MLB Trade Deadline: 5 trades that need to happen

Jeremy Jeffress to the Los Angeles Dodgers

Relievers are always hot commodities at the trade deadline, as they give little value to rebuilding teams. While some of the bigger available names like Aroldis Chapman, Craig Kimbrel and Ken Giles were dealt during the offseason, some decent relievers will still be on the move in July.

One such reliever is Jeffress, who recently took over the closing job in Milwaukee after Francisco Rodriguez departed in free agency and Will Smith injured his knee before the season. Jeffress has been good in the role so far, collecting six saves while allowing three runs in 8.2 innings.

Jeffress was also solid as a lower leverage reliever a year ago, posting a 2.65 ERA (3.22 FIP) with 67 strikeouts in 68 innings per FanGraphs. While Jeffress isn’t going to be a major acquisition, he can provide some seventh or eighth inning help to a contender in need.

The Dodgers fit that bill, as they need upgrades in the bullpen behind Kenley Jansen. Jeffress could fit in nicely as a right-handed compliment to J.P Howell in the later innings, and would not cost Los Angeles much at all.

If Smith is able to return before too long, he will become an even more attractive target for a team like Los Angeles, although the Brewers should try to trade both. Smith was fantastic as a setup man in 2015, posting a 2.70 ERA (2.47 FIP) with a 34.5 strikeout rate over 63.1 innings.

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