Trade Profiles: LaTroy Hawkins

Talk-Sports.net

I thought today was going to be my last trade profile but then, of course, the Twitter machine gets in the way of that.  I was not going to write a trade profile on LaTroy Hawkins but since the Pirates are apparently linked to him, here we go.

In-game reading: #Pirates believed to be interested in #Rockies Hawkins http://t.co/0K1RA9IhDD
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) July 27, 2014

Hawkins is as seasoned of a veteran as you're going to get.  He's 41 years of age and he is well traveled.  He's in his second stint with the Rockies and he is performing fine as their closer.  His stat line goes something like this, a 4.37 K/9, a 2.31 BB/9, a 1.20 WHIP, and finally an ERA of 3.09.  He is primed to regress though with his FIP and xFIP coming in at 3.68 and 4.35.

Hawkins also provides some intangibles to the Pirates if you're a strong believer in that stuff.  He is known as a fantastic clubhouse guy and a good leader.  Clint Hurdle has talked about his leadership on the 2007 Rockies team that made the World Series.  Another thing about Hawkins is that he has only made 37 appearances this year, so he is pretty fresh.

And now for the bad that comes with Hawkins.  Like I said, he is 41 and with that age comes injury risk.  The big concern I have with him is that he strikes nobody out.  His K/9 is pitiful and it is the lowest he's had since 2006.  The Pirates need someone who will strike players out, not pitch to contact.

Overall, Hawkins would be a guy I would add in only one instance.  And that's if you do not trust Jared Hughes.  Hughes is the exact same pitcher as Hawkins but he is pitching better.  But Hawkins can also provide that leadership.  So replacing Hawkins with Hughes could be a tiny upgrade.  He can't be the guy who comes in and takes the seventh inning role.  But regardless, the fact that he has the intangibles the Pirates look for and he played for Clint Hurdle in Colorado tells me he could be a Pirate soon.  Also, with a seller's market and not much interest in Hawkins, he could be a bargain.  I just hope if NH does trade for Hawkins, it isn't the only reliever he adds.