Last week, I mentioned that we were a couple of weeks away from the 4th of July, which is the midway point of the season and essentially begins the trading season. Teams have to make a decision fairly quickly regarding whether or not they are buyers or sellers.
Decision-making and analysis are far more difficult now that there are three wildcard teams to go along with three division winners. More teams are closer to the playoffs for a longer period of time.
To give an idea of how close everything is bunched up in the AL, there are three teams just outside the playoffs within four games. The NL is even more clouded, with seven teams within four games of reaching the postseason. Only Miami and Colorado are more than 10 games outside the playoffs.
Last week, I focused on two AL relievers who may be on the move. This week, I want to focus on the NL. Again, with so many teams in it, selling off pieces is a tough message to send to the fanbase. Often, it’s as much about the player’s contract as it is about where the team is in the standings.
These three relievers make the most sense getting dealt with over the next five weeks:
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BUYERS AND SELLERS
Paul Sewald-Arizona Diamondbacks
This will be a tough sell for the Diamondbacks. They went on the most unlikely run last year to get to the World Series, ultimately losing to the Rangers. Entering this season, there was a ton of hope with a team ahead of schedule.
They are only 2.5 games behind the final wildcard slot, but they are below .500 and not playing very well. Sewald has been injured and only has 16 appearances this season, with 10 saves. His ERA and WHIP are both ridiculously good. His ERA is 0.61, and his WHIP is 0.55. Sewald will most likely be on the move because he is in the last year of his contract, earning $7.3M. He will be a free agent at the end of the season.
Tanner Scott-Miami Marlins
Miami is just awful this year. They took baby steps last season, and there was some hope of taking another leap this year to credibility, but that just never happened. Scott is also in the last year of his contract, earning $5.7M this season. Scott has been very active and involved in 22 decisions. He has a 6-5 record with 11 saves. He’s struck out a batter per inning, and his ratios are solid, with a 1.54 ERA and 1.17 WHIP.
Kyle Finnegan-Washington Nationals
The Nationals are in a similar situation to the Diamondbacks in that they are only 3 games out of the final wildcard spot. And they, like the Diamondbacks, are also below .500, but what makes their situation worse is that they need to leapfrog five teams to make it to the postseason.
The biggest reason Finnegan may be worth more to the Nationals if they trade him is that he’s pitching great this season and has a full year of team control beyond this year. He’s not just a rental. He makes $5.1M this season and is entering his last year of arbitration. He’s second in the NL with 22 saves, a 2.23 ERA, and a 1.02 WHIP.
