I understand this. Hence my question. What is the value of a lefty reliever when we already have good relievers that can plat to both lefty and righty splits? I'm just trying to noodle through the rationale that would make a lefty reliever a priority here.
Well let's look at teams you might face IF you make the postseason.
Minnesota
Rosario, Kepler and Castro are lefties. Marwin and Polanco are switch hitters who hit righties better than lefties. That's 5 of 9 guys likely to be in the lineup who you would like to face a lefty.
Cleveland
Lefties... Naquin, Kipnis and Bauers
Switch hitters... Ramirez, Lindor, Santana and Allen. I haven't done a deep dive on the stats of the switch hitters for the Indians
Yankees are mostly right handed so depending on who the lefty is you may not even have him on the roster
Red Sox
Benintendi, Devers, Bradley Jr and Moreland are lefties
A's
Pretty much just Olson
If somehow you make it to the World Series and face the Dodgers
Seager, Bellinger, and Pederson from the left side
A lefty for the pen isn't a dire need but it sure would be nice to have one
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