Nothing embodies a trade market like MLB and school lunches. Most other major sports rarely see headliner names get dealt. It’s an exciting time to be a fan, regardless if your favorite team is buying or selling. Buying, your probably fantasizing about a World Series run. Conversely (selling) you’re hoping for a brighter future with young potential stars. Hopefully, you end up with a Snack Pack and not sour grapes.
I was told there would be trades!!! Sadly, we could end up with a slow deadline as we wait to see the impact of additional Wild Card teams in the market. Thankfully, we did get one blockbuster trade in the books; as the Reds sent Luis Castillo to the Mariners. With the deadline fast approaching (8/2), we could see several over the course of the weekend.
The landscape in deeper fantasy leagues is pretty barren. Many players will be speculating on adds for closers and replacement bats. While this can certainly boost your team, be modest in your bids, most of them won’t pan out the way you want. In smaller formats, don’t concern yourself too much with speculative adds.
Notable Schedules
Eight Games: Rockies (zero home games), Mets, Padres,
Seven Games: Red Sox, Guardians, White Sox, Tigers, Astros, Royals, Dodgers, Twins, Rangers, Nationals
Seven Games w/double-header: Braves, Angels, Mariners
Five Games: None
10/12 Team Adds
Salvador Perez (KCR/C) – The Royals surprised us on Friday, activating Salvador Perez from the injured list. Perez was the top fantasy catcher in 2021 and will be well sought after in leagues where he wasn’t held. (8-12% FAAB)
Steven Kwan (CLE/OF) – Kwan has a strong hit tool and will steal some bags along the way. He won’t contribute much elsewhere, but with average and steals being hot commodities in roto leagues; he should be a bench bat at minimum. (1% FAAB)
Braxton Garrett (MIA/SP) – Some skepticism around Garrett was playing time. Now that Taylor Rogers is on the IL, that should cement him for now. He has a 25.1% k-rate, 5.5% BB-rate, and a 3.96 ERA (3.37 SIERA).
Chris Flexen (SEA/SP) – The Angels are dead last in MLB in wRC+(60) and strikeouts (29.1%) since June 30th. It’s not that they’re last, but it’s by some margin. They’re 14 points behind Miami in wRC+ and 1.4 pts ahead of Cincinnati in strikeouts. Making Flexen a decent streaming option for the week. (1% FAAB)
Cole Irvin (OAK/SP) – See Chris Flexen. (1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Dustin May (LAD/SP) – May threw 46 pitches (3 IP) on Thursday. That was his first rehab appearance since Tommy John surgery. He could be a difference maker if he slots back into the rotation. Grab him if you have room to stash. (4-5% FAAB)
Scott Effross (CHC/RP) – David Robertson is on a one-year deal and will likely be traded in the coming days. Effross is the best remaining pitcher in the pen. He has a 21.9% K-BB and maintains a 2.66 ERA (2.79 SIERA). Mychal Givens also recorded a save this week, but he has walk rates north of 10% for the last four seasons. (1% FAAB)
Garrett Whitlock (BOS/RP) – Whitlock recorded (2) 2-inning saves this week. Tabbed by some to be Boston’s closer over the winter. However, their lack of rotational depth thrusted him into a starter. He’s been back in the pen since his return from the IL. Now, with Tanner Houck struggling, this is his chance to lock up the job moving forward. (4-5% FAAB)
Chas McCormick (HOU/OF) – McCormick has started 11 of the teams’ last 13 games. Over the last three weeks, Chas is 19th is baseball in hard hit (51.4%) along with a very nice, 14.3% barrel. (1-2% FAAB)
Ezequiel Duran (TEX/3B) – Duran’s profile definitely won’t pop off the page, but he could be a valuable add on the right team. He doesn’t hit for much power but should supply an okay average and will get you some steals from a CI spot. He’s started 8 of the teams’ last 9 games. (1% FAAB)
Victor Robles (WSN/OF) – Robles has found himself back in the leadoff role. He won’t contribute much in the HR column, as he has just 8 homers in his last 817 PAs. He should contribute plenty of steals as he has 12 in limited playing time. Worth a bid if you’re out in front of power but trailing in steals. (1% FAAB)
