MLB rumors: 5 players the Cincinnati Reds should trade away

1. RP Raisel Iglesias

Raisel Iglesias has 13 saves and 3.07 ERA with 40 strikeouts over 29.1 innings this season. But he has also taken six losses, with five of them coming in non-save situations, as he has posted a 4.26 ERA in non-save situations overall (12 of his 28 appearances through Wednesday).

In early May, Iglesias complained about being used “horribly wrong.” At that point he had an ERA over 6.00 (6.14) in six non-save appearances compared to a 3.86 ERA in nine save-situation appearances.

Here’s what Iglesias said at the time.

"You can see the other closers, they don’t pitch in tie games. I’m the only one who comes in tie games and I’ve given up homers and I’m losing some games. I feel really bad. I already have five losses, something that hasn’t happened [to anyone else] in the big leagues. Five losses in the first month of ball. That shouldn’t be like that."

Modern bullpen usage means a closer might be asked to pitch in a tie game once in a while, so it’s on him to adapt and focus as if was the ninth inning or a save situation. To Iglesias’ credit it seems he has, pitching better in non-save situations lately. There’s no denying his talent, and he has two years left on his contract after this year.

Parting with Iglesias would be difficult. But the Reds could get a relative bounty for him in a trade, and there should be a few teams with interest in adding him to the back end of their bullpen.