Fansided

Top 25 tradeable pieces to keep an eye on this season

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 16: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 16: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – JUNE 10: Brad Hand #52 of the San Diego Padres throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on June 10, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – JUNE 10: Brad Hand #52 of the San Diego Padres throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on June 10, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

17. Brad Hand

The San Diego Padres could have traded All-Star closer Brad Hand last summer, but instead elected to hold onto him and extend him last offseason. The 28-year-old right-hander is now on a three-year deal worth $19.8 million and has a team option for 2021 at $10 million. It’s a great bargain considering Hand has quietly been one of the better relievers in the National League over the past three years.

Since being acquired off waivers from the Miami Marlins, Hand has appeared in 181 games for the Padres and has a 2.50 ERA across 198 innings with 260 strikeouts. In his first full season as the closer, Hand is 17-for-19 in save opportunities.

Teams wanting to trade for Hand will have to pay for the nose. No doubt, the Padres view him as one of the pieces that will play a major role when they do return to contending status. There’s no need to rush a trade when he is being paid less than many setup men with far lesser credentials.

If things don’t pan out for the Padres with Eric Hosmer and all of their top prospects the next two years, then they will definitely trade Hand. It’s possible A.J. Preller and his front office would be willing to listen, especially if a team like the New York Yankees came calling. Hand might be the best reliever potentially on the move, but he’s further down this list because of the prohibitive cost to acquire him and the fact that he may not even be available.

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