Jeremy Hellickson
The rumor mill around baseball says that Sonny Gray of the Oakland Athletics and Julio Teheran of the Atlanta Braves are unlikely to get moved at the deadline, and even if they were, it’s unlikely Baltimore has the trade assets to acquire either one. That leaves the team looking for more of a back of the rotation type of guy, and Hellickson would fit the bill.
The 29-year old righty’s contract is up at the end of the season, and it is unlikely that he fits into Philadelphia’s long-term plans in the rotation given the number of promising young arms in the organization.
Hellickson has had a very up-and-down season for the Phillies in 2016, going 4-5 with a 4.46 ERA in 14 starts covering 80.2 innings. Command has been an issue, as he’s thrown more than six innings only four times and, as has been the case throughout his career, has been susceptible to giving up the longball, yielding 15 home runs already.
The team has lost Hellickson’s last five starts dating back to May 24th, and in June he has been a wreck. In three starts this month covering 21 innings, he has given up 14 runs, all earned, on 21 hits, good for an 0-2 record and 7.41 ERA.
Still, Hellickson has shown in the past that he can compete, eat up innings, and give his team a chance to win, and if he can regain that form, he could be the best starter option available at the deadline. The Orioles wouldn’t likely have to give up a king’s ransom to get him, and he would at least be an upgrade over Jimenez.
Next: Call the Brew Crew.