Fansided
That Balls Outta Here
Home/Phillies Rumors

Phillies rumors: Five relievers worth trading for this year

jtown
TORONTO, ON - MAY 10: Ken Giles #51 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the ninth inning during MLB game action against the Chicago White Sox at Rogers Centre on May 10, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 10: Ken Giles #51 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the ninth inning during MLB game action against the Chicago White Sox at Rogers Centre on May 10, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Phillies
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 02: Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ken Giles (51) throws a pitch during an MLB game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on May 2, 2019, at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Ken Giles

“Hundred Miles Giles” may once again be back on the market this season, and a reunion with the Phillies could be in the cards.

Giles made a strong impression in his first two years in Philadelphia, striking out 151 batters in 115.2 innings with a 1.56 ERA in 2014 and 2015 combined. He became the team’s closer once Jonathan Papelbon was dealt, but that didn’t last too long as Giles also was traded to Houston following the 2015 season.

Giles couldn’t quite find the same success with the Astros in 2016 but had an excellent regular season in 2017. That changed in the postseason as Giles allowed ten runs in 7.2 innings, including five runs allowed in 1.2 World Series innings. The Astros still won the World Series, but Giles didn’t help much.

After a tumultuous first half of 2018 that led to a demotion to Triple-A, Giles was traded to Blue Jays. While he struggled at the end of last year, he has returned to the dominant form that led many to label him the closer of the future four years ago.

In 20 appearances this year, Giles has a 1.37 ERA, 1.37 fielding-independent pitching, 14.19 strikeouts per nine innings, and 1.0 fWAR. His ten saves rank fifth in the American League, which is especially impressive considering Toronto’s 19-27 record.

Given Toronto’s standing in the top-heavy AL East, they will be sellers at the trade deadline. Closers are always a hot commodity, especially ones with a few years of control like Giles. His recent struggles may bring down his price somewhat, but the risk may be worth it.

facebooktwitterreddit