Along with starting pitchers, there appears to be a strong market for left-handed relievers as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline is just two weeks away. The Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals are among the teams with reported interest in bolstering their bullpen.
The Dodgers were recently linked to Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton, as well as Detroit’s Justin Wilson and San Diego’s Brad Hand. The Astros have also been connected to Hand and Wilson.
According to Dennis Lin of The San Diego Union-Tribune, roughly half the teams in baseball have some level of interest in the Padres’ relief pitcher:
Sources say about 15 teams have expressed at least casual interest in Hand, but as the Padres opened the second half Friday, no agreement — involving Hand or anyone else — appeared imminent.
In order to trade Hand, the Padres are said to be asking for a haul similar to that of what the Philadelphia Phillies received for Brad Giles (five players/prospects) during the 2015 Winter Meetings. San Diego reportedly asked the Dodgers to include Alex Verdugo in any trade.
The 27-year-old is 2-4 with a 3.20 ERA, 2.79 FIP and 1.00 WHIP in 42 games this season, which is his second with the organization. Hand was the Padres’ only player selected to the National League roster for the 2017 MLB All-Star Game.
What presumably will work in the Padres’ favor is Hand being under team control beyond this season.
