MLB Trade Rumors: 20 Relievers the Red Sox Could Pursue

Jonathan Papelbon should be looking over his shoulder. At first considered the rock of the Red Sox bullpen, Papelbon is quickly eroding his own reputation and opening the door for the more consistent, if still more raw, Daniel Bard.

Still, despite certain trade rumors to the contrary, this writer is confident that Papelbon won't be dealt this season.

That's not to preclude a move as early as this offseason, particularly if Papelbon continues to struggle shutting the door. Indeed, rather than shortening games, Papelbon's 2010 performances have begun shortening his career in Boston.

Yet, as nail-biting have been his appearances this year, Papelbon remains one of the elite closers in the game, and he and Bard have emerged as the only solid pieces in a fatigued and aging pen.

Hideki Okajima renders a shadow of his Championship self when he toes the rubber. Since his magical Rookie year as Daisuke Matsuzaka's tag along, when Okajima posted a 2.22 ERA, Red Sox fans have watched with growing unease as that unexpectedly effective number has risen to an appalling 5.47 in 2010.

Manny Delcarmen, long more dominant early in the season than later, has already started to show his post-May colors. While his 2010 season ERA rests at a tidy 3.03, in June Delcarmen has been knocked around to a 7.36 mark. Over his career, Delcarmen has indeed become increasingly less effective as his innings mount, and if he follows that track, he could post a post-All-Star-break ERA in the neighborhood of 8.00.

After achieving a shocking level of excellence with his 2.84 ERA during the 2009 Red Sox campaign, former Rule 5 Draft pick Ramon Ramirez has regressed to his earlier, more disastrous days with the Rockies and now sadly owns a 4.88 ERA in 2010. Like Delcarmen, innings and late summer months are no friends of Ramirez, and he should only prove less effective as the many, many games roll by.

Thus, regardless of Jonathan Papelbon's future as a major trade chip and Daniel Bard's potential as the Sox' next closer, the 2010 Red Sox are in serious need of relief if they are to contend down the stretch in the suddenly thickly contested American League East.

Now, according to MLBTradeRumors.com, Red Sox Assistant General Manager Ben Cherington commented on Sirius XM Radio that Boston will in fact be looking to upgrade its bullpen before the trade deadline.

Through a combination of team record, individual performance, franchise finances, and individual contract, these 20 relievers are the most attractive candidates to fill Boston's currently Zombie-filled pen.

20. Evan Meek of the Pittsburgh Pirates

Season stats: 1.07 ERA / 0.88 WHIP / 42 innings

Evan Meek is just unfair. His numbers are outrageous, and he's 27, entering perhaps the prime of his career, so there is little reason why the Pittsburgh Pirates should want to trade him.

This should never happen, and probably won't, but it is Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh is notorious for continually ruining its own farm system and pillaging its own Major League club. They make terrible deals in Pittsburgh, so no fan should give up hope of acquiring the unhittable Evan Meek.

19. Tyler Clippard of the Washington Nationals

Season stats: 1.58 ERA / 0.99 WHIP / 45.2 innings

This will never happen, but Tyler Clippard should be on every club's radar. The 25-year-old Clippard is one of the filthiest, most disgusting, most unhittable up-and-coming relievers out there.

He's young, affordable, and nasty. The Nationals need him, and they need to keep him, but hope springs eternal.

18. Chris Perez of the Cleveland Indians

Season stats: 2.67 ERA / 1.26 WHIP / 27 innings / 6 saves

About to turn 25 on July 1st, Chris Perez and his increasingly powerful arm are unlikely trade candidates.

The Cleveland Indians are desperate to continue cutting payroll, and that means hanging on to what value they've got.

Perez won't be dealt, but he should be on people's radar in case he were to become part of a larger salary dump.

17. Drew Storen of the Washington Nationals

Season stats: 2.08 ERA / 1.27 WHIP / 17.1 innings

Let's face it: there is no reason whatsoever that the Washington Nationals would want to deal any of their myriad talented arms, but Theo Epstein can always make the call.

Perhaps talent can be traded for talent.

Drew Storen is yet another top-flight National hurler with tremendous upside, and he's showing some of it at The Show this season.

The Red Sox have chips too, but if I were the Nationals, I'd be keeping my prospects and rookie talent held tight.

16. Doug Slaten of the Washington Nationals

Season stats: 2.63 ERA / 1.46 WHIP / 13.2 innings

Doug Slaten is another of the young National arms that isn't likely to see beyond the Beltway for a few more years, but he's been tremendously effective so far, and he's a lefty, making him all the more valuable despite his inexperience.

Odds are slim he'll leave Washington this year, but hope....yeah.

15. John Axford of the Milwaukee Brewers

Season stats: 2.84 ERA / 1.26 WHIP / 19 innings

27-year-old John Axford has taken his time getting to the bigs, but apparently it's been worth the wait.

In 2009 Axford finally got the call, and he produced nicely in the just 7.2 innings he was allowed.

Now, pitching more regularly, Axford is limiting opponents to a .219 batting average and looking like more than a flash in the pan.

He's not so young to be untouchable, and the Brewers may prefer someone younger still to replace him.

At the same time, Axford isn't exactly the kind of reliable arm capable of shouldering part of a playoff run.

Axford probably isn't going anywhere, but he might get a sniff.

14. Brandon League of the Seattle Mariners

Season stats: 3.15 ERA / 1.13 WHIP / 40 innings

When Brandon League was dealt to Seattle this past offseason, many Blue Jays fans bid him good riddance. This writer takes great joy in pointing out that he completely disagreed and immediately wrote an article praising Seattle's hoodwinking of Toronto.

This writer was right. League has been steadily improving, and the 27-year-old is now a standout on another disappointing Mariners club.

Seattle isn't likely to part with their newly acquired arm, particularly since he is turning out to be such a great deal, but one never knows.

13. Andrew Bailey of the Oakland Athletics

Season stats: 1.86 ERA / 0.97 WHIP / 29 innings / 13 saves

Andrew Bailey is repeating himself. In 2009 he posted a season ERA of 1.84 and a WHIP of 0.88. The 26-year-old is obviously a long shot for any team to acquire, and a load of prospects would be necessary to get a deal done, but Billy Beane likes to create and deal pitchers, especially closers.

Were the Red Sox inclined to do so, they could probably put together a tempting package, but I doubt they would be so inclined. Daniel Bard appears to be the anointed closer to come, and adding another closer to the mix wouldn't sit well with any of the involved parties.

Still, stranger things have happened, and if Beane feels like restocking his constantly restocked farm system, Bailey could find a new home somewhere soon. Why not Fenway?

12. Sean Marshall of the Chicago Cubs

Season stats: 2.36 ERA / 1.11 WHIP / 34.1 innings

In the first of his arbitration-eligible years, Sean Marshall doesn't exactly give the Cubs financial headaches, and they have plenty of time to figure out what to do with the sometimes starter, more often reliever.

Marshall is pitching his guts out this year on a team destined for mediocrity. While he's a long shot for any team to acquire, Marshall really deserves to join a winner.

Although his skills may not translate long-term to the American League, Marshall could seriously tear it up during a playoff run with a team like the Red Sox.

Yes, he's unlikely to find himself at Fenway, but it's not out of the realm of possibility since the Cubs should want to deal some chips and find some sort of silver lining in this disappointing season.

11. Dustin Hughes of the Kansas City Royals

Season stats: 3.20 ERA / 1.42 WHIP / 25.1 innings

Turning 28 on Saturday, June 29th, Dustin Hughes is sort of a late bloomer. Still, he's proving an impressive lefty rookie for the 2010 Royals.

Lefty. Lefty. Lefty.

Earning the league minimum, Hughes is probably a long shot for the Red Sox, and one cannot put too much stock in his early success. The league may not have adjusted yet, and if they do, trading for Hughes could yield painful dividends.

Still, when in need of a lefty, beggars can't be choosers. At the same time, the perennial beggar Royals can be choosers, and they probably won't deal such an affordable and effective arm unless they believe him to be achieving far beyond his talents.

10. Matt Capps of the Washington Nationals

Season stats: 3.51 ERA / 1.47 WHIP / 33.1 innings / 22 saves

Matt Capps leads the Major Leagues in saves, so why on earth would the Nationals trade him?

As dominant as Capps has been in Washington, the 26-year-old closer is only under contract for 2010. He makes a more-than-reasonable $3.5 million, but shedding even that could be attractive to a Nationals franchise signing its second consecutive No. 1 draft pick and looking to lose their closer in free agency.

Capps may like Washington, but if he continues to pitch so well, he'll demand far more money elsewhere.

What's more, the Nationals don't need Capps. They aren't going anywhere this season, and Tyler Clippard (to name just one of many quality arms) is waiting in the wings as Washington's closer of the future.

Capps may want to land in a closer's role, but much like Billy Wagner did last year, Capps could easily settle into a temporary setup job in a park like Fenway.

9. Javier Lopez of the Pittsburgh Pirates

Season stats: 2.25 ERA / 1.36 WHIP / 28 innings

Javier Lopez just left Boston, and his exit wasn't pretty, posting a 9.26 ERA during 2009. Still, some prefer a known quantity, and Theo Epstein has already dealt with Pittsburgh this year in bringing back another known quantity in Jonathan Van Every.

The Sox need a lefty, and if there's any chance that Lopez's resurgence isn't simply National-League syndrome, Lopez could find him self back in Beantown before August.

8. Brad Ziegler of the Oakland Athletics

Season stats: 3.09 ERA / 1.40 WHIP / 35 innings

At one point in 2008, Brad Ziegler was positioned as the Athletics' next closer, but he'd have an uphill battle now against the reigning American League Rookie of the Year, Andrew Bailey.

During the past two years, Ziegler has actually seen his numbers inflate, and the 30-year-old has probably peaked in value.

Knowing Billy Beane, Ziegler should be dealt, and that right soon.

Boston could use the youngish gun, even if he is already showing signs of wear and tear. He doesn't have to be good for long, just be good down the stretch, and frequently from the stretch.

7. Craig Breslow of the Oakland Athletics

Season stats: 2.76 ERA / 0.98 WHIP / 32.2 innings

Look at that WHIP. The 29-year-old Breslow has the stuff now he lacked when he pitched for the 2006 Red Sox. Then it was 3.75 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.

Perhaps, given Oakland's proclivity for dealing its young talent, Theo Epstein might be able to pry the southpaw back to Boston, where he might have a better chance at a successful post-season run than in his first stint during that injury plagued 2006 campaign.

As always, if it's in Oakland, it's for sale.

6. Robinson Tejeda of the Kansas City Royals

Season stats: 3.72 ERA / 1.38 WHIP / 36.1 innings

Robinson Tejeda may not be the flashiest of arms out there, but he's been lights out for the past two months.

After getting off to a shaky start and an 11.57 ERA in March and April, Tejeda posted a 0.57 ERA in May and currently owns a 1.59 ERA in June.

The 28-year-old Tejeda would probably be a little more difficult to pry away from Kansas City as he may be entering some prime years and is still affordable at only $950,000 in his first arbitration-eligible year.

Still, with the former Royal Ramon Ramirez struggling, perhaps it's time the Sox looked to Kansas City once again to replace him.

5. Tyler Walker of the Washington Nationals

Season stats: 3.57 ERA / 1.22 WHIP / 35.1 innings

At 34 years of age and under a one-year contract, Tyler Walker is one of the more likely candidates to be moved before this year's trade deadline.

Earning only $650,000 this year, Walker has been more than effective, but he hasn't dominated to the point of becoming unaffordable in terms of prospects.

4. Aaron Heilman of the Arizona Diamondbacks

Season stats: 3.66 ERA / 1.41 WHIP / 32 innings

Into his final arbitration year, the 31-year-old Aaron Heilman is earning $2.15 million and is producing at a level uncharacteristic of his under-achieving Diamondbacks team.

Heilman hasn't performed like this since his 2006 and 2007 years with the New York Mets, and he will hit free agency this off season.

With the Diamondbacks sinking in quicksand, the Red Sox could look to the Arizona desert for some unlikely relief.

3. Will Ohman of the Baltimore Orioles

Season stats: 3.22 ERA / 1.52 WHIP / 22.1 innings

Will Ohman isn't a name that inspires fear in hitters, and certainly many fans take the big lefty a little lightly, but it wasn't too long ago that Ohman was relatively dominant for the Atlanta Braves.

Due to injuries, Ohman pitched a mere 12.1 innings for the 2009 Dodgers, and perhaps he wasn't given a fair shot in Los Angeles. An imposing southpaw that can hold the American League to a .241 average while dealing in the most competitive division in baseball might have just needed stretching out in the National League West.

The Orioles have him, but his $1.35 million contract terminates at the conclusion of this season when Ohman will be 33-years-old.

Looking square in the face of the worst record in baseball for the 2010 season, the Orioles may very likely be willing to part with Ohman late in July, and he should be on the Red Sox' radar.

2. Shawn Camp of the Toronto Blue Jays

Season stats: 2.35 ERA / 0.94 WHIP / 38.1 innings

34-year-old Shawn Camp might be one of the more ideal candidates for a Red Sox bullpen job. As one of the more dominant relievers in the American League East, Camp is primed to handle the particular challenges associated with pitching in one of the true hot boxes of the toughest division in baseball.

Camp is aging, but still effective. He's a known element, proven in the AL East. He makes a sizeable $1.15 million, but is entering another arbitration-eligible off season in which he could easily prove too pricey for a struggling Toronto franchise, especially if he continues to produce a the highest of levels.

It would take a decent amount to acquire Camp, but at his age, it shouldn't break the Sox' farm system.

1. Kyle Farnsworth of the Kansas City Royals

Season stats: 2.51 ERA / 1.19 WHIP / 28.2 innings

Kyle Farnsworth is, without a doubt, the guy the Red Sox should and could go get.

Yes, he was a Yankee, but Farnsworth has it going in this walk year of his two-year, $9.25 million deal with Kansas City.

That's fairly rich for the Royals' blood, and they aren't likely to resign the 34-year-old Farnsworth. They should trade him to a contender and get something decent in return.

The Red Sox have the prospects, and the price shouldn't be astronomical.

Farnsworth is the best combination of talent, experience, availability and price that is out there on the market right now.