5 Reliever Trade Targets on Expiring Contracts

[Cody Christie]

Every contending team is searching for a bullpen upgrade to find late-season success. Here are five names the Twins can consider that will be free agents at the season’s end.

Image courtesy of Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Royals already traded Aroldis Chapman to the Texas Rangers to set the reliever trade market. Other reliever options might not be as well known as Chapman, but they can impact important games down the stretch. Minnesota’s late-inning options have been performing well, but other arms can add depth needed during the dog days of summer. Here are some names that non-contending teams will trade before the deadline because they have expiring contracts. 

David Robertson, RHP
Over the last decade and a half, Robertson has been one of baseball’s best relievers. He’s won a World Series and pitched over 45 innings in October. Over the last two seasons, he has rebuilt himself into a late-inning weapon while posting a 2.27 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP and 10.9 K/9. He’s 38 years old and has a lot of October experience, making him an intriguing trade target for every contending team. His price tag might be high, but it’s hard not to dream about the added dimension he’d bring to late-inning scenarios for the Twins. 

Keynan Middleton, RHP
There have been few bright spots for the White Sox this season. However, Middleton has produced solid numbers for a bullpen that has struggled to find consistency. He struggled over the last three seasons with a 5.10 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP across 60 innings. Middleton lowered his ERA to 3.41 while posting an 11.5 K/9, which is over 2.0 K/9 higher than his career average. His acquisition cost will be lower than other pitchers on this list, so the Twins must decide if his performance is a sign of long-term improvement. 

Jose Cisnero, RHP
Cisnero has bounced between three organizations and found a home in Detroit over the last four seasons. Over the last three seasons, he has a 3.20 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP and 9.2 K/9. His 4.7 BB/9 during that time is a little higher than team’s like to see from a reliever. Minnesota wouldn’t likely use him in a late-inning role, but he can add another reliable arm to the middle innings. Last year, the Twins worked out a last-minute deal with Detroit for Michael Fulmer, so keep an eye on Cisnero as an option they might consider if they can’t acquire other names from this list. 

Jordan Hicks, RHP
St. Louis is likely selling before the deadline, but the front office plans to be in contention during the 2024 season. Hicks is one of the few pitchers in baseball that can rival Jhoan Duran in the velocity department with a fastball and a sinker that averages over 100 mph. Unlike Duran, Hicks struggles with command with over 5.0 BB/9 and a 1.50 WHIP. His FIP is nearly 80 points lower than his ERA, so this might point to him being unlucky so far in 2023. Hicks has the pure stuff that can dominate in October, and multiple contenders will be interested in adding him before the deadline.

Michael Fulmer, RHP
Minnesota acquired Fulmer at last year’s deadline, and he posted a 3.70 ERA in 26 appearances for the club down the stretch last season. The team had an opportunity to re-sign him this winter, but he ended up on the Cubs, where he’d get more late-inning chances. His season started horribly by allowing 18 earned runs in his first 22 innings. Since the calendar turned to June, his performance returned to his old track record. In 22 2/3 innings, Fulmer has a 1.59 ERA while holding batters to a .564 OPS. The real Fulmer is probably somewhere between his performance highs and lows this season.  

Which trade candidate is the best fit for the Twins? Are there other reliever candidates the team should target? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

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[Karbo]

I would say no to Middleton as this season seems to be an outlier (Think J.Lopez). I don't know if parting with the package for Robertson would be worth it as I just don't see us as true WS contenders. Cisnero and Fullmer would be possibilities if the asking price was reasonable. I believe we could do addition by subtraction in getting rid of Gallo and either get Buxton back in the OF or put him on the IL. Both of them are almost automatic outs and plugging up the roster preventing them from seeing what the youngsters that deserve a chance can do.

[roger]

None of us has a clue what the FO will do and who, or if, they will bring in a reliever.  After watching last night's game, hopefully, they will get one good late inning guy soon. 

Count me among those who would like to see them bring in a younger reliever with several years of control.  There are several positions in the organization where there is a lot of talent stacked to block others.  Corner outfield and middle infield are a couple.  I don't know what the return would be for someone like Larnach or Wallner, if paired with a young pitching prospect.  But I would prefer not spending trade capital on a two month rental.

[LA Vikes Fan]

None of thee guys are very exciting except for Robertson and maybe HIcks. MLB Trade Rumors says that St. Louis is negotiating with Hicks to get to a long term deal so he might be unavailable. Robertson is having a very good year but he's 38 and a 2 month rental, so price is key.  Is he worth a mid-level prospect? Sure. Is he worth more? I would say no and I think he may cost more than a mid-level prospect. 

I suspect the Twins will get a Fulmer type at most and perhaps nothing. Despite last night's implosion. the bullpen has been decent. The big question is whether Thielbar and Stewart are really coming back and could then displace Ortega and either Moran or Balazovic. If they are really on track to come back at full strength within the next 2-3 weeks, I could easily see the team deciding to wait for that rather than overpaying for a quality reliever.  If that's not the prognosis, I expect the team to be active in getting someone higher end than a Fulmer type. I think we'll learn a lot about Stewart and Thielbar's 2023 prognosis form how the twins act in the next few days. 

[gman]

Thielbar threw an inning last night with  1 walk and 1 strikeout, hopefully he is back in the Twins bullpen next week.

I wouldn't want another reliever with a high walk rate or high whip, we have plenty. I also wouldn't want a mere replacement for someone on the roster.

I want Varland as a starter next year, but I am wondering if he could threw out of the bullpen the rest of the year. He has thrown 96-97 with his fastball and could add  his second best offering for a relief role.

[JD-TWINS]

We don’t need 100MPH and light experience with too many walks……old school maybe, but I don’t see the Sox nor Detroit helping us out & neither of those guys get me excited.

Robertson would be best option but probably sought after by many other clubs………Fulmer is a guy trending the right way for 2 months and there’s a familiarity on both sides. We need a guy to throw an inning every 2nd or 3rd game. Fulmer seems safe!

[jkcarew]

Robertson. Needle-mover or nothing please…we have “depth”.

[Stew]

I would go big or go home. Out of this group I like hicks or Robertson. If we could I like to get a hader or bednar. But they might cost too much. But with the later pair you would need just one them.  You could  then put all your effort towards a right handed bat.

[Otaknam]

Some lower level prospect for an expiring contract to help the BP makes sense. Not a fan of selling out the farm like they did last year. The MiL pitching staff is already pretty thin w the exception of Raya.