DAT 7/27: Arlington (Gallardo) @ Houston (Keuchel) 7:10 CT AT&T Sportsnet

Rangers have been terrible lately. Anything other than a sweep would be a HUGE HUGE disappointment.

Is Harper an Astro yet?

yay, I get to watch on a real TV this weekend! So damn frustrating

Ranking 25 best relief arms available from The Athletic:

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CLOSERS
1. Raisel Iglesias, RHP, Cincinnati Reds
Age: 28 Under control through: 2020
2018 stats: W/L: 1-1, ERA: 2.20, WAR: 1.4, WHIP: 0.978, SV: 19

The Reds have to be overwhelmed to trade Iglesias and although they’ve not had that offer yet, with a shrinking list of quality closers left on the market they might just get that offer on deadline day.

2. Kyle Barraclough, RHP, Miami Marlins
Age: 28 Under control through: 2021
2018 stats: W/L: 0-4, ERA: 2.45, WAR: 0.8, WHIP: 1.068, SV: 10

Barraclough is going to get moved, but the Marlins are doing a good job of holding out for the right prospect — which they should since Barraclough is controllable through 2021.

3. Keone Kela, RHP, Texas Rangers
Age: 25 Under control through: 2021
2018 stats: W/L: 3-3, ERA: 3.28, WAR: 1.0, WHIP: 1.093, SV: 23

Rumors has it that the Rangers and Pirates are working on a trade that would send Kela to Pittsburgh, but other teams are talking to Texas about him as well.

4. Fernando Rodney, RHP, Minnesota Twins
Age: 41 Under control through: 2018
2018 stats: W/L: 2-2, ERA: 3.44, WAR: 0.4, WHIP: 1.309, SV: 21

The bow and arrow could be moved again, with rumors of a trade to Boston possible.

5. Bud Norris, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
Age:33 Under control through: 2018
2018 stats: W/L: 3-3, ERA: 3.29, WAR: 0.4, WHIP: 1.098, SV: 19

The Cardinals should be sellers, and if they are, Norris will be one of the first to go after a strong first half. He’s a free agent at season’s end.

6. Shane Greene, RHP, Detroit Tigers
Age: 29 Under control through: 2020
2018 stats: W/L: 2-5, ERA: 4.19, WAR: 0.1, WHIP: 1.279, SV: 20

The Tigers are engaged with the Cubs and Phillies on a possible deal involving Greene; whether it’s to one of those teams or to another suitor, it does appear he’ll be dealt.

7. Sergio Romo, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays
Age:35 Under control through: 2018
2018 stats: W/L: 1-2, ERA: 3.63, WAR: 0.6, WHIP: 1.254, SV: 12

Romo’s slider can still get right-handed hitters out, and he’s certainly proven to contenders that he can help provide solid bullpen depth — although perhaps not in the closer or, for that matter, the opener role.

8. Ken Giles, RHP, Houston Astros
Age: 27 Under control through: 2020
2018 stats: W/L: 0-2, ERA: 4.99, WAR: -0.3, WHIP: 1.272, SV: 12

One thing’s for sure, Giles is not going to be closing games for the Astros again. It wouldn’t surprise me if they decide to trade him if there’s any interest.

RIGHT-HANDED RELIEVERS
1. Kirby Yates, RHP, San Diego Padres
Age: 31 Under control through: 2020
2018 stats: W/L: 3-0, ERA: 1.40, WAR: 1.7, WHIP: 0.853, SV: 3

Yates is the most sought-after Padres reliever since they traded Brad Hand to the Indians.

2. Seth Lugo, RHP, New York Mets
Age: 28 Under control through: 2022
2018 stats: W/L: 3-3, ERA: 2.84, WAR: 1.7, WHIP: 1.151, SV: 0

It’s unlikely that the Mets decide to trade Lugo, but his versatility and ability to start or pitch in any relief role, from long to short, make him an intriguing trade target for many teams.

3. Craig Stammen, RHP, San Diego Padres
Age: 34 Under control through: 2019
2018 stats: W/L: 4-1, ERA: 2.70, WAR: 1.0, WHIP: 1.120, SV: 0

The Padres most likely will trade Stammen if they can get a mid-level prospect back.

4. Ryan Pressly, RHP, Minnesota Twins
Age: 29 Under control through: 2019
2018 stats: W/L: 1-1, ERA: 3.40, WAR: 0.7, WHIP 1.364, SV: 0

Pressly’s mid-90s fastball, slider and curve combined with his 2.94 FIP would be a real sleeper pick-up for some team.

5. Mychal Givens, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
Age: 28 Under control through: 2021
2018 stats: W/L: 0-6, ERA: 4.62, WAR: 0.2, WHIP: 1.401, SV: 1

The Orioles have to trade Brad Brach before they move Givens, but given his sub-par year and the fact that the Orioles are in full sell mode, a trade is still possible.

6. Tyler Clippard, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
Age: 33 Under control through: 2018
2018 stats: W/L: 4-3, ERA: 3.54, WAR: 0.8, WHIP: 1.138, SV: 7

Clippard still has that nasty off-speed pitch to get left-handed hitters out, and with his experience and a solid season so far, he will help someone looking for depth.

7. Brad Ziegler, RHP, Miami Marlins
Age: 38 Under control through: 2018
2018 stats: W/L: 1-5, ERA: 4.11, WAR: -0.4, WHIP: 1.291, SV: 10

Thanks to his unique arm angle and ability to offer a different look, Ziegler could be a difference-maker. The Marlins will have to eat part of his contract, but his 0.66 ERA over the last 30 days has not been lost on teams scouting Miami.

8. Brad Brach, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
Age: 32 Under control through: 2018
2018 stats: W/L: 1-2, ERA: 4.85, WAR: 0.0, WHIP: 1.769, SV: 11

Brach has had a nightmare free-agent year, but a change of scenery might help him get back to form in a set-up role in August and September.

9. John Axford, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
Age: 35 Under control through: 2018
2018 stats: W/L: 4-1, ERA: 4.69, WAR: 0.0, WHIP: 1.313, SV: 0

There has not been a lot of interest in Axford; he could end up getting moved during the August waiver trade period instead.

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Gimme Minor or Conley

Agree on Minor or Conley. But I think a cheap flyer on Romo is a good move, too. He's a proven solid postseason pitcher who can strike dudes out.

The push for Iglesias has a fatal flaw. He's pitched for a bad team and thus has no pennant chase/playoff experience. For his cost, too risky.

Let's bolster the bullpen with two more proven vets and let them battle it out for 7 playoff spots.

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He's pitched for a bad team and thus has no pennant chase/playoff experience.

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I just don’t see this as important at all. Conley doesn’t either and Minor pitched in one division series game like 6 years ago. Iglesias is the best reliever we know to be available, that is who I want

Seatgeek just gave me a heads up to use the app as well.

Conley has more arm talent but would also be more expensive so thinking like Luhnow might.

Romo is not bad at all actually. He's just not a closer. If you can upgrade on Harris and maybe even Smith (since Romo has a great slider vs. RHH) for cheap, do it.