5 Reliever Trade Targets on Expiring Contracts

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.