MLB Trade Deadline: The ultimate 30-team trade
20. Tampa Bay Rays
Also picking up on an earlier trade, the Rays acquire reliever Tyler Clippard from the White Sox, who (in real life) was acquired from the White Sox as part of the deal with the Yankees for Frazier, Robertson and Kahnle.
Tampa Bay ranks 22nd in the majors in bullpen fWAR (1.4), and Rays relievers have posted a mediocre 4.36 ERA and 4.17 FIP. Therefore, the club would certainly be willing to take a flier on Clippard despite his struggles this season. Clippard has a 5.15 ERA and 5.05 FIP in 36.2 innings across 42 appearances this season combined between New York and Chicago. However, he has a 2.91 ERA and 3.68 FIP over his past nine MLB seasons since moving to the bullpen full-time in 2009. Just 32 years old, there is reason to believe Clippard can bounce back and his poor results in 2017 are an anomaly.
But Clippard alone wouldn’t solve Tampa Bay’s worries in the bullpen, and the Rays are one of several teams interested in acquiring veteran right-hander Pat Neshek from the Phillies. Like Clippard, Neshek is a two-time All-Star as a non-closer. The 36-year-old has been one of the best in baseball this season, posting a 1.12 ERA and 1.93 FIP with 45 strikeouts and only five walks in 40.1 innings. Neshek has allowed just 6.2 hits per nine innings this season, helping him post a tiny 0.818 WHIP. His 10.0 K/9 would be his best since 2008.
The Rays would also like to add depth on the bench, particularly at second base and left field. Howie Kendrick would be the perfect fit, and including him in the deal would allow the Phillies to capitalize on Neshek’s value. We’ll peg the Rays to send Brad Miller and a 26-year-old relief pitching prospect Ryne Stanek to Philadelphia.