Fansided

Five closers still on the trade market

By Thomas Conroy

May 3, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Andrew Miller (48) reacts with catcher Brian McCann (34) after defeating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Andrew Miller (48) reacts with catcher Brian McCann (34) after defeating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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April 2, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; The Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays line up on during the national anthem on opening day at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
April 2, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; The Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays line up on during the national anthem on opening day at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Jake McGee – Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Rays view Jake McGee as a significant trade chip in their attempt to rebuild the roster. No question that McGee is the cheapest option in a very volatile closer’s market.

He could be part of a trade package that acquires middle infielder Javier Baez from the Chicago Cubs because they’re looking to gain more pitching in any future deals moving forward. The Rays seem like the perfect trade partner for the Cubs, as they have an abundance of starting and relief pitchers.

What’s not to like about McGee, he has a career 2.77 ERA and averages 11 strikeouts-per-nine-innings. His availability on trade market comes down to simple arithmetic, as the Rays can trade him a year early before he becomes a burden on the payroll. McGee is scheduled to make $5 million in 2016, which is big money for a setup reliever. He can easily move into the closer’s role with the Cubs next season after successfully completing his apprenticeship in Tampa.

McGee’s 2015 campaign wasn’t particularly great nor disappointing, as his season was marked by inconsistency stemming from arm fatigue that’s often associated with coming back from Tommy John surgery.

There seems to be no urgency by the Rays to move him at this time unless they were overwhelmed with an offer that gains them a necessary bat for the middle of their batting order. They still have Brad Boxberger for the back of their bullpen, so it’s no surprise that the Rays are dangling McGee to the highest bidder. A possible trade is hard to predict, but there are clubs that might over-shoot their expectations for McGee because of the going rate for closers on the trade market.

Next: David Robertson

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