Cleveland Indians: Finding options for the bullpen
The Cleveland Indians desperately need help in their bullpen. Which players could be an option come the trade deadline?
Over the past couple of years, the Cleveland Indians bullpen had been a strength. With closer Cody Allen and setup man extraordinaire Andrew Miller, the Indians were able to shut down the opposition. Underrated pieces like Dan Otero and Bryan Shaw played a vital role in the sixth and seventh innings, giving Cleveland a formidable bullpen.
This year has been much different. Shaw is in Colorado, having departed as a free agent. Miller has dealt with injuries this season. Otero has been a disaster this season, already allowing more homers than he did in all of 2017, which has led to his ERA more than doubling. These issues have led to the Indians bullpen being one of the worst in the majors, with their 5.04 ERA heading into Wednesday better than only the Royals and Rockies.
As the Indians rotation appears to have solidified due to the presence of Shane Bieber, and the eminent return of Carlos Carrasco, the focus now needs to turn to the bullpen. That is especially the case as their window of contention could be closing, as Miller and Allen are both free agents after the season. Adding an arm or two to the bullpen could make a difference as Cleveland looks to end their championship drought.
Which arms could the Cleveland Indians target? Here are a few possibilities that could make sense.
While Raisel Iglesias may command more headlines, Jared Hughes could be of more interest to the Cleveland Indians.
In a way, trading Hughes now would appear to be a strange move for the Reds. He was signed to a two year deal this offseason, worth a combined $4.5 million before his 2020 team option. However, that longer term of team control could well be attractive to the Indians.
A solid option as a seventh inning arm, Hughes could be that needed replacement for Bryan Shaw. Thus far in 2018, Hughes has produced an excellent 1.42 ERA and a 1.083 WHiP, striking out 33 batters with only 12 walks in 44.1 innings. He has even chipped in five saves for the Reds, showing that he could handle the ninth inning role if need be.
With Cleveland, he would not only serve as an upgrade this season, but a piece for the future. At 33 years old, Hughes likely has several solid seasons left in the tank. As the Indians bullpen will be in a state of flux come this offseason, Hughes would give them a solid reliever to build around.
Jared Hughes could serve as a key part of the Indians bullpen this season, and going forward. He may not be the biggest name in the Reds bullpen, but he could have the best return on investment for Cleveland.
A former starter for the Miami Marlins, Adam Conley has found his place as a reliever.
As is often the case with failed starters, Conley has excelled since being converted to a relief role. He has quickly become a key piece of the Marlins bullpen, posting a 1.42 ERA and a 0.789 WHiP. Conley has increased the velocity on his fastball by over five miles per hour this season, while improving his command. Over his 19 innings, he has struck out 21 batters while issuing only five walks.
Under team control until 2022, Conley is the type of asset that the Indians could potentially view as a closer of the future. He would be a cost effective option, a player that would allow them to spend their money to fill out other possible holes on the roster. If nothing else, he appears to have established himself as a solid setup man.
The problem with Conley is that the Marlins may ask for a good deal in return. It is understandable, as he is an inexpensive asset, someone that could be a part of the rebuild in Miami. However, with the front office looking to replenish a farm system that was devoid of talent, Conley could be available for the right price.
Would the Cleveland Indians be comfortable paying what may be a high price for Conley? Since he is a long term answer, that may sway their opinion.
The Baltimore Orioles loss may prove to be the Cleveland Indians gain.
Heading into this offseason, it made sense for the Orioles to be sellers. With pieces like Brad Brach, Zach Britton, Adam Jones, and Manny Machado all set to be free agents, their window had closed. It was time to rebuild, to get whatever they could for those assets. Instead, the Orioles stood pat, hoping to contend once again.
That plan proved to be disastrous. The Orioles have the second worst record in baseball, while watching their trade assets depreciate in value. Brach is no exception. While his 3.62 ERA is solid, he has struggled with his command, posting a 1.670 WHiP with 17 walks in his 32.1 innings thus far.
However, he may be the type of pitcher that needs a change of scenery. The Orioles have the feeling of a toxic situation at this point, with players looking forward to being out the door. Sending Brach to a contending team, like the Indians, could result in a turnaround. For Cleveland, given his proclivity towards allowing baserunners this year, that cost could be far less than it was in the offseason.
The Cleveland Indians could end up with a bargain in Brad Brach. The Orioles need to rebuild, and Cleveland may be able to back Baltimore into a corner in a possible trade.
Bryan Shaw
The Colorado Rockies spent a lot of money on their bullpen this offseason, only to watch it implode. As they hover around .500 and are falling further behind in the NL West, it may be time to sell.
If that is the case, it may not be a surprise to see the Rockies attempt to move on from a few of those free agent signings. While Wade Davis has been what Colorado hoped for, the rest of the bullpen has not. That includes former Cleveland Indians reliever Bryan Shaw.
After leading the AL in appearances in three of the past four seasons, he has been a workhorse again in the Rockies bullpen, as his 41 appearances are third in the NL. That is about the only positive from his 2018 campaign, as Shaw has posted a 7.71 ERA and a 1.963 WHiP, issuing a career high 5.0 BB/9.
Signed to a three year deal worth $27 million, the Rockies may well want a do-over. In exchange for a team taking on that salary, or a good portion of it, Shaw could be available for a lesser prospect. If so, it would make sense for the Indians to look to bring him back, reuniting that trio of Shaw-Miller-Allen for one last run.
The Cleveland Indians have missed Bryan Shaw this season. They may have the opportunity to bring him back.
Another reclamation project by the Tampa Bay Rays, Sergio Romo would fit whatever role the Cleveland Indians would need him in.
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This year, Romo has pitched in literally every inning excluding the third for the Rays. He served as their “opener” five times, pitching into the second twice. Since the trade of Alex Colome, Romo has served as their closer, notching eight saves thus far. He has had previous experience in that role, serving as the Giants closer from 2012 through 2014.
Romo has been more of a solid pitcher than a lights out reliever this year. He has posted a respectable 4.34 ERA and a 1.313 WHiP, striking out 40 batters with 14 walks in his 37.1 innings of work. He has plenty of postseason experience over his career, being a part of two World Series winning teams, and appearing in 27 postseason games. Romo would be another solid veteran arm for the bullpen, one that is familiar with the rigors of the playoffs and what it takes to win.
As it stands, the Rays are on the periphery of postseason consideration. At 43-43, they are 12 games out of the second Wild Card, but only have two teams to surpass. However, Tampa Bay has already sold off a couple of pieces in Colome and Denard Span. Given the unlikelihood of an actual postseason appearance for the Rays this year, it may not be a surprise to see Romo move on.
If that happens, the Cleveland Indians should be ready. Sergio Romo could be that multi-faceted reliever they need.