Dodgers: Best Under the Radar Trade Options for the Pen

The Twins came into 2018 hoping to go on another magical ride like they did in 2017, not the case. The struggling AL Central team currently sits nine and a half games out of first place and has a win percentage of .458. So, the spending and trading they did before the season began looks to be all for none.

The Twins struggles this year open them up to be sellers at the deadline and right-handed reliever, Ryan Pressly is a solid, cheap, choice for the Dodgers who could use his services.

At a glance, Pressly’s numbers are nothing special. A 3.52 ERA and a 1.413 WHIP do not scream “acquire me” but his numbers beyond the surface are well worth the trade. On the season, Pressly has a 122 ERA+ and a K9 rate of 13.1. In his 46 innings, the 29-year old Pressly has struck out 67 batters.

Pressly also sports elite spin rate numbers, working in the top-10 with both his four-seam fastball and his curveball. Due to the impressive spin rate, Pressly has generated a 34 percent whiff rate, an elite mark compared to even the league’s best.

Pressly is under team control through the 2020 season which would serve as probably the only price driving factor in this deal. Otherwise, Pressly’s overlying numbers and lack of experience in the later innings and high-leverage scenarios. The Dodgers could probably get away with acquiring him with a minimal prospect package complete with guys from the lower third of the top-30 prospects.