Relief pitching has been the name of the game in this year's trade deadline deals. These deals might not be as spectacular as the Indians landing Brad Hand, Jeurys Familia going to the A's or Zach Britton being sent to the Yankees but these deals could bolster the post-season prospects of the Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies.
The Brew Crew acquired veteran closer Joakim Soria from the Chicago White Sox. In 29 appearances with the Chisox, Soria saved 16 games with a 0-3 record and a 2.56 ERA. Soria will likely play more of a supporting role for Brewers closer Corey Knebel and All-Star set up man Josh Hader.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have added reliever Matt Andriese who had spent his entire big league career with the Tampa Bay Rays which began in 2015. Andriese was 3-4 with a 4.07 ERA in 27 appearances this season. Four of these appearances were starts as one of the many relievers who has started games for Kevin Cash's rag tag crew at Tropicana Field. Andriese will undoubtedly be delighted to be reunited with his former Rays teammate Brad Boxberger who is Arizona's closer.
The Colorado Rockies bolstered their pen by obtaining Seunghwan Oh from the Toronto Blue Jays. The South Korean native was 4-3 with a 2.68 ERA along with two saves in 48 appearances with the Jays this season and has also struck out 55 batters in 47 innings. After saving games with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016 and 2017, Oh will play supporting role for Rockies closer Wade Davis joining a capable bullpen which includes Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee.
But not everyone is the market for relief pitching. The defending World Series champion Houston Astros have upgraded behind the plate by acquiring 2017 Gold Glove winner Martin Maldonado from the Los Angeles Angels. This probably means Evan Gattis will be used almost exclusively as a DH as Maldonado shares catching duties with Max Stassi. Maldonado might be the most valuable career .219 hitter in the game.
With five more days before the trade deadline there will be a lot more deals to come.
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