There is one position that could get flipped on its head by July 30's trade deadline: closers. I am here to help you get as locked in as possible with moves being made.
Locked In
Matt Barnes – Boston Red Sox
Liam Hendriks – Chicago White Sox
Gregory Soto – Detroit Tigers
Detroit’s bullpen as a whole has been stellar the past week-plus, with Soto garnering majority of the save opportunities.
Ryan Pressly – Houston Astros
Raisel Iglesias – Anaheim Angels
Lou Trivino – Oakland Athletics
Kendall Graveman – Seattle Mariners
Diego Castillo – Tampa Bay Rays
Ian Kennedy ��� Texas Rangers
Jordan Romano – Toronto Blue Jays
Joakim Soria – Arizona Diamondbacks
Soria is one of the closers set for ‘Hug Watch’ over the next five days.
Will Smith – Atlanta Braves
Heath Hembree – Cincinnati Reds
The journeyman has seven saves in July. Stability in Cincy? Stay tuned…
Craig Kimbrel – Chicago Cubs
Rumors have swirled around Kimbrel. It will be interesting to see if he gets traded by himself or in a package with another Cub to bring back a better return.
Daniel Bard – Colorado Rockies
Bard may be the most gettable closer, and most volatile, on the trade market.
Kenley Jansen – Los Angeles Dodgers
Since July 18, Jansen has allowed eight earned runs and four walks in four innings. That equates to three blown saves to one earned.
Yimi Garcia – Miami Marlins
Josh Hader – Milwaukee Brewers
Edwin Diaz – New York Mets
Aroldis Chapman – New York Yankees
Chapman only has two saves in seven July appearances and has only allowed one run since July 4.
Ranger Suarez – Philadelphia Phillies
Richard Rodriguez �� Pittsburgh Pirates
Rodriguez falls into the second tier of closers that could be traded, but may have the best return on investment considering how consistent he is with few save opportunities.
Mark Melancon – San Diego Padres
Jake McGee – San Francisco Giants
Alex Reyes – St. Louis Cardinals
Brad Hand – Washington Nationals
Closer Committees
Cole Sulser, Dillon Tate, and Tanner Scott – Baltimore Orioles
Strong rumors around Paul Fry getting moved before the deadline, or else he would be in here ahead of Scott.
James Karinchak and Emmanuel Clase – Cleveland Indians
Scott Barlow and Greg Holland – Kansas City Royals
Taylor Rogers and Hansel Robles – Minnesota Twins
It is realistic the Twins move both in a fire sale. This closer situation could get much worse.
Injury Opportunities
None. You love to see it.
Next Man Up Adds
Tanner Scott (BAL)
Michael Kopech (CHW)
Kyle Funkhouser (DET)
Jose Cisneros (DET)
Yusmeiro Petit (OAK)
Paul Sewald (SEA)
Sewald is an immediate add with the Mariners not likely to add at the deadline to change what appears to be a promising nucleus.
Spencer Patton (TEX)
Noe Ramirez (ARI)
Investing in future Diamondbacks closers is risky, but saves are saves.
Andrew Chafin (CHC)
Ryan Tepera (CHC)
Rowan Wick (CHC)
It is realistic the Cubs trade Kimbrel, Chafin, and Tepera by July 30.
Carlos Estevez (COL)
Mychal Givens (COL)
Anthony Bender (MIA)
David Bednar (PIT)
