Another week has passed, and the trends mostly remain the same. There are more projected buyers than sellers, which makes predicting which relievers may lose their leverage roles challenging. Instead of splitting this into two separate columns, the market trends will explore the sellers, teams taking a hybrid approach (buy and sell), and the buyers.
Making things more difficult, San Diego’s transition from a hybrid team into a seller removes the best reliever from the market (at least for now). A team would have to overwhelm A.J. Preller to pry Mason Miller after winning its last five games through July 30. As a result, some shifts in the teams, with relievers of interest highlighted. But this trade deadline may not provide as many opportunities for saves off the waiver wire as last year.
Projected Sellers
Teams will be interested in the left-handed options, especially ones that could face the Dodgers. How deep the Royals’ sell goes depends on what they can get for Daniel Lynch IV. Same for the Angels; Ryan Zeferjahn has been mentioned as available, but any setback for Ben Joyce may remove him from trade conversations. San Francisco may deal a reliever or two, but most reports suggest they are trying to unload hitting contracts and players on expiring contracts, which the bullpen does not have.
Relievers of interest:
Riley O’Brien (STL): From Will Leitch for MLB.com:
I agree on his value being at an apex, selling high makes sense.
Pete Fairbanks (MIA): He is close with Pete Bendix, so a trade would be agreed upon by the veteran closer, however, as Christina De Nicola notes for MLB.com:
Projected Hybrids
Minnesota needs relievers, but it also can take advantage of a seller’s market. Same for Miami. If Toronto can shed Jeff Hoffman, it will. A reunion in Philadelphia may be best for the beleaguered reliever.
Projected Buyers
The buyers will undergo changes over the weekend as well. Some teams may migrate toward the hybrid approach at the trade deadline, while others could decide to sell.
Entering gameplay on July 30:
Trade Deadline Glossary
BUY+ = A reliever with a strong chance (50 percent or higher) of becoming a closer after the trade deadline.
BUY = A reliever with a slight chance (20 percent or higher) of becoming a closer after the trade deadline.
SELL = A reliever with a slight chance (20 percent or lower) of losing the closer role by the trade deadline.
SELL+ = A reliever wth a strong chance (50 percent or higher) of losing the closer role as a result of the trade deadline.
Luke Weaver (NYM): In the latest trade deadline update by Anthony Di Como for MLB.com:
How the Mets handle Weaver could be a major factor this trade deadline, and for the team going forward.
Ben Joyce (LAA): As of this writing, he has made two scoreless appearances at Triple-A, and may be ready in a week or two. He should be a factor in save situations, but what type of workload can he handle? A handful of saves could happen, but volume expectations should be tempered. In 2024, He went 2-0 with four saves, eight holds, a 2.08 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts in 31 games, spanning 34 innings. However, He only logged four appearances on zero days’ rest with the Angels in 31 games during the 2024 season.
Justin Martinez (ARI): With Paul Sewald removed as the closer, Jonathan Loáisiga may be the preferred right-handed option for saves until Martinez returns. However, he has not faced hitters in a live game.
Ty Madden (DET): He has been scoreless in his last three relief outings, though all were multiple-innings. He’s allowed a hit and a walk while striking out six (26.3 K-BB%) with an 11.6 percent swinging strike rate across his last 5.2 relief innings. If the team traded Jansen and Finnegan, he may get some save chances over the last two months.
George Soriano (STL): There are no guarantees the Cardinals will move O’Brien, but if they do, he could earn the preferred save share. He has recorded two saves this season and 14 holds while suffering two blown saves with a 1.10 WHIP and 13.8 percent swinging strike rate.
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