Updated on July 25
With less than one week until the trade deadline, how teams will handle their rosters remains in flux. Some teams will use their next two series as a litmus test on how to proceed. There are clear buyers at the top of the Wild Card standings and three teams within two and a half games, but Arizona has opened for business trading Josh Naylor, and St. Louis is trending toward moving their expiring contracts.
Entering the last weekend before the trade deadline, here is how things stand for teams in the National League regarding their relievers:
Glossary:
BUY+: This reliever has a strong chance (50 percent or better) of becoming a closer after the trade deadline.
BUY: This reliever has a slight chance (at least 20 percent) of becoming a closer after the trade deadline.
SELL: This reliever has a slight chance (at least 20 percent) of losing his team’s closer role by the trade deadline.
SELL+: This reliever has a strong chance (50 percent or higher) of losing his team’s closer role by the trade deadline.
TL;DR – National League Relievers
BUY+: Ronny Henriquez (MIA)
BUY: Joe Jiménez (ATL); Dylan Lee (ATL); Blake Treinen (LAD); David Robertson (PHI); Isaac Mattson (PIT); Jeremiah Estrada (SD); Luis García (WSH); Jose A. Ferrer (WSH)
SELL: Matt Strahm (PHI); Orion Kerkering (PHI); Robert Suarez (SD)
SELL+: Raisel Iglesias (ATL); Ryan Helsley (STL); Kyle Finnegan (WSH)
**Arizona will trade Shelby Miller and Jalen Beeks if possible, but both are currently on the injured list.
National League Projected Buyers
Chicago Cubs – Despite Daniel Palencia taking over as the closer, the team could use another veteran presence with “closer” experience for the playoffs. Who they add will determine how roles evolve.
Cincinnati Reds – Emilio Pagán has been a savior for Terry Francona this year, converting 20 of 23 save chances before the All-Star break. If they are serious about the playoffs, adding a fresh arm to the leverage ladder would be advisable. Tony Santillan and Scott Barlow are tied for the eighth most appearances (48) entering game play this weekend.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Although the team prefers not to overpay ahead of the trade deadline, the health statuses of Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech, and Brusdar Graterol may force them into the right-handed reliever pool. Treinen cleared his last rehab hurdle and should be activated as soon as this weekend in Boston. Will this and the reports of inflammation for Tanner Scott make getting a closer not a priority? We will find out soon.
Buy: Blake Treinen
Milwaukee Brewers – The bullpen represents a strength for this team, so trading from it may occur, but I’m not sure any additions will be forthcoming to it.
New York Mets – Targeting a reliable eighth-inning setup option will be a priority. If he remains under team control through next year, it would be a welcome bonus.
Philadelphia Phillies – There has not been a post about the Phillies, not to mention the team’s apparent need for high-leverage relievers. Can they pry a reliever with team control beyond 2025? It’s possible, and there have even been reports that they have inquired about David Bednar and Dennis Santana as a package deal from in-state rival, Pittsburgh. The team is also scouting the Twins (Jhoan Durán and Griffin Jax), but there will be a hefty price tag attached to trading for one of them. But it fits the team’s two-year “Wheeler window.” Stay tuned. With David Robertson working his way into game shape, he could be activated by August 4. Depending on who the team adds will determine the fantasy fate of Matt Strahm. For now:
Buy: David Robertson
Sell: Orion Kerkering; Matt Strahm
San Diego Padres – Like the Brewers, the leverage ladder remains one of its strengths, though getting one more leverage reliever would help the four primary relievers. There is a slight chance the team buys and sells, and if this happens, Robert Suarez could be moved. Just in case:
Buy: Jeremiah Estrada
Sell: Robert Suarez
San Francisco Giants – Whether or not Camilo Doval can remain atop the hierarchy does not impact the team ahead of the trade deadline. Starting pitcher represents this team’s apparent need for a shot at the playoffs, not a reliever.
National League Projected Sellers
Arizona Diamondbacks – If Shelby Miller clears his live batting practice on Friday, his activation could be pending, making him available for a contending team. If he stays, he will continue to be the closer.
Sell: Shelby Miller
Atlanta Braves – Trading pending free agent Raisel Iglesias makes sense, and his recent results should improve the prospect capital in return. However, though many feel Dylan Lee makes sense as the potential fill-in, it appears they may use a shared save approach between him and Daysbel Hernández until Joe Jiménez returns. Jiménez could be ready by late August and use the last five to six weeks of the season as an audition for the closer role in 2026. He’s our preferred stash.
Buy: Joe Jiménez; Dylan Lee
Sell+: Raisel Iglesias
Colorado Rockies – Getting out of Coors should help a reliever like Jake Bird, who could be an intriguing multi-inning capable reliever for contenders. Reports also suggest Seth Halvorsen or Victor Vodnik could be moved, but Bird remains the most probable reliever being moved.
Miami Marlins – Selfishly hoping the team traded Anthony Bender, rumored on the proverbial trade block, so that Ronny Henriquez can be the preferred save share.
Buy+: Ronny Henriquez
Sell: Anthony Bender
Pittsburgh Pirates – Selling high on the aforementioned Bednar and Santana makes sense. Caleb Ferguson, a pending free agent, should also be moved. Can Isaac Mattson fill the late-inning void? Will the team let him? If Dennis Santana stays, he will take over the ninth.
Buy: Isaac Mattson
Sell+: David Bednar; Dennis Santana
St. Louis Cardinals – Struggling at the onset of the second half should result in the team selling ahead of the deadline. This affects Ryan Helsley. He may not be traded, and the team remains comfortable offering him a qualifying offer if he’s not dealt; however, he told The Athletic he feels 90 percent sure he will be moved. He, Steven Matz, and Phil Maton can be free agents at the end of the year.
Buy: Andre Granillo; JoJo Romero
Sell+: Ryan Helsley; Steven Matz; Phil Maton
Washington Nationals – The team hopes it can move Kyle Finnegan over the next two weeks and continue the rebuild. In the preseason, the team felt Jose A. Ferrer could become a potential option for the ninth inning, but the recent addition of Luis García should not be ignored. A dreaded committee could ensue, or the team opts for the veteran with “closer” experience. As for Ferrer, we must heed his splits:
- Ferrer vs. LHH: .189 batting average against, .229 weighted on-base average, 21.2 K-BB%, 0.72 WHIP
- Ferrer vs. RHH: .325 batting average against, .360 weighted on-base average, 9.8 K-BB%, 1.60 WHIP
Since signing with the Nationals, García has posted a 0.60 WHIP with five strikeouts versus one walk (18.2 K-BB%), and a 2.48 SIERA.
Buy: Jose A. Ferrer; Luis García
Sell+: Kyle Finnegan
This may be updated next week if more clarity emerges.
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