6 relievers who could be next after Britton trade
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This is where the relief market gets interesting. Until now, it has been about household (or close) names: Kelvin Herrera to the Nationals, Brad Hand to the Indians, Jeurys Familia to the A's and now Zach Britton to the Yankees.
• Yankees, O's agree to deal for Zach Britton
Now, Reds closer Raisel Iglesias is going to be guy atop a lot of lists. For good reason, too. He's 28 years old and signed for two more years at a team-friendly $5.7 million-per-season deal. Iglesias' 95-mph fastball has helped him average 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings and make good on 19 of 22 save chances.
If teams thought the bidding for Britton got outside their comfort zone, they shouldn't even telephone Cincinnati about Iglesias.
First, the Reds don't seem all that motivated to trade him. They've gone 41-42 under interim manager Jim Riggleman, and they believe they've got a chance to contend in 2019.
To trade Iglesias -- to repeat, 95-mph fastball, 28 years old and signed for two more years at $5.7 million per -- they're going to have to be overwhelmed. Because so many clubs are seeking relief help -- the Astros, Cubs, Dodgers, Red Sox, Mariners and Braves, to name a few -- some teams may skip over Iglesias and consider other options.
Luckily for them, there are still plenty of quality arms out there. Some of them -- read, all -- aren't as well known as, say, Britton or Hand, but there are plenty of guys who'll add quality depth to a postseason bullpen.
Here are some:
1. Iglesias, RHP, Reds
Iglesias' contract and closer experience probably puts him atop virtually every list with Britton off the market. His 3.88 FIP entering Tuesday may raise a red flag, but that could be offset by 47 saves and a 1.06 WHIP in 104 appearances over the past two seasons.
2018 salary: $5.2 million
Contract status: $5.7 million per season in 2019-20
2. Kirby Yates, RHP, Padres
Yates' fifth season has been his best after adding a wicked split-finger fastball to his repertoire. His 1.99 FIP, 51 percent ground-ball rate and 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings entering Tuesday are all excellent. Yates is under team control for two more seasons.
2018 salary: $1.06 million
Contract status: Arbitration-eligible in 2019, free agent in '21
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3. Ryan Pressly, RHP, Twins
As MLB.com's Mike Petriello detailed last week, Pressly's spin rate on both is curve and fastball are excellent. In addition, his slider rates fourth among all pitchers in velocity. Pressly seems to be the kind of talent that the Astros or Dodgers would take and turn into a late-inning weapon. He's under team control for one more season.
2018 salary: $1.6 million
Contract status: Arbitration after this season, free agency in 2020
4. Adam Conley, LHP, Marlins
Conley's move to the bullpen this season wasn't the career arc he expected. But it has been a tremendous rebirth, with his fastball ticking up dramatically from 90 mph to 95 mph, thus making his changeup even better. Conley is averaging 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings and allowing less than one baserunner per inning. That he's under team control for three more seasons makes him even more appealing.
2018 salary: $537,500
Contract status: Arbitration-eligible after this season, free agent in 2022
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5. Kyle Barraclough, RHP, Marlins
Opposing hitters batting .150 against Barraclough, which is tied with Seattle's Edwin Díaz for eighth lowest in the Majors. His 4.9 walks per nine innings will give some teams pause, but he's also averaging 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings. All in all, Barraclough can help a contender.
2018 salary: $1.1 million
Contract status: Arbitration-eligible next three seasons, free agency in 2022
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6. Craig Stammen, RHP, Padres
Healthy again, Stammen, 34, has again established as a quality reliever despite a fastball that ticks just over 90 mph most nights. His walk- and strikeout-per-nine-innings rates -- 1.8 and 10.1, respectively -- are close to the best of his career.
2018 salary: $2.25 million
Contact status: $2.25 million in 2019
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7. Keone Kela, RHP, Rangers
On a team with Cole Hamels and Adrián Beltré, Kela, 25, could be the most sought after player thanks to a 97-mph fastball, three years of team control and an upward career arc. Like Iglesias, he'll be dealt only if the Rangers are overwhelmed. Kela's pure stuff and 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings may make him worth doing that.
2018 salary: $1.2 million
Contract status: Arbitration-eligible for next three seasons, free agent in 2022
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