Relief pitchers are always in demand at the trade deadline, and 2025 is no different. A long list of contenders will be shopping for bullpen help to prepare for the stretch run and the postseason spotlight.
Few teams feel fully confident in their relief corps. The Phillies are one clear example of a club in need, and history suggests they will be aggressive. Across the league, front offices must decide whether to pay for long-term control or target short-term rentals with a lower acquisition cost.
Here are the top bullpen arms expected to be available.
Shelby Miller – Diamondbacks
On an expiring deal with 10 saves and a 2.04 ERA, Shelby Miller will be a hot name if Arizona sells. After struggles in 2024, he has retooled his pitch mix, reducing slider usage and improving location.
His chase rate is in the 97th percentile, and his 110 location+ is among the best in the league. With limited control and a light track record, the cost will be manageable for contenders in need of late-inning help.
Félix Bautista – Orioles
After missing all of 2024, Bautista has returned in strong form. He is not quite back to his 2022-2023 dominance, and his fastball velocity is down over 2 mph, but he ranks in the 88th percentile in expected ERA and is generating groundballs with his sinker.
He is under team control through 2027, so Baltimore will expect a significant return, likely involving controllable starting pitching.
Carlos Estévez – Royals
Estévez has seen a drop in whiff rate and groundball production, but a 2.02 ERA and 117 career ERA+ keep him in the mix.
The Royals may try to offload the remaining money on his contract, which includes $10 million in 2026 and a $13 million team option in 2027. A bullpen-needy big-market team like Philadelphia could bite.
Jake Bird – Rockies
Bird is not a free agent until 2029 and still has two minor league options remaining. That flexibility could appeal to a development-focused contender.
His sinker is overused, but the curveball and slider are elite, and his 113 stuff+ could climb higher with some adjustments. Bird is a long-term piece who could benefit from a new environment.
Hoby Milner – Brewers
Milner has yet to allow a home run this season and brings a deceptive side-arm delivery that makes him a nightmare for left-handed hitters.
He holds a 0.83 WHIP against lefties and a 3.07 expected ERA overall. His 55 percent groundball rate makes him ideal for double-play situations. As a pure rental, he will be affordable.
Chris Martin – Rangers
Martin, now 39, has a 1.88 ERA in 14.1 postseason innings and a career 135 ERA+. He is one of the most seasoned relievers on the market.
He is not a closer at this stage, but his control and command still play. His 108 pitching+ suggests he can consistently handle sixth or seventh-inning duties for a contender.
Kyle Finnegan – Nationals
Finnegan has been a trade candidate for years, and the time may finally have come. With 100 career saves and a 3.47 ERA, he offers experience in high-leverage spots.
His slider shows promise but has barely been used this year. A new team could refine his pitch usage by scaling back his mediocre fastball and emphasizing the splitter and slider.
Anthony Bender – Marlins
Bender had a high ERA and low FIP in 2024. Now the reverse is true, but his 114 stuff+ remains encouraging.
His sweeper and slider give him swing-and-miss potential, and he is under team control through 2027. A team with strong pitching development could tap into more upside by refining his sinker.
Graham Ashcraft – Reds
Ashcraft is the wildcard on this list. Once a starter, he has adapted well to the bullpen and now ranks fourth among relievers in pitching+ with a 2.85 FIP.
Under control through 2028, the price will be steep, but his current two-pitch approach featuring a cutter and slider could make him an elite late-inning arm in the right bullpen.
Seranthony Domínguez – Orioles
Domínguez is a rental with a strong track record and a career ERA+ of 118. His fastball and sinker are getting hit hard, but his splitter and sweeper remain excellent.
Baltimore is not contending, and Domínguez is expendable. He will be one of the more affordable options with swing-and-miss potential.
Parting Shot
The 2025 deadline should be especially active for relief pitchers, with plenty of high-upside rentals and intriguing long-term options. Contenders need to decide whether they are looking for help this October or the next three. Either way, this year’s bullpen market offers solutions in every tier.
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