Atlanta Braves bullpen: Trade options abound but could be costly

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Keone Kela

Keone Kela closes for Texas. His traditional numbers don’t jump off the page but his peripherals provide a better picture. Overall His 30% K rate and 10% walk rate are solid and in save situations he’s nails. Define nails? Sure.

In save situations Kela’s thrown 16 1/3 innings, allowed seven hits, struck out 23 and walked five.

Hitters produced a .125/.193/.160/.253 line with zero runs scored.  That’s none, nothing, nada, a goose egg. He obviously converted every opportunity.

Kela’s overall NHIP rate is 56.8%, in save situations it’s 57.2%. For reference, Treinen’s is 44.8%, Kenly Jansen’s 48%, and Aroldis Chapman’s  67.3%.

He’s a fly ball pitcher who’s only allowed two homers this year even though he pitches half the time in Arlington. The homers allowed came in Cleveland – batting park factor 119 – and Seattle a heavily pitcher-friendly ballpark; the Rangers were up 5-1 at the time.

Kela’s 18% line drive rate puts him in the top one-third of qualified relievers and his 20% popup rate puts him in a tie for 12th. His 35.4% ground ball rate puts him 32 on that list just behind A.J. Minter.

Kela’s contract works out to about $600K for the remainder of the year. Arbitration starts next year arbitration starts next season and free agency becomes possible in 2022.

Last night Evan Grant reported that Kela, lefty Jake Diekman, and Adrian Beltre were available.

"Kela’s value might not be as significant to the Rangers as to other teams. He has thrived (in) his first full season (closing) . . . the relative lack of experience might push him down the ladder of trade targets."

If you want a controllable closer or former closer setup man,  Kela sounds like a doable deal to me. Kyle Muller and a Ricardo Sanchez might work.