Colorado Rockies trade rumors: Bullpen options in the AL East

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PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 17: Wade Davis #71 of the Colorado Rockies pitches in the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

If you were to ask any Colorado Rockies fans or any of us here at Rox Pile at whether this would be a position of need, not many, if any at all, would have chosen this.

Heading in 2018, most experts and fans expected one of the strengths of the Colorado Rockies to be the bullpen. However, that has not been the case.

Mike Dunn has an ERA of 9.00.

Bryan Shaw has an ERA of 6.89 (and that’s an improvement).

Chris Rusin has an ERA of 7.77.

Brooks Pounders has an ERA of 7.84.

Jake McGee has an ERA of 4.76 ERA.

Wade Davis even has an ERA of 10.81 in the month of June.

The Rockies bullpen, as a whole, has an ERA of 5.12, which (believe it or not) is 4th worst in baseball (not the worst).

Also, even more surprising, the person who has been best out of the Rockies bullpen (outside of Adam Ottavino, who is currently on the disabled list) is Harrison Musgrave, with a 2.40 ERA in 15 innings.

The bottom line is that the Rockies have the pieces to make a good bullpen…but they have not pulled their weight.

Whether or not you believe that the Rockies should stick with their current relievers until they start seeing improvements or add a piece or two in the bullpen is something for you to ponder.

However, if you think that the Rockies need to do that latter rather than the former, let us look at some of the options that Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich should look at.

In our first part of our series, we will check out the American League East.

TORONTO, ON – JUNE 7: Brad Brach #35 of the Baltimore Orioles delivers a pitch in the ninth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 7, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

The AL East is lead by the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. Considering that both teams are on pace for well over 100 wins, the other three teams in the division, the Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, and Baltimore Orioles are on pace for nearly 90 losses or more, all three teams will probably sell before the trade deadline.

Here are some of the options that the Rockies could look at from the division.

11. . . . Right-hander Brad Brach. 1. team

Brad Brach has, quietly, been one of the most consistent relievers in baseball. In the past six seasons, he has had an ERA below 3.78, including a 3.19 ERA or below in the past five seasons. Since 2012, he has an ERA of 2.96 and a 2.79 ERA since 2013.

In the past three seasons, he has averaged 67 games per season with a 2.62 ERA, 162 ERA+, 3.31 FIP, 3.5 walks per nine innings, and 10 strikeouts per nine innings.

This year, he has an ERA of 3.13 in 23 games. He has 10 saves (in 11 opportunities) with a 3.07 FIP. The one area of concern is his high walk rate (4.7 walks per nine innings) but he has only walked one in his last four innings.

He is a free agent at the end of the season.

DETROIT, MI – APRIL 17: Mychal Givens #60 of the Baltimore Orioles throws a eighth inning pitch while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on April 17, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 4-2. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

If you were to ask any Colorado Rockies fans or any of us here at Rox Pile at whether this would be a position of need, not many, if any at all, would have chosen this.

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