Fansided

MLB Trade Deadline: 15 deals that should happen

By Nathaniel Reeves

May 14, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Andrew Miller (48) delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Andrew Miller (48) delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 16
Next
Jun 15, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (58) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (58) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Jeremy Hellickson to the San Francisco Giants 

While the Philadelphia Phillies‘ fast start was one of the more entertaining storylines of the early season, the team knew all along that it wasn’t going to last the entire year. Philadelphia has fallen back to earth at 35-45, and will be trading whatever veteran pieces it can to add to a promising young core.

The Phillies have already dealt their two major chips in Cole Hamels and Ken Giles over the past calendar year, but still have a couple of pitchers to sell off before August. One such pitcher is Hellickson, who is having a solid if unspectacular season and could eat some innings for a contender as a back-end starter.

The 29-year-old Hellickson originally came up with the Tampa Bay Rays and had a promising start to his career, including a Rookie of the Year campaign in 2011, before running into injury trouble. After a forgettable 2015 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks,  Hellickson has provided Philadelphia with a 4.23 ERA (4.42 FIP) over 92 innings, plus a strikeout rate of 21.7 percent that is nearing a career best per FanGraphs.com.

Those numbers are far from spectacular, but they could be useful enough for a buyer who needs a No. 5 starter. One strong fit is the Giants, as the rotation back end of Matt Cain, Jake Peavy and Albert Suarez has been shaky behind the team’s terrific top three.

San Francisco has its eyes on bigger targets, so getting Hellickson for cheap would be an effective way to fill a need. Hellickson would be some easy depth to acquire, and could help solidify the Giants’ lead in the NL West.

Next: 14. Will Smith to the Texas Rangers

Home/Arizona Diamondbacks