Five Relievers Contenders May Covet at the Trade Deadline

The top tier of relievers is clear, but let's take a closer eye at some unheralded names that could make a difference in a pennant race.

Welcome to the time of year when the positional name for “reliever” essentially becomes “trade candidate.” Sure, they aren’t all liable to be moved, but, as always, enough of them are. You’re likely already on the lookout for anything involving guys like Will Smith, Ken Giles, or Kirby Yates—but what about the next tier of names? Here are five relievers to keep an eye on before July 31:

The Royals have already begun selling earlier (farewell, Homer Bailey and Martín Maldonado), and Diekman reportedly might be one of their next guys to go. As a veteran on an…