MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: 5 trades Twins should make

2. Trade for Dan Straily and David Phelps

After a surprisingly strong 2016 season in Cincinnati, the Miami Marlins traded for Dan Straily in January. The 28-year-old right-hander, pitching for his fifth major league club since 2014, backed up last year’s performance (14-8, 3.76 ERA) with an even better start this year.

Though his first 20 starts, Straily is 7-5 with a 3.49 ERA and 4.07 FIP. He has 105 strikeouts in 113.1 innings, raising his strikeouts per nine innings from 7.6 to 8.3. Straily has allowed 32 walks, giving him a career low 2.5 walks per nine this season. He has also trimmed his home run rate as well. In 2016, Straily surrendered a National League worst 31 long balls, 1.5 per nine innings. This year, he has allowed 16 homers total, 1.3 per nine.

Straily won’t be eligible for free agency until 2021, and that long-term control appeals to suitors like the Twins nearly as much as his steady improvement on the mound. Other Marlins expected to be on the trade block include Edinson Volquez, who tossed a no-hitter earlier this year, closer A.J. Ramos, and reliever David Phelps, who has a 3.45 ERA and 3.69 FIP with 51 strikeouts in 47 innings across 44 appearances this season.

Several teams have reportedly shown interest in Phelps, including the Red Sox and Yankees. Wednesday night, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand mentioned the Mariners were actively looking to add Phelps to their bullpen. Seattle is one of the seven American League clubs within five games of the second Wild Card slot, so losing out to a fellow contender for the reliever would serve as a double blow.