Call to the pen
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MLB hot stove: top trade target for each team

By Benjamin Chase

SEATTLE, WA - JULY 30: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners waits to deliver the pitch in the second inning against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on July 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners beat the Houston Astros 2-0. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JULY 30: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners waits to deliver the pitch in the second inning against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on July 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners beat the Houston Astros 2-0. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 20: Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on September 20, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds top trade target remains one of the easiest to do for about the third straight season. Raisel Iglesias has tantalized teams ever since making the move to the bullpen as a future closer. His ability to handle multiple innings on the mound and his incredible raw stuff has made him one of the most dominant closers in the game, in spite of Cincinnati’s less-than-fortunate record the last few seasons.

Even with the Reds publicly stating that they intend to make moves to compete in 2019 and even giving him an extension, Iglesias is still heavily rumored, and many see that as a hypocritical move, but it really may not be. In fact, the Reds may be ahead of the game and smart in moving Iglesias this offseason, even after his new contract.

Iglesias had a significant usage movement from his fastball and slider to his changeup this last season. He had thrown his fastball 55% of the time before 2018 and saw that dip down to around 50% while his slider usage dropped from 30-33% to 26%. Meanwhile, the change increased from 11-13% to 23%.

That large increase in changeup usage didn’t show up in Iglesias’ ERA or strikeouts, but some of the underlying numbers recognized it. His hard-hit rate spiked to 34.8%, 10% more than he’d ever recorded previously, and his groundball rate was the lowest of his career. That also led to the biggest HR/FB rate of his career.

There’s no doubt that Iglesias is still a dominant pitcher, but the Reds could be wise to move him if they get a significant offer for him. The Reds would have plenty of suitors, and they very well may pull the trigger.

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