MLB Trade Deadline: 10 Potential Relief Pitcher Targets
The 2016 MLB trade deadline is rapidly approaching – which top relievers will find themselves with a new team in the second half of the season?
The upcoming trade deadline is going to be one of the most complex in recent history. There are no longer just buyers and sellers – there are also plenty of teams who should be sellers, but aren’t yet willing to admit defeat. With the second Wild Card, teams are less likely to call it quits in July, and more likely to try to add that one piece that the front office believes will put their club over the top and on track to the pennant.
One of the hottest commodities this summer will be relief pitching. Many of the teams who are out of the race have excellent bullpens, and most of the contenders could use minor (or major) upgrades in the relief department. Which relievers are we likely to see on the trade block, and where will they end up?
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#10: Jeanmar Gomez
When it comes to pitchers who have turned their careers around after a move to the bullpen, perhaps none have done it as well as right-hander Jeanmar Gomez. After spinning his wheels in Cleveland’s rotation, Gomez found his role as a reliever with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Last season, Gomez signed with the Phillies, where he made 65 appearances over 74.2 innings, finishing the year with a 3.01 ERA. In 2016, Gomez has posted a 2.79 ERA through 27 appearances, racking up a league-leading 18 saves, as well as 22 strikeouts.
Gomez might not be a big name, but teams searching for relief help will love his price tag: he’s slated to make just $1.4 million this season, despite being a lights-out closer.
Possible Landing Spot: Texas Rangers or Boston Red Sox
Gomez primarily throws a sinker and generates a lot of groundouts, which makes him a good candidate for any team – but someone who plays their home games in a hitter-friendly ballpark could take advantage of his below-average fly ball rate, limiting late-inning home runs.
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