Texas Rangers: If Brad Hand can return a top prospect, why can’t Keone Kela?

Statistics: Keone Kela compared to Brad Hand

Brad Hand has been recognized for much of the year as one of the best relievers in MLB. Keone Kela is without a doubt one of the best relievers in MLB; however, his recognition doesn’t compare to Hand’s. Putting national recognition behind, let’s breakdown each pitcher’s 2018 numbers…

Brad Hand

ERA: 3.05 (with San Diego)

K/9: 13.2

Home Runs Allowed: 5

WHIP: 1.083

Saves/Save Opportunities: 24/29

Keone Kela

ERA: 3.18

K/9: 10.9

Home Runs Allowed: 2

WHIP: 1.088

Saves/Save Opportunities: 23/23

Take your pick. Each reliever is clearly having a dominant season. Hand may raise eye brows ever so slightly more due to the fact that his dominance comes from the left side. Though, Kela has his fair share of eye brow-raising qualities as well.

This article isn’t about promoting Keone Kela or convincing viewers that he is better than Brad Hand. Rather, it’s purpose is to bring to light the fact that Kela is right there with Hand in quality and he should therefore receive similar treatment on the trade market.

If Hand is worth a top prospect then Kela should be too. Certainly, there is no considerable disparagement in numbers that would indicate otherwise. But, it’s not just about numbers. Maybe Hand’s contract is more friendly than Kela’s.

Contracts: Keone Kela compared to Brad Hand

Brad Hand

Signed for 3 years, $19,750,000

-2018: $3.5 million

-2019: $6.5 million

-2020: $7 million

-2021 Club Option: $10 million

Keone Kela

Signed for 1-year, $1,200,000

-2018: $1.2 million

-2019: Arbitration Eligible

-2020: Arbitration Eligible

Both contracts are very team friendly. The Cleveland Indians got an established MLB reliever who has had back-to-back fantastic seasons for very cheap. Hand is now under contract with Cleveland for at least the next two seasons. There is no question Brad Hand’s light contract played a huge role in the trade. Frankly, it probably equaled the importance of his on-field numbers.

More from Texas Rangers News

• 3 Texas Rangers outfield trade targets not named Bryan Reynolds
• Did Jacob deGrom really mean what he said at his Texas Rangers press conference?
• Martin Perez accepting the qualifying offer looking like solid deal for the Rangers
• 4 outfielders the Texas Rangers can still pursue this winter
• Is a six-man rotation in the Texas Rangers’ near future?

Keone Kela’s contract is team friendly as well. He is under team control through 2020. Arbitration keeps contract negotiations between the player and his team only, so he will remain with his assigned team. Kela has earned a nice pay raise based on his 2018 performance; therefore, he could come out of arbitration costing more than Hand in 2019. Nevertheless, he would still be under team control.

Who wouldn’t want two and a half seasons of a 25-year-old Keone Kela that is just now entering into his prime???

Will the Texas Rangers be able to move Kela for a similar return to Brad Hand’s?

The return of a top prospect for Keone Kela is possible, but unlikely. The Indians were by far the most desperate team in MLB for bullpen help. They may even still be. Unfortunately, Cleveland does not have the farm system depth to where they would be willing for fork over another major prospect for Kela. A deal involving Kela to Cleveland is probably off the table at this point.

There are other teams that could use Kela’s services. Specifically, the Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies. The amount of young talent floating throughout the Braves’ minor league system is well-known. And the Rockies have a number of intriguing prospects  and young MLB players as well.

Next: Grading the Jesse Chavez Trade

It will be a curious watch over the next 11 days to see if the Texas Rangers can find a good deal for Keone Kela. If you would like my opinion, I don’t think he is traded. I think the Rangers will only trade Kela if they could get a Brad Hand-esque return. Perhaps not the return of a top prospect, but at least something close behind. I’m not sure any contenders are willing to offer such a return.