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| Badenhop heads to Milwaukee. (US Presswire) |
The Milwaukee Brewers acquired right-handed relief pitcher Burke Badenhop via trade from the Tampa Bay Rays, the Brewers announced Saturday. In exchange, the Brewers sent minor-league outfielder Raul Mondesi Jr. to the Rays.
Badenhop, 29, had a 3.03 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 42 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings last season for the Rays. He stranded 28 of 37 inherited runners.
Badenhop had spent the previous four seasons with the Marlins. He has a career 4.08 ERA and 1.34 WHIP.
To say the Brewers need bullpen help would be an understatement. They ranked last in the majors with a 4.66 bullpen ERA last season and collectively blew 30 saves (only the Rockies had more). The Brewers also had a major-league high 33 bullpen losses.
Badenhop figures to be part of the bridge to get to closer John Axford, along with the likes of Fautino De Los Santos, Brandon Kintzler and Jim Henderson, though it's incredibly unlikely the Brewers are done adding to their 'pen this offseason.
Mondesi, 20, hit .231/.282/.374 with five homers, 32 RBI and 43 runs in 68 games for Helena (Rookie ball) last season. And, yes, his father is the Raul Mondesi whom you're thinking about. You might remember the younger Mondesi for his unique "walk-off homer."
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