The market for relievers remains hot at the trade deadline. On Tuesday, Miami Marlins reliever Brad Ziegler was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Arizona #Dbacks are trading for #Marlins closer Brad Ziegler.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2018
Ziegler, who was tied for the team lead with 10 saves, pitched fairly well for the Marlins this season. While the 38-year-old’s 1.27 WHIP and 3.98 ERA are fairly high, the veteran is a weapon against right-handed batters.
Right-handed hitters who faced Ziegler this season slashed .221/.305/.365 with a .670 OPS and just eight extra-base hits in 105 at-bats. He is a specialist out of the bullpen, who will serve in a complementary relief role in Arizona.
The veteran is in the final year of a two-year, $16 million deal and is owed just under half of the remaining $9 million salary he earned this season. This also as a reunion for Ziegler as he played in Arizona from 2011-’16.
Ziegler has only made two postseason appearances in his 11-year career, though he pitched just one inning combined in the 2011 and 2016 playoffs.
At this time, the return heading to Miami is not yet known. Ziegler could be the first of several relievers on Miami’s roster to be traded.