[NEW BULLPEN PIECE] The Rays Have Acquired Chad Bradford From The Orioles
Chad Bradford, Jason Hammel August 7th. 2008, 2:47pmThe Rays added a relief pitcher this afternoon, sending a player-to-be-named-later to the Orioles for Chad Bradford.
Bradford, 34 next month, has a 2.45 ERA in 40.1 innings this year. His strikeout rate is dangerously low, but he’s not walking anyone or allowing home runs. He also has a very strong groundball rate.
Bradford has $1.05MM left on his contract this year plus $3.5MM in ’09. Aside from the Angels, all the other American League teams passed on the chance to claim Bradford.
In order to trade players in August, a player must clear waivers or he must not be claimed by any team with a worse record. The Rays have the second-best record in the AL, meaning no other team tried to claim the reliever.
No word yet on who will be bumped from the Rays bullpen. Might the Rays DFA Jason Hammel?
The PTBNL is likely a list of 3-4 minor leaguers the O’s will scout over the next few weeks from whom they will get their choice.
Rays Acquire Chad Bradford [MLBTradeRumors]
Trade Made [MASN]
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Why Hammel over Reyes?
Reyes is certainly a possibility. Just depends on how much Maddon trusts his experience over Hammel’s ability.
my gut says Reyes stays, but then again he is a free agent at the end of the season.
Another possibility is for Reyes to go back on DL with some mystery ailment.
This seems like a decent move by the FO. Gotta love the fact he has a 0.00 ERA in 17 playoff appearances. Everyone has a soft spot for submariners anyway, right?