Red Sox Trade For Brad Ziegler: Fantasy Impact

By Bill Pivetz | Jul 9, 2016

Jun 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Brad Ziegler (29) pitches in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Diamondbacks won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

In the wake of the Craig Kimbrel injury, the Red Sox made a trade for Arizona’s closer Brad Ziegler. He will earn save opportunities as Kimbrel recovers.

Entering the 2016 season, the Boston Red Sox looked to have a very solid bullpen, much like the rest of the American League East. With the first-half struggles of some of the relief pitchers and the recent injury to their closer, the Red Sox traded for Arizona Diamondbacks closer Brad Ziegler. He will still be valuable for the next month or so.

Despite pitching in Arizona (38-50), Ziegler was doing well as a closer. In 38.1 innings, he had 17 saves, 2.82 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 27 strikeouts. He’s been the No. 12 relief pitcher over the last 30 days.

Craig Kimbrel came into Boston after pitching an amazing season with the San Diego Padres in 2015. This season, though, wasn’t the Kimbrel anyone expected. In 33 innings, he had 17 saves with a 3.55 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 50 strikeouts.

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The strikeouts and WHIP are good, but the earned runs are the killer. He’s given up 13 runs already. He gave up 17 all of last year. Kimbrel has been the No. 94 relief pitcher over the last month.

For better or for worse, Kimbrel’s season will be on hold as he will miss three to six weeks with a left medial meniscus tear. He will undergo surgery on Monday and a more exact timetable for return will be available then.

With their closer down, the Red Sox needed a replacement. In 32.2 innings, Koji Uehara has three saves with a 4.96 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 12.7 K/9. Junichi Tazawa has a 3.62 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 in 32.1 innings.

Enter Brad Ziegler. He doesn’t have much experience this season pitching in the American League, 4.2 innings, but he has a 1.93 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. Over his career, he has a 2.92 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 64.2 Interleague innings.

Next: Pirates Call Up Josh Bell

If you own Brad Ziegler, he is worth keeping rostered for the next six weeks. He is the likely replacement for Boston. Upon Kimbrel’s return, Zielger will be the set-up man. He will still have value in deeper leagues or leagues that use holds. In your standard leagues, though, he is borderline droppable.

The trade deadline is a few weeks away, but we are already seeing fantasy-altering trades that could shake up the standings.

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