Texas Rangers: Keone Kela most valuable on the roster and most valuable reliever on the trade market

Texas Rangers closer, Keone Kela, has emerged as one of the top relievers in MLB. He is arguably THE top reliever in this year’s trade market.

Keone Kela saved his 23rd game in 23 opportunities last night against the Baltimore Orioles. He now ranks 7th in MLB in saves and is the only closer in the top 20 that is perfect in his opportunities. Furthermore, Kela is averaging 11 strikeouts per nine innings and has held opposing hitters to a measly .203 batting average in 2018. Cole Hamels has been chronicled as the Texas Rangers top trade chip; however, the table is beginning to tilt towards Keone Kela.

Top trade chip on the Rangers? He may very well be. But, let’s take it a step further…

Is Kela the top MLB relief pitcher on the trade market?

Please allow me to make his case…

Keone Kela is top-tier in arm talent

Surely, most of you have seen Kela pitch. If you haven’t, you should. He possesses the typical closer fastball, ranging from 95-98 mph. He also possesses the coveted elite secondary pitch that historically promotes closers from good to great. I’m referring to his wipeout curveball.

30 of Kela’s 39 strikeouts have come via the curveball in 2018. He has brilliant command of the pitch as evidenced by his willingness to throw it at any point in the count. He can spin the hook with the best of them and he can spot the hook with the best of them.

It is safe to say he has mastered the fastball/curveball combination. Just as Mariano Rivera had his cutter and Trevor Hoffman his changeup, Kela has his curveball. It is risky to mention Kela in the same sentence as the all-time saves leaders, but his stuff is at least slightly deserving of it.

Certainly, Kela deserves to be recognized as one of the top relievers in the game. In half a season, he’s transitioned from experimental closer to elite closer. He’s been so dominant that teams are beginning to take notice MLB wide.

The markets sets up ideally for Keone Kela

We’ve seen relievers take over control of the trade market for a few consecutive years now. It’s kind of the new routine. Names like Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman, and Brandon Kintzler have shifted the market in previous seasons. Closer Kelvin Herrera being traded to the Washington Nationals last month was the first big move of the year.

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While Keone Kela does not have the track record to match any of those relievers, he certainly has the talent and potential to warrant a very notable trade prior to the July 31st trade deadline.

Contenders in desperate need of Kela’s services are the Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves. Each team is in the bottom half of MLB in bullpen ERA; Cleveland ranks dead last and Colorado third to last. The Los Angeles Angels could be tossed in the mix too. Though, they are quite the disoriented bunch at the moment.

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Expect negotiations to really heat up over the next week. Rumors should surface at a greater rate and deals should be inked soon enough. From the perspective of the Texas Rangers, now is the perfect time to swap Keone Kela for some prospect talent. It’s tough to let a high-caliber closer go; however, we’ve seen the kind of talent contending teams are willing to give up for exactly that.