Chicago Cubs: 5 pitchers to monitor on trade block
By Ryan Heckman
Austin Brice
Right-Handed Reliever
Miami Marlins
ERA: 1.88
WHIP: 1.07
IP: 38.1
K: 38
BB: 14
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With one of the worst records in baseball, you better believe the Miami Marlins should sell at the deadline. Austin Brice is a name you will see come up in a lot of trade rumors prior to the end of the month, and may be a target for the Cubs.
One of the things you should know about Brice (credit CBS Sports’ research once more) is his lack of heat. Brice doesn’t throw the ball terribly hard, and instead will be more apt to seeing a ground ball than a strikeout.
But, that’s not all bad news as the Cubs do have some of the league’s best defensive players. According to FanGraphs, Brice’s opponents’ batting average on balls in play is just .233; meaning, if a batter puts the ball into play, and not foul, he averages only .233 against Brice. That’s a respectable number for a reliever.
I am not as crazy about Brice as I am a guy like Yates, but he would be a nice consolation prize if the Cubs were to miss out on the latter. He has still gotten the job done and is enjoying one of the best seasons of his pro career.