MLB trade deadline: Blue Jays to acquire reliever Brad Hand from Nationals, per report

The Toronto Blue Jays are finalizing a commerce for veteran lefty reliever Brad Hand of the Washington Nationals, sources tell Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Nationals will obtain minor league catcher Riley Adams in return. 

The 31-year-old Hand has a 3.59 ERA and a pair of.33 Ok/BB ratio this season in 41 appearances for the Nationals. Alongside the best way, he is picked up 21 saves in 26 alternatives. For his profession, he owns a 3.02 ERA and three.47 Ok/BB ratio as a reliever, a span that features 394 bullpen appearances throughout 11 seasons. Hand does have 43 profession begins, however he hasn’t logged one since 2015.

With Toronto, Hand figures to get some save alternatives however would possibly share nearer duties with the right-handed Jordan Romano. Relating to enjoying match-ups with Hand, it is price noting that, thanks partly to his low arm angle, he is restricted left-handed batters to a slash line of .188/.261/.295 over his profession. 

The Blue Jays proper now are two video games above .500 and occupy fourth place within the AL East. Nonetheless, they’re additionally a workable 4 1/2 video games out of second wild card place within the AL. 

On the Nats’ facet of issues, Adams, 25, is a former third-rounder out of the College of San Diego who’s appeared in 12 video games for Toronto this season on the main league degree. In 35 video games for Triple-A Buffalo this season, he is batted .239/.371/.487 with seven residence runs. Adams has an OPS of .783 throughout elements of 4 minor league seasons. 

The Hand commerce might sign {that a} extra thorough current is within the offing for the Nationals earlier than Friday’s commerce deadline. Most notably, rumors have swirled about ace Max Scherzer and shortstop Trea Turner. The excitement appears stronger concerning Scherzer, who increasingly seems like he might be dealt to an NL West team before the deadline arrives.