Dodgers: Possible Bullpen Targets to Replace Daniel Hudson

Craig Stammen and Kirby Yates

The Padres always seem to bring out the best in relievers and this is once again true for two potential trade targets they have sitting in their bullpen.  While Brad Hand is the best reliever they have, he would cost multiple top five prospects to acquire and since he is in the division the Padres would likely ask for the moon.  The Padres have two other relievers who are on bargain deals that would be upgrades in the Dodger bullpen.  Those two relievers are Craig Stammen and Kirby Yates.

Stammen is an older reliever at 34 years old but he is signed through next season at only 2.2 million a season.  Yates is slightly younger at 31 years old and is under team control for two more seasons after this year.  Yates makes just over one million this season so he is among the cheapest relievers the Dodgers could acquire to upgrade their pen.  Stammen has been around a long time and uses his two-seam fastball to induce ground balls.  Fifty-one percent of Stammen’s outs have come via the ground ball this season and he has a 9K/9IP to go along with a 1.95 ERA and a WHIP just below one.

Yates is a former Rays prospect who has found success in the Padre bullpen.  This season Yates has a 1.35 ERA to go with a 0.95 WHIP and an opponent’s batting average of .186.  It’s unlikely the Padres would ask for a ton for Yates even with two more seasons of control since his breakout is still relatively new and they likely want to sell high on him.  Yates is the second possible trade target on the Padres who would fit perfectly into the Dodger bullpen.