The All-Star game is tonight which to me means we are just a few weeks away from the trade deadline and it’s looking like we will see plenty of names on this list moved by the end of the month. There has been a lot of talk about Jhoan Duran being available and the sense is that at least one of Duran or Jax will be on the move this month. The Red Sox have won ten games in a row but it doesn’t sound like Aroldis Chapman is suddenly unavailable. I still am leaning towards Chapman being dealt at the deadline. Two more high profile closers who keep seeing their names floated in rumors are Emmanuel Clase and Félix Bautista. I highly doubt they both get dealt, but maybe we do see one moved as plenty of contenders are in need of bullpen help.
David Bednar has been mentioned as a top trade candidate as he should be. He has been awesome since his demotion early in the season and the Pirates should be looking to now (finally) selling high. Raisel Iglesias has been one of the best relievers in baseball over the past month, and boosting his trade value for the Braves in the process. He should have a chance to close with his new team. Robert Suarez is another name I keep seeing mentioned, especially if the Padres are able to upgrade left field by dealing him. After losing four straight to the Red Sox, the Rays are now 1.5 games back of a playoff spot, potentially increasing Pete Fairbanks odds of being traded. Kyle Finnegan and Carlos Estévez should probably be traded as well, but it’s tough to gauge what kind of interest there actually would be for them.
Notes
- Devin Williams is officially back, as he has been dominant over the past two+ months now. Dating back to mid-May Williams holds a 2.11 ERA (1.57 SIERA), 0.66 WHIP plus 34.2% K-BB, and 18.7% SwStr% rates (21.1 IP). There’s an argument to be made that he’s been the best closer in New York since May, but I’m pretty sure both New York times are thrilled with their current closer situations.
- Trevor Megill has at least one strikeout over his past eleven outings, as the stuff is ticking up over the past month for the flamethrowing righty. Over that stretch (12.1 IP), Megill holds a 1.46 ERA (1.33 SIERA), 0.89 WHIP with a 38.3% K-BB and 36.1% CSW rates, not to mention a 140 Stuff+. This is the type of swing and miss we saw from Megill over the second half of 2023 that got us excited last year so if this is here to stay, Megill’s going to be a top 5 closer the rest of the way.
- Ryan Helsley is peaking at the right time for the Cardinals, regardless of whether the team (now 1.5 games back of a playoff spot) trades him or not. His June got off to a rocky start with Helsley allowing runs in his first four outings, but over his past eight innings Helsley has allowed just one earned run and has a WHIP of 1.00. The stuff has still been there for Helsley, the results have just lagged behind and if he is actually available, plenty of teams will be interested in his services for the remainder of the year.
- We should take the All-Star selections with a grain of salt but I do feel a little bummed out that Daniel Palencia was snubbed. He’s been fantastic all season, but since May began, he’s taken things to another level as he has been sitting 99.9 MPH since then. Over those 25.2 IP, Palencia holds a 1.40 ERA (2.52 SIERA), 0.90 WHIP, as well as 32.3% K and 15% SwStr rates (plus a 119 Stuff+). So when you are looking for a replacement for Matt Boyd, maybe look to one of his teammates instead of a guy who has only appeared in five games at the MLB level?
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh HaderT1 | HOU | - |
| 2 | Edwin Díaz | LAD | - |
| 3 | Devin Williams | NYM | +6 |
| 4 | Trevor MegillT2 | MIL | +6 |
| 5 | Andrés Muñoz | SEA | -2 |
| 6 | Mason Miller | SD | - |
| 7 | Emmanuel Clase | CLE | -2 |
| 8 | Jhoan Duran | PHI | -4 |
| 9 | Jeff Hoffman | TOR | -2 |
| 10 | Félix Bautista | BAL | -2 |
| 11 | Tanner Scott | LAD | +1 |
| 12 | Aroldis ChapmanT3 | BOS | -1 |
| 13 | Ryan Helsley | BAL | +4 |
| 14 | Daniel Palencia | CHC | +4 |
| 15 | Emilio Pagán | CIN | +1 |
| 16 | David Bednar | NYY | -3 |
| 17 | Will Vest | DET | -3 |
| 18 | Raisel Iglesias | ATL | +6 |
| 19 | Robert Suarez | ATL | -4 |
| 20 | Camilo Doval | NYY | +1 |
| 21 | Kenley Jansen | DET | +2 |
| 22 | Pete Fairbanks | MIA | -3 |
| 23 | Carlos Estévez | KC | -3 |
| 24 | Kyle Finnegan | DET | -2 |
| 25 | Ronny HenriquezT4 | MIA | +1 |
| 26 | Grant Taylor | CHW | +1 |
| 27 | Robert Garcia | TEX | +1 |
| 28 | Matt Strahm | KC | -3 |
| 29 | Kevin Ginkel | ARI | +1 |
| 30 | Seth Halvorsen | LAD | -1 |
| 31 | Griffin JaxT5 | TB | +UR |
| 32 | Dylan Lee | ATL | - |
| 33 | Randy Rodríguez | SF | -2 |
| 34 | Orion Kerkering | PHI | -1 |
| 35 | Alex Vesia | LAD | +UR |
| 36 | Adrian Morejon | SD | +UR |
| 37 | Reid Detmers | LAA | +UR |
| 38 | Cade Smith | NYY | +UR |
| 39 | Jordan Hicks | CHW | +UR |
| 40 | Bryan Baker | TB | +UR |
