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As I sat typing this article on Friday afternoon, the White Sox executed the Lance Lynn/Joe Kelly and Kendall Graveman trades. By the time this is posted, some of the information below will have aged like a galloon of whole milk left out in Phoenix over the past few weeks.

This trade deadline is likely to be a doozy as every fringe contender picks the bones of the White Sox and Cardinals among others like ravenous buzzards. I’m ready to awe at the spectacle. And it’s only going to be more bananas over this weekend as the Angels deciding not to trade Shohei Ohtani won’t have him holding up the market.

It was hard not to write the below without feeling like I was on the beach building a sandcastle in front of a rising tide. I know the landscape is going to be vastly different in a matter of hours of this being posted, but I still gleefully hacked away at my keyboard with the enthusiasm of that dorky kid on the beach carving garderobes into his castle.

So with that in mind, feel free to ask questions this weekend as sea foam that looks like spittle from Jerry Dipoto’s rabid, sleepless mouth washes over the metaphorical sandcastle below.

The stats and ownership percentages below are updated as of noon central time on 7/28.

As always, if you want advice on specific roster decisions you might have, feel free to leave a comment. You can also find me on twitter (for now) (@mcouill7).

CATCHERS

10/12 Team Adds

Alejandro Kirk (TOR, 43% CBS Ownership) – Since Yordan Alvarez’s return from his oblique strain, Yainer Diaz, a favorite of this piece, has been relegated back to the bench unfortunately. It appears the Astros will continue to roll with Martin Maldonado and not sacrifice defense in favor Diaz’s all-bat profile. Sigh. With Diaz pretty much unusable and Keibert Ruiz’s recent hot streak pushing him past the 50% CBS Ownership threshold, Kirk becomes one of the last options on the wire. However, the 24-year-old has slashed .385/.448/.538, good for a 179 wRC+, since the All-Star break. Steamer still has him projected for .276/.360/.430 with a 122 wRC+ rest of season. That wRC+ projection is third for a catcher behind just Will Smith and Adley Rutschman. (1-3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Travis d’Arnaud (ATL, 48% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Danny Jansen (TOR, 31% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Patrick Bailey (SFG, 25% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Endy Rodriguez (PIT, 23% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Bo Naylor (CLE, 21% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Luis Campusano (SDP, 8% CBS Ownership) – Campusano has started six of the last seven Padres games, fully cementing himself in front of Gary Sanchez and providing a nice boost to the bottom of San Diego’s order. Seriously, it’s been bad as Campusano, Sanchez, Alfonso Rivas and totally-not-fake-dudes Matthew Batten and Taylor Kohlwey have been cycling through the Pads’ seventh and eighth spots in the order this week. A.J. Preller’s handling of this roster is a perfect interpretation of the unfinished horse drawing meme. It is an admittedly small sample size, but over the last seven days, Campusano ranks as the fifth catcher in our Player Rater with his .364/.391/.591 slash over that time. Oh yeah, and he gets two games in Coors Field this week! (3-5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Yan Gomes (CHC, 17% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Blake Sabol (C/OF, SFG, 16% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Connor Wong (BOS, 7% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Matt Thaiss (LAA, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jake Rogers (DET, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), David Fry (C/1B, CLE, 2% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)

INFIELDERS

10/12 Team Adds

Carlos Santana (1B, MIL, 35% CBS Ownership) – Milwaukee was probably the best place for Slamtana to land as he walks right into a starting role as the cleanup hitter. The first base position has surprisingly been a hellhole all year, which is why Santana has been floating around in the Quick Hits below despite a pretty much dead-on average (99 wRC+) slash of .235/.321/.412. The upgrade in ballparks from PNC to AmFam is a great boost to his overall value. And just to boot, Santana has been smooth as of late, ranking seventh in our Player Rater over the last seven days thanks to three homers and a .304/.385/.826 slash. (3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Geraldo Perdomo (2B/SS, ARI, 48% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jake Burger (1B/2B/3B, CHW, 45% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Brett Baty (3B, NYM, 44% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Joey Votto (1B, CIN, 42% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Maikel Garcia (3B/SS, KCR, 37% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), J.P. Crawford (SS, SEA, 37% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luis Garcia (2B/SS, WSN, 30% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Marco Luciano (SS, SFG, 29% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Zach Neto (SS, LAA, 27% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ji-Hwan Bae (2B/OF, PIT, 27% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ronny Mauricio (SS, NYM, 26% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Zack Gelof (2B, OAK, 24% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Willi Castro (2B/3B/SS/OF, MIN, 23% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Masyn Winn (SS, STL, 13% CBS Ownership) – As John Mozeliak prepares for a summer cleaning that will come at the trade deadline, Paul Dejong has been one of the players linked to multiple teams as he is one of the more obtainable middle infield options available. Winn is the Cardinals shortstop of the future, probably starting next year, while also having little left to prove in Triple-A. The 21-year-old was understandably acclimating to the new level as he sported a 75 wRC+ through May. He’s nearly doubled that production with a 138 wRC+ since June 1 along with a slash line of .326/.395/.573 with an impressive 13.5% K-rate and 8.5% BB-rate. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure the 15 Triple-A homers will translate as Winn is more of a contact-oriented speedster. But those 16 steals he’s had so far will certainly translate directly into the majors.  (1-3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Chris Taylor (2B/3B/SS/OF, LAD, 19% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Zach McKinstry (2B/3B/OF, DET, 19% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jon Berti (2B/3B/SS, MIA, 19% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Luis Rengifo (2B/3B/SS/OF, LAA, 18% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Colt Keith (3B, DET, 16% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Nick Pratto (1B/OF, KCR, 14% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Paul DeJong (SS, STL, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jonathan Aranda (2B, TBR, 12% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brice Turang (2B/SS, MIL, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brandon Belt (1B, TOR, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Tony Kemp (2B/OF, OAK, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Michael Massey (2B, KCR, 7% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Dominic Smith (1B, WSN, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jordan Diaz (2B, OAK, 4% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Andy Ibanez (2B/3B/OF, DET, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Emmanuel Rivera (1B/3B, ARI, 2% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)

Only Team Adds

Harold Castro (1B/2B/3B/OF, COL, 1% CBS Ownership) – Swiss army knives don’t come more easily in NL-Only leagues than Castro. In classic Bud Black fashion, Castro, with his career 83 wRC+ and -1.7 fWAR over 1,432 PAs (like, why does he have a major league job?) continues to occupy a strong-side platoon for the Rockies. This is simply about targeting the two home games and three in St. Louis (against a likely gutted pitching staff) Castro has in the upcoming week if you are hard up for someone to plug a lineup hole. Castro even likely keeps a role, even as Brendan Rodgers nears a return because trades will open a new spot for him to get ply his poor craft. (1% FAAB)

Spencer Horwitz (1B, TOR, 0% CBS Ownership) – Horwitz has absolutely caught fire along with the greater North American terrain since July started as he has a .397/.481/.730 slash and 193 wRC+ in the month so far. That work in the batter’s box has come with more walks than strikeouts (12:11) and five homers. It’s clear that Spencer is bored of Buffalo and ready for a big league role. The surprisingly healthy Blue Jays will make him the first call-up if a bat goes down or could dangle him at the deadline. (1% FAAB)

OUTFIELDERS

10/12 Team Adds

Will Benson (CIN, 34% CBS Ownership) – Benson seems like a classic lefty platoon bat, but the Reds have been smitten with him as he starts even against southpaws. The 25-year-old has now pushed his barrel rate to 11% with his absolute heater of a run in July, slashing .286/.394/.625 (164 wRC+) with four homers and steals apiece in the month. It’s a real shame that he continually hits eighth or ninth in the loaded Cincy lineup because that’s the main thing capping his value (and keeping him on waiver wires) right now. But even with slightly fewer at-bats out of the bottom of the lineup, the upcoming Reds’ schedule (at Cubs, vs Nationals, vs Marlins, at Pirates, vs Guardians, vs Blue Jays) is dreamier than Ryan Gosling. (3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Jake McCarthy (ARI, 50% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Nolan Jones (1B/OF, COL, 49% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Charlie Blackmon (COL, 46% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), LaMonte Wade (1B/OF, SFG, 41% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Adam Duvall (BOS, 41% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luis Matos (SFG, 33% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Brandon Marsh (PHI, 32% CBS Ownership Rate, 1-3% FAAB), Jose Siri (TBR, 28% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Kerry Carpenter (DET, 24% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Jurickson Profar (COL, 18% CBS Ownership) – Take the Harold Castro blurb above and copy it here, only amplify the lack of understanding in why the Rockies continue to trot Profar out in the leadoff spot. Traditionally, Profar would be a prime trade deadline target with his switch-hitting bat, veteran presence, and expiring deal. However, he’s been so dogshit as a real life baseball player (-1.4 fWAR over 395 PAs) that I’ve yet to see a single rumor including his name. This is all about trying to catch lightning with Colorado’s breezy five game schedule versus San Diego and at St. Louis. (1% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: David Peralta (LAD, 16% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Randal Grichuk (COL, 16% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jesus Sanchez (MIA, 13% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Alek Thomas (ARI, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ryan O’Hearn (1B/OF, BAL, 13% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Kevin Kiermaier (TOR, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Travis Jankowski (TEX, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Matt Vierling (DET, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), JJ Bleday (OAK, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brenton Doyle (COL, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Drew Waters (KCR, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Mike Tauchman (CHC, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Matt Wallner (MIN, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)

Only Team Adds

Juan Yepez (1B/OF, STL, 3% CBS Ownership) – It seems inevitable that some of the Cardinals major league outfielders will be leaving town before the trade deadline. Even though Yepez is currently rocking a 71 wRC+ in Triple-A, he seems to me that he is a sad boi wallowing in Memphis reminiscing about how he edged out Albert Pujols for at-bats in March 2022. Given an opportunity at full time at-bats, Yepez still has some rosy projections, including a ZiPS line of .260/.313/.470. (1% FAAB)

Cade Marlowe (SEA, 2% CBS Ownership) – Thanks to Jarred Kelenic’s lack of soccer skills and Taylor Trammell’s continued failure to launch, Marlowe has strutted his way into the Mariners’ leftfield job. The former 20th round pick is going to struggle a bit with the bat as he only had an 86 wRC+ with a .255 average and 25.4% K-rate in Triple-A this year. But if you need steals, he’s already picked up two and had 25 in Tacoma before his promotion. (1-3% FAAB)

STARTING PITCHERS

10/12 Team Adds

Johan Oviedo (PIT, 35% CBS Ownership) – It has been quite some time since Oviedo’s ownership rates were low enough to warrant evaluation here. But his July has gone about as well as a Mitch McConnell speaking engagement as he has a 6.28 ERA in 28.2 innings. Some of that is due to bad luck, those innings have come with a 59.4% left-on-base-rate and 4.74 xFIP. Oviedo is certainly who he is at this point – a mid-4’s ERA with roughly 8 K/9. That’s honestly nothing terribly special, so why include him for suggestion? He probably has the best widely available two-start week for the taking with his first start coming at home against the Tigers before facing the Brewers on the road. (1-3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Griffin Canning (LAA, 50% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Patrick Sandoval (LAA, 48% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Clarke Schmidt (NYY, 46% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Nick Pivetta (BOS, 40% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), JP Sears (OAK, 38% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Matt Manning (DET, 38% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Graham Ashcraft (CIN, 37% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Cristopher Sanchez (PHI, 37% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Ryne Nelson (ARI, 33% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ben Lively (CIN, 26% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jose Quintana (NYM, 24% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brandon Pfaadt (ARI, 23% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Kutter Crawford (BOS, 23% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Reese Olson (DET, 20% CBS Ownership) – Wins were always going to be hard to come by pitching for the Tigers, but Olson has started leaking back onto deeper league waiver wires after a rough outing yielding five earned over five innings to the Padres. But his skills-based stats remain very good, Reese has a 3.99 FIP, 1.10 WHIP, and 9.3 K/9. Those guys don’t come around often right now in deeper leagues, look at how shallow the options are getting below in the Quick Hits section (and just wait to see what garbage I have awaiting your eyes in the Only Team category). (3-5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Hyun-Jin Ryu (TOR, 22% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Steven Matz (STL, 22% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ross Stripling (SFG, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Paul Blackburn (OAK, 10% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Adrian Houser (MIL, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Michael Grove (LAD, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luis Medina (OAK, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Chase Silseth (LAA, 5% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)

Only Team Adds

Yonny Chirinos (ATL, 10% CBS Ownership) – Chirinos is the latest pitcher to get a shot at the Braves’ fifth rotation spot like Jared Shuster, Michael Soroka, Dylan Dodd, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Koby Allard before him. As your NL-Only league mates slather over bigger prize to cross the AL/NL barrier for your league player pool, you can do worse than sneak in a transaction for a guy with a 4.02 ERA this season about to pitch for the best team in MLB. (1% FAAB)

Mike Mayers (CHW, 0% CBS Ownership) – When the dust settles after the trade deadline, Rick Hahn is going to have to squint through the haze and piece together a starting rotation like a new character in the opening of a post-apocalyptic RPG. It seems almost like when the Sox acquired Mayers for cash two weeks ago, Hahn was ready for this moment in a strange bit of foresight from the bumbling GM. Mayers’ stint in Charlotte hasn’t been pretty as he has an 11.12 ERA in two starts. But if you are desperate for starting pitching, Mayers will be facing a lot of AL Central offenses down the stretch, trying to recreate his magical May 23rd outing as a Royal against the Tigers with 8 Ks in 4.2 innings. (1% FAAB)

RELIEVERS

10/12 Team Adds

Kyle Finnegan (WSN, 41% CBS Ownership) – Being a Hunter (and Bryan) Harvey fanboy here came at a cost. I’ve written and said many disparaging words about Finnegan and his overall lack of command. But since June 1, he has a 1.27 ERA with only three walks (1.3 BB/9) in 21.1 innings along with three saves and four holds. He’s a legit closer option if you need one down the stretch as he should stick in Washington. Plus, Harvey isn’t returning from his balky elbow anytime soon. Sorry about the disparagement, Kyle! (3-5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Adbert Alzolay (CHC, 44% CBS Ownership, 5-7% FAAB), Andres Munoz (SEA, 41% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Bryan Abreu (HOU, 26% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Kevin Ginkel (ARI, 24% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brusdar Graterol (LAD, 20% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Justin Lawrence (COL, 20% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Dany Jimenez (OAK, 7% CBS Ownership) – The Athletics closer hot potato game will be revived soon after Trevor May finds a new home before the deadline strikes. No better time to be wrapping up his rehab stint from a shoulder injury and be ready for big league action than now for Jimenez, who had 11 saves for the A’s just last year. (3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Tyler Rogers (SFG, 12% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Mark Leiter Jr. (CHC, 11% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brooks Raley (NYM, 9% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jason Foley (DET, 6% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Chris Martin (BOS, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Griffin Jax (MIN, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Carlos Hernandez (KCR, 4% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Drew Smith (NYM, 2% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Gregory Santos (CHW, 2% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB)

Only Team Adds

Jeff Hoffman (PHI, 0% CBS Ownership) – We don’t typically think of the Phillies as one of those super smart pitching factory organizations but maybe it’s time to reconsider? Their bullpen has looked more solid than typical Dombrowski rosters because Craig Kimbrel and Matt Strahm have been steady (and share a surprisingly large crossover for Immaculate Grid). Hoffman has been completely re-tooled in his time with Philly, providing 36 Ks in 26.2 innings with a 2.70 ERA. The former 9th overall pick might have found his niche and has been useful to balance ratios. (1% FAAB)

Robert Stephenson (TBR, 0% CBS Ownership) – Much like Hoffman, this former first rounder has fixed the damage done to his repertoire by the Rockies and Reds. He has also re-tooled with a more traditional pitcher overhaul shop in Tampa. Since joining the Rays on June 3, Stephenson has a 3.12 ERA and 25 Ks in 17.1 innings, proving to be a reliable option to avoid using another Royals starter. (1% FAAB)