Dodgers: Reliever trade targets that would bolster LA’s bullpen

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Kenta Maeda #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is congratulated by Will Smith #16 as Dave Roberts #30 look on after pitching during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park September 24, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Kenta Maeda #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is congratulated by Will Smith #16 as Dave Roberts #30 look on after pitching during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park September 24, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
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CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 21: Brad Hand #33 of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the sixth inning at Progressive Field on September 21, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Phillies defeated the Indians 9-4. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)

Brad Hand

Brad Hand is a closer who has been linked to the Dodgers in trade rumors before and seems to be in the same rumors every season.  He has been one of the most reliable closers in baseball over the last three seasons going 87-104 in save opportunities.  Hand has held right-handed batters to a .229 average over the last three seasons and has been even better against left-handed batters limiting them to a .163 average against.

Contractually speaking, Brad Hand is owed just $7 million in 2020 and has a club option for 2021 that is a reasonable $10 million.  Acquiring Brad Hand would cost the Dodgers just $17 million over the next two seasons, which is less than Kenley Jansen will make in 2020.  If the Indians are serious about trading Francisco Lindor and kicking off a rebuild, Brad Hand is likely the next big name they will look to move.

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