Transaction Analysis: The Better Bullpens Bureau

TAMPA BAY RAYS Team Audit | Player Cards | Depth Chart

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Acquired RHP Jose Dominguez and Greg Harris from the Dodgers in exchange for RHP Joel Peralta and LHP Adam Liberatore. [11/21]

Remember the similarities between Matt Silverman's first big-league signing with the Rays (Michael Kohn) and Andrew Friedman's (Chad Harville)? There is shared ground here as well, because early in his tenure, Friedman traded relievers Danys Baez and Lance Carter to the Dodgers for two promising young arms, in Edwin Jackson and Chuck Tiffany. Obviously the comparison isn't perfect—Carter had accomplished more in the majors than Liberatore has, and neither Jackson nor Tiffany were relievers—but you have to nod at the symmetry.

Though Dominguez remains a project, he's certain to contribute to the Rays next season in some role or another. There's no questioning his stuff; the fastball is an elite offering that sits in the upper 90s, and his slider is an average pitch at worst. Alas, his command invites skepticism and inspires doubt that he'll ever fulfill his ninth-inning potential. Dominguez's mechanics have myriad tics, ranging from a wrist hook to excessive head and torso movement toward the first-base side. If Dominguez can smooth things out under Jim Hickey's guidance, then he should join Jake McGee and Brad Boxberger sometime soon to form one of the nastier late-game trios around.

In the interim, bet your life savings on the Rays signing a down-on-his-luck veteran reliever to give them more immediate help. —R.J. Anderson

The Dodgers didn’t have to go far to find Harris, selecting him in the 17th round out of Los Alamitos in nearby Orange County. He didn’t exactly tear through his first chance at full-season ball but more than held his own in his age-19 season. While he posted a high ERA (4.55), he balanced that by striking out 24.5 percent, and walking only 7.5 percent, of his 376 batters faced. He attacks hitters with a high-80s to low-90s fastball that can touch 94 and has the potential to sit in that range in short bursts. He’s taller than the 6-foot-2 he’s listed at, by at least an inch, but hasn’t put on much, if any, weight from the time he was drafted. While that generally points to a projectable frame, his narrow waist might preclude any significant additional bulk. His curve shows enough promise for some evaluators to project it to average, though it’s crude in it’s current incarnation, lacking consistent bite and often casted. Harris did make six relief appearances last year but they were interspersed throughout the season in an effort to limit innings. It’s expected he’ll continue to be developed as a starter moving forward. —Craig Goldstein

LOS ANGELES DODGERS Team Audit | Player Cards | Depth Chart

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Acquired RHP Michael Bolsinger from the Diamondbacks in exchange for cash considerations; designated LHP Jarret Martin for assignment. [11/22]
Acquired RHP Joel Peralta and LHP Adam Liberatore from the Rays in exchange for RHP Jose Dominguez and Greg Harris. [11/21]

Friedman trades with the Rays for the first time, and in doing so lands two likely contributors to the Dodgers' bullpen.

Peralta is the one with big-league experience, so let's start there. No full-time reliever has appeared in more games over the past three seasons than he has, at roughly 70 per year—and that includes time missed last season due to a mosquito bite, which led him to believe he had contracted chikungunya. In addition to his rubber arm, Peralta provided value to the Rays in a number of other ways. He translated interviews for other Spanish-speaking players, mentored youngsters on the staff and in the system, and even scouted—it was on his recommendation that Friedman signed one-eyed pitcher Juan Sandoval. He was at once an organizational soldier and productive late-inning reliever.

That's important to keep in mind, because not everyone will appreciate Peralta's work on the mound. He comes to the plate as often as Halley's Comet and doesn't boast outstanding velocity or stuff, leading to home-run issues. Still, there's something endearing about a pitcher who employs every winter-ball trick known to man to succeed in the majors; Peralta will pitch backward, drop his arm slot, quick pitch, and do or use just about anything else to get an out. Given that Peralta took a sweetheart deal to remain in St. Pete with Friedman—he has two additional club options remaining, both worth $2.5 million, and neither carrying a buyout—Dodgers fans should get familiar with all his ruses.

Everyone passed on Liberatore, a former 21st round pick, in last December's Rule 5 draft, including Friedman, who opted against protecting him with the Rays. A dominating season in the International League must have changed Friedman's mind, as he not only gave up value to get Liberatore, but added him to the Dodgers' 40-man roster. The minor-league statistics overstate his potential; however, he's armed with a low-90s fastball, a high release point, and a bulldog's mentality, so there's a fair chance he latches on as a second lefty.

Bolsinger, by the way, is a finesse right-hander who should serve as rotation depth.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES Team Audit | Player Cards | Depth Chart

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Signed RHP Radhames Liz to a two-year deal worth $3 million; claimed INF-S Pedro Florimon off waivers from the Nationals. [11/21]

Over the past few seasons, Ray Searage has helped Francisco Liriano and Edinson Volquez cast out their demons and return to relevancy; Liz will be his toughest exorcism yet. Unlike Liriano and Volquez, Liz has never succeeded in the majors; in fact, he hasn't pitched in the Show since 2009, and owns a higher career ERA than strikeout-per-nine rate in 110 big-league innings (7.50 versus 6.70). It's unclear how the Pirates intend to use Liz, who features a long arm action and a mid-to-upper-90s fastball, but the bar for tolerable command is lower in the bullpen, making relief the safer bet.

The Pirates love utility infielders. Florimon, who bounced from the Twins to the Nationals in-season, is the latest fit. His ability to play shortstop gives him a chance to crack the bench.