculatively speaking, Liriano is an intriguing option as a situational lefty.

Controlled Through 2018

Justin Wilson, Tigers | $2.7MM salary in 2017, arbitration-eligible for 2018

One of the most desirable trade commodities in all of baseball, Wilson has turned in 39 1/3 frames with 12.6 K/9 against 3.7 BB/9 with a 36.1 percent grounder rate en route to a 2.75 ERA. His modest salary and success against both lefties and righties gives Wilson widespread appeal and makes him one of the likeliest players to be traded between now and Monday’s non-waiver deadline. The Tigers have reportedly discussed packaging him with larger contracts, though a standalone trade of Wilson would likely net them the best possible return.

Zach Britton, Orioles | $11.4MM in 2017, arbitration-eligible for 2018

Britton brings plenty of name value and one of the game’s most impressive track records to the table. However, he’s earning $11.4MM this year and has missed most of the season with a forearm injury. He’s also been somewhat unimpressive when healthy (3.50 ERA, 7.0 K/9, 4.0 BB/9, albeit with a typically brilliant 69.5 percent ground-ball rate). The O’s are said to be reluctant to move him anyhow, and given his 2017 health issues and results, it’s tough to see a team parting with elite prospects to land him.

Jerry Blevins, Mets | $5.5MM in 2017, $7MM club option for 2018 (with a $1MM buyout)

There hasn’t been much indication that the Mets plan to move Blevins, who has 44 strikeouts and 16 walks (two intentional) in 31 1/3 innings. The Mets seem intent on competing in 2018, and they hold an affordable option over Blevins, who has been excellent for them.

Aaron Loup, Blue Jays | $1.125MM in 2017, arbitration-eligible for 2018

The 29-year-old Loup hasn’t been all that tough on lefties since 2014 and has a 5.09 ERA with 9.2 K/9 against 4.6 BB/9 with a 55.8 percent ground-ball rate this season. He’s affordable, but his lack of results dating back to 2015 don’t exactly make him an appealing candidate. The Jays surely wouldn’t mind moving him, however, and Loup does miss bats and rack up grounders.

Extended Control Rights

Brad Hand, Padres | $1.4MM in 2017, arbitration-eligible through 2019

As is the case with Wilson, Hand is one of the most highly sought after assets in the game. He’s been lights-out since the Padres claimed him off waivers early last season, working to a combined 2.63 ERA with 11.4 K/9, 3.2 BB/9 and a 47 percent ground-ball rate through 140 1/3 innings out of the San Diego bullpen. Because he’s earning just $1.4MM this season and is controlled for another two years beyond the current campaign, Hand figures to come with one of the highest asking prices of any reliever on the market. The Friars could still wait to move him until the offseason if they don’t find an offer to their liking, as chairman Ron Fowler indicated earlier today, but it’s also natural for the team to suggest a willingness to wait until the offseason when marketing a controllable asset at the deadline.

Dan Jennings, White Sox | $1.4MM in 2017, arbitration-eligible through 2019

A hefty ground-ball rate has helped Jennings to turn in solid results over the past three seasons despite pedestrian K/BB numbers. Since joining the ChiSox in 2015, Jennings has a 3.12 ERA with 7.3 K/9, 4.0 BB/9 and a 59.1 percent ground-ball rate. He’s flat-out dominated left-handed hitters this season, holding them to a putrid .164/.286/.211 batting line. GM Rick Hahn is willing to listen on just about anyone, and Jennings should be no exception.

Kevin Siegrist/Tyler Lyons, Cardinals | $1.6375MM for Siegrist, arb-eligible through 2019; pre-arbitration for Lyons, arb-eligible through 2020

There’s no definitive word that the Cards will be open to moving either of this pairing, though newly minted president of baseball ops John Mozeliak has gone on record to suggest that he’s not afraid to make changes after his team hasn’t performed up to expectations. Both lefties are throwing reasonably well and are under 30 (Lyons is 29, Siegrist 28). Siegrist has been roughed up by lefties this season and has seen his control regress (4.8 BB/9) after making improvements in 2016. Lyons has been solid against lefties and righties alike in a smaller sample of innings and is currently sporting a career-high 10.1 K/9. The Cards also have Zach Duke and Brett Cecil in their ’pen, but Duke is only just returning from Tommy John surgery while Cecil is just a few months into a massive four-year contract that no team is likely willing to absorb.

Tony Cingrani, Reds | $1.825MM in 2017, arbitration-eligible through 2019

Cingrani has a history of missing bats (career 9.2 K/9) but also has long displayed questionable control (4.5 BB/9). Durability is a concern with Cingrani, too, as he spent more than a month on the DL with an oblique strain this season and has three other MLB DL stints plus a pair of minor league DL stints in recent years. He’s also given up seven runs in his past four outings, ballooning his ERA from 2.55 to 4.98 in the process, and has surrendered a troubling five homers to lefties in 2017.

Josh Edgin, Mets | $675K in 2017, arbitration-eligible through 2019

The 30-year-old Edgin’s velocity and strikeout rate have yet to return to their pre-Tommy-John levels after the southpaw’s 2015 operation. Edgin’s 27-to-18 K/BB ratio doesn’t inspire much confidence, and he’s been hit fairly hard by both righties and lefties. Edgin did show promise in a three-year stretch with the Mets from 2012-14, but that was a long time ago now.

Sam Freeman, Braves | Pre-arbitration in 2017, arbitration-eligible through 2020

The 30-year-old Freeman doesn’t have much of a track record, but he’s whiffed 36 batters in 34 1/3 innings this season while posting a gaudy 60 percent ground-ball rate. He’s averaging nearly 95 mph on his heater as well. Lefties are hitting just .211/.286/.281 against him this year, and his 3.93 ERA is solid, if unspectacular. As for the bad news, Freeman has averaged 4.8 BB/9 this season and 5.1 BB/9 in his career. The Braves would no doubt move Ian Krol as well, but Krol has struggled more than any reliever on this list.

Cubs Designate Brett Anderson

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The Cubs have designated lefty Brett Anderson for assignment after activating him from the 60-day DL, per a club announcement (via Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago, on Twitter).

Over the winter, the Cubs added the 29-year-old on a $3.5MM deal, wagering that he might return to something like the form he showed in 2015, when he gave the Dodgers 180 1/3 innings of 3.69 ERA pitching. Though Anderson had missed much of the 2016 campaign after back surgery, he was able to return to the mound late in the year.

But Anderson has again been limited by back issues, and the Cubs have received little for their investment. He has thrown only 22 frames on the year, coughing up twenty earned runs on 34 hits while managing only a 16:12 K/BB ratio. Anderson hadn’t generated much more promising results through his rehab stint at Double-A, though he was at least able to make it through 27 1/3 innings.

While he might’ve commanded another shot at the majors with other organizations, the Cubs swung a major deal to get Jose Quintana while Anderson was down. With the rotation full and Mike Montgomery functioning as a long man in the pen, there just wasn’t much room for Anderson at this point.

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