Fansided

MLB trade rumors: Top 25 trade assets for deadline

By Joshua Sadlock

Jun 24, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) smiles while on deck during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) smiles while on deck during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
13 of 26
Next
Jun 24, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher David Robertson (30) pitches in the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Guaranteed Rate Field. Athletics won 10-2. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher David Robertson (30) pitches in the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Guaranteed Rate Field. Athletics won 10-2. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

14. David Robertson

There is no Andrew Miller type reliever on the trade market this year. Without any real indication that the Orioles plan to move any of their elite relievers, David Robertson is the most likely closer to be dealt this year. He is a pure one-inning closer, and will not be able to have the same type of impact on the postseason that Miller did a year ago.

Robertson is an established veteran closer, and is a perfect fit for the Nationals. He comes with one more year of control, which would allow them to keep the ninth inning stabilized for more than one year. The Nationals are still clawing their way out of the Jonathan Papelbon sized abyss they dug themselves.

The White Sox closer has not been needed much this year, which will have him fresh for a pennant race and the postseason. Robertson is striking out a career-high 13.7 per nine this year. He throws a great cutter and knuckle-curve that result in more empty swings than average. The only downside to relying so heavily on a cutter is that it can be hit hard when it catches too much of the plate. Brad Brach of the Baltimore Orioles is another name to consider for tams in the hunt for relief help. If the O’s continue to slide, Brach could become available. He has upped his value this year by showing an ability to close.

Home/MLB Trade Rumors