There’s a lack of talent on the block before Major League Baseball’s non-waiver trade deadline, which means demand is high and prices will go up. However, teams need to be wary of wasting assets this weekend.
Certain clubs already have come out with some ridiculous demands for non-elite players, and that certainly puts contenders at risk of overpaying for what they need. So, here are the players who franchises looking to add to their rosters shouldn’t break the bank for.
Rich Hill, Oakland Athletics
This list isn’t ranked, but Hill would be No. 1 if it was. The left-hander is having a great season at 9-3 with a 2.25 ERA, but the Athletics are trying to drive up his value big time. The A’s reportedly asked the Boston Red Sox for top pitching prospect Anderson Espinoza — they ended up dealing him to the San Diego Padres for Drew Pomeranz — which is a comically high asking price. Hill is 36 years old and will be a free agent after this season, so there’s no way teams should be giving up that much for a rental.
Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals
The Royals could get a haul for Davis, but teams looking for a closer shouldn’t be so willing to oblige. Davis is one of the best closers in the game right now, but there are a couple of things about the right-hander that are at least a little concerning. For starters, Davis’ robot-like control over the ninth inning hasn’t been so automatic this season, suggesting the 30-year-old could be on a downward slope. But what’s worse is that he gave up two runs on two hits and a whopping three walks in the ninth inning Wednesday, which could have been a hiccup, or it could have been a sign of something more.
Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reds
The nine-year veteran is having a great season, batting .271 with 25 home runs and 79 RBIs. He is a three-time All-Star and a two-time Silver Slugger. However, the Reds reportedly have heard from four teams about Bruce, and competition could get Cincinnati more than it deserves for the right fielder. Teams will have to keep in mind that Bruce is a career .249 hitter who strikes out quite a bit.
Shelby Miller, Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks reportedly want as much for Miller as they could have gotten if the right-hander wasn’t 2-9 this season with a 7.14 ERA. Miller has been great in previous years, but it’s not worth it for a team to mortgage its future on a guy who might not necessarily help this year or in years to come.
Jeremy Hellickson, Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies’ method with Hellickson is pretty much the same as the A’s with Hill. Hellickson’s numbers are pretty good — he has a 2.20 ERA with an 0.84 WHIP in his last seven starts — but the Phillies reportedly want a top-five prospect from any prospective buyers. Hellickson also would be a rental, so that should be a concern.
Thumbnail photo via John Hefti/USA TODAY Sports Images
