The Bullpen Report: Three Relievers Who Are Worth Adding (Carter Capps & More)

by Nick Hutcherson

With not much in the way of news or impending role changes, June is a time to really start looking forward to trade-deadline changes.  Who could be traded in the coming weeks?  Who could be primed to step into the roles those trades create?  Let’s take a look at a few of the situations to keep a close eye on:

Three to grab

1) Shallow League- Carter Capps- San Diego Padres
In a league of this size you should be able to find plenty of saves, so we want to focus on potentially elite arms. Capps (if he can get healthy) is just that. He has run into some hiccups in his rehab process and I certainly wouldn’t be using an active roster spot to hold onto him until he finally returns. If you have a handful of open DL spots and need an elite upside arm, this is your guy though.

The Padres are going no where this season and could very likely trade both Brandon Maurer and Brad Hand to clear the way and accumulate future assets. Capps and his pre-injury season 16.8 K/9 could also force himself into the picture once healthy, regardless of who is traded and who isn’t. This is a post-All Star Break return on investment, so be aware of that.

2) Average League- Felipe Rivero- Pittsburgh Pirates
This add is two-pronged:

• First Tony Watson is high on the list of closers likely to be traded away before the All-Star Break and that would result, presumably, in Rivero sliding into his role.
• Second Watson isn’t that good, and isn’t particularly safe in his role.

Rivero could simply outplay him for a few more weeks and take his job in that way. While his 0.63 ERA is due for some regression, his 2.69 FIP suggests it isn’t too far. He can help your numbers now and add saves for you in the near future!

3) Deep League- Joakim Soria- Kansas City Royals
Soria is in the same boat as the guys listed above, as he stands to be a benefactor of a Royals fire-sale at the trade deadline. If you are in a deep league you don’t have the luxury of waiting around, and the names above are probably already owned, so go out and grab Soria. He is quietly putting together a very solid season with a 3.18 ERA that is due to come down if you remove the bad luck, as well as a K/9 over 11.

Make sure to check out all of our updated rankings: