(Audacy) Last week on Audacy Sports, we examined the top potential trade candidates, a list comprising of position players and starting pitchers.
Still, pennant races can often be swung by the depth of a team's bullpen. To that end, here are the top five relievers who could potentially be traded in advance of the Aug. 2 trade deadline.
1. Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brewers
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Given that the Brewers are 48-39 and currently atop the NL Central, it may shock some to see Hader here. But on the same day Hader learned he was selected to the All-Star Game for the fourth time in his career, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Brewers "have informed teams that they are willing to listen to offers for Hader." Clearly, it would take a significant offer to get the Brewers to part with Hader, who has converted 26 of 27 save attempts in 2022. The idea of one or two contenders making legitimate offers to the Brewers probably shouldn't be ruled out. At the least, you get the sense that 2022 may well be Hader's final year in Milwaukee. The 28-year-old Hader can become a free agent after the 2023 season, and if the Brewers don't trade him this summer, perhaps they will this offseason.
2. Raisel Iglesias, Los Angeles Angels
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At 38-49, the Angels are 19 games back in the AL West and seven games back of the junior circuit's final wild-card spot. The Angels don't have a realistic path to the postseason, and there's increasing speculation about whether they'll ever be able to put a contending team around Mike Trout and the soon-to-be-extremely-expensive Shohei Ohtani. One way to potentially allow Trout and Ohtani to continue to co-exist -- assuming they won't be able to move Anthony Rendon's contract -- would be to trade expensive veterans on your roster and recoup cheap talent that could be productive at the big league level. Iglesias did just re-sign for four years and $58 million this past offseason, and his 4.50 ERA may mean the Angels don't get the maximum return for him. But opposing executives are going to call on Iglesias, and it may behoove general manager Perry Minasian to at least listen.
3. David Bednar, Pittsburgh Pirates
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With a 2.63 ERA and 15 saves in 18 opportunities, Bednar is heading to the All-Star Game as the lone representative of the Pirates. Given that the 27-year-old Bednar can't become a free agent until after the 2026 season, the Pirates absolutely don't need to trade Bednar. But the 36-50 Pirates are years away from contending, and you don't know what you're going to get from relievers year to year, so it may make sense to sell high on him.
4. Gregory Soto, Detroit Tigers
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Even after winning seven of 10 games, the Tigers are 36-49 with a -90 run differential. Javier Báez has disappointed in his first season in Detroit, and Eduardo Rodriguez is currently on the restricted list. While there was some thought before the season that the Tigers could begin to contend in 2022, they now look like clear sellers in a market in which there aren't too many of those. Soto -- who can't become a free agent until after the 2025 season -- could be of interest to contenders looking for a closer and/or setup man.
5. David Robertson, Chicago Cubs
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Because of elbow issues, Robertson made a grand total of seven appearances for the Philadelphia Phillies over the lifespan of a two-year, $23-million deal signed ahead of the 2019 season. However, he revived his career with the Tampa Bay Rays last year and is turning in even better results for the Cubs in 2022. In 31 games, the 37-year-old Robertson has a 2.10 ERA and 3.37 FIP. He has extensive postseason experience from his time as a New York Yankee and would be a strong addition to any contender's bullpen.
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