MLB Trade Deadline: The ultimate 30-team trade
15. San Diego Padres
In an effort to build a dominant bullpen from top to bottom, similar to what the Yankees now have with the addition of Robertson and Kahnle, the Red Sox should also make a strong run at San Diego lefty Brad Hand.
The only left in the Red Sox bullpen at the moment is Fernando Abad, who has a solid 2.90 ERA in 31 innings. Hand would provide a significant upgrade as the top southpaw in the unit, and would provide additional flexibility to manager John Farrell given Hand’s history of pitching well in multiple roles.
In 46 games this season, Hand has a 2.12 ERA and 2.64 FIP. The 27-year-old has recorded 66 strikeouts with only 14 walks in 51 innings pitching anywhere between the sixth and ninth innings. An All-Star for the first time this year, Hand has a 1.000 WHIP and saved his third game of the season in his last outing.
A former starter with the Marlins, Hand worked long relief early during the 2016 season with the Padres, and struck out 111 hitters in 89.1 innings spread across a major league leading 82 appearances. He isn’t Andrew Miller, but Hand could fill a Miller-like role for the Red Sox, going multiple innings when necessary and manhandling left-handed hitters along the way. Lefties have hit .175/.288/.333 against Hand this season.
Because he isn’t eligible for free agency until 2020, Hand won’t come cheap. However, Boston has a deep farm system, and the Padres and Red Sox have worked together in the past, making it likely the two sides could agree on a deal. With recently acquired Matt Strahm headed to New York in our exercise, the Red Sox would need to pony up three good prospects for Hand.