The Sox currently have three relivers in the top 20 for WAR in Robertson (11th), Swarzak (15th), & Kahnle (19th). While Robertson has a track record of being an elite reliever, the other two are obvious surprises. Having said that, both of these guys have experienced increases in velocity that can be be explained to some extent (shift to relieving, mechanical tweaks) that suggests there might be something real here.

 

What's crazy is the quality doesn't stop here. Putnam was having a great season (9.35 K/9, 1.04 BB/9, 1.28 FIP) before going on the DL with an elbow injury. Jennings has been very solid this year (0.93 ERA) despite core numbers that don't scream at out you. And we haven't even gotten to Nate Jones who was the 17th ranked reliever last year in terms of WAR and has been filthy after a slow start to the season (14 Ks, 2 BBs in last 8.1 innings).

 

Long story short, even if a few guys regress, the Sox should have a ton of relief talent to dangle at the trade deadline. The question then becomes which of these guys do you prioritize moving and do any fit into the long-term plan. Below is the years of control for each of the six guys mentioned above along with their current age:

 

Swarzak - 0 / 31

Robertson - 1 / 32

Jennings - 2 / 30

Putnam - 2 /29

Jones 4 / 31

Kahnle 4 / 27

 

I would love to hear everyone's thoughts. I'd honestly like to move most of them, but that's probably not realistic for one trade period, especially one where there could be a lot of sellers.

Jones and Robertson you might get something decent back. The other guys, even if they keep this up for a while don't have the track record IMO where a team will give up a significant prospect for them even if desperate.

Trade Swarzak, Robertson, Jones

Trade Putnam and Jennings if you can, but don't expect much

Hold on to Kahnle for now.

I thought FIRST PLACE teams were buyers at the trade deadline, not sellers!!

 

Jones and Robertson you might get something decent back. The other guys, even if they keep this up for a while don't have the track record IMO where a team will give up a significant prospect for them even if desperate.

 

Jennings maybe since he's a lefty.

Are there any recent examples of a reliever who came out of nowhere and put up a great first half before getting traded at the deadline? Curious to see what we should expect in a deal if Swarzak and Kahnle keep pitching well.

Robertson and Jones are the most expendable, and have the most value.

 

Jennings would be third, but they don't have a replacement for him.

 

You deal those two at peak value, you still have Burdi, Fulmer and a Lopez to plug into holes in August and September, not to mention Kopech.

 

Likely it won't be necessary, but that could be the fallback plan that won't require a single trade.

My guess is Jennings will regress and it will be kinda painful since he is our only lefty.

My guess is Jennings will regress and it will be kinda painful since he is our only lefty.

He has been pretty solid for a long time but you are probably right. He is going to run out of gas at some point.

 

 

And for some perspective, Jennings peripherals have been pretty much the same his entire career, and Miami got Andre Rienzo for him. I wouldn't think his value is any better now.

Edited April 29, 20178 yr by Dick Allen

I thought FIRST PLACE teams were buyers at the trade deadline, not sellers!!

 

 

They won't be in first place come the trade deadline so that won't be an issue.

 

Stay the course...rebuild.

 

Mark

 

Robertson needs to be moved - the sooner the better. He will bring back the best value. Plus, if the Sox still want to dance in "we're in it" land, they will still have a good pen without Robertson. Heck Kahnle is pitching as well as any of them...he is finally throwing strikes and could be an authentic Coop fixed 'em.

 

Jones, Jennings and Swarzak will all bring back good value, presuming they keep it up. Jennings is pitching multiple innings, which is in vogue. Good value, of course, is relative.

Swarzak does have a track record and has had good years before. In fact, if one uses the Petricka standard, Swarzak has had only 1 bad year (and that was over 13 innings). Then put Cooper's reputation on top of it and you have yourself a trade chit. Not for a top prospect, but for one with potential to develop.

Looks like Hahn has a lot to trade.

Edited April 29, 20178 yr by GreenSox

No reason to move Kahnle unless you think he's going to turn into a non-MLB pitcher again. You have control of him for three more years.

He has been pretty solid for a long time but you are probably right. He is going to run out of gas at some point.

 

 

And for some perspective, Jennings peripherals have been pretty much the same his entire career, and Miami got Andre Rienzo for him. I wouldn't think his value is any better now.

I think we could get a top-10 organizational guy for him. His left-handedness alone does help.