Brad Hand (RP, SDP) - Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: Somewhat surprisingly, Brad Hand was not among the hundreds [citation needed] of relievers dealt at yesterday's trade deadline. The Padres opted to hang on to their relief ace, and with Brandon Maurer now in Kansas City, Hand should be expected to receive the lion's share of their save opportunities moving forward.

The southpaw has converted all four save chances he's received since moving into the ninth-inning role, and hasn't been scored upon in almost two months. On the season, Hand boasts a 2.00 ERA and 0.96 WHIP, with 70 strikeouts against 14 walks in 54 innings of work. His 33.0% strikeout rate ranks 21st among qualified relievers, ahead of universally-owned closers like Cody Allen, Felipe Rivero, and Raisel Iglesias.