MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: 5 trades Twins should make

3. Trade for Jeremy Hellickson and Pat Neshek

The rebuilding Phillies hoped to trade Jeremy Hellickson at the 2016 trade deadline, but were ultimately unable to get a deal done. Hellickson, who the team acquired from the Diamondbacks the previous winter, had his best season in four years in Philadelphia, posting a 3.71 ERA and 3.98 FIP in 32 starts.

The Phillies extended a qualifying offer to the 30-year-old right-hander, and expected to receive a draft pick from whatever club signed him. Instead, Hellickson accepted, and is currently pitching on a one-year, $17.2 million offer.

Hellickson’s numbers are far worse this year. In 19 starts, he has a 4.44 ERA and 5.53 FIP with 59 strikeouts in 107.1 innings. Last season, Hellickson struck out 7.3 hitters per nine innings (and posted at least 7.0 K/9 every year since 2013). This year, he has struck out 4.9 hitters per nine. Though his decline is troubling, there’s hope a change of scenery could help Hellickson turn it around.

MLB tweaked it qualifying offer system last winter, but Philadelphia would probably just let Hellickson walk away anyway after the season. Therefore, it makes sense the club (which has the worst record in baseball this season) would rather trade him.

Given his struggles and his high salary, Hellickson isn’t likely to receive huge interest this summer, and should theoretically be available for a low price in terms of prospects. Reliever Pat Neshek on the other hand, is one of the more highly sought after pitchers on the market.

A former Twin, Neshek has a 1.17 ERA with 41 strikeouts and five walks in 38.1 innings this season. The 36-year-old right-hander was an All-Star this year, but as an impending free agent, shouldn’t be very expensive, either. If the Twins are willing to take Hellickson also, Minnesota might be able to move to the front of the line among Neshek’s suitors.