According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, the Colorado Rockies acquired Pat Neshek from the Philadelphia Phillies for three minor league players. The Rockies received shortstop Jose Gomez, and right handed pitchers Alejandro Requena, and JD Hammer. Neshek leaves the major league's worst team to join the Rockies, who are making a run at making the playoffs.
What the Rockies got
The Rockies received a reliable reliever, who made the All Star Game this season. The Rockies have the 25th best bullpen in the majors with a 4.53 Earned Run Average. Neshek will join Jake McGee and Greg Holland to help close down games.
Neshek has the second best-earned run average in the national league with a 1.12 earned run average. Neshek will get a chance to make a World Series run after playing with a team that only has 34 wins this season. The Rockies are 4 1/2 games up in the wild card standings.
Neshek was being scouted by the Washington Nationals, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers in his most recent outing. It turns out that the Rockies offered the best package to the Phillies. Neshek is 31-21 with a 2.76 earned run average in 11 seasons with stints with the Twins, Padres, Astros, A's, Cardinals, and Phillies.
What the Phillies got
Gomez is a 23-year-old shortstop that is batting .211 with four home runs in the Pioneer League.
Requena is a 20-year-old pitcher that is 8-3 with a 2.85 earned run average in Class-A. Requena has 97 strikeouts, and 117 innings pitched. Hammer is a 23-year-old pitcher and has a 4-2 record with a 2.35 ERA.
Long story short, the Phillies have two young arms that could be future pieces in the rotation or bullpen. Requena has a high upside and could help an inexperienced Phillies rotation.
Gomez and Hammer were complementary pieces.
Moving forward
The Rockies like the idea of having McGee, Neshek, and Holland close out games. The Rockies knew they had a hold in their bullpen, so they made a move to do something about it. Having McGee and his 3.27 ERA, and Neshek close out the seventh and eighth inning of games with help take a load off of Holland.
The Rockies closer has a 1.72 earned run average with 31 saves.
The Rockies are likely done making moves. Their lineup is potent, while their starting rotation has been consistent. The bullpen was their weakest link. With three formidable arms in the back, the team can make a run these final two months of the season.
