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Dodgers: Possible Southpaw Reliever Trade Candidates

By Michael Wittman

Apr 24, 2017; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Adam Liberatore (36) is relieved by manager Dave Roberts (30) in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. The Giants won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2017; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Adam Liberatore (36) is relieved by manager Dave Roberts (30) in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. The Giants won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 10, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Brad Hand delivers a pitch to the Texas Rangers during a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Brad Hand delivers a pitch to the Texas Rangers during a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports /

Brad Hand – San Diego Padres

With a large amount of parity around the league, there are not many teams that are sure sellers.  One of the teams we can bank on being a seller is the San Diego Padres. Their best trade candidate fits the Dodgers needs, and that is Brad Hand. Hand is having a solid season despite a 0-3 record as he has a stellar 1.93 ERA and 1.00 WHIP to go along with two saves. This is after he had a great year in 2016 where he posted a 2.92 ERA and held opponents to a .195 batting average.

This season Hand is holding batters to a meager .170 batting average.  Lefties are only hitting .143 off him after hitting .125 off him last season, so it’s clear that Brad Hand is building the reputation of being a shutdown left-handed reliever. Most left-handed relievers tend to get beat up against right-handed hitters, but Hand is only allowing a .181 average to right-handed batters. Also working in Brad Hand and the Padre’s favor is that among prospective lefties on the market Hand is the youngest as he turned just 27 in March.  While it most likely would cost a few solid prospects to acquire Hand, the Dodgers would get to control him for two more seasons through arbitration, and he can be a key component to the Dodgers bullpen.

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