Craig Stammen
Stammen is a former failed starter who transformed into a solid middle reliever for a few seasons with the Washington Nationals. He’s been better than ever this year, posting a 2.23 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 9.74 K/9.
He’s not overpowering with his low-90’s fastball but he pounds the strike zone and rarely walks batters. Stammen has issued only five free passes this season and owns a 1.39 B/9. He does a good job of keep the ball on the ground with a GB% above 50 for his career. His 3.7% HR/FB is among the ten best in the majors among relievers (minimum of 25 innings pitched).
The 34-year old remains under team control for a reasonable $2.25 million in 2019. He isn’t locked in for several more years on a bargain deal like Hand. Nor is he still arbitration-eligible like Yates. However, that’s what will make him cheaper to acquire than his bullpen mates.
Next: Could Devers be traded for Machado?
The Red Sox should inquire about Hand but the bounty they are bound to demand may be too steep. Yates would be an ideal alternative but San Diego may want to hang on to him given his low cost and ability to take over as closer. The Padres will listen in case another team wants to blow them away with an offer. Unfortunately, the Red Sox don’t have the chips to overpay. That leaves Stammen as the most realistic target.