Underrated Relievers Buyers Should Consider
It seems that almost every contending team this year could stand to upgrade their bullpen, and luckily for them, the market for relievers is overflowing. While big names like Felipe Vazquez, Ken Giles, and Shane Greene are bound to get tossed around, it’s worth noting some cheaper, more underrated options for buyers to consider.
Sergio Romo, RHP – Miami Marlins
Romo had a rough time adjusting to his role as the Marlins closer, as is evident by his 4.35 ERA on the season. However, in his last 30 games he has a much more flattering 3.23 ERA, all the while picking up 15 saves in that span.
Romo also has some baffling home/road splits, as he owns a stellar 1.84 ERA on the road, but an atrocious 6.61 ERA at home. It’s worth noting that while the division rival Braves have owned Romo this season (he has an ERA of 8.31 against them), Romo has dominated another NL East contender, the Phillies, having not given up a run in five outings. Both of these teams should look to acquire the veteran reliever, maybe not as a closer, but as a solid right handed arm with plenty of postseason experience.
Daniel Hudson, RHP – Toronto Blue Jays
Daniel Hudson, already an OTBB favorite as an under the radar star, has enjoyed his best season as a reliever this year in Toronto. That could make the veteran an appealing trade chip for the Jays, who seem to be ready to deal anyone age 28 or older. Hudson, 32, is a perfect fit for any team looking to add velocity to their bullpen.
Hudson is coming a stellar June where he posted a 0.82 ERA and 12.27 K/9 in 11 innings. On the season, he owns an impressive 2.79 ERA, and his fastball has an average velocity of 96.4 MPH. Teams like the Indians and Cubs should consider Hudson, as these clubs rank as the worst and third worst teams respectively in terms of average reliever velocity.
Blaine Hardy, LHP – Detroit Tigers
The Tigers don’t have many trade pieces in general, with their biggest names being Matthew Boyd and closer Shane Greene. Other than that, they don’t have much to offer to potential buyers. However, left handed reliever Blaine Hardy could prove to be a valuable piece to any contender’s bullpen, especially those who don’t want to sell the farm for a guy like Felipe Vazquez.
Hardy owns an outstanding WHIP of 0.90 in 2019. He also has a 2.84 ERA away from Comerica Park, so a change of scenery could benefit the 32 year old lefty. In June he posted a 2.25 ERA, so contending teams should keep an eye on him to see if he can sustain his hot streak.
Perhaps most impressive about Hardy is his .168 BABIP, which ranks fourth among all relievers, just trailing guys like Josh Hader, Alex Colome, and the league leader Yimi Garcia (yeah, I was surprised to see that name atop the list, too). A team like the Nationals, who are now right back in the thick of the playoff race, could desperately use a left handed reliever in their pen, and Hardy would be a smart pickup for them or any team looking to bolster their relief corps.
Roenis Elias, LHP and Cory Gearrin, RHP – Seattle Mariners
The Mariners actually have an abundance of solid relievers they could ship off by the deadline, and knowing them, they probably will. Austin Adams didn’t give up a run in ten games in June, and Roenis Elias has surprised everyone by picking up 11 saves since becoming Seattle’s closer. However, both of these relievers still have multiple years of arbitration left, though at age 30, Elias is likely expendable. He would fit in nicely with the Cubs, who desperately need left handed relievers, and would give them yet another reliever with closing experience, in addition to Kimbrel and the injured Brandon Morrow.
Another great option for contenders to consider is veteran Cory Gearrin. The right hander owns a tremendous 0.32 HR/9, a mark that ranks ninth best among all relievers who have logged a minimum 30 innings. Gearrin could represent a cheap addition to a struggling pen, and the Red Sox could use all the help they can get, as their relievers rank in the top half of homeruns allowed. The Phillies and Rangers, who have given up the sixth and seventh most homeruns, could also use an arm like Gearrin.
Cam Bedrosian, RHP – Los Angeles Angels
The Angels are still technically in the playoff hunt, as they sit five games back of the second AL Wild Card spot. However, they also are currently placed behind teams like the Red Sox, Rangers, Athletics, Indians, and Rays – very tough competition to say the least.
Bedrosian, just 27 years old, has been a key part of the Angels’ surprisingly solid bullpen. He has posted a terrific 10.10 K/9 and 0.66 HR/9 on top of a dazzling 2.41 ERA. He has also held left handed hitters to the second lowest batting average in the league, as they’re hitting just .122 against him. For most contenders, Bedrosian could step in immediately and assume the role of a setup man.
Bedorsian would likely be the most costly of the relievers mentioned, as he still has two more years of arbitration left. He’s also served as an opener seven times this year, making him a prime candidate for teams who would rather stock up on relief pitching to make up for their lack of starting pitching depth in the playoffs, such as the Brewers or Rays.
