MLB Trade Rumors: Should the Giants Trade for a Closer?

With the recent injuries to the back of the Giants bullpen, the Giants may step up and start looking for a closer. Two days ago, we learned that set up man Sergio Romo would be placed on the 15 day DL with inflammation in his right elbow. MRI results yesterday showed no structural damage.

Then yesterday, we learned that Giants closer Brian Wilson has an inflamed elbow as well, and will sit out the next few games. Wilson got knocked around on Monday night giving up 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks in 0.2 innings to blow his 5th save of the season. Wilson has not been as dominant this year, and one has to wonder if all the innings he threw during the 2010 playoffs and World Series is catching up to him. This season, he is 6-4 with 35 saves, 5 blown saves, a 3.19 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP.

Taking a look at Wilson's peripheral stats this season is eye opening. His strikeout rate has dropped from 11.21 to 8.72 and his walk rate has jumped from 3.13 to 5.20 this season. Not good. The drop in K rate and increase in BB rate are sometimes early signs of an injury, and Wilson is hurting right now.

With the Giants bullpen getting thinner by the day, and Jeremy Affeldt probably the team's next best option to close out games, the Giants may look to the trade market to back up Wilson should he be out more than a few games.

Who should they target? Let's take a look after the jump:

The one name that jumps out is Padres closer Heath Bell, but the Giants may not want to pay the price to obtain Bell for a little more than a month of service. Then who should they go after? How about recently demoted Mets closer Jason Isringhausen?

Izzy has pitched well for the Mets this season, going 3-2 with 7 saves, a 3.46 ERA, 4.48 FIP and 4.26 xFIP with a 1.20 WHIP. He is striking out just about 8 batters per nine innings, while walking almost 4 batters ever 9 innings. Not dominant, but he knows how to get the job done, and has pitched in a pennant race in the past.

Should the Giants trade for Jason Isringhausen?