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MLB Trade Deadline 2019: Top 10 relievers who could be dealt

By Joshua Sadlock

DENVER, CO - JULY 14: Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches against the Colorado Rockies during a game at Coors Field on July 14, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JULY 14: Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches against the Colorado Rockies during a game at Coors Field on July 14, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JUNE 28: Ken Giles #51 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the ninth inning of a MLB game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre on June 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JUNE 28: Ken Giles #51 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the ninth inning of a MLB game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre on June 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

7. Ken Giles

Trading Marcus Stroman to the Mets doesn’t necessarily indicate that the Blue Jays are looking to sell all of their best trade chips at the deadline. Stroman had chafed with Jays management and was unlikely to figure into the team’s long-term plans. Toronto did what they had to do and parted with their ace now rather than deal with another ugly arbitration session or risk seeing him suffer an injury.

Toronto’s closer, Ken Giles, is coveted by several contenders, but the team remains tight-lipped regarding his availability. The 28-year-old right-hander is enjoying a resurgent season and has been one of the best relievers in baseball. It’s hard to determine exactly what more Giles could have done to earn a spot in the All-Star Game.

Giles has a 1.54 ERA in 35.0 innings this season and has struck out 14.9 per nine while allowing only two home runs. He has allowed more than one run in an appearance only once and has blown only one save. Giles had his fair share of issues in Houston, notably melting down in the 2017 playoffs and pouting when he was stripped of his ninth-inning duties.

The Jays have a bright future with Vlad Guerrero Jr, Cavan Biggio and Bo Bichette, but they are still short on elite pitching prospects. Giles looks great piling up strikeouts, but his value is largely wasted on a team where save opportunities have been few and far between. He is worth at least one top pitching prospect in this trade market, but teams may balk at the Jays asking price given how much Giles struggled in his lone trip to the playoffs with the Astros.

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